Millionaire Challenge

minxy-x

LessonLearned
Do you have any websites/book recommendations re flipping properties?

I already have the tax and housing book you recommended previously so have that side covered.

TIA

lessonlearned

Ive read several.

i rate Gary Mcausland the best. He has written two books although Ive only read one - How to make a million from property.

His company is called Richland Group, website ishttps://www.richlandgroup.co.uk.

They do very upmarket high end developments now - most of them absolutely gorgeous, although he started out as a one man band and worked his way up.

He's quite a character, a bit of a dish, but he knows his stuff.

I have read quite a few property developer books but he stands out head and shoulders above the pack although I quite like a couple of Sarah Beenys books, she's good at design layouts and problem solving.

I am currently reading Kevin McClouds Principles of Home - his manifesto of architecture, all about green builds and sustainability. It's very interesting. And I'm surprised at how scathing he is of some of the vanity projects that he's presented on Grand Designs.

Tbh this is where I want to go, both my sons and I want to look at Eco builds At some point. Both DS1 and his fianc! work for an alternative energy company very much on the forefront of research and innovation. Ds2. is gadget man and is bursting with ideas on how to high spec with the latest toys, gadgets and energy saving solutions.

In fact ive let him try out some of his ideas here, and I have to say I'm impressed with what he has come up with in this house. It was built in 1907 so a typical Victorian terrace. It has scrubbed up nicely, with a mix of elegant period design touches and hi tech wizardry and 21st century comfort.

DS1 bought a large rather dilapidated Grade II house dating back to 1758 and built in the Georgian vernacular style. It is not a grand town house but an artisans dwelling, although a fairly high ranking artisan, a foreman,s house rather than a labourers cottage, so very large rooms.

It's been a big project, he's two years in and although progress is a bit slow its defintely starting to come together now. With that one its all about consvervation and restoration whilst at the same time trying to bring in 21st comfort. It's been rewired and a really efficient heating system installed. a new luxury bathroom goes in next month. DS1 has taught himself to plaster and is almost finsihed, so now the fun stuff starts, decorating, furnishings and all those little flourishes.

His fianc! is keen to start renovating furniture and of course I shall be happy to help and advise. In fact she has already borrowed a lot of my design books.

So there you have it, my own little manifesto. ethical property developing, Eco builds, sustainability and conservation, hopefully done with elegance, style and panache and of course - all on a tight budget.......... ha, ha.

minxy-x

Thanks so much for all that info, will start perusing all your recommendations. Especially interested to read Garys as I really enjoy reading peoples life stories.

You and your 2 Sons sound like a great team, and all bringing different skills, you should keep your own notes and pictures, you may all have your own book one day.

Kayalana99

Just a quick pop for now, that book I've just brought it for £2.04 on eBay including postage - give it a eBay? What a bargin. I figured my Dad might like it if I don't find it useful (because I wouldn't be in the position to invest)

They have 3 more available .

minxy-x

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Just a quick pop for now, that book I've just brought it for £2.04 on eBay including postage - give it a eBay? What a bargin. I figured my Dad might like it if I don't find it useful (because I wouldn't be in the position to invest)

They have 3 more available .

Thank you so much! :A
Have ordered also.

You sound a little down these days? Hope all is ok.

Kayalana99

I'm one of those people who can't switch off, my mind never stops swirling. Am I happy? When it comes down to it I've never been happier, my OH is absolutely lovely and we never fight, my kids get cuter by the day and I can't go an hour without them making me laugh, I finally (FINALLY!!!) know what I want to do with my life and it's pushing me to do things I've never done before.

Last night I was thinking since this photography started I've put myself in positions I never would of took a chance at normally, but I want this so much that I'm doing things I never thought I would have guts for.

Yesterday I took my couple out for photo shoot it went well but I came off feeling a bit down as I couldn't fill in blanks, see my couple friends are very creative and I put them in front of a camera they just start doing things without asking, some of it was my creativity some of it was theirs but as my friend says it's just gaining experience right now but say it was a shy couple... I couldn't of made the shoot last 10min where they need to be about an hour.

Anyway, my friends BF has a photographer friend (from what he said) does weddings and model shoots for some Hot magazine and he was telling me all about it, later that night I went to a party and he was their, had a bit of a chat with him and end night I sat down next to him and was just like sooooo do you need an assistant for weddings? (Well I worded it better) and turns out he has done a couple friends weddings but he doesn't do it for a living and he was thinking about being a Tog's assistant to!!! I felt a bit of a plonker but same time I'm proud of myself for asking.

I'm quite low in confidence and sometimes I find myself thinking can I do this? it's more about the social skills side but then a voice answers and says I'll find a way...and I'm sure I will.

Sorry going off, what I wanted to say originally is sometimes I over think things I come on this forum and rant away and I have had my down times where I have generally been a tad depressed eariler in the year but I guess when we come on here and have a bit of a moan it can come across worse then it is.

Frustrated about the situation that I can't go out and get started? Yes. Happy overall? Definitely.

I have a lot going on in my head right now about what's best for the kids, we don't live in the best area my OH was telling me some 5-6 year old kids were out at about 9-10 last night swearing and blinding, and he doesn't want our kids growing up here but what do you do? Put the work in and have the money but no time so they can have a better up bringing ?

