Bright Side of the Barn

April 6, 2023

What is this Blog about?

When I started the BRIGHT SIDE OF THE BARN - it was for me.

A place to heal.

I love to write, and have been blessed with a couple pieces published. I've always wrote letters, to myself or to others as a means of sorting out how I felt or how I wanted to react to something. Or to express myself without being misunderstood or misrepresented by the stigma of 'he said' 'she said'. My words were fact - in black and white. No dispute.

I could rewrite, where as with words once spoken, they are said.

So, when it comes to healing 'writing' made sense. Why a blog? Why make it public? Why share? From my end, it's like sitting in a group therapy, or class. Feedback sometimes can be the answer your looking for. But, you don't get feedback if you don't open up.

My mom once told me that it wasn't about what I was going through, it was about the people watching me go through it. They needed to see the way out. My mom put a lot of the world on my shoulders as a child.. lol.

I think it's the OPENING UP part that helps us heal. We've let it out, released the pressure, tension, burden.... Once out, there is nothing to HOLD so you feel lighter.

The first post was nothing more than a welcome and announcement that I had deleted any and all previous social media and blogs. There was NOTHING of me on the internet at the time I started...

The 3rd post is where we really dig in and BEGIN..... You can read it here

~ Illness X

It's taken most of my life's journey so far to get here.... and understand me. In the last 4 years I've come to the place of peace and have the ability to look forward. For me now - Life is GOOD.

A lot of things have happened and we've shared many emotions along the journey. Together we've come to a happy place and moving forward. It has touched my heart at how many have come along on this journey with me, with us. I love each and every one of you.

I accidently deactivated this blog once, couple years ago. A few folks went to alot of trouble to find me and ask me about it. It was an accident. But the experience, made me realize that someone out there really enjoys this little blurp of mine. Perhaps, someone struggles as I do.?

Other than having to recreate myself financially and the added burden of Papa's decreasing health.... life is looking up. And we shall continue to blog the randomness of my life.! So I hope you all stick around and enjoy the journey with me as we continue to grow older {never old}.

Life's a journey enjoy the ride!

Love to hear from you!

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.

April 3, 2023

Every little bit helps

Life on a fixed income isn't pleasant unless your fix is substantially greater than the current cost of living, And for most of us, it isn't.

Social Security, disability, retirements, 401 K's ~ our paycheck is dipped into and a little bit goes here and a little bit goes there.... and then ~ you need it.... but the cost of living has increased 3x's what you expected.

So what you end up getting is 'just enough' if your lucky ~ to 'get by'.

Many of us have 'side gigs' or 'hobbies' or second jobs that help add to the income. Direct sales has helped supplement our income, as well as 'affiliate links'. There are many ways to earn a 'few extra bucks'. You don't have to gamble away your savings hoping to 'hit it big'.

Pennies add up...

Google has an ad link program and so does Amazon, Party lite, Simply Fun games and so many others..... Simple links added to a blog or social media site can start earning you pennies for every click or a percent on actual purchases.

If your worried about your bank account, get PayPal. Send your 'extra' earning to the PayPal account. Watch it grow. It's going to be a slow process, I'm not saying this is a 'get rich' overnight plan.

No, I'm sharing a way to get a little bit extra, to help you get from one check to the next. Who knows, a few people have actually 'hit it big'...

Another great way to enjoy life and get paid for it, is to 'mystery shop'. Becoming a professional customer service evaluator can actually lead to a good 'extra income'. I've made almost $1000 in a month just mystery shopping. It was a 'busy' month. But I did it to see if it could be done and yes it can.

I personally was connected to over 25 companies that employ mystery shoppers or professional inspectors. I would accept jobs and schedule my shops with various companies so that I could earn the most from the day.

An example would be ~ getting up and doing a FRED MEYERS grocery shop, then over to SAFEWAY for a quick shop there. Stop by BROWN BEAR and get the car washed on my way to the mall to stop by T MOBILE and inquire about new phones, stop at AUNTIE ANNES for a pretzel and drink. Shop and return at a couple HIGH END RETAILERS. Make a small purchase at another shop in the mall, then it's off to the theater to WATCH A MOVIE and finally a stop at DAVE AND BUSTERS for dinner.....

Yes, every CAPPED title in that paragraph earned me money. That day was about $150.00 profit. Just a few years ago.

I'm older now, I still do PRICE AUDITS at ROSS for $20 and get $25 to have my car washed at BROWN BEAR. I can't give up those two..... My health has prevented me from running from morning to night, so I've had to look for alternative ways to make ends meet. I have medical and mental complications so life has become more challenging.

I have always been affiliated with a direct sales company since I was 15. There is always a few extra bucks there to be made. From Avon to Tupperware. Weekend events during summer months and winter holidays are always fun as well. Now, with the internet and social media, I've learned to rely more on affiliate links and on line sales.

If you'd like to know more about mystery shopping leave me a comment in the box to the right. If you love on line shopping please visit anyone of the links in my title bar and/or below.

Thank you and know that when you shop here, you are helping a senior citizen with a fixed income, support her fur babies and enjoy the grandchildren. God Bless you.