Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

AlexLK

Sunday 27th October, 2013.
Day 57.

Dear Diary,

Today has been far too productive to call it a Sunday! However, I have to get things done whilst I am actually feeling enthusiastic, before the usual lethargy sets in. I even wrote a list out of things to get done tomorrow even though I am unsure how long this bout of productivity will actually last for.

Anyhow I will swiftly move on to say so much for this so called "death storm", up here it's been nothing but a bit of rain and wind, no "force 10" gales as of yet. Still, it called off play and there's still a chair residing in the back of my Land Rover. Talking of business, whilst I've had no surprise deals today I'm feeling much more positive about "going it alone".

Sunday being Sunday, we went for lunch at my parents as usual and I did have a word with them about the upcoming gathering for my son's birthday party. Mother seems to think she's merely "honest" rather than "rude", so we shall have to wait and see on that front. However, it seems my father is very much intent on being there for the whole proceeding, volunteering himself as "bar manager" for the day, serving our little guests clich!d kids cocktails and perhaps even some for the grown ups too. Mrs. K. did "lower the tone" slightly, asking if my father would turn red if she requested a "slow, comfortable screw up against the wall".*

Moving swiftly on to debt busting; today has seen four more unwanted items go on eBay and a letter wrote to the bank who rang me, stating I shall only communicate by means of written correspondence. Here's hoping that will do the trick.

*This is just a cocktail for anyone unaware and currently balking at the idea my wife could say such a thing to my father.

Summary:
-£10.54 Groceries.
-£7.00 Paint.

Yours Faithfully,
Alex.

Goldiegirl

AlexLK wrote: »

I didn't make myself very clear in my earlier post, my accountant knows even though I am doing "the books" for the music teaching.

Cool, that's set my mind at rest :rotfl:

7roland8

Well done on the ebay front Alex - all your stuff seems to be selling really well for you.

I had an aunt once who used to pride herself on her 'honesty' - but really it was just an excuse to say what you thought without thinking of the other person's feelings - 'if you can't say anything nice - say nothing at all - as Thumper would say!

Well still wondering at your wife saying that to father-in-law - thats not the person you make such innuendo's to is it really!

Seems you are a rose among thorns Alex.

AlexLK

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Cool, that's set my mind at rest :rotfl:

Glad to hear it.

7roland8 wrote: »

Well done on the ebay front Alex - all your stuff seems to be selling really well for you.

I had an aunt once who used to pride herself on her 'honesty' - but really it was just an excuse to say what you thought without thinking of the other person's feelings - 'if you can't say anything nice - say nothing at all - as Thumper would say!

Well still wondering at your wife saying that to father-in-law - thats not the person you make such innuendo's to is it really!

Seems you are a rose among thorns Alex.

Had to relist a few things but most selling really well.

Yes, I think my mother is pretty much the same as the aunt you mention to be honest.

My wife and father both share a very dry sense of humour. Not to mention Mrs. K. was a bit "tipsy" this lunchtime.

AlexLK

This is most likely a bit of a late night musing and I've no idea if any of you will be able to give advice. However, this evening I've been wondering if there would be any mileage in a very recent ambition ( sparked from: FCs comment about self publishing, other peoples comments saying I'd make a good columnist) to get paid to write in some capacity or another - what for and how, I've no clue, which is I believe a rather fundamental problem.

I was looking back over some of my other income ideas from when I first started this diary and realised whilst the music teaching is going well, I have somewhat neglected the other areas apart from the chairs (which will become incorporated into my main business shortly).

7roland8

Yes that sounds a great idea as a lot of us keep coming in to see how you are doing. However I suppose if you continued in this vein you would want to remain anonymous.

Not really sure where the best place to start would be - some people get blogs and make money that way but I have no idea how that works.

As you do furniture etc how about sending articles into your local county magazine for a start - I'm sure most counties have them - they might even be interested in a local column - but again not sure what they'd pay.

