Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

debtfreeoneday

Sorry you aren’t feeling 100%. So much going around at the mo. 

SandyShores

Thanks debtfree, there really is a lot going around and some people are getting really ill, so I have to be thankful this is horrible but I'm coping.  My ToDo list keeps shouting at me from my bedside table, but most things involve going out and interacting with people and I'm not up to that yet.  I've ordered a couple of things online, but got to say I am now wondering about decisions to purchase whilst I'm not 100%. 

SandyShores

I was just reviewing my long term goals against my ever growing to do list.  Most of the things on my to do list are in the Home category.  I need to focus on those as they are stopping me moving on in the other areas e.g. sorting out a craft/sewing area will make it easier for me to start projects.  I managed to make some progress towards a couple of tasks yesterday, but still feeling a bit rough, but at least there was a bit of blue sky and sunshine for a nice change.  

SandyShores

Not much achieved again today except a review of the lists.  Someone mentioned Vinted for selling old clothes, and I'll add that to things to try.  I sold something for £80 for a friend on fleabay recently and the fees were £11.56.  It didn't sell the first time so we missed the promotional fees but I was glad to get some money so it did the job.  Almost 15% just seems like a lot of money.  I'm not sure about FB selling - you can get a lot of time wasters and people wanting to know what your lowest offer is as soon as your advert goes live.  I respond just the once with a sensible offer (usually £10 lower) but then archive the conversation if they aren't happy with that, as I'd rather donate to charity or someone in need than to someone who clearly wants something to sell on.  I might give gumtree a try again for larger pick up items, it seems a little more effort but its not quite as intrusive as FB, and I'll give Vinted a try for clothing.  Well moan over and a plan for renewing my decluttering in place

savingholmes

Always helps to have a plan. 

Hope you feel better soon.

debtfreeoneday

I’m not loving fleabag much any more either to be honest but can’t get my head around Vinted either 

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes, and I am definitely on the mend, thank goodness.  Agree about fleabag debtfree - its just what I'm used to - so although it feels expensive it feels simpler for me to use.  Although, in respect of new apps, I sold a sofa recently and they used Shiply which was really new to me, so I was a bit sceptical -  but it was fine.  When I needed to move something else I thought I'd give it a try myself and have to say it was brilliant.  I've kept a note of the actual moving company details for future reference because they were so good.

I've recently listed another largish item on fleabag and am pleased to see I have a bid, so it will sell.  I listed it on FB marketplace initially but only received interest from two people who both wanted to know what the bottom price was - one eventually offered £70 less than I was asking (despite me saying I wasn't willing to drop the price) and the other just wanted a conversation about why they couldn't offer the price I was asking.  At least with fleabag its a bit more straightforward and they don't have access to your FB profile.

savingholmes

Well done on the sales and listing. 

Glad you are feeling better.

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes, its a good feeling when things are going out and money is coming in   Yes, definitely feeling so much better. 

I was looking at the mortgage overpayment calculator/comparison against savings earlier today.  I was looking at a £10k lump sum payment, and also a 2 year overpayment of £1k per month.  At the end of the two years each showed around £300-£400 better off when put into savings (of course dependant on the savings rate).  DH prefers the sure thing of paying off the mortgage, whereas I'd prefer to have extra money to pay a little more off the mortgage in two years time when the fixed rate ends.  I think I'm going to get a few regular savers going to start with and might cash out the PBs in our £6k EF.  I'll probably keep my personal PBs though, its good to have a bit of a chance of a win.

Just updated my Christmas Saver and now over £85.  I've not been saving all the rewards like I did last year so I'm pleased with £85.  I've cashed out the Asd@ Advantage a couple of times (possibly about £20), and I've also used up the receipt apps vouchers a couple of times - and I'm about to cash out another fiver, plus over £13 on the other (waiting until that one gets to £20).  Checkoutsmart has £13.50 but I may wait to get to £20 on that one too as there may be a charge otherwise. I'm also waiting for the points to come through from my closed Am@zon card.  So all in all I've probably done quite well.  The nectar points will go towards Christmas lunch and the Boots points will go towards pressies.  It just makes Xmas a lot easier.

savingholmes

Glad things are going your way. It's nice seeing savings rates go up and if you are not restricted by HR tax - a good way forward.