New Year, New me

LittleMissDetermined

Haha - share your ideas on the money making schemes... I'm all up for doing what I can to make more! 

It's a great feeling to have that budget available for the car maintenance isn't it? And fab to not have to rely on credit cards   Well done you x

bigbeff

So today my credit card has the same amount owed as available. Wooo 50% of it cleared Rocking that debt - now paid 35% since the beginning of the year. I'm feeling so much more positive about it all, there is such a long way to go, but it's so nice to see it going down. 

And for some exciting news - I have booked a block of 4 craft fairs next year, March, August, October and December. Myself and a friend are going to try and sell some of our crochet/knitted items (and maybe even quilted if my patchwork course goes well!) It's costing us £40 each for the four, so if we can sell £10 worth of stuff at each one, that's money back. I'm doing the crochet at home anyway, so even if it just funds some of the wool, that's a plus! Although it is not until March next year, so plenty of time to get making

And as it is payday today, I have signed up for the patchwork course - a little bit of an extravagance, but sometimes we all deserve a treat. 

Oh and the last bit of news - I went for my first run in weeks this week - I'd kind of lost my love of it, but I did 5 miles on a run walk and felt so good after. Feeling very positive today  

Four_Seasons

Hi, that sounds like a good plan, I do similar with a friend, we also do local country fairs (covid allowing) will you need to purchase insurance to be able to stand our last quote was approx £60 for the year.  Wishing you all the best x

bigbeff

Wow I've been gone over a week! Had a fantastic week. My partners family have been over from France so it's been go go go! First time since before covid that they have been to the UK so lots of beach time and wine time! And not too much spending 🙂

I have booked my patchwork course and have managed a big payment to my CC with this month's wages - I got more than I expected with my marking 😊 so total debt is under £10k now! 4 figures 😁 so proud of myself! 

LittleMissDetermined

bigbeff said:

Wow I've been gone over a week! Had a fantastic week. My partners family have been over from France so it's been go go go! First time since before covid that they have been to the UK so lots of beach time and wine time! And not too much spending 🙂

I have booked my patchwork course and have managed a big payment to my CC with this month's wages - I got more than I expected with my marking 😊 so total debt is under £10k now! 4 figures 😁 so proud of myself! 

Fantastic! Well done on breaking that £10k barrier!

bigbeff

So everyone has gone home. I can breathe. Today is a complete spring clean day. Already done kitchen, living room and bedroom (except floors). Just waiting for washing to finish before a trip to supermarket. Then I'm going to attack upstairs while partner is driving his bro to the airport. Then it'll be a case of breathe! 😂 So low spend day - only shopping, electric and gas! 

bigbeff

I've been to the gym today - I'm taking a break from eating unhealthy food and boozing and try and drop some of these pounds that don't want to go anywhere!! A week with the french side of the family involved a lot of wine, beach, chips and ice cream! 
So plan is no booze until the end of the month... I'm on day two! 
A couple of prolific studies completed today, just waiting for pay out. 

I bought myself a budget book to write things down, I get fed up on the computer. Just makes me think about things a bit before I spend. 

And the other thing I have to do today is write a statement about why I think I'd be good at teaching a level 5 teaching qualification - something new for me to focus my attentions on if I get it  

bigbeff

What a beautiful day today. I have been out for a gym session this morning and I have been and done an hours tutoring. Put some washing on, and had a look at my spreadsheet and sorted some things. CC is now below the 2k mark - I'm wondering how long it will take me to clear it, I want to work on it as quickly as possible, I'm thinking a realistic date is the end of October if all goes according to plan. Then I'll have to work out what to do with my loan (debt 4). It is a virgin loan that has another 2 years on it from that point. I'm not sure they allow overpayments or what... I might need to ring them and adjust the amount I pay then, or maybe put it all in a separate account and when it gets near, pay it off. I'll have to see what saves me most.... or another plan could be keep the loan running as it is and overpay mortgage.... I'm going to have to play with some numbers on my spreadsheet! My favourite thing to do  

Time for lunch and putting some more washing on. I hope you are all having a lovely sunny day  

bigbeff

Taking time for myself today. Done a food shop, now I'm going to walk into town and browse the charity shop, getting rid of a pile of clothes as I go. They've been on vinted for a month at a bargain price with no biters so thought I'd just donate because I haven't got the space to store forever. One thing I've noticed about being sensible with money is I have now sold most of the stuff I don't use and haven't bought anything else because I've been watching the pennies! 

Hoping for another prolific study or 2 to pay out, I've had a good run of those the last couple of days. Keeping notes of spends is making me focus - I need a new handbag as mine is tatty and old, so will browse vinted and the charity shops today 😊

Oh and treated myself to new teacher planner from paperchase yesterday - a necessary work expense for college and tutoring but no-one said it couldn't be pretty! 

Have a good day! 

LittleMissDetermined

Ooh, I love a good paperchase find... I am a bit obsessed with stationery   I have also had a good few surveys today with prolific after a bit of a dry spell. Long may it continue haha
LMD x