Aspirations of Frugality and Fun on the Road to Mortgage Freedom

DedicatedDFW

So a quick update is -

i've not looked for a new job for the last couple of days because i've been busy applying for and getting on my course :T woo!

I am excited about this though still very muchly glum about other things so i am sorry in advance for any posts that aren't cheery - but its good to have this focus and to be doing something about making change happen

i realised something had to give and it was - the budget :eek: - its worth the risk of spending this money to potentially see a real change for myself and my circumstances for work in the next year - and with further courses and training a potential real change in my finances in the next few years from now

thank you all for your lovely support - it really does make a difference

Cheery_Daff

Woohoo!! :j :j :j SO excited for you DDFW, I'm so impressed that you've decided to do something like this, and that you're looking ahead to the good things it'll bring in the future. hope other stuff starts to seem less gloomy soon too.

So, when does the course sstart? is it an online thing or classes? How long does it last? is there an exam?

jwil

Great news about the course, well done :T :T

Chocforever

Well done for getting a place on the course. Like Cheery, I am wondering how long the course lasts. I's good to start something new and have a focus.


Even though I have no connection with schools or colleges, I still have that feeling of September marking the start of a new year and getting back into a routine, obviously with great MSE habits etc. Does your course start soon?


Speaking of MSE habits, which I know you are excellent at keeping up, have any of you ever looked at the "Fiscal Fast" thread? I suppose there are lots of challenges on the MSE forum which all boil down to not spending money and different challenges work better for some than others. The fiscal fast thread has struck a chord with me and definitely cut down my spending. It starts with a week of not spending any money (without planning this in advance and obviously excluding essentials like rent and costs of commuting etc) and that seems to be enough to instil longer term habits of, do I really need to pop into the supermarket to get X (knowing I will buy another 10 things whilst in there) or can I make do with what I have. Enough rambling. Have a great bank holiday weekend everyone!

peaceandfreedom

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

looked at hundreds of jobs - every one i selected for more information specified either a qualification or experience which i don't have. Have considered applying for a job which is pay cut of either 30% or 50% of my current income :eek: i figure this would give me the training / experience / qualifications i need but of course this wouldn't be a wage i could realistically afford to live on. feeling very down about the whole thing

DDFW, I do feel for you. I was in a not dissimilar situation myself a couple of years back.

After years of being self-employed, work was scarce, money situation was dire and I was sooooooo bored of working from home. I spotted a job locally in my line of work but it was a junior position and the money was abysmal. I applied for it anyway and got it. I quickly realised that not only could I buy-and-sell my manager but I could buy-and-sell most of the department . It took some time for the business to realise what a treasure they had in me but I have been promoted twice now and my salary has gone up by about 60%. I have added new qualifications and skills to my CV as well as lots of relevant experience. I am now equipped to go out into the big bad world and get a better job if I want to, though I won't for another year or so.

I was the ripe old age of 49 when I got the job . Which I know is a lot older than you are now. So don't lose heart, it can be done.

My decision was easier because I was already earning very little. However, I took a job that I knew I was over-qualified for and grossly underpaid for. It worked out.

Your 3-hour daily commute is horrendous. I've been spending a lot of time on Mr Money Moustache lately and he has a post on working out what you are truly being paid for your work (step 2):
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/18/your-money-or-your-life/

It's an interesting point of view. Is there any way you can work from home some of the time and cut down on that commute?

I am glad you got onto the course you wanted and I hope you can sort something out that earns you more money eventually and makes you happier.

Don't feel bad about feeling down, it happens to us all, use your diary to get it all out, it always helps and we will be here to support you .

peaceandfreedom

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

My expenses are cut back as far as they will go anyway. I pay for the running of my car which i barely run - i walk to the station to save money, i walk over 3 miles round trip to the post office to post parcels, i walk 4 miles round trip to the docs etc. But i don't want to give up my car as i am looking for a new job nearer to home which may necessitate using my car to get to it - you might think i could walk there with all this walking :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: the thing is the area i'm looking at for work is ideally here or a different area to where i work now & it would be dearer to use public transport to get there and a tad too far to walk to.

What about a bike, would that be able to get you to work, especially if it was in the local area?

I'm impressed with all the walking and somewhat embarrassed by my reliance on my car. I often drive distances that are less than one mile - this lunacy must stop .

DedicatedDFW

Hello all

Thank you for your lovely posts

Cheery The course starts in 2 weeks time :eek::eek::eek: It is classroom taught so quite a commitment to time there during the week as its not something i can fit in to a day that suits me like you can when studying through distance learning. and of course the time commitment for the homework etc. This initial course is a year - but after / during that year i should be in a much better position to get a new job :T and there will be several exams :eek::eek::eek: i'd best get swotting up then :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

jwil thank you - i was a little proud of myself with passing the interview

Chocs as above with the course info. Ooh the fiscal fast sounds good - i've never seen it on here but i have had times when i've said right i'm not spending any money until payday - aside from unavoidable essentials like you say commuting etc. and it does work - i'll try and find the thread for more ideas though

p&f wow - well done you - and thank you for your input - it is a little daunting but i believe it can be done :cool: There is no option at all to work from home sadly and the roads here are not ideal for the timid bike rider that is me *gulp*

tattycath

Hi DDFW. :wave:
I'm so sorry you're feeling so glum. ((Hugs)). Good luck with your course.

smallholdingsister

Well done you brilliant woman.
You don't have to feel bad about feeling bad in here you know.
Group support is what its all about.
Dodgy Hugs xxx

jwil

Course sounds very exciting