My New Frugal Life

Newfrugallife

So little update on my doggy sitting weekend, it has been a success
This pup was a handful, I cant deny that, but he also was so sweet and not a single bad bone in his body, just needs more training. We took him on a few walks and he has been very good on the whole. But he left me exhausted now, especially as I had to do some extra cleaning afterwards haha.
The extra money will be used on a family cinema trip next week

Newfrugallife

Got my mark for the assignment I submitted - 76, very very pleased with that! Im on my Christmas break now but will get back into it with renewed motivation in January, when I have 2 more assignments due in.

This diary becoming less of the money budget and more of the open University motivation, but as long as its working, Im very pleased!

In terms of money savings, I had another dog come for a settling in session and the owner was happy, so she booked in for a week in January. This is the longest I had a dog round, so looking forward to it.

Im doing a pre Christmas clean today and family time, all the food shop is done. I actually have £20 left in my food account which will roll over to the next months budget. We are away with family from Boxing Day to New Years so not expecting to spend anymore

Newfrugallife

We are back and ready for the new year! Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Years celebrations!

Spent the day cleaning, washing, done a food shop for this week up to Friday/ but can stretch to weekend if need be (should be going again on Friday though).

Tomorrow kids are back at school and Im back to my uni work. Im also picking up a dog Im looking after and they now need me for 2 weeks, so this will keep me busy and out of trouble

Newfrugallife

Hi long time no speak as been busy busy. Lots of uni work and also lookin* after the doggy had taken its toll

I have submitted one of the assignments and the next one is due 25th, which I am on track for. Im hopeful to get good marks, fingers crossed, but the computing assignment has been very very tough so far and I have one more to do before this module is over!

I have quite a few new enquiries regarding dog sitting so have registered as self employed. However I have next to zero clue about tax returns/ self assessment etc so trying to seek advice ASAP just in case I need to do a tax return by 31 of jan! I believe my self employed deadline is next January but not certain at the moment! Im not expecting to be anywhere near tax threshold at the moment so there shouldnt be any tax to pay in theory, but I want to do everything proper and by the book!

My food budgeting is going surprisingly well so far and Im sticking to my other budgets, so a very positive update overall... But did have a moment earlier this week where I thought my drier has gone, luckily it seems to have come back to life!

If anyone has any self employment advice please feel free to reply. Any advice is welcome

Back soon

wishingthemortgaheaway

No, you don't have to submit a tax return by 31st Jan.

You ring hmrc to register as self employed, it's very easy.

Keep all your receipts from any work related expenses.
Set up a filing system to keep everything organised.
Do your tax return online, it only lets you fill in the bits you need to.

This is a good time to start as you'll only have a few months of this current tax year to sort out post April 2018, so it will be a bit simpler.

I'm sure others are far more knowledgeable than I

kimplus8

Newfrugallife wrote: »

Ok so in a quick nutshell we have a large mortgage of £221,528 and its not great as its on 34 years term. Also due to a change in circumstances I will be stay at home mum starting next month, so we will have to manage on husbands salary.

But I have been a budget queen while paying our debts and am very confident I can do this again and not only "manage on one salary" but save and overpay the mortgage as well! I will use this diary to run a pretty tight ship and record my goals and achievements!

At the moment I'm still playing around with the budget, but will be back once I finalise the figures.

you can totally do it!!!
If you managed to get the debts gone then you can overpay with money thats freed up now you are not paying off debt.
I wish u well and will be following with interest.

Newfrugallife

Submitted my computing assignment, phew. It was very very hard and judging by lots of the messages in our Facebook uni group lots of people thought so! I just need to pass this module as I know I!!!8217;m not continuing with this subject, but still need a pass for the overall degree points! So I need at least 40% it will be a nervous few weeks wait.

My next assignments are due 15/02 - computing
15/03 - computing (last one EVER!)
22/03 - business

And I have another new business module starting in April, which Im looking forward to. I seem to have loads of motivation so far this year and scheduling proper study times each day, long may this continue.

Also I have received correspondence from HMRC regarding my self employment registration, so everything is on track there. Thank you for reassurance that I wont need to do self assessment until the next financial year phew

Overall I am very happy how everything is going at the moment, I do have mild anxiety still but definitely no depression and no where near the levels I had before. Budget wise its all on track and Im putting half the money earned from the dog sitting to family entertainment and half to savings. We went for a lovely family meal last weekend to celebrate mine and daughters birthday, all thanks to the dogs And I also gave a chunk of money to husband, as he is working so hard and all his wage goes on the mortgage/ food and bills (he also has a small personal allowance). And it felt good to treat him as well an feels like I contributed.

Speak soon!

Newfrugallife

Got my business assignment back with a score of 71, my best one yet. Very very happy Two more assignments to go now for this module.

I am dreading the computing score though, thats for sure.... I need st least 40, keeping everything crossed.

Jelllibeanz

Sounds like it it is going well x

Newfrugallife

Just had my computing assignment back, the one I was very worried about and I got 59 Very very happy with that!! I wanted at least a 40 so very pleased.

Not done much studying this week however, as been very busy with my dog sitting business. Ive had two dogs at the same time and its been a bit tricky. I dont know how some dog walkers manage with 10 or more! The dogs were getting on great but I obviously would still watch them all the time, as you never know and I do not want any incidents while in my care.... plus I have two cats, which do generally keep out of the way but one of them likes to come and see the dogs. So again I have to be so so careful.

I dont know if I will take more than one dog again, however obviously thats where the money lies and as Im now serious about my little venture its all a balancing act. Just for reference I do know a lot about dogs and have been around them all my life really. I obviously separate them for mealtimes, careful around toys, separate whenever Im out of the room, watch body language etc.... maybe its because I do know dogs Im much more guarded and careful, whereas others are more relaxed?!