Earthgirl gets back on track!

earthgirl

Well I am absolutely exhausted and have back ache like you wouldn't believe! Just did a trade show for our business,it was ok, but a bit windy and rainy and quiet. Oh Well, least its done and I can get back to my jobs!

I have made a list of all the ways I can save electricity, and I need to get 3 standby monitors and a loptop power down (if they exist?) I am getting a free energy monitor from my supplier - just called them up and asked!!

One of the ways is not using my laptop so much!!

To but these and a long handled dustpan and brush, I need to top up my 'kitty' for unbudgeted items - So I have listed 9 items on ebay, 4 high value, so fingers crossed!!

My to do list list big for tonight/tomorrow so best crack on with it!!

MUST DO:
- exam marking 1/2 DONE
SHOULD DO:
- cleaning, washing, ironing YAWN
- clean car DONE

Monday
-print exam marking info
-print tutoring resources for the week
- renew library books
- take money to bank
- post swimsuit
- top up shop (milk and bread,fruit)
- 2 tutorings

At some point:
- cancel old credit cards
- move boots points onto one card

Courgette

Ooooh, got a little something in the post this morning: Thank you! :j Fits great too, makes me look very busty

earthgirl

:jSOOOO happy it fits you! Atleast you can get going with your swimming now, even if you grow out of it soon like I did :eek:!

earthgirl

Right, been doing well with Energy saving, been turning everything off at night, although pretty sure OH turns everything back on all day!!

I haven't been having any extra baths etc, involving turning on the immersion heater, and I have bought a brush and mop instead of hoovering and wiping the tiles. I have also used my carpet sweeper instead of the hoover, been careful switching off lights and only using the ones with energy saving bulbs in. I also convinced OH that we don't need 2 fridge freezers as this would have cost loads!

Looks like I need to pay about £20 for a laptop standby saver, and 3 regular standby savers. Quite a big expense, but sure it will be worth it.

2 clients now, and then home for bbq in the rain! (Kitchen will be ready very sooon!)

earthgirl

Well, had a lovely day at school, only taught 3 lessons. Physio thinks its unlikely I will be able to work until 2 weeks before due date, but I am determined! A few more light days like this will help.

I am all ready for next week as well, and have got a little bit more organised on the energy saving front-

* bought the laptop plug, that switches other devices off when laptop is not in use. £15
*bought three remote standby savers, hoping I can get OH to use them as well as me, but think I might have a problem with the new massive flatscreen in the kitchen, as I can't get to the plug. £8
*Bought a touch screen digital radio for OH to use, instead of switching on the tv et al to listen to the radio! bit of a present for him as well:) and great price- £25
*Bought him new socks and pants, as he always complains about running out of these and put a wash on with 10 items in! £14

So a big outlay £62 but I am hoping to massively reduce our consumption soon. I have been using loads less, esp. cutting down laptop use!

Other money saving things -
*sent a free fathers day card, and made a fathers day card for my dad.
*Got two carpet samples perfect for doormats at the carpet shop for 40pence
*lots of watchers on my ebay items so fingers crossed I can make some of the £62 back!!
*been getting cards, flowers and the biggest box of chocs I have ever seen off my private tuition clients, feel I could have carried on longer with tutoring, but can't take any new customers now! (income will reduce by £75/week next week :eek: but I still have 3 clients going until mid july)

This weekend I need to:
- Mark the majority of the outstanding papers
- update banking
- talk to OH about standby monitors etc.:o
- 1 tuition client
- package any ebay items that sell for posting Monday.

Might go out with a voucher for 2 free buds tonight if OH wants to. Would be nice to see him as we both work all the time!

Courgette

Well done on being so busy, as always! Why does your physio not think you'll get to the end of term? Hope you're okay

earthgirl

Courgette wrote: »

Well done on being so busy, as always! Why does your physio not think you'll get to the end of term? Hope you're okay

Physio thinks the extra weight is causing my back pain, and its already a bit tough driving the 10 mins to work. But I am determined as long as it doesn't hurt the babys health, or mine, to keep coming to work. Especially as everybody seems to be giving me a bit more of an easy ride - boss swapped a bottom set year 9 for a top set :j year 11s and 13s have gone :jand no form or tutor time :j so it means I am on 1/2 timetable really!

Just wish I could get these papers out of the way!! I have marked 145 and it looks like I have around 100 to go. To do it a few days before the deadline means about 5 hours per day, 2 before school, 3 after school. Hence my lack of posts!!

Right must get back on with it, so I am FREEE :jat the weekend to read all your diaries!!

earthgirl

:jWell I have finished all of my exam marking!!:j

Very pleased with myself, as I have been putting in 12 hours days for as long as I can remember trying to get it all done. I have posted off the last lot this morning, 3 days before the deadline :A

This means I have been able to read everybodies diaries and can get back to my mortgage free in 5 challenge!:j

earthgirl

Wow!!

Just read CHA97s post about how far she has come in a year, and although I haven't got a big miles stone like that, I thought it'd be quite good to see where I was when I started this diary and where I am now - as a bit of a motivator.

Before the diary, I was overpaying for about 3 years at £500/month, but I stepped things up and started keeping a log, and I have wiped

£63,008 off our mortgage in the last 20 months!!!:rotfl:

I can't quite believe its that high, but all the extra jobs everyday, and money saving on everything possible has added up to this great amount, so I am so happy and very motivated!!

Right, to continue wiping off the mortgage, I need to maximise income and minimise expenditure, especially with a baby on the way!

Some good things that have been happening whilst I have been buried under exam marking - oh has really given in to my nagging about electricty use, and even switches things off standby when I don't ask him to. It takes about 6 weeks to form a habit (?) so heres hoping!! I have returned the standby and laptop power savers as OH seems to be happy enough to do it at the plug.

Our kitchen is ready!! it looks lovely, very glam and modern! The wine fridge is not tooo bad...

I have got more flowers off parents of pupils leaving!

and the baby is ok, engaged now and ready for out in 6 weeks!:eek:


Here are my jobs for this weekend:

General:

-tidy and clean house
-ironing
-filing

Income:
- relist items on ebay, and find a few more to make upto 10.
- do small business work (4hours)
-check mystery shops

- check i have been refunded for 2 items I sent back
-banking (update budget, make overpayment and payment into isa)
- open high interest account for my first go at stoozing.
- fill out expenses form for marking, get copies and post. The payment for marking should be over £1000 with tax taken off, and should arrive next month:D!!Still not sure if it was worth it?!


Outgoings:
-work out the timer settings for the washing machine (and do a wash) and towel rail so that they are on at the cheapest time.
- make sure veggies in garden are ok, and plant more.
- do a shop at mr ls (haven't been shopping for ages with all my marking, so have loads left on budget for this month).

Think thats enough to keep me busy!!

cha97michelle

Wow. Your amount is truly outstanding. Big congratulations to you. What a pressure taken off for when the baby arrives too. :beer: