Nice People 13: Nice Save

SingleSue

Morning after the night before and I feel delicate...not in a had too much to drink kind of way as I stuck to soft drinks all night because money was in short supply and I couldn't afford a taxi there and back. No, this is more delicate because I did too blooming much and my joints hurt plus the absolute exhaustion I tend to experience now when I do anything more than light duties.

It was worth it though, the boys had such a good time, even youngest (to make him more comfortable, we invited some of his friends too - they spent most of the time in the outside sitting area), the bands were good, made better by the fact that one act is currently at 6th form with Josh (and the percussionist was at school with James) and the other band, I was at school with the singer and she is also currently at the school as a TA, so all the kids knew her too.

As parties go, this was not too expensive, heavily discounted mates rates for the bands (I wouldn't have been able to get a disco for the same price, would have needed double the amount!), free hall hire and we did our own food. My only real extravagance was balloon displays but even they were not too expensive (less than £60 for all decorations including the balloons) as I am a repeat customer to them over the last 10 years or so.

So, all in all, a very good night but also a huge relief that it is over.

Edit - Invites were cheap too, Josh did the design which everyone loved and then it was printed out on slightly posher paper than normal paper, two per A4, cost a total of £20.

Spirit_2

Generali wrote: »

I've taken the Generalissimos to the club for the meat raffle again. I'm feeling poor this week so I only bought $20 of tickets. So far we've won a steak tray. It's about 3lbs of either sirloin or T bones.

I've been thinking a lot about my future. What do the nice people think of the idea of me chancing my arm at being a food writer? I like writing and am very passionate about food. I thought I could do a growing & cooking blog and try to turn it into a book/newspaper column.

If you have a choice I think this is something to do as well as , not instead of, pursuing a regular income.If you find you have a period of time without work it could give you the time to get this going and be a meaningful occupation to give your head and spirits a chance to recover. from what you posted earlier there is only a small net financial loss from not working, so this may be sustainable in the short term.have you a niche you feel you want to exploit? can you teach a particuar kind of cooking and run couses from home?i have bought my husband a one day bread making course for his birthday. he is going to a cookery school in Borough Market, but there were all sorts offered including some from private homes.does this go on in Aus? you could have a look at what there is in th uk and see what might be doable in your market.
why not write yourself a business plan and then you and Mrs G try to be objective in reviewing it.

zagubov

PasturesNew wrote: »

Nom, nom, nom. If there were one near where I lived, that'd make for a good special night out/celebration, e.g. a birthday get together as most people'd be happy they could find something they liked in that lot!

I'd feel sorry for anybody who couldn't find what they wanted there!;)

Generali

Thanks for the feedback all.

TBH, I've wanted out of finance for more than a decade and now seems like a good opportunity to do it. Food writing full time seems like a loser but perhaps something I should dedicate lots of part time to. Don't think this is a sudden decision to get out based on the cancer or some such. Finance was always meant to be something to see me up to 40. I'm 43 now.

So another idea (I have loads). Cycling clothing in Aus is very expensive to the extent that when Aldi sell their annual cycling stuff at this time of year you get big queues outside the store. That makes me think that for 51 weeks of the year there's an unmet demand for cheap cycling clothes. Perhaps I should import cheap cycling shorts & jerseys from China and sell them via eBay and at cycling events.

Thoughts?

zagubov

Spirit wrote: »

oh Joy. I once sent my apologies to an unmissable meeting, some had travelled from liverpool to hampshire for it . I explained I had headlice. my apologies were minuted including a note annotating (nits).
DD had been the source. I had not known the recent 'dandruf' was eggs. it was only when i scratched my own head and a wee beastie was caught in my nail that I found we had 'pets'.

I can't read this without wanting to scratch my head. Still at least I've still got hair to scratch at my age. :j

vivatifosi

Generali wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback all.

TBH, I've wanted out of finance for more than a decade and now seems like a good opportunity to do it. Food writing full time seems like a loser but perhaps something I should dedicate lots of part time to. Don't think this is a sudden decision to get out based on the cancer or some such. Finance was always meant to be something to see me up to 40. I'm 43 now.

So another idea (I have loads). Cycling clothing in Aus is very expensive to the extent that when Aldi sell their annual cycling stuff at this time of year you get big queues outside the store. That makes me think that for 51 weeks of the year there's an unmet demand for cheap cycling clothes. Perhaps I should import cheap cycling shorts & jerseys from China and sell them via eBay and at cycling events.

Thoughts?

As with anything else, check the market and see what's missing. There are plenty of under served niches. For example, the choice of reasonably priced bras for mastectomy patients in this country is very poor.

If you went to a cycling fair now, who would be your competition? What else is there in Aus in terms of eBay? It may also be worth discussing with fc in terms of ensuring quality of imported goods.

You've also mentioned the difficulty you've had in Sydney getting certain food items, is that an opportunity? Or the Dancing Angels food line?

Also, if successful, what gives you the best opportunity for brand extension... e.g. tapping the NZ market or moving from cycling into running.

GDB2222

zagubov wrote: »

I can't read this without wanting to scratch my head. Still at least I've still got hair to scratch at my age. :j

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Not fair! :mad:

GDB2222

I thought: kangaroo recipes, and found this very strange mixed message from Kangaroo Industry of Australia.

'Kangaroo meat is very low in fat, usually less than 2%. This is lower than most other red meats. This makes Kangaroo very healthy but also means it must be cooked carefully......

Firstly the meat should be soaked in oil for at least 15 min prior to cooking. '

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

The snag is that Gen is in a potentially very lucrative field. He has expertise and experience. If he takes a year or two off, he loses ground and becomes progressively less likely to find a job. In general, people looking to recruit like the reassurance that the person they are recruiting is in employment.

TBH the field isn't that lucrative over here. In the UK, finance workers on average earn 2x the average salary. Over here it's about 1.2x. Once you qualify that for the large number of professionals we employ then I reckon that I'd earn more working for the local council.

Generali

vivatifosi wrote: »

As with anything else, check the market and see what's missing. There are plenty of under served niches. For example, the choice of reasonably priced bras for mastectomy patients in this country is very poor.

If you went to a cycling fair now, who would be your competition? What else is there in Aus in terms of eBay? It may also be worth discussing with fc in terms of ensuring quality of imported goods.

If cycling clothing was being sold it would be $1-200 shorts and $80-100 jerseys from the big brands, probably with a Tour de France team name on it.

vivatifosi wrote: »

You've also mentioned the difficulty you've had in Sydney getting certain food items, is that an opportunity? Or the Dancing Angels food line?

Food importing is a nightmare in Aus. I would never import food here. I had a look into it.

vivatifosi wrote: »

Also, if successful, what gives you the best opportunity for brand extension... e.g. tapping the NZ market or moving from cycling into running.

It'd be either moving into triathlon or into other sports one at a time.