Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!

Cheery_Daff

Aw Missy, have a virtual hug ((((((()))))))) things are tough right now, it's not surprising you're feeling overwhelmed. And it must be doubly hard with both of you self employed. Mr Cheery is self employed (and 18 years older than me) and has lost all his work, and had found things really tough. Fortunately I've been able to do my job from home, but it's still been really stressful, even without the added money worries. 

I don't have any suggestions to add to the excellent ones from other people, just wanted to say we're here whenever you need to talk things through (or just rant). You will get through this. Big hugs xxx

missymoo81

So have taught a class this morning so that’s £10. And have got a potential client to speak to on Wednesday. Just been to drop off some unsellable clothes at the clothes bank and made a pile for eBay. Just about to do a workout, have stew again for dinner, think I’m going to make some wedges as I really, really fancy some to go with it. 

Babybelles

Just popping in to say I have really enjoyed reading your diary & am amazed at how much energy you seem to have. You certainly put me to shame 😉
I really hope things work out for you as I can’t imagine how tough things must be for small business owners at the min.
You take care & remember to relax once in a while x

missymoo81

I meant to say thanks for your lovely message @Cheery_Daff everyone is so kind and encouraging. I’d be lost without you lot to rant to and seek advice from.
and @Babybelles so lovely to have you along and bless you reading all of my ramblings! And I don’t have as much energy as I’d like lol. I wish I was like the Duracell bunny sometimes, just to get everything done. 

So my day started positively then ex messages to say he’s going away for work on Friday for ten days..... so constant home schooling for me, and OH has another eye op on Saturday in London so couldn’t come at a worse time! Feeling Very stressed about trying to deal with everything. But I have no choice! 

Just making wedges to go with the stew for dinner as really fancy them. Still need to shower and get sorted. And sort the children’s iPads out for zoom. Will hopefully sit down around 2200.

missymoo81

Morning!
how are you all! Well I’m up, bless OH did the early class this morning so made me a cuppa and I’m about to go and pick the children up. Need to run into Tesco and get some bread before we head home though. Going to use the change out of the coffee machine at work for that.

Sat and worked out money last night and wow things are tight. In order for me to pay my tax bill. This month I have around £40 left for food, give or take some change I can make it up with. Then until we reopen and things pick up again, I have around £13 ‘spare’ a month! I absolutely need to supplement this. I need to look at weeks per month as I’ve based it over 4 week months not 5 so anything else will go into a contingency pot, as I’ve only allowed £120 a month for food which I know won’t be enough. Also I’ve found the trainers I want to send back so we’ll take a little walk down to the post office later after home schooling. And that’s £90 🙄 back. Why I thought I needed them I don’t know. 

So today will be home schooling, banana bread making, making Mays clothes longer and going to the post office. Lots of other things too no doubt. Spaghetti bolognese for dinner. 

Kakiste

I think selling all the stuff on FB may give you the extra money you need to make your budget work. Get the kids to help you sort them out, price them up and photograph them as a homeschooling activity? I've found with FB selling that listing things as 'free' means they don't shift and pricing them too high leads to them not going either. For toys/games etc I tend to list at about £3 and they always go. For furniture either £5/£10 depending on size. Clothes I do bundles and then list them at something like £4 or £9 depending on size of bundle (I've found that they sell quicker if they priced at 4/9 rather than £5/£10 but then people usually turn up with a note and say keep the change. 

missymoo81

Have actually realised the £38 is going to be eaten up with FB advert fees. So going to have to have a look at what cash I have. I have some cash from Xmas which will help and as I said earlier the change from the coffee machine. 

I also need to do a course or 2 to help me get work. But they amount to around £1500 but that’s better than the £2k one company wanted for 1 course! Need to find that too 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

missymoo81

@Kakiste thank you so much for the selling advice. I’m going to give that a go. Putting things together. I’ll try the canvases again and maybe drop them to £5 and see what happens.

rugbymadfamily

My husband has had quite a bit of success selling on FB recently, mostly by charging relatively low prices for a quick sale. Not getting back anywhere near what he paid for stuff (obviously since its 2nd hand!) but more with an approach of any money in is better than nothing. So I agree with @Kakiste price well and you will likely sell! Good luck with it.

In regards to the tax bill, that seems quite hefty compared to what you were expecting - worth double checking the accountants calculations. While i have no doubt they are qualified, we all make mistakes! £7.5k tax bill would suggest income of £40k to £50k for the year (depending on NI etc) and that's without taking any allowable deductions relevant such as fuel / accountants fees etc. So just make sure that tallies with how much you know you earnt. Obviously I can't give specific advice as I don't know details but just worth double checking all is correct.

jwil

Good luck with it all.  You've always managed before and you'll do it this time.  I am finding this lockdown so much more difficult as the work from school is so much more organised.  Well done for returning the trainers, they will make a nice difference to the pot.