Peonie's journey to smart money management

Peonie

Thanks Shala, I would not have covered the raised bed if you had not told me to. As I don't have any gardening fleece I've covered the bed with old dust sheets. I'll have a look for some soon.

As for children, erm, our timescale is pretty much now. We've wanted kids for some time but have had no luck yet. As for

Does he have enough time now to try and go self employed and build up a good client base before you decide to have them?

he has 9 months starting from whenever.

Peonie

I did a few hours sieving composting yesterday and I'm feeling it today. We went to the local, cheap, garden centre and I picked up some fleece for the raised bed and it's now on.

Yesterday we moved all the boxes, we have saved for items to be sold on ebay, into the attic and after months of not selling anything Mr P has started to ebay some old toys again. So in a few days he'll be back in the attic to get some boxes down again. While he's been taking photos and what-not I have been sewing.

Right, I'd best go and make dinner; we're having pork chops.

Lois_E

Hi Peonie

Just caught up with your diary. Sounds like you are doing really well in the garden!

Good luck with all your decision making, you and MrP. I remember how hard it was to make career decisions when you don't know when or if any kids will come along. There was a very awkward bit when we were TTC and I was looking for a new job because I was on a one year contract - you have to get teaching jobs before the end of May to start the following September, so ages in advance. It didn't feel right to put the job thing on hold because the baby might happen, because it might not, but I also couldn't put the baby thing on hold to get and settle into a new job, because it was the right time for me age-wise and in term's of X's earning capacity.

Um, I think what I'm trying to say is that I understand it can be tricky weighing everything up, but you can't know the future and sometimes you have to do what seems best and leave the future to sort itself out when the time comes. Good luck anyway.

Sepa74

Hi Peony,

I sometimes think we should all adopt the N1ke slogan... just do it.

We plan and plan and think and think and get stressed in the thinking about it, where as if you just get on and do something, things tend to work themselves out.

There are a few self-employed / contractor type people on this site, so if feel free to discuss yours (and his) worries with us.

The recession can actually be a great time to strike out on your own as companies need flexible people who can just pick up and run with things, even though they may not be able to make the commitment of taking someone on permanently.

My top tip would be for him to get on LinkedIn and start participating in forums, helping people out and generally raising his profile. Nothing may come of directly, but it will help him get a feel for what demand is out there for people with his skills. More and more companies are starting to recruit through LinkedIn too, so it's important to get on there and networking.

I'm sure that whatever decision he makes, it will turn out to be the right one, because humans have a fantastic capacity to make the best of their circumstances.

(hug)

Peonie

Hi,

I'm popping in to say I'll be missing for a few days as I have a gift to finish but I will respond to all your messages soon.

Px

Peonie

I've not forgotten to respond to everyone but it's going to take a little longer until I can. Mr P's aunt is seriously ill so we're taking a last minute trip to the south coast this weekend to visit.

And while I've been sewing he has been working on some business stuff which I'll tell you about later.

Bye for now.

shala_moo

Hi Peonie, haven't heard from you in a while so hope everything's as ok as it can be...

x

Peonie

Hello,

I'm popping in to do my monthly update, it is:

Rainy day fund: £11,640/£12,000 achieved 97%.
12k in 2012 challenge no. 168: £1,570/£4,000 achieved 39%.
Mortgage now: April 2012 at £149,935 end date June 2036.
Mortgage at its highest: July 2011 at £154,000 end date July 2036.

And, if you didn't notice we are just gone sub-£150k. :T :j :T Talk about being late to my own celebration party. Disgraceful.

newgirly

:beer: Congratulations peonie! Sub 150k is great, we are at £148 at the moment, what sort of time scale are you aiming for to pay it all off all going well?

shala_moo

Peonie wrote: »

Hello,

I'm popping in to do my monthly update, it is:

Rainy day fund: £11,640/£12,000 achieved 97%.
12k in 2012 challenge no. 168: £1,570/£4,000 achieved 39%.
Mortgage now: April 2012 at £149,935 end date June 2036.
Mortgage at its highest: July 2011 at £154,000 end date July 2036.

And, if you didn't notice we are just gone sub-£150k. :T :j :T Talk about being late to my own celebration party. Disgraceful.

:j:j fantastic news... well done!