End of Summer Notes – Vagabond Way

Hope these end of summer notes are finding you well.

We have had no shortage of things to do in Vermont. It has been a very busy season, but really, they all are. For those just joining, Chris and I spend our summers managing a park on behalf of Vermont State Parks. It’s a job we love and we have been at a handful of parks since 2009.

One of the reasons I like working this job so much is because it’s very much about creating strong teams to achieve great things. So far our park has had over 35,000 visitors. I find it a wonderful feeling to be a part of providing a safe, clean and inviting place for people to recreate. Not to mention the variety of wildlife that also calls the park home.

As such it’s been a busy and tiring season! Holy smokes. But it’s been a good season with many happy guests.

We had happy guests and happy staff.

We have been looking and taking an evaluation of some of our long-term savings and having that grow.  I have been really into keeping track of every penny again using the simple and free google budget form. Anyone with a google email has access to that. I have been taking advantage of many bonus rewards programs. Just a few is so far we have gotten $69.85 from Ibotta, $45.58 from Rakuten, over $200 from credit card bonuses, getting Fetch points to use on Amazon, free stocks with WeBull and $50 for putting $100 into M1 Finance.

I haven’t talked about it as much over the years, but doing little hacks like this have really added up over the years. My perspective on money and finance has changed and evolved over the years. Being able to manage our finances responsibly is how we have been able to travel around Asia for a year. Or have our countless Africa memories.

So to that I wish all of us success on the journey to personal financial freedom.

The energy is still heavy in the world. Travel is still uncertain. What is going to happen with and because of covid is still uncertain. So we don’t have any big plans. We will continue to work towards being our best selves and see what else it to come.

What have you all been doing? Have you had any habits or lifestyles changes, positive or negative, because of the pandemic? Do you have any upcoming occasions that you are excited for?

We continue to try and be gratefully reflective. I think there can be a feeling of loss in the world right now. Whenever I feel this I try to give more of myself to whatever service I am doing. I don’t think we have to be doing something “special” to do this. We can always give people a warm smile, customer service, drop a little note to let them know we are thinking of them. Pick up some random trash we see blowing about. Return a stray cart. There are so many little actions we can take every day to set about in motion positive energy.

I hope this summer has seen you able to flourish in some way. Drop a comment or share your wins.

We have also gotten our cards in two new stores. If you are around Ludlow, VT be sure to check out:
Tyson General Store
Green Mountain Sugar House

We just refreshed work at Harmonyville General Store and have the Etsy shop too.

Alright. Well just like that these end of summer notes bring us to the end! Wishing everyone well as we transition inot whatever season you might be entering. Send a little extra kindness out into the world in some way. We all need it right now.

Tiff and Chris
xoxo