Millionaire Challenge

Kayalana99

Been on a mission tonight, cancelled the TV license (we haven't watched "live" TV in 6 months +) we should get a 6-month refund (because we had to pay 6 months in advance payments of £24 instead of 12) so fingers crossed...they should get in touch within 5 working days I believe e-mail said.

Finally cancelled my phone contract of £7 which I haven't used in over a year...whoops, and downgraded our sky package to not include phone which we don't even have one. So saved about £25 a month assuming all goes well and they do actually cancel + (hfully) getting £60 back from TV and £30 back from Playstation network (because little 3 yr old bought 2 games by mistake...the only problem is usually they refund if you haven't played on it and my partner went on it for like 60 seconds because he thought it was a free download whilst we were in process of sorting this all out.........sigh. That was 15 game though so should still get 15 back of the 30 if they decline....)

Sort of thinking as it wasn't the account holder of the card that purchased it though, we'd have a leg to stand on to fight their decision even if he was on it for about 5min? Not sure. I have deleted both games though now.

Also, our energy bill was raised to £110 and we owe them about 200, but given we had an electric shower fitted a month back and we needed to turn the heating on to use the shower previously - I'm hoping that not using the gas for summer other then for the oven we'll soon be able to bring this down again.

So productive evening is all I can say. Car passed it's MOT to, cost us under £100 total. We've decided to downgrade to one car once the insurance runs out but that's not until October so gives us a few more months.

Determined to get a hold of these finances because we're losing money left right and centre.... going on holiday next week but I have put away money for that so going to put a pin in it until we are back (but still keeping within our holiday saving money.)

Hope all is well - FYI that enquiry never got back to me, must of been the price but I need to charge a worthwhile amount now otherwise theirs no point me doing it. It was still really cheap in the scheme of things. Onwards and upwards.

ms_night_ryder

Hello all.

I'm still about. I got a letter today from work to say I can opt into the company pension, they add some and there's tax relief. so I'm going to do it, I reckon I'll work for them for another 5 years or so, but at least I might have a few grand at the end of it towards my pension.

I am still working on my samples, I'm getting excited as they are coming together nicely. Need to also get a grip of my finances.

Off on holiday in 3 week's. can't wait.

jamiefanger

Hey Tinktay84, I was in catering as well, a chef! Its horrible isn't it such long hours and stuck inside. When my partner got pregnant I decided I needed to make a change and I really wanted to work from home. I found this course which is actually made by Clickbank that teaches you how to make your own product and get their affiliates to sell it for you.
clickbankunicourse.com
I'm no millionaire but I get to work from home and spend all my time with my daughter.

Best of luck to you

Kayalana99

Morning guys,

Quiet on here? I've been away for a week had a fab time and kids thoroughly enjoyed it, never seen my little one happier when he was in the rapids of the swimming pool (or lazy river as they call it) He's really come out of his shell.

Came back and booked our next holiday for next year - hoping to go again sooner but money as always.

My Dad has pushed me taking over his business and once he mentioned figures I can't really say no...he's earning high profit from little input, it means I'll have to give up eBay and most likely my photography but as much as I *love* being a photographer - I love family holidays more, having a nice house...etc. This stuff is the bottom line for me on what I want. I'm not overly interested in what my Dad does, but I know I'm capable of doing it but I can't do my degree, my photography and this business. It's a shame after all the money I have invested but I always said to my husband if I come to sell my equipment I'd get a good 80% back off it, and it means I'll most likely break even with what I have been earning (although I may not sell my equipment and do the odd wedding depending how things go - as I do love it lol)

It's something I could always go back to perhaps when I've finished my degree, but I've made a decision to do this degree and I'm determined nothing is going to get in my way. Taking over my Dad's business will only help us financially and I can always pay for a bit of extra childcare to help with extra time for the degree but it will be a huge step forward financially.

I may lose some business as most of his customers use my Dad for him, but the takeover should be a very long process (still got to learn the trade etc) and even if I only earn half of what he is earning now, it's still 3 times more what I make from eBay for less work.

Muhren

That is fantastic news Kayalana, although I guss it is tinged with a little bit of sadness due to having to give up something you enjoy doing so much.

One thing I will say is that money isn't the be all and end all , You spend a lot of time working so you have to be at least content with what you are doing. There is no point in being rich and unhappy in my opinion, not saying that you will, just a consideration as it's is a shame you are going up something you love doing.

I have nothing to report other than I am still on course to move back into my house in September/October and I'm building a little savings pot as I go.

Kayalana99

No that is true, but on the other foot if I can earn 3x more than I'm earning now for similar/less amount of work - it means a better quality of life for me and my family which is what truly makes me happy. Doing what you love is great, but spending time with family and making memories is better and giving them the best start possible.

It doesn't have to be the end of my photography career forever, but for now I want more than anything is this degree under my belt. I've not decided whether to sell my gear or not, I may hold onto it but it seems a shame to keep 4-5k cash on hand if I'm barely using it. I may sell up and buy a cheaper camera for hobby use and down the line if I ever decide to get back into it commercially it will most likely be a studio which is a whole other set of equipment and lens then what I have now anyway but it's more a pipe dream anyway.

We'll see how I get on.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone. I'm back - with a vengeance.....

I'm shattered and broke, a month of almost non stop partying has taken its toll, on my stamina , my waistline and my bank balance:rotfl:

So it's time to get back on the healthy eating/saving wagon.

I will look at my finances in depth this week and work out a plan of action.

Essentially it will be a six month plan.......

