Debt free by 40 -- 19 Months and counting

StressedSteph

Moneywhizz wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean about not having someone to talk to with your best interests at heart. My mum just passed away recently and it just struck me that I have lost the one person who would always want the very best for me.

I think these forums are a good place to share how you really feel and get good advice, because there is no reason for any wrong motives creeping in.

Personally I think you are already working very hard at making extra money, while running a home and looking after your family, animals and your land. If you are going to be working full time next week maybe you shouldn't take on any more orders for wreaths. You don't want to cause any more stress for yourself.

Moneywhiz. So sorry you lost your mum recently . Its horrible as your mum is the one person you know you can yabber onto about your problems and you know you will get the best advice.
My mum is still alive but is in a home and has dementia so I am unable to talk to her like i used to.

I have lots of friends but I have never managed to get that one super close best friend for some reason .

You are probably right about not taking on anymore this side of Christmas. I'm in such a rush to make as much money as possible that I think it sends me into a blind panic sometimes.

You are also very right about advice on these forums being honest as they have nothing to gain from steering people in the wrong direction.

Think I just need to get a grip .

Thanks for the reply Moneywhizz, I hope you have a close friend or another family member you can talk to. Big hugs xxxx

wantabetterlife

I agree with money whizz Steph, you are doing loads and you don't want to burn yourself out so if it was me i wouldn't take on anymore. The treatments give you a really good salary, I suppose it's just getting the bookings that's the problem. Do yous ever do any ladies pamper nights for charity around your way. They go on lots here were you get 10 mins of several different treatments but the idea is that the people then go on and book sessions with you. Do you think the spa will be busier after Xmas?

StressedSteph

wantabetterlife wrote: »

I agree with money whizz Steph, you are doing loads and you don't want to burn yourself out so if it was me i wouldn't take on anymore. The treatments give you a really good salary, I suppose it's just getting the bookings that's the problem. Do yous ever do any ladies pamper nights for charity around your way. They go on lots here were you get 10 mins of several different treatments but the idea is that the people then go on and book sessions with you. Do you think the spa will be busier after Xmas?

Hi wantabetterlife,

I do think I have slacked abit with the whole advertising and marketing of the Reflexology / Indian Head Massage side of things.

Think I subconsciously avoided it as it is abit of Speculate to Accumulate and when you are poor you can't afford to take any financial gambles with advertising that may not recoup its expense.

Maybe in the New Year I can look into some affordable advertising. I wish I had room at home to convert a room into a treatment room but until our extension is built there isnt any space. Until them I will have to be mobile.

I did think of taking my business cards around to some local salons & spa's offering the service of if they ever have a therapist unable to come into work, then they could ring me to come in to do any treatments they have. I didn't act on that idea either which maybe I could try next year.

I do hope the booking get more frequent next year. During the summer holidays when I first started I sometimes had 6-7 booking per week which is fantastic. It then slowly petered off as the year wore on.

I would also like to train in something else next year. I did ask the spa if they were lacking any certain treatments and they mentioned Hot Stone therapy. But they already have someone that does that treatment, but I guess they like to have a couple of therapist available.

What I would really like is to find a treatment that I am the only one who can do them. Then that might get me lots of work, as long as its something they agree with.

Lots of angles to look into I guess. Think I am just being a Debbie Downer at the moment. Probably loading too much stress onto myself and now I am have a mini meltdown :rotfl:

Thanks for taking the time to reply wantabetterlife. what on earth would I do without you ladies :smileyhea

baglady1

Hi Steph, just off for walk and coffee with a friend so not much time. Stay steady you are doing brilliantly. The turkey work, some wreath work is all money coming in and you are in a much better place than last year. Perhaps just take a step back and evaluate as you are doing. Your overall debt has tumbled - 97% of your goal completed is fabulous. Do not panic & I agree with Wantabetterlife you don't want to burn yourself out. Must dash Cheers bl1 Ps It's grey and cloudy over here with some showers - so much for Summer Ha!

tootallulah

Hi Steph, I think the time to speculate to accumulate is January when things are quiet and everyone is working out what they will do for the year. I would get your wreaths done so that you know you will make a profit, you have the turkeys and you have Christmas to sort out - it feels like enough! How brilliant that you have worked out monies to pay all the bills and pay for Christmas whilst still reducing debt. Do you do PayPal? I really would like a wreath and will take a chance on the post, but only if it is a "not stressful" order I don't want to add to the hassle.

