January 2019 update

I haven’t been writing or “vlog” -ing lately.  I think it’s important to occasionally update you on the site.  Where we are and are headed can help you see the new information and point to available resources.  

we had a conversation with Bonnie about her career as a locum CRNA via Skype which was transferred to YouTube.  She comes across quiet due to recording via Skype.  In the future we’ll go back to zoom as it records better. I had a couple other recordings but CRNAs decided they would prefer not to post.  Conversations don’t have to be 45 minutes or longer!  Even a recorded question or two would be great, if you want to post for the benefit of the group!  

We are adding to the CRNAandSRNA.com site many of the resources that are part of the LocumCRNA.com site.  The Amazon Store has added books and common travel needs for CRNAs.   

We added a financial advisor with MassMutual who was at the VANA conference and have asked about some guest posts for our blog.   

On the CRNAandSRNA.com site we added CRNA owned companies that are not just CEU or recruiting agencies.  Recruiters can post on the job board that is relatively new on both sites and CEU companies (all CRNA owned) have there own static page always available to you!   

Needs:

I need people willing to discuss on the YouTube channel.  

I need to update the CEU listing for current programs. 

i need to finish all state boards of nursing and CRNA licensure requirements, all state boards are linked to their respective website but I haven’t completed listing their individual requirements.   

I’d love to get more of the CRNA owned companies on the website and maybe list by state.  I think many would be reps like R&F and I think if that’s the case we can put a primary post for the company then each individual that sells.... I can’t have 100 R&F companies as many would quit looking after one scroll.   

I, also, would love to get more information on helpful static pages.  I am going to work on one for student loans as this is always a re-post on the sites, otherwise I need to know what would be most helpful for you?  

Thats your update for January 2019!  Email me at LocumCRNAs@gmail.com if you have suggestions or want to help-out! 

Investments without large fees

Investing is not one of our best endeavors and many just don’t take the time to learn. With only a few minutes left in the year, here is some information you might not want to miss.  

I was just listening to the ChooseFI podcast and found out a few things to pass along.  First, I recommend listening to them as you journey through life whether you are planning to retire early or not.  

HSAs or Health Savings accounts for any high deductible insurance plan that is define as 1350 for an individual or 2700 for a family.   You can put away 3450 individual or 6900 for a family in an HSA TAX FREE.   Any medical expenses can be taken out TAX FREE at any time / any year!  This of course means you have to keep your receipts for your accountant for years.  After age 65, it acts like a traditional IRA or can be used for medical expenses later in life.  If your plan started dec 1 you could find the entire amount.  Fidelity now has a zero fee HSA management account (funds or investments places in the account may have some fees).  

This is way different than an FSA as those funds don’t fully roll-over year to year.   these funds are for your yearly medical expenses and are typically use or lose.

We are typically interested in low fees and trying to keep our income in our pockets.  Mutual fund investments are just about the most common across the nation and ChooseFI often touts the Vanguard total stock index fund or VTSAX which had a hefty $10k minimum which has now changed to a $3k minimum for getting started.  This opens the fund up to those who are wanting to get started investing at one of the lowest fee mutual funds on the market at an annual fee of just 0.04%! 

Some of you may know these things but the mutual fund information is pretty new.  If you are thinking of setting up the Solo401k it has to be done and funded by the end of the year and if you are looking at a sep IRA it must be done and funded by April 15.   

It’s time to get your investment on! 

Locum Travel

I love being a locum, on most days. This is definitely one of those days!! I am so happy I chose to become a Locum CRNA.

I am not traveling extravagantly; but, Francisco and I were able to take airline miles, bumped from flight $$ and get our coach tickets to Paris!  Ok, so we spent ~$150 on air United tickets. 

We packed our baggage (you can see my SwissGear luggage on the store of the website). We used the United Airlines mileage card to sit in the club for our forever long layover to have drinks and food.  We did do Starbucks as we went for our walk in the airport just before getting on the airplane. 

Unfortunately, I forgot my most loved wired Apple headphones in the car on the way to the airport.  Because I worked hard the last two weeks, I decided to get my first ever set of AirPods!  I’ve always liked the fit of apple headphones and now I like these with no wires!!!!

We are about to land and we’ll have some time to clear customs, baggage and coffee!!!! Then, it’s off to the train to London. 

Ok, so travel or really time off is a benefit of being a Locum CRNA but it’s about using the leverage of your travels as well.  If using a credit card are you taking the benefits from that?  If at a hotel, did you add your rewards number to the reservation?  The only rewards I’ve found I can’t get are the car rental rewards as the reservations with Avis was at a higher cost for adding the rewards. 

We also have two free nights in the Best Western because I had some nights that a hospital put me up at the BW.  So, we are paying food, fun, & 8 of 10 days in an AirBNB. 

This isn’t to brag about vacation, but it is to tell you that you can take more vacation, plan, and have some rewards that make it more affordable! 

New Apple EarPods  

A long trip in coach... we survived! 

Eurostar to London

LocumCRNA.com and a new investing page?

I’m thinking it might be interesting to go through investments?  We work hard and make a decent income. What do we do with that income, or how do we invest and protect our investments? 

I’m thinking about using my continuous growth in showing what I have been up to on the investment space.  I can show the websites and what I’m working on in that space.  I can go through real estate holdings and what that looks like.  Not to forget sep IRA V’s Solo 401k and stock market investments.  Then businesses and the different types of investments that I look at and consider. 

I wonder if this is something you would want as a page as it only somewhat relates to our site because locums is the way I finance life and the investments?  

Packing List for CRNA Locums

Have you ever had luggage show up late or been to your destination to realize you don’t have the basics of what you need? Have you gone on vacation or to your assignments and realized you brought too much stuff? This goes with my YouTube video: Here’s my basic packing list:

Things I do:

1. Pack for just 7 days.

2. Have a set of dress casual clothes for day 1 at work.

3. Have my laptop and phone fully charged and have the cables.

4. Pack imperative items for the first day of work in my carry-on luggage.

5. Have all my assignment details either memorized or printed. It’s horrible to get in the rental car and not know where your going because your phone died as you were listening to that amazing audio-book on the plane.

6. Have something you love to do with you.

7. If you work out everyday but forgot your favorite gear. That will make you alter your routine or put you in a funk from the beginning.

8. Make sure you unpack on arrival and know exactly what you have to go to work with in the morning. Take the time to have your paperwork printed and ready to go.

9. Follow a routine so when you are packing you have checked your list and not just brought everything from home that you won’t use.

10. Don’t over analyze and pack for unlikely contingencies. Pack your everyday items for one week.