Comments on: Freedom Fund – It Gives Me Freedom (or, How I Really Feel)

By: Your Emergency Fund-Let’s Fine Tune That Baby!!! | The Millionaire Nurse Blog

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:24:25 +0000

[...] Well Healed Blog has a real world story, about her use of her “Freedom Fund” [...]

By: OneGirl

OneGirl — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:21:09 +0000

It’s ok. Misinterpretation happens all the time on the internet. It keeps things exciting, perhaps. hee hee. Have a great weekend!

By: SP

SP — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:16:11 +0000

Sorry onegirl, I don’t know you and I sincerely apologize for misjudging your comment so completely!!

By: Wellheeled

Wellheeled — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:42:12 +0000

Everyone – thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I’m doing quite well. I think the important thing for me is to stay intellectually engaged (language classes, tons of reading) and physically active (Argentine tango), and maintaining contact with friends and family. And I won’t lie, the chance to travel and do all the things I haven’t had time to do before is nice indeed.

By: OneGirl

OneGirl — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:42:43 +0000

SP-The definition of schedenfreude is ‘satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune.’ I am appalled that you would think that. I was asking how she was coping because she hadn’t said much about it. Those that have been reading know that she has a Freedom Fund, but sometimes, when you save that much money, you don’t want to spend it. [/rant]
Being unemployed is a terrible thing. I’ve been there before, and I felt EXACTLY the same way Wellheeled does. Why? Because I was prepared. I saved my money, used unemployment to balance out my wants and needs and had a successful 3 month hiatus from working. I traveled, and did tons of fun things that I couldn’t do beforehand because work got in the way. For those that have never experienced it, it’s nice to see a positive side to unemployment. It’s not always doom and gloom unless you’re ill prepared. I know former coworkers that got laid off recently, and they are crying themselves to sleep every night because the bills are coming in, and they can’t afford the lifestyle they were living when employed. There is no harm in asking how someone’s doing/feeling. I wondered if Wellheeled really was feeling positive or just pretending online to be positive. I am very proud of you, and glad that you’re keeping it together even though this is a tough time. You know what you need to do and you’re doing it. Good on ya, babe. (sorry for the book!)

By: Rackelleigh

Rackelleigh — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:30:16 +0000

I don’t particularly think it’s schadenfreude. I think if I were to lose my job the psychological impact would take a lot longer than three days to bounce back from, but maybe that’s because I don’t have such a solid financial net to keep me from relying on Govt./parental aid. Everyone’s situation is different.
Hope your opportunities bear fruit!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:55:39 +0000

Hear, hear! Well said.

By: SP

SP — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:36:30 +0000

Love this! And the new header — very much representative of (what I think of) you!

Maybe I’m paranoid, but I sense a bit of schadenfreude in the email you received. While we’d all be happy to support you if you were struggling with negative emotions, I’m much happier to see your great attitude and a sensible perspective on temporary unemployment and future opportunities!

By: Paragon2Pieces

Paragon2Pieces — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:51:21 +0000

Bravo. This is an excellent post. I only wish my significant other had had the same responsible, driven approach when he went through a similar experience.

By: Tea

Tea — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:59:32 +0000

Wow, I guess I haven’t been over here in a while or I haven’t been paying much attention because I didn’t even know you lost your job.

Best wishes on the job search. And thanks for staying so positive and contuing to blog throughout this ordeal. Makes perfect sense that a pf blogger would have enough money saved for the unexpected.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:26:03 +0000

First of all, I love the new masthead. Reminds me of a warm, comfortable night in my room…except maybe my books and shoes would be sprawled all over the floor.

Secondly, I’m really happy that you’re staying positive during such a time and hope that your radiance encourages others in similar situations to have the same mentality. It is easy to become depressed, or have week long free-for-all, but you sound like you have a great head on your shoulders. Good luck with your job search!

By: Miss M

Miss M — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:02:35 +0000

I enjoyed unemployment, though at the time my living expenses were lower and unemployment paid for most of them. Now I’d be freaking out in a week! My first stint of unemployment I never even looked for a job, one found me after about 2 months. The 2nd time I had a new job lined up, it just didn’t start for a few months. I enjoyed the time off knowing I’d never get that type of vacation again until I retired. I used it to read, exercise and do all of the things I never had time for with a daily job. Lots of luck with whatever may come, hopefully this is merely a transition to new and exciting opportunities.

By: Manisha Thakor

Manisha Thakor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:31:06 +0000

Ok, this post made the hairs stand up on my arms with excitement / pride. We are bombarded with advice to have “emergency funds.” It’s excellent advice. But your moving, transparent, and honest depiction (both on your wonderful blog & on Twitter) of what it’s like to be in an unexpected period of career transition & to put that “Freedom Fund” (such a better term) to use should serve as an inspiration to every reader to build theirs up T-O-D-A-Y. You are a role model in so many ways… keep writing, doing tango, and know we’re all rooting for you!