Millionaire Challenge

cazmanian_minx

I've just been looking at my Adsense reports and am very, very chuffed to see my blog broke through three-figure earnings in 7 days for the first time this week Okay, two of those figures were after the decimal point and I made the grand total of £1.00 exactly, but it's a milestone, albeit a small one, and I'm sure the big traffic boost from MSE had something to do with it, so thank you very, very much to everyone who clicked through from this thread and had a look

Kayalana99

Eek amazing you've inspired me to FINALLY start on one of my ideas today - not photography related but cooking. Made 3 blog posts so far but they need more research to finish them and a few photos need to be added in (which involves me cooking that product etc)

Been a stressful few days had to have one of my back teeth removed but luckily I didn't have to have surgery on it (got referred to another dentist to have surgery to remove it but he managed to get it out without surgery ..my main dentist couldn't do it on the day which is a bit worrying if this guy managed it ) but still suffering a bit with the pain. A couple other things but won't bore you.

AMAZING news...I sent some photos off to the last venue I shot at and they have offered to put me on there supplier list...chuffed. Feel like I'm really running a business now - still doesn't feel real sometimes. I was really worried about my last one (not the one for that venue) as it was a larger couple and had self confidence issues but I have a feeling she's going to adore the photos.

Have to admit it was a boring wedding, small amount of guests so I was circling round taking a lot of photos of the same people wondering if I had made a mistake getting into wedding photography (we all have our up and down moments) but after getting home and starting to go through the pictures along with another two things that happened I have my spark all over again.

My engagement shoot which I was really worried about (did it two weeks ago felt like it went awful) ...since i had finished the previous wedding got round to editing it and they gave me such lovely reviews.

Also at the (sorry hope this isn't getting confusing!)latest wedding there was another photographer there who was in his last year at Uni & older then me - I tried to be nice but he was having none of it but I was a bit worried he would show me up and take better shots but the couple trusted me 100%, gave me there attention without giving him a second thought (as he was only there for practice) and he posted every photo online that night and lets just say they don't hold a candle to mine - don't mean to sound big headed but they are simply by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. I honestly tried to give him a helping hand on the day and was completely shut down so...hey I tried.

Thank you for all your support, I don't want to dwell on it and also wasn't ready to bring it up in the earlier post either - but it has really hit hard on me as a lot of what she said on the day was like a massive light bulb moment for me. This is not just about my son but myself, I feel like I have struggled for years with inner demons - always feeling left out, not really understanding why I couldn't "click" with people like most people did, always saying the wrong things at the wrong moments and coming away feeling like a total idiot along with never seeming to get the jokes people make until I've "thought about it" and fake laughing all the time. I blamed it on my mother for not teaching me things, my self confidence ...well all sorts but I just don't feel like I'm on the same page as people

It just sort of all started to make sense, and I've started to notice things that I do that I didn't before - I broke down after we came away from the doctors appt to my husband expecting again - for him to tell me I'm being silly but he only agreed that he thought I was right to.

The worse part is I've always thought myself a bit of an idiot - it really didn't make sense to me that I seem so smart in so many ways but when it came to social skills I always seemed to come across as a bit of a dunce to people - my partner agrees with me again here we used to joke I was a "smart idiot"

I'm actually sort of relieved to know what is going on - and the only question I have left is do I go about getting an official diagnosis? I don't think I would care if it was just me, but how nice would it be if my son gets diagnosed with this to have me to look up to? Someone with a family and kids who runs there own business successfully (well hopefully by the time he will understand I will be!! lol)

Anyway, I'm sorry for going on. It's like a bit of a safe haven here so to speak.

Karmacat

Oh Kaya! First off, congratulations on the wedding shoots and the photography in general going so well - we all need to work at what we do, and you are, but it's also becoming obvious that you have a real talent for this - thats fantastic!

As far as the other stuff goes, my heart goes out to you - if you want to have a diagnosis for your self, as opposed to your littlies, your GP is the way in to all NHS services - after my experiences though, I'd recommend you research online and look at local leaflets as to whats actually available. My GP didn't know about a monthly clinic within walking distance from me that had been open for 10 years - she thought it was shut down 5 years ago!

The main thing - trust yourself, you *know*. Good for you!

ms_night_ryder

Kaya congratulations on being added as a supplier. what a great step! I have noticed you seem to worry a lot about your work, even when it eventually turns out great. don't doubt yourself, believe! Also about the larger couple, you can only shoot what you see, you're not a magician.

About your son and your own diagnosis. I think it's great you have realised, there are things you can do. Like sign up to a few social groups with people with similar problems.

