£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

armchairexpert

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

TOPM
firstly I think I know what one of your 'jobs' may be. Does it involve coloured scarves and making people look like they've had two week's holiday just by wearing the right colour???? (I'm about to book my style day)

This has been my guess since Day 1! But then it makes me laugh because I always think of the Bridget Jones bit where her Mum is always on at her to "get her colours done, you don't want to be walking around in all those slurries and browns".

Ahem. As you were, TOPM. I'm sorry about your car! What a nuisance! And especially if the 'savings' pots were annual bill pots - I don't think those even count as savings, really, so that's a bit painful.

Treadingonplaymobil

Just rounding up yesterday's lists before starting on today...

to do today
1. plan week - need to keep on top of work admin like emails and contract work. Done.
2. December budget. Not done.
3. finish contract work for this week before I leave my relative's. Done.
4. pack up and get myself to the other side of London and check into my hotel. Done. VERY nice hotel (I am not paying, obv).
5. some more Christmas knitting - I'll have some time to kill at the other end of London, so might treat myself to a coffee and some knitting in some hipster East London cafe . Done.

To do this week
1. put advent calendar together.
2. DO SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - still have no stockings, no presents from another relative who has asked me to buy for the DC, nothing for DH....
3. fabric for tree skirt - need to check if my mother brought any down with her.
4. keep on top of work admin so it isn't a nightmare on Thursday when I'm home.

To do this month
1. Keep the total spend at the budgeted level - it's high on YNAB this month (£3,842) as it includes the £470 paid off the MBNA card and all our savings pots are actually budgeted.!This is not going well.
2. Keep a tight record of Christmas spends so I can ensure it sticks to budget as far as possible.!Ongoing.
3. Keep beavering away at my business goals.!Ongoing.
4. Make some candles - we've run out! And I know one person really wants another one for Christmas, so will add it to her hyacinth.!Done! Although I'll probably use them up and need to make more before Christmas.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 42: Day 3

Laughing at you all sleuthing over my job! It isn't that, but is so similar to one area of my work that it might as well be, so that's a good way to consider how I work when giving advice.

Got all excited when I did my budgets this morning that the weekend wasn't as bad as I thought, then realised that the payment for the activity with DC2 hasn't cleared yet, so it is exactly as bad as I think.

Relative could normally afford treats, but has just been sued by an ex-employer for some training costs and paid rather than fighting, so there was a huge unexpected expense - they earn very well, but very much live the london life, so no spare cash for things like that.

I am expecting a loooonnnnngggg working day ahead (and tomorrow), and I have a sore throat and blocked nose. Am going to down a couple of cold and flu capsule just before I start - I never normally take medication as I prefer to try to slow down and listen to my body, but I really don't have time to be ill this week! On the bright side, I'm off for a hotel breakfast shortly, which is always a treat.

Well I've read one diary from start to finish, who should I go and read next ? Someone with a big debt who isn't just able to pay it all back in a year or two who might offer some ideas and inspiration for me.

Have had another couple of work enquiries. Nothing is really turning into bookings yet, so I'm not getting too excited, but fingers crossed something does soon.

to do today
1. a bit of knitting time.
2. keep on top of work admin to try to pull off these bookings.
3. attempt a couple of social media posts if I can find the time.

To do this week
1. put advent calendar together.
2. DO SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - still have no stockings, no presents from another relative who has asked me to buy for the DC, nothing for DH....
3. fabric for tree skirt - need to check if my mother brought any down with her.
4. keep on top of work admin so it isn't a nightmare on Thursday when I'm home.

To do this month
1. Keep the total spend at the budgeted level - it's high on YNAB this month (£3,842) as it includes the £470 paid off the MBNA card and all our savings pots are actually budgeted.!This is not going well.
2. Keep a tight record of Christmas spends so I can ensure it sticks to budget as far as possible.!Ongoing.
3. Keep beavering away at my business goals.!Ongoing.
4. Make some candles - we've run out! And I know one person really wants another one for Christmas, so will add it to her hyacinth.!Done! Although I'll probably use them up and need to make more before Christmas.

XSpender

Treadingonplaymobil wrote: »

As another way to try to get my head back in the MSE game, I have selected a couple of diaries to read from start to finish - currently working my way through XSpender's, which is super inspiring and full of relevant ideas, as her starting debt was not a million miles away from mine.

Thanks for reading my diary TOPM but my debt is going the wrong way at the moment :eek: I am reading yours for to pick up tips:)

Silver_Queen

I’ve always guessed fashion photographer or freelance MUA. I hope you never reveal what you do because if I’m wrong I’ll be devastated:rotfl:

wishingthemortgaheaway

Silver_Queen wrote: »

I’ve always guessed fashion photographer or freelance MUA. I hope you never reveal what you do because if I’m wrong I’ll be devastated:rotfl:

Mua?????????

System

Make up Artist . I do believe it stands for.

Eager_Elephant

Pinot's is a great diary - this is her current one although she does not post as often - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4829148

You should be able to find her first diary from there.

armchairexpert

It can't be make up artist because she feeds her clients soup, though. And also the bookings happen when the clients have free time, not when they have an event on.

I have spent way too much time thinking about this.

Diaries: I second Pinot, she's brilliant. Also Sun Addict's is one of the most compelling ones I've ever read, although not a huge debt.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 42: Day 3

I have moved onto Pinot's first diary, thanks for the recommendation!

No spending so far this week, which in no way makes up for the insane weekend, but at least doesn't add to the guilt.

Looking forward to my long train journey home this evening, planning on some diary reading and knitting. Have loved the work I've done this week, hoping I get more of it.

Not bothering with lists today, no MS to be done as I'm working again, then sitting on a train home, then falling asleep! Normal service resumes tomorrow.