"Simply not solvent!

hypno06

Chev, I really hope that everything goes smoothly - you will still post when you are "down under" won't you?

Seax, glad you are getting there with deciding which way to head re work etc. This lark that is balancing everything is not always much fun is it!!

Seaxwyn

Mayday update. Not the rosiest picture as my earnings have been so low the last couple of months. Today's official total is £34740.95.

I have nearly finished my tax return, which shows my earnings last year were £29,591.70. This seems to vindicate my desire to remain self-employed, as to earn that much in a job I'd need to work full-time, and probably commute. The truth is I worked very much part-time and so presumably could earn a lot more than this if I only pulled my finger out.

I can't think of anything else to report. I've been very preoccupied with the local elections, leafletting and canvassing for a local Green candidate. This morning I spent three and a half hours in the cold and rain outside a polling station, and tonight I'll be 'knocking up' (I believe that's the official term). Tomorrow is the count, and likely defeat, then perhaps I can get back to focussing on my own life a bit more.

bandraoi

I think you're punishing yourself too much about your "part time" working.
Working in an office you end up wasting alot of time anyway. I work on a time charge basis in a professional job, but the % of time I'm actually productively working is probably quite low. There is only so much concentration the human brain can take.

Sea78

Hope the 'knocking up' goes well

taxi73

Morning Seaxwyn,
Good luck to your candidate.Well regarding work that was a decent wage for part time as you say.Don't forget looking for work and time spent invoicing is also work hours.When s/e we tend to forget that.
At least you've made your mind up what you want so would it be a good idea to get out your whole list of contacts that you have done work for and then approach them to see if any of them want further work so that at least they know you are still out there and you are then in the front of their mind?
Take care xxHave a good dayxx

hypno06

Hi Seax! That is a good wage for the work you have done - perhaps the problem is not so much the amount of money you are bringing in, but perhaps you need to concentrate on the "surrounding" issues such as budgeting, not panicking about the money and being more relaxed about it, which in turn will lead to that better work/life balance because you won't be so stressed about work and money?

I'm not sure that it makes sense on here in the way it does in my head - but it seems that it is not the "income" that is the big problem - with a bit of tweaking it can increase, and you can, with OH, surely cover your necessary outgoings - but by taking the pressure off yourself "mentally", you will be less stressed, and probably even more inclined to get additional work in naturally!

I will stop babbling now - you probably think I am talking squit!!

Seaxwyn

Thanks folks.

Oh how I wish I'd done more knocking up - Jonathan lost by 20 votes. So close! I'm gutted really, we should have done more.

Thanks for the advice and ideas Taxi and Hypno. It's true that work/income isn't the main problem, but organisation, work-life balance etc etc. I need to think properly about what kind of work I do want as I have so many 'issues' around working at home, writers block etc, that make much of the work I do a real burden.

Anyway, better get on and do some work now, I've been at the election count all morning.

chevalier

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Mayday update. Not the rosiest picture as my earnings have been so low the last couple of months. Today's official total is £34740.95.

I have nearly finished my tax return, which shows my earnings last year were £29,591.70. This seems to vindicate my desire to remain self-employed, as to earn that much in a job I'd need to work full-time, and probably commute. The truth is I worked very much part-time and so presumably could earn a lot more than this if I only pulled my finger out.
quote]


Two things about this. The debt level would have been worse if you hadn't decided to pull your and your OH's fingers out to get it sorted, so there is nothing to beat yourself up about.

Secondly 29.5 k income is a good bit, when you haven't been working at your full potential. You could look at it as a motivator to do more this coming year. This equates to £2400 ish a month. So how about setting yourself a target to earn more than this a month this year? Even if it isn't all paid work, eg daily clicks, doing competitions, mystery shops, amazon etc.

You know you can do it and you know how good you feel when you complete a well paying bit of work on time. So keep up the good work. Plus you are better off than a year ago, ref OH because he is pulling his weight a bit more than before.

How you both are working isn't perfect, but life isn't. Still don't let the size of the mountain put you off trying to climb it!!
Here's to a productive, wealthy year!
chev

taxi73

I second what Chev said!!!...well said.

taxi73

Hi seaxwyn just popped by to say will catch up with you when I get back..take care and be lucky and good luck for work also same to you Chev xx