Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

LadyWithAPlan

Tx everyone for popping in and your wise words.

Crazy week so far  what with the new work (diff client), a possible business trip abroad Monday for a third  client, my class as well as the legal stuff and catching up with friends that I didnt manage to see pre Xmas. My short term contract is having some more dates added,  I am currently sending over flight/hotel possible costs... Another creative side hustle thing has come up.  Not had time to focus on main client. 

I do love my London busy packed life, saw two lots of friends yesterday on a bday party, one who is pregnant, the other has a new lovely g/friend after his last one (no comment), 
I am looking forward to my weekend though, time to reset and reassess.  KK - I do need to prioritise you are right....
Possibly packing as well for the trip in a much warmer place than I am now, very attractive as boiler still down. I may stay a couple days longer at a friend of mine sher has offered so a couple days on the beach be lovely!

@South_coast  I cant buy a home this year whilst I am doing the legal pathway - that was part of my decision, I can though save up hard, earn more, get contracts in place  and get ready.  

I have not fully sat down with my goals  as so much changing - I have however put down a v decent monthly income goal that I am determined to earn each month and I am tracking that. So the vision board will happen this weekend - I have a huge side hustle thing this whole summer  so need to really ramp up that marketing work for it now as well. 

Have had quick convo with main client - The investors are back forth and so I see whats happening on my payments .... Not done any work as yet for him as been too busy but will look at this situation  tomorrow after having another  frank conversation. I will be demanding X payment back a month minimum, he clearly does not run his business well w/out me (I got a bit replaced cos of new investors wanting their own checks and its chaos) so I do have some real power here. I thus wont need a new contract but I am not having all my eggs in one basket.
I absolutely do believe I will get paid  but I need to get a deal in place so the payment plan is stuck to and not nebulous.

My class today was brilliant and I have picked some random  online  financial data for practice that will also be useful as a trial run for an idea of a comprehensive software reporting system for client A -  have figured out most of how to make main client new system work - not done the work on it again as I think I will be charging him a pretty penny for it before he gets it .  I have mentioned to him though I have largely solved the puzzle . 
The class project  with random online data also is great as I can add it and few other similar projects in Github /Linked in to help the new job search. So I will be killing at least 3 birds with one stone.

I also had a meeting to help a very worthy charity do a fundraiser in June. I am chanting a lot and reaching my capacity but also very aware I need to prioritise my sleep, mental health and goals whilst being supportive.
Off to the gym as well in the morning I am feeling and looking very fit and lean, people are really commenting and asking whats going on.

Still had no sweets in 2025 after being shown by Sains I was the third highest purchaser in a very large London borough  of a tyoe of H*ribo..
I have had crisps and even a bit of GF cake/biscuits but the sweets are the hardest for me and have the least nutrition in so pleased there. I am definitely drinking in Jan... 

Need to do SA tax  this weekend but will be easy as did my corp tax last month. I also need to assist a friend and my DN on their taxes (as a favour) 

dawnybabes

Just back from a holiday, hope you friend is ok, one of my friends dad fell downstairs after a night out and was found dead in the morning by his wife 😭😭😭

agree about the contract - yes it’s bloody annoying but if you’ve got well paid work there in the future sometimes it’s hard ! 

I love the electric gym, can really tell on me too, last week I had to almost run up a really steep field (dog had somehow managed to get into the next field and couldn’t get back to me !) and I made it without collapsing 🤣🤣🤣

PennysIntoPounds

I absolutely applaud you making the decision to stand against one of the very worst aspects of our society. Thank you from another human (and Londoner) for knowing right from wrong, and having the courage to redirect some of your time, energy, and capability to helping say 'nah mate, frankly that's just not on'

savingholmes

LOL at the sweets main purchaser... Utube told me I was the top listener for a particularly musician. I do like to play things on repeat - I find them soothing... 

With the rest of the things in your life - only you can decide. Hope you nurture yourself this weekend.

LadyWithAPlan

Other wins this week include sorting out a v nice win of a competition gift card that was expiring - nearly sold it but that fell thru but looks like it’s extended for another year so can take that off the table 
I may still sell it but waiting to check all fine (have a case number with the company ) 

managed to show B**ts my student card again and can see a Sonicar* toothbrush v similar to my previous one that lasted over 15 years in sale so will use my boot’s points up for that 

eyeing up flight sales as well - will book my European May travel this weekend as well as maybe my summer flights .. 
lots of admin in my life ! 

I have sorted out the admin for my trip next week - flights, hotels etc  - sunshine here I come, I am also seeing a friend for a couple days at the end to give me a break
Will contact the airline re my GF  needs
Also need to grab some food to cook to travel with.
Was going to book same hotel as last time as had great pool, jacuzzi etc but instead had a genius level 2 disct on a condo  with its own kitchen, balcony, hot tub and heated pool and gym downstairs. The own kitchen is super helpful with my food so can take nuts etc and buy takeout.

