Livewire's challenge...

livewire_82

WEEK 18 RESULTS

So a new year and with it the usual resolutions with regards to dieting and fitness. Naturally my priority remains the same - to land a job. The money saving has taken a bit of a back seat recently because of the increasing urgency of wanting a steady income so I've been concentrating on the job search and my own business development.
On that note, may I bring to everyone's attention https://www.brainchildgraphics.com
Also, please do not hesitate to check out the facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelmsford-United-Kingdom/Brainchild-Graphics/206306856247?ref=search&sid=518270673.47668436..1 )
....and the ebay shop ( http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Brainchild-Graphics__W0QQ_armrsZ1 )
So with the time I expect to dedicate towards this development, I don't expect there to be any significant breakthroughs with the money saving right now - though any spare time I have I'll always have a go! The weekly diary will however continue as normal.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Grocery savings: £10.33
(Tesco promotions)
(Nisa promotions)

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

TOTAL
Pounds: £344.94
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 19 RESULTS

Another quiet week as I ease myself into the new year. As with last week I have been dedicating the vast majority of my time developing my new business and now have a populated ebay shop that continues to grow every day. Additionally to this I now have 44 followers on my facebook page which is an encouraging sign. Whilst developing this I also managed to find the time to build the bare bones for a website for a friend which is now live and will hopefully bring me a few £££ when complete.
The only breakthrough i've had this week in terms on money saving relates to my Council Tax benefit. I appealed after learning that I was able to backdate my claim to my first week of unemployment. I did so and was successful. It's not a huge amount as I was only appealing for an extra month's benefit but as we all know - it all helps!

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Council tax benefit: £66.45
(including backdated amount)

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

TOTAL
Pounds: £388.82
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 20 RESULTS

As with last week, I've been dedicating most of my time developing my new business venture with most of the work going into the ebay shop. As with a lot of great ideas, there is a large element of development involved before you can reap the rewards - and this is no exception. I have been missing that little bit of extra cash coming in for a few weeks now but as it's simply not going to fall into my lap, I know I have to work to get it.
That said, I am enjoying the freedom of self employment and managing my time and tasks as I want to. It's just a pity I'm not getting paid for it at the moment!
As per usual I've been applying for jobs on a regualr basis but feel a change in approach is needed so I may look into rewording a few things on my CV next week.
Aside from the usual I saved at the cinema when I went to see Avatar 3D (what a great film!). It' the first time I've taken advantage of Orange Wednesdays - I will be sure to do it again.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Grocery savings: £8.25

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Cinema 2for1 saving: £10.00

TOTAL
Pounds: £352.86
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 21 RESULTS

Received a letter this week from the Department of Work and Pensions. It turns out back in October 2009, in the third week and final week that I was earning during that short period there was a breakdown in communication whereby Job Centre Plus failed to inform them. I therefore received an overpayment of JSA and now subsequently have to pay it back! Can you believe that? Such incompetence! So to make things easier for my diary I'm just going to deduct it from this weeks earnings.
I did a slight revamp on my CV and cover letter for job applications and as usual, a lot of my time has been dedicated to filling my ebay shop for my graphics business venture.
The only other notable development in the pipeline is the fact that I have been collecting the 'Eat Out For £5' vouchers from The Times. I already have 8.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Grocery savings: £7.59

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Ebay sales: £9.99

TOTAL
Pounds: £287.89
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 22 RESULTS

Decided to use some of the tokens from the Times (Eat Out For £5) after carefully selecting a good pub and managed to get 2 very good 3 course meals and 2 drinks for £20. I believe it would've cost double that if we had ordered off the menu normally but didn't see the usual menu so I will judge that saving as £20.
Finally started selling some of our products on ebay so at least there's progression coming from somewhere. Having said that, I also got chatting to a local design & print company after phoning for some quotes and he says he may have some design work to out-source to me soon so with any luck there may soon be developments there aswell.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Restaurant Savings: £20.40
(The Times' Eat Out For £5)

Ebay sales: £16.53

TOTAL
Pounds: £371.54
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 23 RESULTS

Relatively speaking this was quite a busy week for me. Had a meeting with a recruitment agent to discuss job opportunities and also went to a trade fair in Birmingham to see about expanding the ebay shop with new products. Although we didn't come away with anything in a physical sense, it did at least give up some inspiration and we now have some new ideas to pursue. I also have another interview lined up for next week which is long overdue! Nothing significant in terms of money made/saved - but I did have a wonder around the local charity shops and came away with a few bargains.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Grocery saving: £3.26
(Tesco promotions)

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Ebay sales: £28.66

TOTAL
Pounds: £366.53
Points: 0

livewire_82

WEEK 24 RESULTS

Had a few developments this week, including my first interview of 2010. Apparently there was (unsurprisingly) a big response for the vacancy but i gave it my best shot at the interview so we'll wait and see.
Got together with a guy from a local design and print company who's looking for a bit of support for his design work and it looks as if he'll have some jobs for me in the very near future to keep me busy. He even spoke about the possibility of going into business together so there's definitely some potential there.
The ebay shop is making slow progress but we have at least progressively continued to increase our weekly sales so far.
Meanwhile away from work, used some more of the Eat Out For £5 vouchers from The Times. This time my girlfriend & I invited her parents to join us so we ended up saving twice as much as we did last time.

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Restaurant Savings: £81.60
(The Times' Eat Out For £5)

Ebay sales: £32.66

TOTAL
Pounds: £448.87
Points: 0

Sun_Addict

Livewire - I've just read your whole thread and I think what you are doing is brilliant and it's really inspired me. It's good to know that you're not letting being unemployed get you down. I think with your ingenuity you should soon be snapped up by a prospective employer. Good luck!

livewire_82

Sun Addict - Can I just say, what a lovely message! It's great to get some support from time to time and good to hear that my posts are inspiring some of you. Thanks!

livewire_82

WEEK 25 RESULTS

Well, I've now officially been unemployed for 6 months and as much as it has the potential to drive me insane, I must not let it. The good news is the market for vacancies is definitely picking up and since last week, I've booked 2 more interviews for full-time positions with the possibility of a 3rd. With a bit of hope, I may just land 1 of them!
The ebay shop is making slow but steady progress and we are gradually increasing our stock as or sales build.
As I have been so pre-occupied with these interviews I haven't really made any further progress with money saving and as I've reached my 6 month 'milestone', I feel it would be better and would feel more productive if I reduce my updates from weekly to monthly.
Fingers crossed with all these interviews lined up I will have some good news the next time I post an update!

THIS WEEK'S SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

Job seekers allowance: £64.30

Council tax benefit: £12.24

Mortgage payment protection: £212.67

Personal loan payment protection: £45.40

Ebay sales: £37.97

TOTAL
Pounds: £372.58
Points: 0