The black sheep returns...

mizmir

Karmacat wrote: »

Aargh! Thats really the kind of thing that feels *so* dispiriting, doesn't it ... and yet, everything's the same, its in the budget, but the *figure* is higher. Have a chocolate bar. Or some brazil nuts, or something. You know you want to! I've just had a 2nd cup of coffee (which feels v decadent, as I seem to take it quite strong)

You're right. Nothing has changed. Except that there is no escaping the seriousness of the situation (which is only a good thing given my track record of cutting and running!)

If I had a chocolate bar I would eat it. Can't stand brazil nuts (though oddly do have some in the cupboard!) so will have a coffee and a piece of toast!

On the plus side - have just cancelled monthly direct debits on the old house for utilities saving another £184 a month. And with luck there will be credits on the accounts so we won't have to pay anything to quarterly bills (and may get some back if we get a tenant).

And I just had a call from another potential client. She has gone off to discuss with her husband so fingers crossed she comes back - it would be great to get a bit more DT work.

mizmir

Still ploughing on with the report - think may do another couple of hours.

Nothing back from potential client so may not come off - still it is good people looking are getting my name.

Have signed up for notifications of jobs/opportunities in unis in new region - there are about a dozen of them that would be commutable. An hourly paid lecturing or fractional research management post would be ideal as it would give me an income but still give me time for the business - and there are a few about - just not in my discipline. Now if I knew anything about combustion chambers.... :rotfl: But then I don't really want one now - am ok up to May.

But there are some occasional consultancy opportunities about that I may well apply for - nothing lost in doing that and would be a welcome boost to the income if it came off.

Still need to work out exactly how much I would need to earn come May but still ploughing through stripping out unnecessary spending so until that is done it is hard to calculate.

One step at a time...

mizmir

Good morning - sun shining again here so feeling ready to go!

Was up till 2am working on the report - still not finished but I have cracked the structure and content now I think - just need to plough on and write it. It is a couple of days late but if I can get it off the desk today it will be OK. So today it is going to be walk the dogs then crack on.

On the DF side have rejoined the Payment a Day thread. Even if it is just a pound I think this is good discipline for me - though it does mean I need to get online access to OH's credit card as that is the next on the snowballing list. Will see what I can do about that today.

Other thing for today is to cancel broadband at the old house. Had kept it on as it gives me something to do when I stay over there but it is silly. Can check internet at work (or at a friend's) - and read a book/watch a DVD/work at the house (it is empty except for a chair and an airbed - so entertainments are limited!). Have got someone going over to sort the garden out there this weekend - will be a cost but is worth it if we want to get it on the rental market soon.

Still nothing from the potential client who rang yesterday but has inspired me to spend some time sorting out my website and working on getting on more listings for this area - there are clearly people out there who want help with dogs and the more I can do now the better!

Have a good day everyone. Am going to try to be disciplined in coming on here. Need to build it into the day as a manageable habit - rather than being obsessive about it for a few months then burning out!!

mizmir

Managed to stay away until lunch time

Karmacat

Hi miz! Its fascinating to see somebody come back on here who knows the ropes, and is putting all the old economies into place so smoothly - amazing what we spend on when we've got the money and it doesn't seem to matter so much!

Glad you stayed away till lunch - I've been out all morning, unsually for me, so it was easy

mizmir

Old Style would be proud! I just realised it is Halloween (I know - have been busy!) and my first thought was "Must go out and get some bags of chocs in case kids come trick or treating over the weekend". Then I stopped, looked in the cupboards, and - voila! - a very yummy chocolate and raisin flapjack is in the oven as we speak. Will cut into little squares for the kids. No extra spending. And if noone visits (who knows - we are down a dark lane this year!) then will be a treat for us!

Now just have to resist temptation to eat it all before the weekend! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

mizmir

Karmacat wrote: »

Hi miz! Its fascinating to see somebody come back on here who knows the ropes, and is putting all the old economies into place so smoothly - amazing what we spend on when we've got the money and it doesn't seem to matter so much!

Glad you stayed away till lunch - I've been out all morning, unsually for me, so it was easy

Yep Karma - know the drill - just struggle to be disciplined enough to keep at it. That has to change. Need to develop new, better habits!

elantan

mizmir wrote: »

When you put it that way ...:j:j:j:j:D

All done. Getting out of LoveFilm is an experience.

Me: Good morning. I'd like to cancel my membership.

Them: Certainly. Can I ask why?

Me: I don't have time to watch the films and want to save the money.

Them: Certainly. But I see you are not making the most of your membership and you haven't rented a DVD this month... I]ummm ..like I just said...[/I I can tell you I can reduce your membership to £5.99 a month. Shall I go ahead and reduce it?

Me: No thanks. I want to cancel it completely.

Them: Certainly. I can tell you that we can offer you a payment holiday for 3 months so you don't get charged and no DVDs will be issued. Shall I go ahead and set up the payment holiday?

Me: NO - please cancel it altogether.

Them: Certainly... We offer...[by this time I was losing the will to live..]... shall I go ahead...?

and so it went on for about 5 minutes! Thank goodness it is a free phone number! :eek:

It was the "Shall I go ahead" that got me. No "would you be interested in.." or any such preamble! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Anyway all done now. :T

i tend to ask them which part of i want to cancel are you having trouble with? i can be such a stroppy cow when riled lol


loving the saving on the monthy outgoings its a good help

elantan

can i have your address so that i can come trick or treating ? i like flapjacks

mizmir

Not sure they're going to stick around long enough for trick or treating .... might just have to turn the lights off and hide instead!

Not the most productive day (apart from the flapjack!) - and I sliced the top off my thumb while cooking dinner! It is fine - was only the very top and it is stuck back on for now! :eek:

But feeling positive over all and summoning up the power of positive thinking. The house is going to sell. We are going to clear our debts. This report is going to be finished tomorrow!

An early night needed tonight though.