Frugal Expat

An expat's journey in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Archive for the category “freelance writing”

01 Apr 2012

Paralyze Without Internet

Today marks our one week stay in our new accommodation. Until now at this moment I am writing this post, we still do not have internet access in our room. I felt paralyze, honestly.

Not only that, my telephone bill is spiraling as I make almost daily long distance call toPhilippinesto check my son. Unfortunately, it seems phone calls do not ease my longing to my little boy because I cannot see him unlike in Skype.

Hopefully the internet connection will be fixed tomorrow. Actually there is available wifi in our flat but the signal inside our room is only limited. As we are using desktops, we need internet cables.

Even my online work is paralyzed. I cannot do any research for my writing gig and I have a deadline coming up soon.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, freelance writing, Investments, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
10 Mar 2012

Evolution of (My) Journals

I used to keep journals until my cousin found and read few pages of it. After that incident, I stopped keeping my journals because of fear that someone will discover and read it. For me, journals are haven of my deepest thoughts and emotions thus it is important that I keep it secure as it reveals everything.

Nowadays I still write my journals but online. Although sometimes I find it inconvenient especially when I am away from my computer or laptop, thus I have my occasional loose papers here and there.

Most of my journals now are in a form of prayer. I write first thing in the morning with a cup of hot coffee and an instrumental music. Of course, I have those days too that I wake up late and end up not writing my journal.

I have been keeping my journal in GoogleDoc but yesterday I found a new online journal tool called Penzu. I already wrote my first entry and I enjoyed using it. You can register and use it for free. If you wish to have more features, then you can pay for upgrade, the “pro” version.

I had tried few online journals before. Some needs to be downloaded in your computer which has a disadvantage because it limits your access. You cannot journal unless the software is installed. I like the web based online journals because its accessibility is easier as long as there is internet connection.

What about you? Do you keep a journal?

Posted by Frugal Xpat in freelance writing, Thoughts | Leave a Comment
17 Feb 2012

Things to Focus in 2012

Photo Credit: www.clker.com

 

With my decision to leave my current job, I am optimistic to land a job that does not require me to work longer hours at the same time an uninterrupted weekends. You see, I enjoy tremendously my two days off but oftentimes I slot in few minutes of office work like checking and replying to important emails. Also, there are the inevitable phone calls from the clients and the company either requesting for some assistance or issues that need to be resolved.

Hopefully with my new job, I will be freed from this and I look forward to having more time honing my writing skills and do my side business which I aim to be my passive source of income soon. Let me know if you are interested. And most importantly, spending quality time with my hubby.

My brother has been urging me to pay attention and consider seriously my writing business. I used to do it for fun. It is more of a hobby and the earnings that come to it is more of a bonus only. This time, I want to follow my brother’s advice.

I am keen on learning the ins and outs of freelance writing and the potential business opportunities that come to it. I am willing to start the learning process all over again. This is one aspect that I want to focus and invest my time this year.

Secondly, I targeted to thrive in my side business. I just joined this company last month and so far I am still on the process of learning the business. I know that it takes a lot of hard work and a long stretch of perseverance to succeed in this field. I am working on it!

I will focus only on these two things this year..

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Employment, Finances, freelance writing, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
27 Jan 2012

A Week of Hiatus

I have not posted for almost a week now because I am actually preoccupied with my new business. I am still at the start up phase. Well, it is not really a phenomenal one but I am keen on doing it.

I believe in our company’s mission which is to educate people and to help them secure their retirement and family security.

I am fromPhilippineswhere we thought that the only option to have a better life is to work abroad while leaving behind our love ones. Unfortunately, most of us are not financially literate. We are always confused between assets and liabilities.

So what happens, we put our hard earned money into investments which we think are assets but actually liability in real sense. More so, our generosity to our families is endless.

Hence it is quite a common scenario that Filipinos who work abroad ends up with limited funds for their old age. The sad part, these limited funds usually end up in hospital bills and medication.

Anyway, I will post more about my business at the later stage. It is for those who are keen on the following:-

  • Education about personal finance
  • Wants to increase their cash flow or have an extra income
  • Learn about better investment options
  • Keen to secure their finances for their future
Posted by Frugal Xpat in Extra Income, Finances, freelance writing, Investments | Leave a Comment
21 Aug 2011
3 Comments

Online Jobs for Real…

Photo Credit: www.onlineworkindia.com

Working online has kept me busy for the last one week. I took up writing gigs again to keep my sanity. (LOL!)

