I really really want to be........mortgage free!

AlexLK

ourcornercottage wrote: »

Thanks Alex that's all true, part 1 and 2 are linked but separate. Part 2 needs to generate enough income. We did have a part 3 that we closed 2 years ago (couldn't sell this one as it would have been counter productive) and profits actually went up!

Yes a review is in order. We do this from time to time and our accountants are very good at making suggestions (at no extra cost) our main problem is we hold too much dead stock but this is something we have been working on to hold the right stock. We are selling off the old stock cheaply (although not making a loss)

In terms of my qualifications a 2:1 by hons politics and sociology, loads of it qualifications now out of date, prince 2 project manager and then 12 years running my own business and 41 years old. Unfortunately that doesn't make me a hot prospect in the employment market especially in Norfolk where jobs aren't that available at senior level.

All sounds fairly good to me and that you've a good history of making the right decisions.

Glad you've got a good accountant, they really are worth their weight in gold.

Hadn't realised you'd had the business for that long, I thought it was a recent thing (just from some of your posts on here). One of the main reasons I am very reluctant to try teaching within a school is the prospect of being employed, whereas it sounds as if you'd prefer that.

ourcornercottage wrote: »

wrote a long post and deleted it by accident. heres a synopsis.

good day and a nsd to boot.
miniocc was good in football tournament for older kids.

BF is waiting for a quote from a logistics company for moving our trade show stand about. I am hoping I won't have to drive to glasgow on Tuesday but am prepared to.

I am doing really badly in my decluttering the last few days but have been good at starting to use stuff up so im hoping to add a lot to the list soon.

All sounds good.

Glasgow is a very long drive from Norfolk, I hope you're not planning to do there and back in one day.

ourcornercottage

YAY I have not had to go to Glasgow. £1400 down but logistics from Glasgow to Brimingham sorted. If they confirm it at this much per show we will be actually saving money on all future shows! No van hire, less hotel nights, less food, less fuel and less work for us. I really hope that they come back with a reasonable storage quote as we currently get that free (although this wont go on forever) Anyhow although this was an unexpected expense it is forcing getting the issue sorted.

Today has also been regular mortgage payment day and all my little payments, cashback and my regular OP have nearly added up to my target of £500! Januarys OP's so far come to £491.56

Mortgage balance is now £125,710

Daily interest is standing at £8.34

Total interest Jan 2016 was £33.43 less than Jan 2015

Total Net reduction £1054.00

1 square coloured in this month on the brick house.

I am really chuffed with that so far and should get a little bit extra in by the end of the month. Would like to get another £50 into it if possible. To achieve my target end date I really need an average monthly net reduction of about £1250 but this month will be close enough and with compounding this will become easier to hit and beat.

Spent £5 on treats for the staff at work who have been really helpful in the last few days, cakes and biscuits. Also spent a couple of ££ on milk and some reduced bread which I have put in the freezer.

hiddenshadow

Love the 4-digit net reduction!

AlexLK

Mortgage figures look fantastic but the £1,400 ... ouch.

ourcornercottage

AlexLK wrote: »

Mortgage figures look fantastic but the £1,400 ... ouch.

Well it is rather ouchy indeed. It does include dropping off st our next trade show so

To take an extra van for 4 days about £300
Fuel Norfolk to Glasgow return )200-£250
Overnight stay in Glasgow £100
a few hours of Staff to replace me at work x 3 days £150

Then take stuff back to Birmingham next week (what we spend anyway)
Van x 2 about £500-600
Fuel x 2 vans £125
Extra expenses £100

Add all the costs of logistics up and it doesn't seem so much. I'm sure there are other bits and bobs we also spend on. Next time we can have one less nights hotel too which when we are in London saves £300 for 2 rooms. If they say £1400 per exhibition I will be very happy with that. I expect it may be more when storage comes into it. Currently I am just happy that I don't have the 16 hours of driving to do!!!

ourcornercottage

hiddenshadow wrote: »

Love the 4-digit net reduction!

I'm aiming higher but as long as I get £1000 per month off that's fine, what I really want is to get £4000 off every 3 months or £16000 per year. That's £1333.33 per month. That'll be tricky though!

ourcornercottage

Forgot to take lunch to work today so had to buy some

I just realised I havent actually done any food shopping this last week (apart from milk and bread) so should fingers crossed last out til the weekend using up stuff from the cupboards/ freezer.

No money news to report and I don't expect there really will be until end of the month now. I have 10p, yes a whopping 10p payout from TCB!!! I have taken the view to pay out as soon as there is any money there as its better off in the mortgage account rather than in TCB even if it is only 10p!

Very busy day again today, need to work super hard to make up for the extra expenditure over the next few weeks.

ourcornercottage

Been thinking, am doing quite well at spending less I really need some side hacks to earn some extra money. I really cannot be doing with surveys etc. I really really cant think of anything at all at the moment.

In other joy, got a letter home from school to say that son will be learning the recorder. Joy of joys!

PrincessLou

That brings back memories of primary school. Remember when the whole class had to learn the recorder so everyone could say they played at least one musical instrument?

AlexLK

Side income: what are you knowledgeable about?

Recorder goals ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl3ocdopidI