SandyShores

Its great to get the type of toothbrush that you are used to.  Mine's a sonic one too and I much prefer it to the type that aren't sonic.  My best buy was a waterpik from B**ts.  My mouth always feels so clean after I use it.  

Your trips sound fantastic, I've been looking but just can't decide.  Need to get a move on to book before the school hols.

savingholmes

Enjoy your trip - condo sounds fab. 

LadyWithAPlan

Exhausted Saturday (had a busy week) so have cancelled helping a friend Sunday   - can do it when I get back. Think having no heating makes me want to hibernate - i do have 2 heaters and a heated throw  so my one room and I am warm but watching my electric bill more than double its normal daily rate by 5pm wasnt fun. despite my thermal vests, hat, dressing gown. I do hope you all able to afford to keep your homes warm.

BIG WIN though Saturday - despite being v tired and cuddled up on sofa swathed in blankets and expensive heaters etc I have filed my self assessment tax return woohoo! And paid it. I had done my corp tax end Dec so was pretty easy tbh, but the form filling etc can be a bit stressy to make sure to be 100% correct.

@Suffolk_lass shared this beautiful music on Wattys thread https://youtu.be/_eLU5W1vc8Y?si=ydHf5H7EBhZGKbPe
Did bring a tear to my eye though I did smile at the YT comment that said 'if thats not played at my funeral I am not going '

MY CLASS PAYING RESULTS
I did some very clever things yesterday I did not realise were so easy in s/sheets so this 3 month  databse class  in various formats (excl/python/power bi) proving already to be super useful - Yes I worked on a Sunday (and went to gym, shopped and cooked for flight, and held a mtg oh and packed ..)  but I can really see the class has given me real confidence in my current and whats possible skills
I also in 2 mins worked out how to do an explaining video  with audio on the new s/sheet functions - go me ! Education is never wasted and Chatg*t is great on software stuff at least.

AIRPORT efficiency time - used my 90 mins free time at the airport brilliantly, made calls, did some cancellations etc

PLANE TIME = FREEDOM AND JOY
Monday - on flight now  - paid for the wifi $35 as I can work all through the flight easily and doing the workarounds off line  just causes more fiddle in the long run. Its a my business expense.
I dont normally drink a glass of red wine with my Monday lunch but it is beef stew and i need a little break from the excels..

Miracles they remembered my GF meal - GF snacks good,  main meal ok, GF bread beyond awful - do they actually test it? and an awful raspberry puree pot that 99% sugar and 0.05% pectin..  not tried the GF brownie yet but useful for the condo rental so I dont need to rush to get breakfast food in Tues morning

AND I got an extra long leg room seat and a space next to me - the back of the plane is crowded but the previous person checking in had left their bag on the counter so in highlighting that and  then the La Plan volume calling his name (the check in person had a male lower voice which did not carry)  the check in person 'rewarded me ' by saying he was giving me a great seat. Basically I am the third seat stuck out in the aisle..its the nicest seat apart from next classes up

I am happily focused and working - also set a long list of to do's whilst I am away/on plane. It is a great place to plan so finishing my current s/sheet magic work, sending some emails to catch up then 2024 review/ 2025 goals finally then more work. Its long haul so 
There is something special about having time alone on a plane (yes I am ignoring the paid for wifi ability to surf  and the movies). I have travelled for work over the decades alone -started maybe at 22 so I know my rhythm and it actually makes me happy and centred
In fact when I travel with someone its also a  real joy as its a rarity for me.

Also cooked up a storm yesterday with my oat protein GF DF pancake (blueberries, GF oats, bananas, flax seed, peanut butter seeds etc  in case I did not get fed  GF on plane. Travelling light for me 11.3kg in check in but carry on has laptop/food/chargers/notebook/

FLAT
We had a meeting at mine last night as last people  in building just had their monster price increases. 80%!  yep  2.5 weeks before move out date,... So we have yet more joining us   on the legal approach and more thinking on it - we have lost the argument that these price increases are too much so legal is the only way or move out or find £££'s extra a month. People have been made homeless.
However I am still firm and calm, I have my Bli**k doorbell and indoor camera set up so not stressed and I have decent neighbours if any issue.
No push back as yet - think they waiting to see what everyone does as we all had different dates of ending. So think we will be another 3 weeks of calm then next steps.



'If you stand on top of the mountain, do not be surprised by the raging winds' Buddhist guidance from NY day from Daisaku Ikeda - basically if you doing something fierce, new, positive, a big life change etc  then we  all must expect pushback and in expecting it we can prepare.. (though the boiler breaking down was a btt annoying but at least I did have some rarely used but now needed standalone heaters)

Heating - chased the repair people but may have to wait for me to get back next week, or I will be booking my own boiler repair. 

Hope everyone has a productive happy week.

PennysIntoPounds

80% is just astonishing. They really want you all out don't they! Don't let the banality of modern day evil tire you into submitting, that's what these people depend on after causing fear and panic doesn't work.
Well done on sorting the tax return.
Have a great trip 

beanielou

80% is outrageous.