Homemade, debt free & clutter free - can it be done?!

Mum_of_2_monkeys

Hi!
I’m a married mum of 2 monkeys (you’d never have guessed...) who has a small(ish) amount of debt, works a few regular hours and some irregular ones and has been lurking on here, following a few people (that sounds dodgy but it’s not!) for a few years...

I’ve always loved crafty things - knitting, cardmaking, baking etc and like to do them with the kids too although it always ends up chaotic but is improving as they get older however this means that I have a house full of bits and pieces that might come in handy when we do that again & very little storage...

I’d like to get rid of the credit card debt (just under £2000) by the end of the year, rebuild the sadly depleted savings/emergency fund & also try and declutter/use up some of the stuff we have and share other fun ways of doing homemade gifts etc.

I do the odd survey and earn bits and pieces through that which goes towards birthdays etc anyway I hope someone reads this and wants to join me on my journey!

Mum_of_2_monkeys

Spent part of today clearing out the cupboard of doom... chucked a few things out but not made a lot of difference - still Christmas is finally completely packed up until December again! (I thought it had been packed up 2 weeks ago and then I found another bag of craft...)

Mum_of_2_monkeys

As mentioned above I do a few survey sites - prolific, swagbucks and instagc. I’m not great at spending lots of time on them so only tend to earn a few £ every month. I’m hoping writing here keeps me more accountable to myself about actually putting a bit of effort in! So I’m starting February having just earned 90p on prolific, there’s 189.70 instagc points and the grand total of 5sb... This needs to increase! My DD and DS birthdays are over the next few months (plus an endless supply of siblings, nieces and nephews birthdays) and I could do with some extra vouchers/cash to help us along. I have a few hours overtime this month but I’d like to put more than the minimum towards the credit card. So here goes!

foxgloves

Good for you Mumof2monkeys. I think crafters do have a tendancy to get overwhelmed by crafty kit & bits & pieces. I'm a knitter, mostly, & love buying yarn. However, this year, as I've said in my own dfw diary, I've set myself a challenge. No new yarn is to be purchased in 2019. Instead, I'm going to knit up my yarn stash into as many lovely and/or useful things as possible. I'm already on my 2nd project, which is for a birthday present.
I do surveys too, but I can be a bit hit & miss as only do them if I'm in the mood. I record my survey earnings in my signature for motivation. I do Prolific Academic, Ipsos, Onepoll, YouGov & until recently, Toluna, but I've just cashed that in for £20 Waterstones vouchers & am now having a break from it.
Anyway, good luck with your plans.
F

Mum_of_2_monkeys

Ooh I do YouGov as well - forgot that one! I cashed out in October so nowhere near at the moment.

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary
Keep posting

Couldsavemore

Hi
I never seem to get anywhere with surveys so have given up that particular ghost.
I've sorted out my crafting into kits of unmade stuff and have a ban on buying more till they are done.
Same with buying books.. i need to read the unread ones.
Good luck with the decluttering

Mum_of_2_monkeys

Thanks all - I need to start knitting again soon. I have tubs of yarn that I bought with an idea in mind (dress for baby girl - now 3, cardigan for newborn boy - now 6) I’ve been good at knitting baby blankets & practising new stitches but that’s it! I need to branch out now as our family has run out of babies until the next lot start (hopefully not yet!!)

[Deleted User]

Just popping in to say I've subscribed to your diary - I have loads of yarn to use up too, so I'm also on a self-imposed yarn ban until I've finished what I have. Doesn't stop me book-marking projects I have to make though Good luck! Looking forward to seeing your progress

Mum_of_2_monkeys

Overtime tomorrow (just a couple of hours but it helps) then an evening of ironing, such a glamorous life! Next week will be quiet to start with, DD is at home for the first half of the week (although we do go to toddler groups) and then the second half of the week is mine to fritter away and feel like I’ve done nothing with... or actually make a list of a few things I want to do and actually do them. Anyway I’ll have a think and check back in with the list.

EsmeWeatherwax

Hi, just popped on to say I started doing surveys, which have definitely become more worthwhile after reading Benbenandme diary and how she does swagbucks. I was thinking of aiming for a £10 voucher a month but actually managed a £10 amazon and a £10 M&S in January! Very useful.

Anyway, happy new diary and I've subscribed!