New Year, New me

bigbeff

ThisLife said:

Well done, you're doing so well! Your debt is really coming down. I'll have to have a look at Vinted, it sounds good. I'm considering doing some tutoring next year to supplement my income and might try to do some exam marking next year too. How do you find the exam marking? Is it full on for a few weeks, but worth doing?

Exam marking is pretty full on for a couple of weeks - and can be quite tideous, but depending on the level I normally bring in an extra £500-£1000 a year due to it. It depends on the level - for the KS2 marking I am doing now, I got in touch via primary gateway (although it has been a pain this year, the money that I get will determine if I look at it again next year!). I also mark A'level which you go on the individual exam board websites to apply for (it takes them a while so may be worth doing sooner than later). I find it a slog, but found it really informed my teaching of the A'level. I hope that answers your questions! 

bigbeff

LittleMissDetermined said:

I'm so pleased you're feeling motivated again @bigbeff!  30% cleared is a stunning amount for just 6 months so really well done you! I'm getting to colour another square today on my sealed pot tracker, I should be at £2k in a few weeks and will need to start a 3rd colouring sheet.

Good work, I have done one for my total debt - I am wondering if I should have done one for each separate one but I think it just makes me more determined! 

LittleMissDetermined

I just wanted to be able to colour I think  

bigbeff

Just made a payment of £2.52 purely because it puts my CC under £3k! Such a good feeling to see it in a new bracket... how long before it'll be under £2k?! Off to update sig and feel slightly chuffed with myself! 

LittleMissDetermined

Hurrah! Well done. Debt starting with a 2 instead of a 3 must feel great!! 

bigbeff

So today starts the beginning of a new fitness plan - I have joined the gym. I decided I could afford to and if I wanted to get fit and lose some weight, I need to provide myself with the tools in which to do so. And it is much better for me to do something like that then sit browsing vinted or the such like! 

Just looked at my clearscore credit and its back up to 859 (dropped last two months but I assume related to move and having to re-register to vote). 

Debating opening another current account for spends - I have an HSBC one that my wage and tutoring money goes into, a nationwide one that my rental income goes into, and a joint virgin one for food and household bills... would having another one look ok on credit rating etc? I don't want an overdraft or anything, I'm just trying to separate my spends from my income. Just a thought - any ideas would be welcome.

LittleMissDetermined

I opened a Monzo account for spending and savings pots in Feb.  My Credit Karma rating dropped by 1 point when I opened that.  I think it all depends on what you've opened in the last 6 months. That was the only one for me so it didn't really do much to hurt my rating. 

Good luck at the gym. I am waiting for a magic potion which makes you thin whilst you sit and watch Netflix - Think I will be waiting forever!  

LMD x

bigbeff

Gym induction this morning, then off to my mum and dad's to dogsit for a couple of days. It's only half an hour away so easier for me to stay at theirs - I can still work from there so no problem. 

Just looked at bank account and part of marking payment due in tmw. I think I'll transfer £200 straight to CC then - I'm always wary at this time of year because my number of tutees drops significantly after the exams and I'm never entirely sure when it picks up again, but better to be super wary and pay a bigger chunk later. Off to get some more wool for my blanket later - I've run out of one colour, but I know as soon as I buy it, temperature will change and I'll no longer need that colour 😂

LittleMissDetermined

I'd forgotten about your temperature blanket! I bet it's coming on well.  Today's weather here seems strange, it's quite muggy and feels there's no air. I already have all of the windows open  

I think if your tutoring is going to drop then it's sensible to hold some of your marking money in reserve, maybe pop it into your savings for now and then see how you get on.  It would be demotivating if you had to use your credit card when you've already done so much to reduce your debt.

Enjoy the dog sitting!
LMD x

bigbeff

Wow, I've been awol a bit lately - had my birthday yesterday so spent weekend in London on a special treat - it was my 40th and so we had a bit of a blow out. Went up the shard which was amazing and to the life of Pi in the west end, equally amazing! So been a bit lapse on the money front, but all accounted for so I don't feel too bad, just haven't been able to put as much off CC as previous months. 

But on the whole, all good with me