A story about that, I used to think I was really shy, I can speak to people I know all day, but strangers I find awkward. so I signed up to a shy social group, I went to a dinner organised by them, where by the end of it I realised I wasn't shy, I lacked in self confidence. Now I occasionally host a couple of groups myself, it has helped so much. when I mention to anyone who meets me now that I had shy/self confidence issues , they look at me like I'm mad and say stuff like how? Your so friendly. lol my mind boggles.

Also I wanted to say re your photography, look how well you are doing. remember when you first started?

lessonlearned

Kaya. Well done on your photographic successes - you are making huge strides now.....I think we shall be seeing you do the cover shots on Time Life before long......

Right about your "personality issues"........for want of a better expression. And, before anyone flames me, no I'm not being rude.

Take a good look at all the famous, talented and gifted people, throughout history.....from Leonardo da Vinci to Steve Jobs. They are all what my darling aunt used to call "odd bods". She too meant this in the nicest possible way.

These are all people who are outside the norm.......just like you, just like me........ I know I'm weird but frankly I don't give a monkeys.

I've come to learn some of us are just "wired differently". And that is why we sometimes struggle at school and working for other people. That is why people like us do better being self employed.

I've had 33 jobs - some of them were disastrous - some were highly successful. The ones that were successful were the ones where my employers gave me a free rein "to just do your thing E.......because you know what works best for you". The ones that went wrong were the ones where bosses tried to micro manage me and make me fit into their restrictive ways. I often felt that I was trying to work in a straight jacket.

Everyone of us is different. Like snowlflakes each human being is unique. We all have different skills and different personalityquirks. We all have talents and abilities, different strengths and different weaknesses.

It took me a long time to realise this but I got there in the end. Frankly, when it comes to personality issues, I don't believe in diagnoses,I don't think it's right to put people intoto pigeon holes. We are all individuals. I don't think we should be labelled.

However, I agree that from the point of state education then it might be useful for your son to get a proper diagnosis because he will then get more help.

I saw this happen with my niece who has Aspergers and to a lesser extent with my son and his dyslexia and dispraxia. Once they had been tested and diagnosed all of a sudden the schools were more helpful, supportive and understanding.

I was lucky in that my school was so laid back they didn't care about my "oddness" - they just let me get in with things in my own way, at my own pace. The only teacher who tried to force me to do anything was the sports mistress and she soon realised that she was wasting her time........like my son, my clumsiness is the stuff of family legend. :rotfl:

I am going to say something now which might upset a few people but I stand by it.........

I have no faith in either the NHS or the state education system. All they are interested in is putting round pegs into round holes.

If you are a square peg then God help you.

If you have money then go private........be it healthcare or a good education for your children or grandchildren. If have money you can buy peace of mind and advantages, if you have money you can circumvent the "system", if you have money you have freedom of choice.

So yes you can see why I want money behind me, why I take part in this thread.......it's not just a figure in the bank - it's what that figure can buy you.

If I had realised earlier about the difficulties my DS2 was struggling with I would have moved heaven and earth to send him to an independent school - one that better fulfilled his needs. However we didn't fully understand about his condition until he was nearly 14 and although we offered him the chance to change schools he didn't want to at that stage.

Having said that, his state school did do their best and we all worked together to help my son but I think by then a lot of damage had been done and my son still lacks confidence.

Nightryder - I too was very shy - still am - but have learned how to overcome it. When I was a girl I was so bad I developed a stutter. My English teacher soon sorted that out.......god bless her. She took me under her wing and gave me extra tuition, gave me (free) private elocution lessons and had me doing all sorts of speech and drama exams. At first it was an ordeal - standing there spouting poetry in front of a panel of judges but I soon began to love literature, theatre and drama, especially Shakespeare.

I shall be eternally grateful to My English teacher because not only did she cure me of my stutter but she opened doors for me that otherwise would have remained firmly shut. By learning to "talk proper" I was able to transcend my poor working class background and learn how to converse with anyone and everyone without feeling ashamed of the way I spoke.

Now I can and do converse with anyone.......I can talk and write for England. I owe much of whatever success I have managed to achieve because of my ability to communicate and conquor my shyness. I still get butterflies in social situations sometimes but no one would ever guess.

Oddly enough I do still stutter sometimes, especially when I'm tired but now I don't get embarrassed - I just laugh it off.

Kaya - don't get embarrassed about being "different".

It's your difference that sets you apart and which gives you your artistic talent and your artists eye. It's what makes you a good photographer. It's what allows you to see truth and beauty in the mundane and which allows you to turn the "everyday" into something unusual and special.

