renegade, good for you for tinking ahead. Is your other job selling your art? Please tell us more.

chick, great idea to brainstorm for Lynn.

Lynn, go with your passion. If you go to school, will you graduate and still be involved with domestic violence? I know that's where you're already making a difference.

Have you journaled about this? I think this is the perfect time to humker down in prayer with a journal and get at the core of your being to see what you are being called to do.

I like chick's ideas of creating ways for you to make money at lecturing. Can you position yourself as a domestic violence expert and begin writing press releases, or submitting articles to major magazines for recognition?

Thank you all! To answer Dotsie and Chick--I formed an artists group to promote contemporary abstract art in my area. It took off great guns and this year we applied for our non-profit status. We are service oriented in that we provide professional gallery space for upcoming artists to show their work, with very low commission. New artists are intermingled with professional established artists. Everybody learns and benefits. We are looking at providing an agent's service as well, setting up shows. It's great fun and I get my art out as well. I write poetry and short fiction too and submit that wherever and whenever I can.
Unique it is great to hear from you... I have no one in mind right now, seems my time is pretty booked. However, if someone who looked like Johnny Depp came through town, I would make time. Whoo-Hoo!
R.

Lynn,
For what its worth, I agree with Chick and Dotsie. If you WANT to lecture and work in the field of domestic violence, why would you consider anything else? If making money is part of the equation, then I would take the "passion" career and figure out a way to make money doing that.

This sounds easier said than done, and is something I'm doing right now, so it may not work. If it doesn't, I'll simply get a job. If it DOES, and I believe it will/is, then I'm doing what I love and making a difference in people's lives. Even if it is just making them laugh.

GO WITH YOUR PASSION. YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT!

JJ <stepping down from soapbox)

Lynn329, call me old fashioned but you keep saying about your situation, his money, his paycheck. Are you not partners, does he not want to help you realize your dream. My husands 1 & 2 were both supportive and helped me realize my dream then they too lived well from what I was able to contribute as I am sure your husband will when you have realized your dream. I don't think any age is too old to be learning. You may make it to 90 something, who knows? Go for it!

Hello all and thanks for the responses. Chatty, my husband has been so supportive of me. I have more of a problem with "his" money than he does. He does not resent one red cent. Yes, we are partners. Today we asked each other where we want to be in January 2007 (about 18 months from now) I heard myself say, "I want to be on a lecture circuit making money by talking about SA & DV. I want to be selling my watercolors." Then I see Renegades post, and I have already visited her site. It appears as if I have a gallery to approach right here in my own back yard of Colorado. Truth is, I do a lot of ABSTRACT art that symbolizes emotions! Yes, Dotsie if I went to school for a Masters in Social Work I would certainly be working as a counselor to those victimized by SA and DV. Chickadee has in mind for me what I really have in mind for me. So today I decided NOT to go back to college, although I enjoy education. I have to establish myself as an author and an artist! Love and Light, Lynn

Lynn, I think your decision is just that, your decision. You just needed a little online conference to help out.

I think a "brainstorming session needed" should be added to our site Dotsie, for those who want to discuss such important issues as Lynn's. Not advice on what to do but ideas on what can be done. Two(ten)heads are better than one.

Speaking of conferences, Lynn, are you associated/familiar with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence?
You can consider applying for Board Membership. They come together at least three times yearly (at no expense to Board Members.)
OR
Their next conference takes place on July 9-12, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. (close to Queenie and Dianne)
Theme: To be announced
They are calling for """workshop"""" proposals in the late summer of 2005.
Keynote speaker sounds about right too, Lynn.

The 2004 Conference was: 2004 – Radical Organizing for Change Denver, CO .

Hey maybe you need an agent???

Lynn, blessings sprinkled on you.(I borrowed that one from Dotsie but she won't mind)

chick

lynn329,
Just in case your decision isn't final -- my 86-year-old mom has a good friend who got her MSW when she was in her 60s or 70s. She's now in her 80s and specializes in elder abuse cases, is really good and it and loves it. I was 30 when I got my bahcelors, 40 when I got my master's, and 50 when I got my Ph.D. during which time I raised 4 kids also. I paint and write as well and sold articles as well as paintings during those years. I was usually the oldest in the class, but I was also usually the best student!

DJ, allow me to commend you on your accomplishments, Wow, as well as your Mom's friend who is an elder abuse specialist. I would like to see your writings and paintings if you have them available for viewing.
I painted ONE picture in my lifetime. It should be worth a fortune now. It is a "limited" edition in the strong sense of the word, don't you think?
I am going to start again, with watercolours...maybe I've gotten better with age?

chick

Chick, I don't have any of the stuff I sold saved digitally but thanks for asking.

Tell you what I learned, though == _very_ few people support themselves solely on either freelance writing or painting. Not only that, but I found that magazine editors expected a heck of a lot for the measley sums they were willing to pay. Rewrites, reedits, go back and find out this or that, etc.

My son in law, who's an excellent artist, was counseled by an art teacher that unless he had a trust fund, he shouldn't think he could support himself with fine art.

Making crafts is another story, but also very tough.

Also, Chick, as to your original question, during my divorce was when I started my IRA, with investment advice from my dad. That was 9 years ago. I since converted it to a ROTH IRA. And I didn't have money to spare, that's for sure. My future was very uncertain and I didn't have a full time job.

I invest in the stock market. One thing to look into is Direct Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs). You can find information on line. These are stocks you buy directly, without a broker. They're better than savings accounts -- if you watch over them and choose the right ones.

Because I don't invest in blue chips, I didn't suffer much during the 2001 crash. I didn't sell off, but held on, and everything bounced back.