A Payment a Day Part 2!

Paulgonnabedebtfree

tomtombeanie wrote: »

oh paul - sorry things are so tough. it sounds like you've thought through all your options so if you do go ahead and use the cheque, it's not like your increasing your debt to have a wild week in vegas or something...

you need to keep your head above water, what a shame the weather is against you. good luck xxx

Well, judging by the forecast over the next couple of weeks, it looks like I won't be getting much paid work done. Therefore, I've given myself some margin for error and decided to cover a personal loan payment that goes out in a week or so and written myself a CC cheque for a round 4 grand. Although this may sound extravagant to some, it is being used to pay other debts that carry a higher rate of interest than the 0% I will be charged. I felt a bit bad about it at first but, now that I've thought it through, I reckon I've made a good choice. Also, it means that I have to get off my rear end and go get some more work (not in this weather though). It's very important to me to get this cheque and another CC debt finished by the time the promotional rates finish.
I can hold my head up with pride that I am finally facing this monster. I'm hoping that in a couple of years I will be able to look back and laugh at this day.
I'm going to mark it on my notice board. 2/2/09. The day I nearly carped myself. I want this to be the day that I finally turned the tide. It's funny how I can draw strength even from such a low ebb. You would never believe that I used to be a pessimist. :cheesy:
By the end of the Summer, I want to increase my monthly business turnover by 60% from my current level. Don't bet against me.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

39forever wrote: »

Hello again!

Just catching up with the posts! Didnt realise the snow reach across the country!! I know, I should watch the T.V.!!

Greenbynature glad you and you OH are ok! I did that once - skidded right across the main road - scary!!!!!!

Paul So sorry having a bad time of it - sounds like you are pretty clued up re: your options. Take heart - it can and will get better! Can I ask what your job is - i'm intrigued!

Keep safe in this lousy weather everyone.

Bye for now

39 xx

Of course you can ask.
I'm a Vision Technician.
That's gobbledegook speak for window cleaner.
I use one of those pure water systems by carrying a tank of purified water in the back of a largish van. It then gets pumped through hoses, up a telescopic pole, to water jets embedded in a brush head. I did 14 years shinning up ladders and the last three or so like this. This way is much faster and safer. Although my turnover is a lot higher than using ladder and bucket, so are the running costs. One problem is being more vulnerable to freeze-ups. With ladder and bucket you could add a load of screenwash to the water and carry on. You can't do that with a pure water system because the screenwash contaminates the water which must be totally or almost totally pure when it's brushed onto the glass because you leave the glass wet. It sounds simple but there is a bit more to it than meets the eye.
Customers sometimes don't appreciate the running costs of such a system. Some of them see me cleaning their windows in maybe 50-60% of the time it used to take me from a ladder and think I'm ripping them off. I do tell them that changing method has given them a price freeze for the past several years. Most are fine with it but you will always get the odd moaner. One old lady even cancelled because she said "you are earning too much". I had been doing her windows for three years with no increase. She was no loss. I don't want customers like that.
In fact, I've moved my one man business on a little bit because these days I'm more of an external building cleaner.
They love it when I can actually clean the windows above conservatories.
I will never get rich doing it but I do OK and I like the relative freedom I gain from the flexi hours.

39forever

Wow - I didn't realise there was so much to cleaning windows - bet it's lovely in the summer though! It'll soon be spring (wishful thinking!)

weebag

Hello all

Drove 90 miles to work through all the snow - only to get there and find I was just about the only one there!

Left at 12.00 to come and do a bit from home. Snowing here now.

£5.00 to BARCLAYCARD - 86.65 to go on that one.

paybacktime2008

£7.36 for me today. We all got sent home early......well as soon as the kids had left. Jury is out whether school will be shut tomorrow....I hope so. I live in Wilts but I'm from South London suburbs originally......just rung my mum and sounds like it's well deep there. My poor friend was starting a new job today....as the big boss........her new office is in Hammersmith and she lives in Surrey....wonder if she made it in?

clarissa_D

Hi ya

PAD for today n yesterday is £3.32
I have transfered £7 also for the £1 a day I do this all the time
will calculate our PAD for Jan in 1 total lol doubt it will be as much as most but still every little counts this will also include OH normal pay to Loan CC ect !!

JAN PAD = £486.71 yay !!

weebag

OOOhh, just got some topcashback so another £25.94 to barclays - leaving £60.71.

Shall have this bad boy paid off this month from my PAD

thevinternet

PAD £1.02 today to Egg card.

Hope you're all enjoying the snow where possible!!

xx

boysma

Hi everyone

£5.00 to Capital One today. No snow here yet (NI) but it is forecast for this evening. I dont mind it really as i get the train into work so hopefully not too many problems getting there (i also live beside the railway halt so no excuses there then):D

As you will see from my signature i also had my first NSD yesterday and am well chuffed. I am aiming for 10 this month so its a good start.

Also waiting on £15.50 from Quidco which is on its way so will split that between Cap One and Next when it arrives in my bank account. onwards and upwards. Good luck to everyone with their PADs for February.:)

lemma1968

:snow_laug :snow_laug :snow_laug Brrrrrrrrr

its been cold here, and very snowy.

My trains to Sheffield were delayed, i was very late for work (but they were fine about it) in fact i was told to get off home early, and to get in when i can in the morning again to Sheffield.

Its beautiful though.

I have not received any money for over a month so my account is looking very depleted.

I have reduced my normal pad to HMRC to £50 today, it may have to be either further reduced or not happen for a few days.

Hope you all get home safely.

Lemma x