You may not realise this yet but it was your "eye" which allowed you to make the photos of the "larger couple with confidence issues" into something special. Your "eye" latched onto their love for each other, your eye saw each of the couple the way they see each other and this is what makes those photos so special.

You may not realise this but this is a rare gift .........and not all photographers have this gift. Being a good photographer is not just about technical skills or the quality of your camera......it's all about the photographers eye.

Embrace your "difference" - it makes you what you are and it is the essence of you as a person.

Kayalana99

Thank you. To be honest I would feel the same way unless it was severe I wouldn't want to get him labelled but at the same time I want to get him as much help as possible which won't happen until they label him so to speak.

I've been over the moon with how the teacher has re acted to the situation she seemed nothing but helpful and wanting to know what is going on and saying if he gets diagnosed he will be able to get extra help.

After the Appt last week she seemed really confused that the doctor was there but he wasn't diagnosed on the spot (lets face it this stuff takes time) and she seemed disappointed and let it slip oh it sounds like he won't be diagnosed at least until he is in reception so we won't be able to access extra funding.

All comes down to money.

It's crazy really it was actually Feb 2015 I brought my first camera - my Facebook memories from a year today right now are rubbish pictures of my children that aren't even in focus that I was so proud off (I had a lovely picture of my Dad and son that I loved but it's so out of focus it's funny, I guess my Dad didn't have the heart to tell me as he said it looked good and he would of noticed)

It's just finally filled a hole I've had for so long - always felt a bit lost with no direction.

Anyway, onwards and upwards what you say about ££ is so true LL. I just wish I could find a way to bring in a higher income but for now I'm just going to focus really hard on being the best photographer I can be - and hopefully the money will follow.

lessonlearned

https://www.facebook.com/100001454555566/videos/743020322423113/

Whenever you start to flag or doubt yourself.......

PoorGuyNextDoor

Just came across this so dropping a comment so i can come back tonight and read threw!! I am £50k in debt with litterally no money in the bank to pay a few bills due on Monday. This is rock bottom. Dont think il ever be in a situation like this again, the only way really is up. I want to get the millionaire status aswel so iv started by having my lightbulb moment which is the biggest step of them all towards my financial independence. Keep up the good work guys.

lessonlearned

Hi PoorGuy - welcome to the thread.

I was going to suggest you pop over the Debtfreewannnabe board but I see you have already done that, so well done you. That's a great start. You will get lots of helpful advice and tips. You might get a bit of stick and a few harsh comments but try not to let any criticism get to you. Just take all the advice on board and then decide what will work best for you.

I notice you have already shifted £20k worth of debt, so again well done - give yourself a big pat on the back.

The thing is the past is the past and cannot be undone so just draw a line in the sand and resolve to learn from your past mistakes. You will notice my pen name is "lessonlearned" so as you can guess I soeak from experience.

When I first joined this thread I was in debt to the tune of £30k. Now all debts are cleared and I'm sitting (relatively) pretty. Not reached that magic £1m yet but I'm happy with my Progress.

At one point I was staring bankruptcy in the face and there were times when I felt that I would never come out of that long dark tunnel.

So take heart and have courage - it is possible to turn things around.

I don't know if you enjoy reading but I would recommend a couple of money type books.

Your Money or Your Life
The Millionaire Next Door
The Rules of Wealth

There are loads of blogs - I like The Money Moustache and BeMoreWithLess

One of the tips you will get is to keep a spending diary. I cannot recommend this enough. It is imperative to keep A tight rein on cash flow and that you know where your money is going and that it is really being made to work hard for you.

Well I've had a good week - finally finsihed all the decluttering. Ready to start upcycling some furniture next week.

Spotted a couple of houses that might fit the bill so need to arrange some viewings for next week.

Have a great weekend.

lea123e

Hello All,

Not posted for a while but have popped back now and then for a quick read, toddlers sure do keep you very busy!

Now our little ones getting a bit more independent, I've had a bit more time to concentrate on next steps towards making property more of a business than a hobby, which has always been the dream.

I've got some business initiative meetings lined up which will give some guidance on how best to structure the business as taxation for buy to sell and buy to let are very different and i will likely be involved of both of them so lots to think about. Not least the financial side of things and getting together the initial capital to get things rolling, by the time i complete my current project, which is also my home, i will have around 50k equity which will help some but need to get a comprehensive business plan together(this bit is harder than I thought!) and hopefully attract some external investement, business loan, angel investor etc.

I'm more determined than ever to accomplish this, not least to be able to give my son a secure future and to at last be working full time doing something i love. I forget who it was that said if you do work that you love, it never feels like work!

Hope you're all well. Waves hello to LL!