Updated Makeup Essentials

 Time for me to do an update on what my makeup routine looks like. This is tried and true after like 5-6 years of the same routine. It is mom with young kids friendly (only takes me about 5 minutes to do the whole thing, which I sometimes find myself doing before the next videoconference).

This does not include skincare, which I am still working on perfecting! If anyone has any good ideas for skincare routines in high sun exposure areas hit me up. 

I don't believe in spending more than you need on makeup. If you have the basics, you're set. Sometimes spending $20 gets you the same results as spending $60 on a makeup kit. Sometimes it's even better. 

1. Eyeshadow palette with 3 colors: 1 dark shadow, one warm medium brown/almond, and 1 white/shiny highlight color. Should come with its own mirror and brush for maximum portability and durability. I don't like palettes with 8+ colors because who has time to decide on colors in the morning? You'll end up using 3-4 daily anyways. My palette was maybe $30 from MAC (MAC Look in a Box - All About Beige), I've used it for almost 7 years and it still has a year or two left in it.  One of my best purchases. Here it is below (it is no longer on sale unfortunately). 

I recently shopped for a replacement as it's getting really hard to get product out anymore (I "hit pan" a long time ago!). I found it surprisingly hard to find a palette with a) only 4 colors - because if you have more you won't use them, b) a mirror, and c) a useable brush. 

2. Foundation - $20-30. Right now I use a powder foundation from Everyday Minerals. I use this because I am in a hot climate. This is a more cost-effective version of Bare Minerals and works beautifully. Costs $17, with a $17 kabuki brush (so $32 total). I've used it now for 1 year and it looks like it still has another 5 years left.  

3. Concealer stick or liquid concealer, $15-20. Still looking for a good one with the right amount of cover. 

4. Occasionally, lipstick or tinted lip balm, $5. Lipstick is everywhere! I don't do more than natural lips so I don't need something more long-lasting, although if lipstick is your trademark you will probably be spending more here. 

I don't use an eyeliner anymore but I might start again. This would bump up the sum by another $20. Mascara just doesn't do it for me - I inevitably get the color transferred to my lower eyeline at some point and it becomes a pain to remove. 

Total: $85, or $105 with an optional eyeliner. 

Check in: Net worth, $612k ($457k)

 Current net worth: $457,000 CHF or $612,000 CAD  

6 months ago I was at $539k, now an increase of $73k (largely from house sale). 

Upcoming expenses till 1 July 2021: 

My monthly living expenses have really gone down. They are hovering at around $2000/month. $2000 x 3 months = $6000 
Our costs abroad: 

Daycare $800/month

Nanny $250/month

Cook $250/month

Driver $250/month 

Subtotal = $1550/month 

My half of the above =  $775/month 

Food and other things, $500/month 

Rent (my half)- $928

Health insurance (my half) - $240

Trip to Canada (to see grandparents): $3100
Trip to Switzerland (to see grandparents): $6000

Total: $15100 

Upcoming income (till 1 July 2021): 

Job 1: $64000 I'm currently working 5 days a week and a bit more. The work pace is fine and I have a good set up. I need to put more boundaries in place between work and home so I'm not sitting at my desk when I don't need to be. 

Job 2: $0 Probably not much, I don't see myself working very much and the licensing costs will eat up any money made.  

Job 3: $1000 Doing some additional side work here and there. 

Still waiting on: (I am leaving this out because I have no idea when this will come through)

$15000 from proof of tax return - my employer is inexplicably holding back $15k on proof of my final tax return. This is a very strange business model especially since I have already given them proof that I have to pay taxes as per many clear email conversations with the cantonal government. Anyways we managed to scratch this condition out of the new contract. 

Total: $65,000  

Total increase in NW = $49,900 CHF or $66,848 CAD

Expected net worth July 1, 2021: still around $520,000 CHF or $697,000 CAD 

If I can get that $15,000 owing to me this will be even higher, $530k. That is still fine with me. No change from prior, no news really. Still hoping to get to $1m CAD, or $1m CHF (stretch goal) by the time I am 40; and then up to $8m net worth by the time I retire with at least $2-3m in retirement savings. 

Right now less than 30% of this is in home equity / pension, the rest is in liquid cash or ETFs. 

This trajectory was boosted by the sale of a house. How much can I make next year? Well, I'll have about 150 days guaranteed, so $118,000 of income tax free. Expenses will hover at $34000. So I'll be able to save still maybe 80k or so, bringing net worth to 600k (or 800k CAD) by the time I am 36. I will really need to ramp this up if I want to hit $1m by 40. 

Investing while abroad and unable to access my accounts has been tricky; I need to do better at taking advantage of the times we go back to Canada. I did manage to thankfully open an investment account which allowed me to take advantage of some of the excellent stock market performance (a modest amount but still!). I just need to plow a lot more of the liquid I have into ETFs, maybe put another $70k in there when I go back (getting it up to $130k). 

The strategy has not changed:  
1. Better investing - get on top of this again. How do I do this while not in Switzerland? 
2. Find a full-time job in public health - UN agency, consultancy, or university
3. (back-up) learn German, then work as a doctor