Its so unfair why wont someone help?

svmitche

Hi Heddwen,

I have been reading your thread with interest and I am glad that you are feeling more positive.

Regarding the 'Shopping Parade people' doing surveys, I believe that these people work on commission (so many people interviewed etc) so although nothing should be totally ruled out, it's important to take the time to assess whether this option is more cost effective than, say, getting 100 more leaflets out in your area.

If you are a persuasive salesy type, then you could do very well, but if you're a little more 'retiring' then it may be a long period of wasted time that you could be putting into your business and gaining more from.

If you are going to do doorstep selling, I have heard that Avon is a better option than Betterware/Kleeneze, as you have to purchase the catalogues and paperwork from Betterware/Kleeneze, but with Avon, they send you the materials free of charge. Having said this, the lady I spoke to about it was a rep several years ago, so someone please correct me if it is now different.

All in all though you are making progress. The agreement with BOS must be a huge boost for you.

In terms of the house, if you decide to rent the room, not the house itself, have you a University or University College nearby? If so, they will have a housing service which place students in the community and it is usually so heavily regulated that there should be a degree of protection for you and for the student. The Universities are generally better at guaranteeing an occupancy than the language schools are.

I will keep reading and look forward to hearing more positive news!

Chin up me duck!!  ;D

jg

I may also look into how to become an interviewer on the shopping parade, you know the ones who stand there with a clip-board desparately trying to catch you as you pass by to request you sign up for a catalogue? - Does this work and is it worth doing anybody done it??

NO!!! Please say you aren't going to do this! I will never like you again! I said to do SOMETHING to improve things, but not THAT!

Ok, just kidding . But those people really do annoy me sometimes. But if it works for you and solves your problem, go for it.

I've had a little experience with the leaflet distribution. In our town, the going rate is about 2.5-3p each. I've had the opportunity to make a little on the side doing this, and every little bit does help.

They will want some assurance that you will actually deliver the leaflets. If you tell them that you are doing your own for your own business, that should give some reassurance.

2.5-3p each is not much, but since you are going round with your own, it is really just a bonus. And if you can get four businesses at 2.5p each, that's 10p per house. Working quickly, you may be able to do 150/hour (depends on your fitness and the area).

Do any leaflets come through your door on a weekly basis? Contact the company and offer your service. Offer it for FREE the first time to prove that you will actually deliver, then 0.5p/leaflet less than their current delivery people charge. You won't get rich, but as you said, every little helps.

Anyway, something for you to think about and maybe try.

You can do leafleting 8-10 a.m. and it won't impact the valeting at all, I assume.

I'm looking forward to the day you tell us about the expression on your bank manager's face when the last debt is paid.

Glad things are a little improved.

BULLNOTBEAR

Hi Heddwen,

I'm so happy that things are looking up for you. Been reading the string of posts for a while.

I hope you don't find this offensive but I did pick up on the Sky and surely you could go without this even if it's for a few months. Could save a bit every month!

Nice Welsh Name too

Best of luck

Martyn

Heddwen_2

Ok an update

This week I have clawed back £110 from Powergen as they over-estimated our bill, this puts us £10 in credit and not £110 debit - ok so its 'virtual money' or figures on a page but its still a saving!

Argued with bank manager about charges to accounts (he was too quick off the mark as money had gone in on time but he bounced some DD's and a cheque (over 2 accounts) therefore creating unauthorised overdrawn situation and issued charges) and he has wiped them for the month.

We have already switched our gas, electric and telephone a few months ago. Have also switched our mobiles to contract as cheaper monthy than pay as go (we use mobiles for work and personal calls).

Started house cleaning job today (only 2 hours each fortnight but its £12 more) and looking for more.

Been to jobcentre to put names on weekend events lists. Seen Working Tax Credit advisor about change (husband losing job) and so WRC gone up again to more than before based on Self Employment :-*

Rain has stopped play these past 2 days (grass cutting and car cleaning) but we've both been out leaflet delivering. :-/

Been to CAB re husband being layed off, have to go back next week though as waited 2 hours to be seen (only ones in there) but they were closing so left without seeing anyone! ::)

Sent off for almost every single freeby on the Freebies board, and cutting out savings coupons and entering competitions from mags like mad. Mags come free from friends and inlaws :P

Will look into Avon thanks.