It's just finding that balance..

minxy-x

Glad lots of things are going great for you.
Frustration may be a good emotion as it pushes you?
I do have an annoying habit of trying to pull the best out of situations, so sorry!

Your friend is right, in that its just getting experience and ideas, we did not learn to walk without falling on our butts a few times first.
Have you heard of pinterest? I am not creative at all so anything I think about doing I have a look on there for ideas (and get lost for hours)!


https://uk.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=couple+photo+shoot+ideas&term_meta%5B%5D=couple%7Cautocomplete%7C1&term_meta%5B%5D=photo%7Cautocomplete%7C1&term_meta%5B%5D=shoot%7Cautocomplete%7C1&term_meta%5B%5D=ideas%7Cautocomplete%7C1

Shame about the guy last night, do not feel like a plonker at all! could you have a look at some other local photographers and contact any ones work you like?

You are right about balances, I think they are hard to figure anyway but with kids must be especially hard.

Karmacat

Some really good points minxy made, Kaya.

I live in the same sort of area you do - most kids are out there, swearing and whatnot. All except next door's but one - they're the same age, but their mum and dad have obviously made the decision to make sure they dont take part in that. Sunny days, they're off all day in their camper van, they go to forests and beaches. They go to different (still state) schools too. You can do it in your area - its a bit of work, but it sounds like you're up for it.

As for the photographer friend of a friend - maybe you can help each other? It can be lonely being self employed, and the fact that he's a bloke and you're a woman, it'll open doors for you as a team that might have been shut. There's less of that these days, but it can still matter sometimes.

lessonlearned

Kay - had a thought about your delemna, lack of confidence and your feelings about not being very creative.

2 things .......

How about a photography class, just for you, just for fun. You probably may not need it from a technical point of view but simply being around other creative like minded people could well help spark ideas.

As you know my degree is in Visual Cultures, I often found the other students far more inspirational than the lecturers and tutors. These bright young things just buZzed with creativity and of course being so much younger than me they had their finger on the pulse and kept me up to speed with new ideas. Etc.

Plus of course the more photographers you meet the more opportunities for finding a place as a helper or assistant may come Your way.

2. I agree with Minxy - get googling, loads of websites and you tube videos.

My son has been looking at "cinematic head shots" this week. He found a you tube video called fstoppers. Why. Because the use of cinematic style head shots makes for better portrait photography.

He spends hours looking at this stuff, in preparation for when he starts his photography business.

Finally, and I'm sure that as a keen photographer you don't need me to tell you this.

"Never leave the house without a camera".

I come from a family of keen amateur and semi professional photograhers, My sister used to work for a well known chain and she had a studio at the back of the shop. She is not professionally trained, she's just a quick learner and very creative.

She has done both stills and videos for children doing ballet, she's done sports videos, shes photographed minor celebs and a couple of really big ones, she's now into horsey and doggy stuff. She always has at least one camera on her person at all times, I think she welds them to her arm.....:rotfl:

As she says you never know what you are going to see. Some of her best shots are black and white pictures of tramps and rough sleepers she passed on her way to work.

She did a series of shots at the local railway station, the architecture of the building itself, the big old clock, the roof dome, the waiting rooms. - all in black and white and absolutely stunning.

A friend of ours was a keen amateur. Again no training just self taught, everywhere he went he took pictures. He would just send them to the local newspaper - daffodils in the spring, lambs gambolling, the first snowdrops, a frosty winters morning - you know the kind of thing. From there he just drifted into,weddings, but then he got sidetracked into cooking, so photography is now just a hobby with the occasional wedding or rock gig.

Most local newspapers are always looking for content. They don't usually pay you but you get your acknowledgment in the caption and you can use this for your portfolio.

The more you do, the more your confidence will grow, the more pictures you take the more easily the ideas will flow and the more creative you,will become. Always remember it's not the camera that counts - it's the photographers eye. The more pictures you take the more you will train your eye and the more creative you will become.

It does sound like you are trying to run before you can walk. This is perfectly understandable, I'm am just as impatient at times.......

May I recommend a book.

It's called "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Its about the 10,000 hour rule - Google it, but also read the book. It's fascinating.

The guy I mentioned yesterday, Gary McCausland also discusses the 10,000 hour rule.

Anyway back to me.......:D

Ive planted up my garden. And today im taking the leftover plants to DS1 and shall donate them to his garden. Going to pinch some of his strawberry plants. Fairs, fair.

Have got two types of curries In the oven, double portions, so eat one, freeze one for another day.

the new frugality has begun in earnest........

lessonlearned

Now it begins

I have set myself a target for £750 savings for July......Ouch.

So the frugal living has begun.

My plan this week is to do at least one thing each day to work towards that target.

Today I will do a money sort out and work out next months budget in preparation.

In addition to my money makeover, I am also embarking on a new health and fitness campaign and weight loss programme.

I never do anything by halves......

I have set myself a target to lose 3st 10bs by 29th May 2016 for my son's wedding.

So a new slimline me and a healthy savings account will be my goals.

Cue motivational music and a "Rocky" type training montage...........