So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Morning all,

 Had a lovely night at the party last night and am enjoying a cuppa in bed made by Mr MV (both aspects of that are extremely rare - because cats expect feeding if we go downstairs and then we’re up, and Mr MV doesn’t drink hot drinks, so generally I make mine myself). Mr MV is about to head out for a run. We are going to breakfast here - £12 for everything or £7 for continental doesn’t seem unreasonable. And it’s a chance for a catch up with the family.

 We’ll be having pizza tonight - when I got up yesterday I discovered 10l of milk on my doorstep from friend who works nights in M&S. She thought I could make more cheese - not realising we were going away! Good job I had been organised on Friday and done most of the prep for going away then! So I made another batch of mozzarella - she had most, I kept a bit, and she took 6l away to have a try herself. I’m now out of citric acid for cheese-making.

As well as the cheese, I made the first batch of hot x buns of the year yesterday morning. I think one of these may be sufficient for lunch. We may go for a nice walk this morning - it’s currently dry and cats are being cared for, so we don’t have to rush back.

themadvix

Morning all,

Had a nice walk in the sunshine yesterday, a very relaxing afternoon with my book and pizza as planned.

One thing that did arise from the weekend was that neither of us have appropriate 'party' wear. We have posh stuff for weddings etc. (actually I do, Mr MV hired a suit last time and needs to sort that out), and casual 'night in the pub stuff' but nothing for 'birthday party in pub' really. In the end, what I was wearing was fine (but it took a while to work out that it would be), but I think a couple of additions are needed. Shoes are my downfall - I really struggle to find ones that fit/don't fall off/support my ankles and I like. But I think I'm going to investigate some of the Doc Marten-style boots that are in fashion at the moment - I think they would work with a couple of things in my wardrobe and be smart but not so smart I'm overdressed. And a nice top or two - the problem with trying to use natural materials is these don't have sparkle, which is fine, but I only have two vaguely dressy tops - one I ripped a hole in (fortunately only MIL has noticed as it's a lacy-knit cotton top anyway) and that leaves one which doesn't fit great 🙄. I think maybe I take all the social media/MSE posts saying 'you've got enough clothes, shop from home' a bit too far. So, things to investigate. The shoes will probably be new - I'm not against second-hand shoes, but unless I'm really lucky, finding some in a CS that fit and aren't very worn and I like seems unlikely. But I can definitely keep an eye out for a top or two in a CS, although I am going to allow myself to look for new too - I don't remember the last time I bought actually new clothing that wasn't underwear.

Today I have work to finish for main client and then a physio appointment this afternoon. Physio is in Mum's town, so am planning to pop and see her (and Niece as she'll be there) and also go to Lidl and stock up as they've given me a £5 off a £25 spend voucher. Not sure what I'll buy, but possibly some bits for our holiday next week and coconut milk as this is a regular spend there. It will be storecupboard stuff though mainly. I also desperately need loose tea as the supermarket couldn't deliver it last week - there's a Morrison's near Mum - I'll try there.

The most exciting news today, however, has been an email from main client with news of my payrise! He works for another institute so I accept the rates he negotiates with them. (They have always been very good - when I started  with him they were significantly more than I was charging any of my other clients, so I've never had cause to complain.) I knew the payrise was coming, but only today have I discovered that it equates to 11%! While this reflects inflation over a longer period than we've recently had, it puts the rates back up to well above what I'm charging other clients and will make a huge difference to my income, so I'm very happy with it.

MS things:
* YG survey
* Rates increases!
* We decided against the pub quiz last night - and it was a good decision; saved us £15
* There was a tab at the party - we weren't expecting that. Given that two pints = £10 (not extortionate, but it adds up), this made a significant difference to costs at the weekend.
* Sun is out and we are charging the car (Mr MV has already been out to the physio - yes, the same one, poor woman gets us both in one day!)

