The impossible dream

savingholmes

Well done on getting it done. I agree once you start changing something it can easily snowball into a bigger job.

  at piling everything on to the bed and then wanting to move it. Been there 

Tahlullah.H

Today was a good day as I managed to sell a Karen Millen coat for £21 and claim £11 from Prolific.  Probably could have got more for the coat if I had priced it higher and was prepared to wait for someone to buy it at that price, but I actually am trying to de-clutter, which means letting go.  So, shifting one piece at a time works for me.  I was not going to wear it again, it's too good to give away and I want to declutter, so a small amount is better than no amount.  Next thing to go is a hardly worn Barbour.

Work, not so good.  I have a piece of work which I must complete and I cannot seem to pull my finger out.  I think it's because I recognise that I probably won't be with this organisation much longer, so I am 'letting go'.  Anyway, I am financially in  good position, and have met my aim of starting the New Year owing less than £50k on the mortgage.  I still have to pay for the builder to complete the external chimney and the scaffolder - but even when I do eventually have to pay them for work done, the bills will not push me back up to £50k.

Bad news is my car needs a bit of attention, but nothing that will cost thousands to repair.  Just need to get it to a garage in the New Year at some point.  And of course, I need to start looking for a new job.  But not until January!

My plan was to reduce the mortgage by £18k next year - £1500 per month, but losing ones income can put a serious dent in your plans.  So, I shall have an aim of paying what I can for as long as I can, and then re-evaluate when I am no longer working, looking to put Plan B into play.

savingholmes

Hope you find a more satisfying role soon.

Well done on the sales.

I think it is a hard time of year to motivate yourself. I just want to hibernate

Tahlullah.H

OK, have changed my mind about the Barbour.  Some things are just too good to let go.  I will just have to wear it more often.

2 Handbags to list.  I will make an effort, especially as I just bought one from ebay!  Buy something, sell something.  The way to go.

Another £11 on prolific, so surveys are doing fine.  Every little helps.

I have just about everything I need for Christmas, but again and still, no cat litter!  So, I will have to go out shopping tomorrow.  But I will refrain from going crazy.

savingholmes

Sympathise on keeping the coat. I think when you've invested a lot of money in something it can be hard to let go.

Tahlullah.H

Yes, I do agree Savings.  But downsizing does bring things into focus.  Why am I keeping this item?  Who am I keeping it for?  What will happen to it when I no longer need it?  One of the things I have noticed about my wardrobe is that I have a lot of classic items.  I didn't realise I was doing this over the years, but when you look at what's in there, you find out what type of buyer you actually are.  And I am one of those who buys expensive pieces that are interchangeable and do not wear or age.  So, yes, I want to downsize but a lot of the items are timeless pieces.  But, I will keep the Barbour, they never go out of style.

I will look to list another item this weekend.  Not sure what it will be, but probably something I haven't worn for over 2 years.  This seems to be a good starting point.  When was the last time you wore it?

Bought the handbag.  Surprisingly, I do not own a black handbag, which is why I have just bought one on ebay.  My colour of choice is red, so I currently have 3 red handbags to sell and am keeping the 4th.  As I said, sell one thing at a time, so it doesn't feel so drastic a change and it doesn't exhaust you having to list them on ebay.

Need to wrap the last of the presents this weekend, and that it is!  All cards accounted for and all presents bought as well as the food shop done.

Cat litter remains the elusive item in the supermarkets!

savingholmes

I like the idea of not overwhelming yourself with listing too many things at once. Sounds a good call.  

Most of my clothing is just from Am**** or the supermarket so not a lot of resale value. I do hope to get slim again or slimmer again at some point and then plan to refresh my wardrobe.

savingholmes

Just checking in - hope you are okay.

Tahlullah.H

Happy New Year everyone, I hope this year brings joy, good health and prosperity to all. 

So, New year, New Me.  No so sure about that, but having a plan is definitely the only way to go.  Last year was an extremely expensive year, with the level of work on the house that was undertaken, I managed to somehow pay for the works without depleting my savings completely, so I start this year with an emergency fund still in place.  However, I don't start the year with security of employment.  I started working in my current job as a 'consultant' in February 2020.  All good things come to an end, and I expect the end to be nigh this year.  My aim was always to retire early, I wanted to retire aged 55 but missed it by a mile as I didn't have a proper plan.  But, I am now aiming for retirement by age 60, which means removing the largest debt - mortgage - which will allow me to earn less.  So, some of the plans for this year carry over from the last one.  I don't expect to meet them all, but you have to have an aim!

• Try to retain employment - not leaving this one until it comes to an end.
• Try to find employment, preferably working from home.
• Find some voluntary work to pique my interest.
• Focus on my physical health again and re-start swimming.
• Go on holiday abroad and actually hit the snow at least once - winter holiday carried over since 2020.
• Try to use the Campervan once a month for weekend trips.
• Get the external chimney finished by the/any builder
• Finish getting the bedroom finished so I can get people in over the summer, getting the house to pay for itself.
• Manage the use of Gas within the house as the cost is sky rocketing - aim for 1 tank fill a year.  It was filled on 30 December 2021.
• Continue to womble wood to supplement the coal used to heat the house.
• Aim to eat out of the freezer - help to reduce the food bill for a few months.
• Finish decorating the house - external - big cost.
• Finish decorating the house - internal - big cost in time and determination.
• Start sorting the spare room - currently used as a garage/dumping ground.
• Aim to pay £18,000 off the mortgage minimum over the year.
• Save £4k into the ISA - £1k per quarter.
• Continue to save money and make money as and when - selling on ebay, make money on surveys, scanning receipts, saving coins etc.

I plan to keep returning to this list to see if I actually manage to achieve any of them.
Now, time to start working and earning my salary!

savingholmes

Welcome back Tahlullah. Are you still planning to do up and sell the other flat - or are you focusing on the place you live in first?