Money, the root of all evil . . . and happiness

You know how hard saving up for a trip can be, right? Most of the time, I'm bothered by it. I don't earn much, honestly, even though I work 8.5 hours a day and at least two Saturdays a month lasting four hours long each day. I don't know how many hours I work because I don't bother counting and being disappointed but I am sure it is very little.

My best friend who is saving to go on this trip with me has been successfully saving despite having to return money she borrowed from people. If I'm not wrong, she has been up to a few thousand US dollars as of now, maybe 3 maybe 4. As for me? I wouldn't even say. I've been working at this current childcare center for at least 7 months and I should have at least 3.5 thousand if I have been saving successfully as I planned half a year before. I shall officially reprimand myself. Where has all my money gone?

I have gotten a camera earlier in the year which I would need for the trip. I got it early. I am happy with it so that if I do get it lost there, it wouldn't be so painful for me because it would be considered "old" by the time I bring it around Europe. What else have I gotten? An iPhone for 238 dollars with a 56-dollar plan a month that I pay for myself entirely. That isn't half bad seeing how it retails for 1600 dollars normally. Let me tell you—I am entirely self-provided. I pay for my transport, my social activity, my phone bill, my shopping and my dream trip. I really wish I earned more but yet I have not been looking for a job elsewhere.

My goal is to—by the new year—find a better paying job that pays at least a thousand and a half. My current job gives me great lunch daily, is quite laid-back and is a 30-minute walking distance away which gives me my daily exercise. So far in 7 months I lost 7 kilograms which I am extremely proud of. My job is rather interesting. I don't type, I don't answer calls, I don't do much but teach the alphabet, sing nursery rhymes, feed, bathe and lull these kids. It's basically being paid to be a surrogate mother to 22 monkeys. (This job also tests my patience.) I do love children so finding a children-related job was the cherry on top for me but considering my expensive dream, I realize I need to do more and earn more. Much more. If this goes on into 2010, I might just only earn enough to fly to Stockholm and stay a night or two, the end.

I do not want to disappoint my best friend. We planned for three months around Europe. What is there to consider?

1. backpacking gear—$200—backpack, money bag, bottle, day pack
2. clothing—$300—winter clothing, fast-drying clothing, leggings, shoes
3. plane ticket—$1200—an open jaw flight to Europe (because I plan to fly to America after)
4. rail ticket—$1200—a three-month pass from Eurail
   
5. accommodation—$3000—in at least eight countries and fifteen cities lasting 3 to 10 days each
   
6. food—$2500—again, for three months at least (not counting the UK)
7. attractions—$1000—museums, gardens, castles, theme parks, festivals, clubs and concerts
8. extras—$500—toiletries, new clothing, transport, etc
   

Remember, everything is in Singapore dollars which is two times that of the Euro. The total I would need to save up is $10,000. I need to save $10,000!

Now, I have about 10% of that. Go me. In ten months I have to make $9,000. I have Christmas, my birthday, my year-end bonus and Chinese New Year to go. That would probably fetch me no more than $2000 in total. I would have to earn another $6,000. I would probably leave Singapore in August because it would be cheaper for me to go off-peak and for my best friend Ashlee to go because there would be summer deals for her since she comes from New Jersey.

I have thought of plus-size modeling because I am not size 0 or 2, not even 4 or 6. Despite this thought, I have not started looking. I could give tuition to little kids but I'm afraid no one would trust me enough to teach their kids or that I'm not educationally supported. All I have is an O Level certificate. I get my diploma only end of June, maybe July (and that's why I have to go only in August). I have thought of something in the events company but that means a flexible working schedule. Most of the time, I might miss classes.

The most important thing about getting another job is because I am so comfortable now with the distance and working hours and the fact that I have to come up with no money at all for lunch! The lunch by the lunch lady is just great. I save on transport because dad drives me to work every morning which takes only 3 minutes. I walk back. And I save on food and socializing after work. I probably save about $10 a day. That is great plus I get to lose some weight. I'm very pleased but I earn close to peanuts. I understand childcare is not the way to wealth but I love children and the work is pretty simple aside from the fact that I have to handle 22 lives daily. I got used to it.

Whatever it is, I am determined to earn at least $7000 by August 2010 by hook or by crook. In ten months. $700 a month. I would have close to no social life but I will save it all for Europe. I can do it. I will hound after job agencies and MTV and Disney and The Straits Times for a job related to my Mass Communications diploma that I would get by that time. After that when I get to Europe, I'll start writing about my trips. Hopefully I earn some readership and get GoogleAds and Nuffnang working for me. At least I earn something along the way instead of just traveling. In the end after, I would write a travelogue and send it for publishing. When I go to America, I would start finishing my novel, one of many I have in mind. How does my plan sound to you? Will I be able to make it to Europe at all in 2010?