Gratitudes:
* Sunshine
* A lovely, lovely weekend - celebrating a good friend's birthday, family time, walks (with deer, a black squirrel and some lovely Repton landscapes)
* My cat-sitting/Olio friend who came and visited the boys - she always lavishes them with love and I know that they will be well cared for (BIL and SIL were with us!)

Have a good day all!

Baileys_Babe

themadvix said:

 While this reflects inflation over a longer period than we've recently had, it puts the rates back up to well above what I'm charging other clients and will make a huge difference to my income, so I'm very happy with it.

Use this to think about whether you are charging your other clients appropriately or are you underselling yourself.

themadvix

Morning all,

Baileys Babe, I know I am due to update some of my rates, but will wait for later in the year. It doesn't feel that long since I last updated them though (probably will be 3 years by the time I do it). New clients are starting at a higher rate however. If I was overwhelmed with work from these (mainly US) companies, I would look to do it sooner, but the fact is that US work has been quiet since the pandemic (partly due to budget issues, but also due to tech developments). A lot of the time I do small projects that come in well under my minimum charge, so I benefit in that respect anyway.

I did well in Lidl yesterday as the organic maple syrup I use in Mr MV's granola was in the middle and at a cheaper price than I pay normally, so I stocked up on that - and effectively with my voucher got a bottle free. Also bought a few other bits that we only get from there, so while £26 spent (after voucher applied), apart from two bunches of daffs, it was all stuff I would have bought anyway at some point.

Physio was good and I've been taped up. She wants to see me again in a couple of weeks - I think I'm inclined to go for that, but I don't want it to be more than that hopefully. She's given me new exercises so they should help. Stepmum has agreed to go to pilates with me (accountability needed!) - which I've long been told would be good for me - so that's something we need to sort.

Busy with work for main client again today, along with some Cambridge stuff. If I get time, I'd like to get out on my bike - I need tea (as in, I've run out of the caffeinated stuff! 😬) and would like to get down to M&S and a couple of other places. Could go late in the day though - no road cycling required. Have evening class tonight and need to do homework for that too. Mr MV away overnight at a supplier meeting. It's local though and he's feeling really rough with a chesty, horrible cough, so I may yet see him sooner than expected.

MS things:
* Voucher used - I rarely take advantage!
* Clicks and HW done
* Mum wanted something specific for MD and it was only available via the evil Am, so I used the voucher my lovely UK client sends me every Christmas (and popped in a few bits for the local CP branch - it helps assuage my guilt at buying from there). Card already bought, so I am sorted... I must remind Mr MV though! 

Gratitudes:
* Lovely to see Mum, Niece (and briefly Sis) yesterday
* Sunshine - beginning to make a difference to power use too, but mostly it's just lovely!
* Daffs from Lidl - springifying my hall

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

If you bought some light coloured DM-style boots, you could use a stencil to paint them eg a watercolour for a particular occasion, to match them with clothing or accessories (and unlike acrylic or oil), they are more natural pigments and the effect more subtle. You can use acrylic paints for a more permanent thing but guessing you don't use polymers.

They do a white and a pale, pale blush, or a light sage green and overlaying a lace-effect stencil might be quite interesting

themadvix

Suffolk_lass said:

If you bought some light coloured DM-style boots, you could use a stencil to paint them eg a watercolour for a particular occasion, to match them with clothing or accessories (and unlike acrylic or oil), they are more natural pigments and the effect more subtle. You can use acrylic paints for a more permanent thing but guessing you don't use polymers.

They do a white and a pale, pale blush, or a light sage green and overlaying a lace-effect stencil might be quite interesting

I love this idea - you are wildly overestimating my creativity and patience, but I do love the idea! I wasn't necessarily going to purchase real DMs though or ones in anything other than black (maybe purple), but this may be an option for the future, if nothing else. What a cool idea!

EssexHebridean

Great news on the rates increase - 11% is brilliant and even on just a part of your income, it IS a fairly "main" part isn't it, from what you've said, so you'll definitely feel the benefit! 

