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

crunch_time

Starmummy wrote: »

Hi TOPM

Your new focus seems so you. Well done for having the courage to be true to yourself. It is admirable.

As for Holidays, I'd be a huge hypocrite to deny anyone travel, It is the ONLY thing we can buy that makes us richer.
We have discovered the cheapest way to do an abroad Summer holiday is to stay in Ski resorts. They are gorgeous places for hiking in the summer and accommodation (apartments not hotels) and flights are cheap too.
We have just booked a week in Slovenia the last week of August. The flights were £360 for thress of us and the accommodating (2 bed apartment, sleeps 5) was £300.
We will just need car hire and food. The active element would be right up your street too. We went to the Dolomites last year also very budget friendly.

Take care

SM

This sounds awesome! Thanks for this!

Crunchy xx

Honeysucklelou2

What a good idea...thanks for sharing that. One to bear in mind for when I have no legal fees to pay and more money to save!

GlendaSugarbean

Also delurking to say you need to find the right route for you and your family. I do think a bit of a reset (whether it's spending, eating or drinking!) can be useful as it makes you look again at what is really important and where you want your time/money/effort to go. And we all get to try again and try differently if things don't work out the way we hope.

Dogmatism is a bit of a trap, whatever your point of view is. Far more important to be realistic and honest with ourselves.

BettyBoof

Investing in yourself is never a waste of money - even if it has to go on the credit card for a while!

I left my (dull, corporate) role a to take a lesser paid (but genuinely interesting and fulfilling) job in the charity sector. The shift in mental energy gave me room to pursue my other love (writing) and I am now writing freelance articles for magazines and loving it. Plus it leaves me lots of time with my splendid and rapidly-growing children. It can be done.

I think there are a few of us taking the more 'scenic route' to financial freedom and that's okay. We can still benefit from all the sage advice on here and make the tough decisions that best serve our families and arrive at our personal version of contentment.

Good luck with your business venture, I'm sure it will be a great success.

earthgirl

Just wanted to mention grants. When we were setting up and also at many points (rebranding, different campaigns) we applied for and won grants - normally for 1k to 3k. Perhaps you could get some for your new venture?

Good luck!

AlwaysHappy

I've read your diary since the start and continue to do so on a daily basis however am normally a lurker - think I have posted a couple of times. Anyway, coming out of lurkdom to hopefully ensure I aren't seen as a troll and so that I can be invited when the time comes to read your blog.. oh my... be still my beating heart... that would be amazing! It sounds as if you have finally found a way that suits you, and i'm all for that. We are here such a short time in the scheme of things, and our youngsters are grown before we have time to blink. I have lived my life caught up in things and didn't really enjoy the moment... but no longer… I try to enjoy each day as if it is my only day... and its really made a difference. I can't change the past, none of us can, but we can live our lives as we choose. I wish you the very best..

MoneyMission

I'm unlurking too so that I may be considered not a troll! :-)

Caeraugirl

Another long-time lurker who would love to be considered un-troll-like...

I admire your honesty throughout your diary, and love your writing. I was worried when you were under the radar for so long, and am really glad you're back posting again! Good luck on your unique journey - you need to do it your way to be successful (and it's great that you manage to stay true to your principles for the most part despite some amazing debt-busting to date) x

Saramond

Also delurking to say glad to see you back and posting. I’ve missed your posts, your diary is always an interesting read.

groovychick69

So great to see you back TOPM - I think you have made everyone’s head spin the last 12 months, you’ve been so focused and I guess i totally agree that you need to refocus!!! Life is for living not existing - I too at the moment are having the “is this it” conversation with myself! Your next chapter sounds very exciting and I’ll be there cheering you from the sidelines! With regards to blogs I don’t know much other than o like reading them but if my support or “liking and sharing” etc can generate you some income then point me in the right direction!