Right now, I am somehow in a transition period from being a working individual to a home based person. I usually took short vacations only. The longest I can remember was three weeks and that period was packed with travel plans.

As I am expecting, I am not fit to travel except for short trips only. So to keep me occupied for the next few weeks, I started scouring the internet for online jobs. I used to work as part time online writer before but I totally stopped earlier this year because of the workload in my full time job.

Now, I am just glad to write again. I actually find it very therapeutic. Anyway, I sent my applications to potential online employers and recently I started receiving some feedbacks. Honestly, I was overwhelmed to realize how lucrative the offers are. If you are working at home, then it is really a decent package considering that you do not have expenses for transportation, lunch and office uniforms.

Earlier I was not convinced in working online as a full time job and relying on it as a bread-and-butter until my sister worked as an online based HR Officer. Seeing her for the last two weeks working and functioning as a typical HR Officer (but based online) amazed me. The only drawback is she works in the evening because her employer is based in the US.

Anyway, it has always been my plan to join the bandwagon of web workers and now that I have a better grasp of it, I wish to take that big career leap soon.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Extra Income, Finances, freelance writing and tagged , , ,
03 Aug 2011

Saddened to Decline Online Gigs

Photo Credit: www.atxinvestormasterminds.com

Last week I was so engrossed applying for online writing jobs. I wanted to augment my income to shell out more cash hoping to increase my investment funds. Days later I started to receive feedbacks and interviews along with some requirements or trial tests.

As much as I wanted to land online gigs, I was caught up for the last few days with my office work and travel plans. There were the handovers, reports and so on in the office that I needed to complete before my leave.

And with my travel schedule next week, my spare time was consumed on shopping and attending some documents that had to be processed in our embassy. Also, as it is Ramadan most offices are open only until 2pm.

Basically everything was a rush.

Anyway, I am sad that I emailed them back today to turn down the potential online gig offers. I miscalculated the demand of my office work and the upcoming travel schedule. I am hoping that by mid of August once I am settled then I will source out again potential online gigs.

 

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Extra Income, Finances, freelance writing | Leave a Comment
23 Apr 2011
3 Comments

‘Am back!

It has been awhile since my last post.. My current job role along with the turmoil in the office atmosphere has kept me away from writing.

And I miss writing..

In the past two weeks, different circumstances have prompted me think about my long hiatus in writing and maybe it is about time to write again. I hated my day job as much as I needed it badly. So right now, I cannot really do something about it except to have the sole time of my own to do what I always wanted to do – to write.

So, see you soon in my next post..

Posted by Frugal Xpat in freelance writing
12 Sep 2010
4 Comments

Frugal Expat: Back in Track

Photo Credit: www.significantelements.org

I have been contemplating about my blog posts lately. It seems that I have gone astray with my initial goals in setting up Frugal Expat. I was hoping that it would turn as a hub of local information and guide about Abu Dhabi and UAE in general, not sort of personal rants about life and work. **wink**

The plan earlier was to share helpful information that goes beyond the marketing oriented texts (written by well paid copy writers) that you read in the travel websites and brochures.

Having these thoughts in mind again, I will try my best to write quality and informative blog posts that will align with my goals for Frugal Expat.

Setting aside decency, (**smile**) I am proud of the following blog posts because it somehow serves the real purpose of Frugal Expat.

And because writing such kind of posts will require time to research and write, I will not be posting as I regularly do now but hopefully I can still manage to do at least once a week.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in freelance writing
02 Sep 2010

Part Time Writing Jobs

I always dream of pursuing a writing career unfortunately I am not in the liberty to give up my current daytime job, my bread & butter, because of financial commitments.

So, I pursue my dream career as a part time. Honestly, it is not easy to juggle a demanding daytime job and meeting the deadlines of my writing projects but still I cannot simply give up my ultimate dream career.

I do not allow my present predicament to deter my commitment to be a fulltime writer.  

Right now, I am happy earning from my part time writing jobs in which a big portion of it goes to sending off a friend of mine to college. Lately, I found a good source of writing jobs here that offer lucrative pay. I hope that it will continue as it greatly contributes to my extra income.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Extra Income, freelance writing | Leave a Comment
10 Mar 2010
5 Comments

Avoiding Culture Shock in the UAE

I started contributing in Expat Arrivals for local information about Abu Dhabi. My first article is already published entitled “The Cultural Adjustments in the UAE”.

If you have never been here – in this part of the globe – then it is interesting to know the local customs.

Click here to read more.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in freelance writing, Life in Abu Dhabi, Ramadan

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