A lot is happening right now – we’re in a pandemic, we live with the fear of contracting the Corona-virus, there’s salary cuts, there’s retrenchments, and and and… What’s been happening your side? For me, I’ve been the juggling of…
Author: melissajavan
My Mother’s Day Letter to My Daughter
Girly, we’re in a lockdown in South Africa and it’s Mother’s Day. This year you’ve already twice announced that it is Mother’s Day on two different occasions. I don’t mind – you made drawings for me those days. At least…
How I Got Side Hustles While Working A Full-Time Job
Hey everyone, I hope you are well. One of the common questions I get asked is ‘how do I start freelancing’ and I thought of answering it today in this blog post. MY STORY Thinking back I realise that I…
I Took My Child Out of Creche – I Was Retrenched Then
I don’t think there’s an easy way to make tough decisions. One of the toughest decisions I had to make was to take my child out of her pre-school. I just couldn’t afford it – I was retrenched in March…
Quick Anniversary Escape Destinations
This post is sponsored by Travelstart. I spoke to someone recently about honeymoons – she got married last year but couldn’t go on a honeymoon yet. Her and her husband’s work schedules clash a bit, so there’s not really time…
Developing the Mindset of a Millionaire
Driving home yesterday I realised that I need to change my (poverty) mindset to a growth one. We had drove past big, beautiful homes with huge spaces. I remember thinking “I won’t be able to afford this anytime soon, I…
Online Tools to Use When You’re a Content Creator
UPDATE: I recently updated this blog post to add more online tools I’m using as a Writer and Content Creator. In 2016, I started using the online scheduling tool, hootsuite.com to schedule old blog posts and social media updates. Before…
Life Update: I Went on A Detox PLUS What To Eat
I started a detox last week (from Tuesday), which meant no starch, no fruit, no dairy, no sugar (including no processed food, not even tuna in a can), and no grains. I was allowed green vegetables only (excluding peas) and…
A Train From Johannesburg to Cape Town – Our Experience
It was our first grandchild’s christening on Easter Sunday last year and we had to be there. It would also be the first time for us to meet her. My four-year-old daughter (then 3) would see her big sister again…
The Different Levels of Broke
Every person has their own level of broke. I remember one day at the office one of my colleagues said out loud that she is broke. Shortly thereafter she spoke about buying fast food for lunch. Another colleague then said…