I'm sure someone will have good advice for you.

EchoDelta

7roland8 wrote: »

Yes that sounds a great idea as a lot of us keep coming in to see how you are doing. However I suppose if you continued in this vein you would want to remain anonymous.

Not really sure where the best place to start would be - some people get blogs and make money that way but I have no idea how that works.

As you do furniture etc how about sending articles into your local county magazine for a start - I'm sure most counties have them - they might even be interested in a local column - but again not sure what they'd pay.

I'm sure someone will have good advice for you.

I have a friend who is an auctioneer. The local magazine gives them free advertising space in return for a column about antiques in each edition. And as the column is full of references to what they sell and their sale days etc it's even more publicity.

gallygirl

Alex, why don't you send an article into Derbyshire Life. Am sure your parents would swoon at the thought of you being in there

AlexLK

7roland8 wrote: »

Yes that sounds a great idea as a lot of us keep coming in to see how you are doing. However I suppose if you continued in this vein you would want to remain anonymous.

Not really sure where the best place to start would be - some people get blogs and make money that way but I have no idea how that works.

As you do furniture etc how about sending articles into your local county magazine for a start - I'm sure most counties have them - they might even be interested in a local column - but again not sure what they'd pay.

I'm sure someone will have good advice for you.

Yes I wish to remain anonymous on here, even if people I am close to could easily guess who I am. In fact, I did consider seeing if I could change my user name at one point but guessed nobody I knew would be snooping around on here.

Brilliant idea re. the furniture and we have more than one.

EchoDelta wrote: »

I have a friend who is an auctioneer. The local magazine gives them free advertising space in return for a column about antiques in each edition. And as the column is full of references to what they sell and their sale days etc it's even more publicity.

I've seen things like this in magazines before and wondered how they managed to do it in the first place.

gallygirl wrote: »

Alex, why don't you send an article into Derbyshire Life. Am sure your parents would swoon at the thought of you being in there

:rotfl: They would indeed. However, I'm not sure my writing / life is up to Derbyshire Life standards.

I do not expect to make a lot of money from this, I suppose it would more be a personal satisfaction thing.

Granariesgirl

AlexLK wrote: »

Erm, yes; doesn't everybody follow through with their plans? I may speak a lot of nonsense but I do try to not go back on my plans.

Err, no Alex - and this confession is putting the lie to your estimation of yourself as a failure in life! If you keep making plans & sticking to them you are going to be shock, horror - a SUCCESS!
:eek::rotfl:

Mara_uk7 wrote: »

And Alex, you've discovered that some of these people you used to look down on, are really not so different to you.... , in fact some of them are better educated, and probably better off, and possibly even better bred ...

I'm proud that you're realising this and acting on it.

This is a hard journey for you, and not just financially . You're doing grand lad

:TWell said!:T

AlexLK wrote: »

I am trying to change not only my financial situation but my whole outlook on life (which did lead to the financial trouble in part)

You sure are - I reckon that you've attacked your life like a "project car" & it's now dismantled on the garage floor (& worktops etc.) ready to be put back together better than new - while we all stand round with cups of tea offering encouragement or saying "you've missed a bit" or "I wouldn't do it like that"!
:coffee: Anyone want a refill?

AlexLK wrote: »

...And of course my party bags sound awesome ... I made them.

YAY Alex - much better attitude - be proud of what you do, not just what you own!:j

I bet the kids & their parents at the party don't give a monkey's which rung your family is on the "class ladder" - they're interested in having a great time & enjoying the day with you... the special party bags (with no hideous plastic c#@p in) will round off what is promising to be a great event, if your Ma can be kept reined in on the "honesty" front (can your Dad help there?)! :cool:




“ 'Honesty' in social life is often used as a cover for rudeness. But there is quite a difference between being candid in what you’re talking about, and people voicing their insulting opinions under the name of honesty." - Miss Manners