Sometimes I Am a Niffler

Sometimes I Am a Niffler

Sometimes I Am a Niffler | brokeGIRLrich

The other day I finally got to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and I really loved the Niffler.

I think it might be my spirit animal. Especially going into work layoffs.

screen-shot-2016-11-27-at-10-56-38-amThe term layoff tends to make people freak out – and it almost always makes people outside the entertainment world think you’ve been fired – but to me, a layoff is a period of time that I knew I wouldn’t be getting a paycheck that was established back when I signed my contract.

In other words, there’s really no reason for me not to have a plan regarding how to deal with one. Or if the layoffs are too many, I should know not to take the gig.

I first learned about layoffs during Dinosaur Train when we had a single week layoff during a 5 month run – so that layoff was amazing. It was right in the middle of the contract. I managed to make it to a cousin’s wedding during it and one single week of no pay in 5 months was no big deal.

However, when I signed on for Clifford I got a real taste of what a pain in the butt layoffs can be and how you need to plan really well for them. When I first agreed to do that show, I thought there was going to be about a 5 week layoff around the holidays. By the time the contracts were written, it was actually a 1 week layoff in October and 8 weeks in December/January/February.

And that was when the Niffler became my spirit animal.

fb-final-trailer-niffler

Because my set expenses are so low (health and car insurance), my budgeting techniques are currently non-existent. I set savings goals each year that I just funnel money towards until they’re reached. Then I tend to Niffler the rest of my income – I either spend it as necessary during periods of no paychecks or I dump a pretty big sum into my IRA on January 1st.

It’s weird, but it works for me. And I do know how to budget and actually use those skills during times in life when I have things to pay like rent and utilities.

I’m currently a Niffler in full effect because I have 10 days of work planned for this month and then I’m on my own until the first Monday in January outside of any hustling work I can pick up (I’ve actually been wondering if you can part-time bartend, how does a person get into that?).

I feel like with every paycheck I just stuff it into my pouch and continue on hunting the next shiny thing to cram in there too. It’s fine though. At least Nifflers are pretty adorable.

8 thoughts on “Sometimes I Am a Niffler

  1. Layoffs can be scary when you don’t know about them in advance, but even if you don’t have a contracted one, you can often tell when they’re coming. That’s a good reason to have an emergency fund and low expenses, so you can still meet your other goals whether or not you have a steady income at the moment. Side hustling sounds like a great way to fill in.
    Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…Resolved: 2017 Is Going to Be My Best Year Ever!My Profile

  2. I think the Niffler is so cute! 🙂

    I also think planning for layoffs works fantastically. Thats also how I was able to leave my job back in 2015! We knew it was coming so we were able to manage the lower income. I think the issues always come when it is either unexpected or lasts too long/longer than expected! That is what has happened to us also and thats where the creep into debt comes,and unfortunately for us specifically, where our lack of stringent budgeting gets us!

    But i like your approach! Thats my approach too 😉

    And yes you can definitely part time bar tend! I used to do that when I worked one job full time and bar tended 4 nights a week! 🙂
    Natalya @ Cottage Retreatist recently posted…2016: looking back on our first year at the cottageMy Profile

  3. I could stand to be a more effective Niffler. Did they show them in the Harry Potter movies? I still haven’t seen them! -__-

    My only experience with layoffs was the one that lasted almost a year during the Great Recession (that’s what we’re calling it, right?) and that was enough to firmly cement my need to lay up a LOT of cash against the uncertainty. I still get a pit in my stomach thinking about it.
    Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life recently posted…Just a little (link) love: remembering Carrie Fisher editionMy Profile

  4. Pingback: Accountability: December 2016 - brokeGIRLrich

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