Don't worry about the chance that interest rates will go up! Don't worry that you won't be able to pay for your house anymore! There are many creative ways to make some money off of your property.
Some people who are retired have turned their garage into a workshop where they make wooden furniture to sell in the summer. Some people use their big yards to store wood they cut and split in the summer so they can sell it in the winter.
You could also rent out one of your rooms to a student for a few months while you get used to your new budget.
Another way to make money is to offer bed and breakfast in your home, which is an old European custom. This doesn't mean you have to make a big breakfast and get it all to the table in one piece. Most of the time, you don't even have to cook, and there's almost no cost to start.
This can be a good business if you live on a main road or put up a sign that says "Bed and Breakfast" that people can see. There are other ways to get the word out about your new business, but pamphlets can take up to a year to list your business. Do you have a Tourist Information office near you? They often give out free information about bed and breakfasts.
Years ago, running a Bed and Breakfast was invasive of your private life. Also, it was hard work! But hotels have shown us how to make things easier: every room must have a coffee machine. This can also be used to make tea or other hot drinks. Just give a few different sachets along with the milk and sugar.
Take the money in advance, when they first arrive and after they've seen the room.
This will also help your client, who may be on tour and want to leave as soon and as early in the morning as possible. While you're settling the bill, you can ask them what time they want their breakfast left outside their door in the morning.
If you do all of these things at the same time, most of your business dealings with them will be done in about ten minutes. For such a short time, that's a pretty good salary.
Since you never know when a customer might come knocking, it's best to keep breakfasts in the freezer. So, even if your guests come late, you'll have time to thaw their food overnight.
Some frozen breads that you can take out of the freezer the night before and bake the next morning are great. Muffins and croissants that have been baked fresh and then frozen can also be thawed and warmed for a few minutes. Don't put buns or muffins in the microwave to warm them up because the crusts will get soggy. Put them in a regular oven that has been heated up for a few minutes. (Or, if you're sure you won't burn them, use a small toaster oven.)
Put all your goodies on a tray covered with a nice linen cloth or in a pretty basket. Add knives, cheeses, and jam or marmalade. (These can be bought in most grocery stores in single-serving packets.)
A few bottles of juice and a piece of fruit for the trip are nice touches. Cover the food with a second cloth, add a few napkins, and you're done with your "morning rush."
Most guests leave early; the usual time to leave is 11 a.m. This gives you the whole day to change the sheets and put the room back together for the next guest.
