Earthgirl gets back on track!

cha97michelle

I was going to go for the September option too. I had 11 months with my DS1 and that was about right and it was good to go in September with teacher training days to get my head round what was going on.

With DS2 i went back one week before the Easter hols, and took over classes, and it was hells bells. Mainly as i got given the most horrible classes and i wasn't happy. But also, it was a kid attitude thing. I've been messed round and i have got ANOTHER teacher and i couldn't care less that exams are soon.

It is not fun picking up the threads. I guess it depends on how likely you are to be picking up the dross, how confident you are you will bounce back into it, and how desperately you want the cash.

With DS1 he was a good boy and slept all night from 3 months. DS2 had only just started sleeping through at 9 months.

I have seen former colleagues have to go in with no sleep when babies have been teething or starting weaning.

Personally, i am happier at having taken off 11 months each time. You can never get the time back, but you can always earn more money.

Courgette

Hi EG!

Glad everything's okay. Gherkin likes playgroup too and glad the nappies have been more successful

I'm wondering about May or September too, thinking about going back a couple of weeks before the hols then back properly in Sept that way I'll only have 2 months without any money coming in.

Will you be going back PT or FT? I'd like to go back PT but I can't decide how many days to ask for. I also keep thinking I'd like to be in a new school but maybe I should stay where it's familiar so I can put maximum energy into Gherkin. Decisions decisions!

earthgirl

Pennypincher2 wrote: »

Hello,

September - because you get good at 'it' and then it all changes as you go back to work and this is very disruptive for you.
Bye PP
P.s. your thread was the first I ever read and a true inspiration.

:beer: Thanks for the advice and the encouragement everybody. Can't understand why I would inspire anyone, especially with what I have written here over the years!!!

earthgirl

What lovely posts!

This is what I was trying to do, and this is where I am...
Reduce outgoings
Electricity - try to speak to oh about it again, and encourage him to switch lights off.Not done this - OH has been really grumpy lately - will try this week!
Decorating - see if dad is up for a spot of diy He is! Renovations booked for January. Use vouchers for new 'accessories' Will shop in the Jan sales or in Charity shops - I've already found a wonderful duvet cover for £4
2 new chairs and footstool- get in January sales or get off ebay and recover.This is the main reason OH is grumpy - I found 2 wing backs in a charity shop for £15 each - getting them reupholstered.
Think about it before I buy - do I really need it? ( I haven't bought anything I didn't need, but ALMOST did today!)Can I get it cheaper?I haven't bought anything unneccessary at all, and we have had lovely homecooked and storecupboard meals as well.

Income
sell sell sell on ebay -list the pile in the attic. Have sold loads of this stuff, need to post these tomorrow, and list more on Tuesday for 5 days.
Work on new marketing strategy for ohs business DONE - got loads done, and even a piece in the local paper.
Work on setting up my own business Not done anything!!

To Consider :
- If I can really do a Welsh GSCE - its taking a lot of time to learn! Nope, have decided to keep learning, but not do the exams - too much stress.
- Do I go back to work in May or September? I get paid about £4,000 extra (incl, cost of childcare) if I go back in May I had decided on May, and taking the full 12 months with the next one :rotfl:so that I spend time with them both together. Not really for the money... but will rethink as everyone seems to think I should take until september...


So I have had a busy few weeks, got loads of business work done, listed loads on ebay and enjoyed spending time with the baby. When dropping off a bag at the charity shop I spotted a couple of wingback chairs for £15 each, so I am having them recovered, even though its not going to be bargain basement cheap, it will definately have been cheaper than getting new ones (as this would have involved shopping with oh who always wants the most expensive thing in the shop, regardless of the shop or the item!)

I think this was fate - I had been looking on ebay and not managed to find a pair near me for under £100, so £30 is amazing!

I also have more tutoring clients booked in, so I am full up now. I will put prices up next year as I am always turning people away.


Still to do:


Outgoings:

Speak to oh about electricty

Decorating bedroom - source wallpaper, wall and wood paint, a table lamp and a light shade, sheets and pillowcases, a couple of cushions and a throw.

Chairs for living room - source material and a footstool.



Income:

Post ebay items
List any remaining items on Tuesday
Do phase 2 of marketing work - any press interviews and links to other businesses.
Set up my own business - yes this is tutoring based.

In terms of OP - I am seeing what I have to pay in January for my decorating things, and I will make an op after.

earthgirl

Happy New Year!

Its been a busy one, with 3 sets of family visits with the newbie, and we also hosted a New Years Eve party.

The NYE party was free, as everybody brought something, and I bought the main course with vouchers I had, and we were also gifted loads of wine and champagne for hosting it:j!

I have sourced my bedroom decorating supplies (bought with christmas money from my mum for the most part), and have saved enough cash from tutoring to pay for my charity shop chairs to be reupholstered for the living room. I have just transfered £160 from ebay sales to my account, and so I felt confident that I could make my January op of £2,000:T

This leaves only £6,029 to find - WOW! I am so excited!

So I am really motivated for The Last Push! Nobody is going to be giving me this money so I am going to raise it in the normal way, by reducing my outgoings and upping my income.

Outgoings
I need to plan for some big events during the year so that they don't set us back:
3 family fiftieth birthday presents
a 21st birthday present
1 weekend trip to Scotland (hotels paid for)
1 weeks holiday in scotland (luxury lodge timeshare bought by oh for Christmas :T)
My brothers wedding in August - Hotel booked, large gift expected! Outfits needed for me and earthlet, unless I can make do!
Decorating bedroom, back bedroom, lounge and hallway.

Incoming

£1000 in summer from exam marking

More work needed on Ohs small business to maintain our income whilst I am on maternity.

Expand tutoring business

Decluttering via ebay

So my action points are no un needed spending, work more on OHs business, sell on ebay, and try to expand my tutoring business (later in the year).

Money isn't the be all and end all though! I still want our little family to be happy and healthy, so my goals this year include 30 mins of exercise 3x per week.

SmlSave

Happy New Year Earthgirl

Here's to the last push!!! :j:j:j

EconomicSlave

Earthgirl,
Really inspiring thread! You have done really well, can't believe how much energy you seem to have?!
How do you promote your private tutoring? I do a small amount of tutoring to boost my day job income, but would like more. I'm currently registered on a website called TutorHunt.
EconomicSlave

cha97michelle

Happy new Year Earthie. I am sure by the end of this year you will have got rid of that. Best of luck with achieving all you want to this year.

twinklie

I'm so jealous....I remember a time when your mortgage looked like mine! Boo...
Nah, seriously honeypie - WELL DONE!

*Jellie*

Great to hear you are doing so well!