1. Lose two stones, improving blood sugar levels and getting fitter
2. Replenish savings accounts by at least £5k
3. Buy a house
4. Look at increasing income

In addition I do have some financial commitments.

1. A large credit card bill for this month and probably a bit more for next month - I estimate around £2.5K in all.

2. Take my Father to Belguim, already paid for and enough Euros left over from the Barcelona trip to cover spending money - so hopefully no extra money required.

3. Pay balance on two holidays booked for next year - around £2k.

4. Renew rail card - will buy a three year one this time - £70.

5. A family trip to London to see the lion king. Train and theatre tickets already paid for so just spending money for meals etc. aiming for around £100.

6. Decorator/builder next month. Costs as yet unknown.

7. Car service in September.

I'm hoping £4K will cover that little lot, plus the outstanding credit card bill.

So that's around £6.5k to cover my comittments and £5k savings.

Phew - a tall order in 7 months but hey if you don't aim high......:rotfl:

I definitely need to increase my income.;) if I want to make that target. Belt tightening alone won't be enough.

Kaya - what a turn up. Sounds like a real leg up for you. Re the photography - it can be a nice little hobby/sideline when you have time. As you say you can always go back to it later. Great stuff.

When do you start your course.

Muhren. I can't decide whether or not to go the BTL route either. There are pros and cons.

Anyway I'm going to make a start by reviewing the bank accounts etc over the next few days.

Kayalana99

One thing (although obvious) that hit me, now that I'm done sorting out our finances there is very few places I can get costs down (electric and gas + food bill is all that's left I believe)

We're paying car tax monthly on two cars + holiday payment which is £70 a month extra but whilst I had the money to pay the car tax off, I thought better to hold onto the lump sum although normally I like to keep my bills down our savings have taken a hit with the holiday and all big purchases I made last tax year.

But basically what we have going out now we can't really save on - so on the other foot any extra income we get now goes in our pockets as the bills are already paid for so going to look at ways of getting extra income, as say we have £300 spare a month - an extra £100 doesn't sound a lot but it's actually 25% increase of spare cash.

My course doesn't start still October so got some time yet, I had a look over my Dad's accounts and low and behold they aren't as good as he made them out to be, I'm going to weigh up the pros and cons but the other side coin is he isn't looking to retire until he's 55 (so 2 years) so I've got plenty of time to decide although he wanted to start training me in January.

I just need to raise our monthly income somehow, but of course there is always something I have to do - still got a wedding to edit from nearly 3 weeks now, don't know if I mentioned but I got the flu the week before I went on holiday(was away last week), I didn't let it put a downer on it but I was still throwing up in the night and once I was back I think it really hit me how ill I was as I was trying so hard to ignore it and have a good time.

Yesterday I walked for about an hour into town and I had a nap afterwards during the day which isn't like me - but it's really taken it's toll on me and today I've been dancing with kids in front room so *finally* feeling like myself again 3 weeks later lol but eBay went downhill and this wedding is supposed to be delivered tomorrow at the lastest (well contract says 6 weeks but I told her 3)

Also got my book keeping to do to, both big jobs....done my eBay for today now though so going to sit in front room with kids with my feet up and do some editing...then I've got odd jobs to do ....tomorrow I have another wedding to...hopefully things will calm down soon...as always lol.

Mary_Ward

I think that the end goal should be the lifestyle you achieve, the way to get there is based on who you become in the process. I would start by reading "Think and grow rich" by Napoleon hill then putting his ideas into practice.

lessonlearned

Yes flu does take it out of you, glad you are feeling a bit better now though.

DS2 has passed his tummy bug on to me. Mine is not so severe but I feel a bit delicate today so have cancelled my original plans and am having a quiet day.

Rather than waste it feeling sorry for myself and lolling on the sofa all day I am having a paperwork sort out and reorganising my finances.

One of my credit card providers offered me a great deal so rather than take out a mortgage I have gone for that instead.

If I had gone for a mortgage I would have had to borrow more, and there would have been fees and charges (no fee on the credit card), plus, as a senior, mortgage I nterest rates weren't great. The interest rate on the cc compares favourably and it is a life of balance deal. Also of course it's flexible, no penalties for early redemption or overpayments etc so it works better for me.

It also means that I might be able to put a plan Into action that I have been mulling over.

I am thinking of buying a property which I can let out whilst I go travelling using DS2s house as a base when I am in the uk. He can keep an eye on things in my absence.

The rental income will help fund my travels and pay off the credit card.:rotfl: win-win. Not sure where I fancy yet but I have been looking at RTW tickets........

Anyway that wont be this year - perhaps early 2018??

Did a tip run yesterday and am getting stuff together for a mega sale. Desperately need a clear out so may as well try and make some money from all my "treasures";)

Kaya - I'm with you on wanting to increase my regular monthly income. I want it to be passive or at least be able to manage it from anywhere in the world so I'm guessing something internet based. Unfortunately I am not particularly internet savvy so I will need to try and Improve my skills.

I have just started reading the 4 hour work week book again to get some ideas and will take it from there.

So......I'm looking at courses and classes for next winter. - IT, languages - Spanish and Italian and dance (for fun and fitness).

Right time for a walk, an early lunch and then back to the paper mountain. Thank goodness it's only mine now, dads and OHs are all done and dusted.

This morning I destroyed all my husbands old credit cards, NHS cards, Denplan stuff, E111 card. Rather a melancholy task - another farewell and another piece of him slipping away. Just got another couple of dribs and drabs in bank accounts to close now. Hardly worth bothering with really but I guess I have to tidy everything up at some point.