Prosperous soul in the making

doingitanyway

I hope your pain is improving. So interesting that distraction through art works best. Something about being 'lost in the zone' I expect. Medics take note!

savingholmes

Thanks MF, Hugglemonster and DIA
I nipped to my favourite hobby store and a pound store yesterday - and just that ratcheted up the pain. I really don't understand how I'm supposed to do the strengthening exercises when just a tiny bit of walking and stair climbing has an impact. The meds mostly coped well and it settled down when I'd had lunch and could take the next lot of tablets. 

I did some more paintings - one I like, one is just okay. Weirdly the ones I am liking the best are the bigger canvases - I am still finding it hard to judge how much paint to use. One that I did - my DD said looked like a sun coming up over a mountain, where I saw a dragon's eye and gaping mouth and DH saw a cosmos. Art is really in the eye of the beholder. It was done in blues that turned to greens/teals, blacks, yellow and silver and metallic teal. I think it joins the ranks of one I would like to photograph and do prints of in future. I think if I set up a store - I want to find a printer who will print and dispatch for me as that is my weakest link. I think when I have a big enough stock - I may try selling at a pop up market stall - I think round where I am - for a one off it would be about £7 per day. The biggest issue is I still would need to pay insurance. I could try FB selling and see if I get any takers that way... that way buyer collects rather than me worrying about postage. That would be for the smaller canvases.

My work pension sent me a letter re AVCs - I can take it all tax free - upto a quarter of the value of my pension from them. I wouldn't be able to take it before I draw my work pension though (unless I moved it to another pension) so don't think I will go down that route. I know the stock market is currently falling but potentially that would make it a good time to buy in - although of course no-one knows how deep the fall will be or how steep or slow the recovery. I am hoping it will push up the transfer value of my pension. The whole virus thing is scary.... Let's hope it passes us by.

savingholmes

Priorities from today until mid April payday:

1. Make time and money available for joy (eg painting)
2. Make time for connection / friends (seeing a friend tonight)
3. Update budget / spends
4. Reduce debt (figure dependent on whether have to pay privately for any medical stuff) -Goal would be £1-1.3K if not
5. Buy extra holidays at work (salary sacrifice scheme)  & plan in potential leave dates throughout the year
6. Reclaim tax
7. Finish doing expenses
8. Reclaim some money towards glasses
9. Continue saving for final instalment on chairs (due end of April)
   
10. Pay final uni amount to DS £241 and £933 accommodation (DS got offered a job yesterday to help with his debt clearance)
11. Get diagnoses for leg problem - and follow medical advice ie make myself do physio
12. Go to medical assessment for other conditions - due end of March

MovingForwards

SH you have to be careful with doing too much or just your normal routine when in pain. Try a couple of hours in the local swimming baths on your non-working days. It will be cheaper and quieter.

I don't think the insurance is too bad with stalls, sometimes you can get cover with them or stand alone policy isn't too bad. Might be worth looking into? You then factor the cost into all your prints / art.

I've started to see quite a few local artists putting their work up on selling groups. Not cheap, but that's expected when you think of the time / material that's gone into it. So don't try and sell cheaper to get a foot in the door,a the moment you go to realistic prices people may think you are over charging. Best off doing things as a sale, some full price and see how it goes.

I saw the stock market is taking a hit at the moment, that tends to happen when things spread around the world. Hopefully it will pick up in a few months.

girlatplay

I'm all caught up with your diary now @savingholmes.  I'm so sorry you're struggling so much with your leg and the pain.  I really hope they can get to the bottom of it soon so that you know what you're dealing with and can start planning the way forward.  I'm glad you have your artist talents and a supportive family.

Msmoneyspider

There is a market for counselling and art, especially if the income can be subsidised by a PAYE job.  Although this enforced break is not at all pleasant it is an opportunity for re-evaluating everything.  Wishing you well .

savingholmes

savingholmes said:

Priorities from today until mid April payday:

1. Make time and money available for joy (eg painting) - did 4 small paintings last night but none really turned out as planned. I think I may do myself a digital photo art journal to show what I've learned from different ones - like which colours not to use together, don't dab extra paint on while it's drying etc... MF recommended a drying /display rack - I've gone on Amazon and ordered a cheap wood one (£5.75) to see if I can use it to store my pictures
2. Make time for connection / friends (seeing a friend tonight) - was postponed until after payday - they couldn't make tonight - have a new date in the diary. Back in work part days at the start of the week so will get some social time then
3. Update budget / spends - done - really want to do this at least weekly so spends don't get out of control. Agreed DH could buy battery lawnmower - it was on sale for £50 less than last time he looked
4. Reduce debt (figure dependent on whether have to pay privately for any medical stuff) -Goal would be £1-1.3K if not
5. Buy extra holidays at work (salary sacrifice scheme)  & plan in potential leave dates throughout the year
6. Reclaim tax
7. Finish doing expenses
8. Reclaim some money towards glasses - claimed £50 from health club and £10 from work
9. Continue saving for final instalment on chairs (due end of April)
   
10. Pay final uni amount to DS £241 and £933 accommodation (DS got offered a job yesterday to help with his debt clearance)
11. Get diagnoses for leg problem - and follow medical advice ie make myself do physio
12. Go to medical assessment for other conditions - due end of March

Hi MF, GAP and Ms Moneyspider thanks for posting. I am making some progress with goals. I got our washing done - DD did her own. I did a grocery shop yesterday online for delivery on Monday for £53 - helped by an overly full freezer. Need to use up meat etc in there. Hoping to keep remaining grocery spends to £65 or less between now and payday a week on Friday. Put some meat out to defrost.

I slept in until 11am today (dozed) - still need to finish getting ready for the day. I am going to ask DH to drive me to a local park area and see if we can let pooch partly off lead while I sit. She is desperate to get out - and I would like to make the most of the fact it isn't raining! Even if we can't let her off lead - it would be good to do something - but scared of walking far.

doingitanyway

Pleased to read you are planning on buying some holiday back at work. Good thinking.
Its hard when affected by health issues to think outside of that box but you do. Hope you find the money and time for more art soon.

savingholmes

Thanks DIA. Had a good day today. Took pooch for a walk - I did about 1600 steps - not massive but being in the fresh air with DH to brought a smile to my face. We stayed largely static and took turns throwing the ball for our gorgeous dog who was thrilled to bits chasing around with her tail wagging merrily. My pain levels have been good today and my ankles which had swollen a lot this morning - went down. 

I have to go into work tomorrow (rather than work from home) - hoping it all goes well. Still on part days. I have physio in the afternoon. Then in work again Tuesday for meetings and then Wednesday and Thursday I hope to work from home. I then have Friday off - although that day I'm at the dentist followed by officially joining the gym with DH as part of a subsidised health scheme. Managed to get a piece of work postponed for a few months which took some pressure off - but still have plenty to do for the part time hours i'm targeting. Another member of the team is also off (typical) which isn't helping. I may delay any further painting until Tuesday night as I seem to manage to get almost as much on me as I do on the canvas. I would need one of those decorator suits to avoid that!!! Paint goes straight through leggings and t-shirts!

I'm expecting 2 CCs to get paid at some point this week and then I'll be able to update my signature again.

MovingForwards

Getting out and about is good, even if it's just for five minutes. Blows the cob webs out and I'm sure pooch had a delightful time.

I'm glad you are getting your membership sorted out, hopefully you will find something there that is easy on you, whilst building your body up and getting back to healthy again.

Paint seems to get through everything.