I'm also with you on the idea of painting boots and similar - fantastic idea, it would indeed look incredible if done well I should think, but is it for me? No, no it's not!  

Watty1

I love the idea of painting shoes, I have zero creativity but you have given me an idea for refreshing some old jazz shoes.  (not used for jazz just comfy shoes!)

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Thanks EH - 11% is good, especially as you say, as this is my main client and work for him forms a large part of my income. It's needed though - I've just the council tax bill through. £90 increase on last year. I love how the envelopes are marked 'Confidential' - are they worried that someone might want to pay your bill for you? Or that you don't know how much other people are paying??? (I appreciate there'll be discounts for some groups, but none of this is information that can't be found online...). Sadly no one intercepted it and offered to pay it, so I've updated my bills spreadsheet.

I've had my only Cambridge meeting this morning - both bosses are busy, so they've cancelled. I've got plenty of work anyway (and plenty of Cambridge stuff if I get time).

I did pop out yesterday late afternoon (early evening really - I didn't get back until 6.30). Got a couple of bits from the hoppers in MnS - but was really excited to see that more and more of their range is being wrapped in paper anyway. Went to Curry's for some CO2 for the sodastream (annoyingly put money on the card via Mr MV's work-discount scheme and it's gone through but hadn't appeared on the card - this needs investigating) and finally found some loose PG Tips in Tesco. I went to ASDA first as it was nearer, but I really don't know why I bother - they literally never have what I go in there for. No bananas (at all!!) in T's, so have added them to the R'ford order.

Out at committee meeting tonight so dinner will be early. Not sure what just yet - but Mr MV should be home in plenty of time. He's still feeling lousy. I hope he's improved by the weekend - both for Mothers' Day (we have both mothers, FIL, Sis and BIL (SIL is working) coming for lunch) and our week away.

Have put off getting chicken for the cats until tomorrow - I've got to go that way to pick up a cat-sitting key, so it seems sensible to combine the two trips. 

MS things:
* Clicks and HW
* PA avoidance - I've got too much work on at the moment
* Today should be NSD

Gratitudes:
* Fresh air and exercise yesterday - it never matters how cold or miserable it is (well with one recent exception of torrential rain), I always feel better for a cycle
* A good evening class and laughter
* Fewer meetings today - I can get more actual work done (some of this might be Cambridge work, but still more productive than meetings!)

Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Yesterday was a very busy day. Still juggling lots of work for main client with Cambridge stuff (made a bit of progress there yesterday, which was nice), and had to collect a cat-sitting key, buy chicken for the cats and get to butcher for a joint for Sunday. Also got rid of the remainder of the stuff my friend had asked me to sell (donated - but had to arrange a meeting to get rid of it and drive there). I'm hoping that there might be a break in the work today - I need to get stuff prepped for the weekend/going away etc. And finalise the minutes from the allotment meeting (which was interesting - and I had to take the minutes! - there were homemade biscuits though!) and send them to the chair.

The sun is just coming out here which is good as I've got a load on the line already and another in the machine. Everything is being hampered by Ginger Cat who is being extremely pesky and full of beans (I'm not cross about this - it's lovely to see him feeling better, but it's very difficult to work when he insists on sitting on the keyboard/knocking things off my desk and doing anything in the kitchen is impossible as the door lock (purely to stop cat company in the kitchen) seems to have slipped and we can't lock ourselves in the kitchen currently.... so constantly removing Ginger Cat from the worktop).

Not sure about money saving stuff over the past couple of days - it's been more about money earning and getting housework/holiday prep done - no surveys...

Gratitudes:
* Allotment folk seem like a nice bunch - there was lots of talk about the annual show at the meeting, which will be a new experience for me. It sounds fun rather than scary though!
* Sunshine
* Ginger Cat is back to being his usual pesky self!

Have a good day all!