Puzzcat

floralgibbs wrote: »

But still you are 150 short to complete your debt per month after 40

Not convinced this post is particularly helpful!

Steph, you are doing a fantastic job, I agree with the others not to take more work on now. Have you read your diary back to see what an amazing journey you have been on?
Take care and happy Friday to you.
Puzz.x

StressedSteph

baglady1 wrote: »

Hi Steph, just off for walk and coffee with a friend so not much time. Stay steady you are doing brilliantly. The turkey work, some wreath work is all money coming in and you are in a much better place than last year. Perhaps just take a step back and evaluate as you are doing. Your overall debt has tumbled - 97% of your goal completed is fabulous. Do not panic & I agree with Wantabetterlife you don't want to burn yourself out. Must dash Cheers bl1 Ps It's grey and cloudy over here with some showers - so much for Summer Ha!

Thanks Baglady,

I am feeling slight more sane this morning and I am now hoping that the woman doesn't come back with a Yes for the Sunday fair.
I think I am just getting greedy for the money but piling too much pressure on myself.

Hope you had a good time with your friend. I bet its still really warm with you even though its grey and showery. Pretty freeing here lately, hope we have a mild winter. xxx

tootallulah wrote: »

Hi Steph, I think the time to speculate to accumulate is January when things are quiet and everyone is working out what they will do for the year. I would get your wreaths done so that you know you will make a profit, you have the turkeys and you have Christmas to sort out - it feels like enough! How brilliant that you have worked out monies to pay all the bills and pay for Christmas whilst still reducing debt. Do you do PayPal? I really would like a wreath and will take a chance on the post, but only if it is a "not stressful" order I don't want to add to the hassle.

Ho Tootallulah,

I am planning on posting to Dawnybabes as well. I have told her that I will post the wreath and if and only if it arrives in a decent condition will I accept payment for it. Shall I do the same with you? If so, please pm me your address. Hoping to get them posted first thing next week.

Thanks alot xxxx

Puzzcat wrote: »

Not convinced this post is particularly helpful!

Steph, you are doing a fantastic job, I agree with the others not to take more work on now. Have you read your diary back to see what an amazing journey you have been on?
Take care and happy Friday to you.
Puzz.x

Hi Puzzcat

I must take time to read back at the beginning of my diary to see
how my frame of mind was back then. I felt quite unbalanced
last night but nothing i expect like I felt this time last year when I realised that we had no spare money for presents.

Thanks hun, so glad its Friday and only two weeks left before the children break up for the holidays. Can't wait.

Have a great Friday x

abba1772

I agree about reading your diary from the start I do this every so often especially when I'm being hard on myself and it does put things into perspective xx

lhead123

I agree with everyone else. You're stressing about money now because it's going to be a tight month. The wreaths and Turkeys on top of christmas is plenty to be worrying about! Leave all the making more money thoughts to the new year when there's less to think about, and then look into some of your money making plans and see if any are worthwhile.

Use that filofax of yours to make a list of possible ideas, just so they aren't running round in your head. Then once they are written down you can close that page and not look again until January when you have the time and the energy to research each idea (unless you have another idea in the meantime to add to the list that is).

Hope you have a good day today. We were nearly late for school as J took an age to eat her breakfast...Then S screamed his was home because he was hungry, but promptly fell asleep after a bottle so I could sit down, sort YNAB and have a cup of tea
I'm selling and helping at a nearly new sale tomorrow. Hopefully it will bring us a bit of money (I've just got to make sure I don't spend too much!), ans also I can finally get the bags and bags of outgrown clothes out of our front room!

L xx

Moneywhizz

Thanks for your message of support. I do have family and friends around me. I could just identify with you missing having your parents to talk to.

Glad you are feeling a bit better today. It's no wonder that money worries are one of the highest on the scale for causing stress. I have been debt free for a long number of years but can still recall the stress I felt when I had no spare money.

Although it is great to be debt free and not have to worry about money, you need to remember that there are more important things in life and making sure that you and your family are healthy and at peace is one of these things.

Don't put yourself under too much pressure because that will affect your whole family. You are well on the way to beating this debt, so try to relax and enjoy Christmas.