Have a fab bank hol weekend everyone!

Take care

;D

nh

WELL DONE!

A long journey starts with a small step (or something like that) and if you keep doing little things like that you are going to get there in the end.

Sorry I suggested in an earier post you hadn't done anything, didn't mean to offend, but glad it gave you a little boost in a wierd sort of way.

I have to agree with the Sky thing - there is never anything on and when do you get time to watch it? It is about £40 a month isn't it? Big saving!

Sorry to see in another post that you are getting refused for loans. Maybe this is because of your late payments on your mortgage? If you go to experian's website (find on google) you can apply online for your credit file. Hope there is nothing too bad on there - I had some problems with mine over the new year and it was a nightmare. It got sorted in the end tho so if there is a mistake on it you should be able to sort it out.

Keep your chin up and have a good bank holiday!

trafalgar_2

Even if your credit file is fine its not a good idea to increase debt with more loans ...............best to think twice then think again :-/

jg

Superb stuff. Any more ideas/progress on rent-a-room? That will be a big one for you if you can get a renter for a while.

Good on you for keeping an eye on the bank DD stuff, but try, try, try to get a little cushion built up in there. You don't need this hassle, and you don't need the expense of fees if something goes wrong.

System

Sent off for almost every single freeby on the Freebies board, and cutting out savings coupons and entering competitions from mags like mad. Mags come free from friends and inlaws   :P

When I was a kid my mum used to send me out to buy stuff at the supermarket armed with handfuls of vouchers she'd snipped out of the paper. To my total embarrassment the vouchers were always for money off stuff I wasn't actually buying. I'd be buying own-brand conrflakes, bread, and stuff, while handing in coupons for cat food and pile cream. She insisted that nobody on the till cared.

Needless to say I've recently started doing the exact same thing....worth a try!

If you're into competitions have a look at http://www.google.com/groups?safe=images&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&as_ugroup=uk.rec.competitions&lr=&hl=en

- it's a newsgroup for UK competitions. Look for ones which say WWW in the message title - it means you can enter online. 9 times out of 10 the message poster provides a link to the entry form and the answers too! Word of warning though - get yourself a spare chuckaway email address for these, because you do get spammed a lot.

zcaprd7

Without wanting to sound harsh...

Your big list of things you have done didn't seem to involve your husband, what is he doing to help you/the situation?

Heddwen_2

Update

This week hasn't been as positive as last. But what got done is:

Went to sort out letting the house out with agency.

Bought some card in a stationery sale to do postcard invitations to mail to past customers who haven't used us for a while.

Posted some more flyers in local area,

Left name and tel no details in Tesco as saw ad on instore board for cleaners (late nighr & v early morning) but unless hubby wants to do it as well I will have trouble getting in and out as the store is on outskirt / other side of town and public transport doesnt run that early or late!

Rang up some cleaning jobs in paper, but they had all gone, however put myself on the list for suture roles.

Applied to be an Avon rep just wait and see if I get a call.

Cleaned a few cars and done some gardens after an auful start to the week with horrible rain stopping any jobs.

Am considering cancelling my bank account alltogether and paying things in cash as I am fed up with all the letters I get telling me theyve bounced yet another DD then charged me for the privelage (usually a lot more charge than the original amount required to honour!) Is this a good idea?

Have quietly been wishing we could sell up and move into a caravan!

My hubbie is doing what I do, sometimes he's like a siameze twin at times its irritating. I cant convince him with the cleaning jobs still though. Even his mum said to him he has to stop being proud and do anything and everything to get the money in if he wants to remain living in our own house.

Sounds to me as if his parents no longer want us staying with them. I will advertise for a lodger as well as to let the whole place out.

Does anyone know the difference between buy to let and let to buy? Just curious!

I need some help on how to word an ad for our spare room to put in the paper. Any ideas??

Thanks not such a positive end to this week I am afraid.

Have a good weekend.

::)