My Mortgage Free Mountain - A 7 year expedition to climb to the top

craftingmad

Baileys_Babe said:

craftingmad said:

I think but in true crafting style I will go ahead and make a long list of all the things I need to do only to fail and achieve 3 if I'm lucky 

You have already achieved the first 2:

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) = 2 points so far 
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched one video for 6p 

Your 2 work shifts will give you a further 2

1. Cafe shift (11am - 4.30pm)
2. Chippy shift (4.30pm - 9.30pm)

Then you could always try for one of the easier wins:

        Check free postcode lottery
                              or
        NSD

That would make a good amount from your legendary over ambitious list completed, including earning for 10 hours and commuting.

Anything you manage today will be fantastic.

Thanks Baileys - honestly you don't know how much your support helps me and it means so much  

craftingmad

Morning all,

I've a shorter work day today so hoping to get a bit more achieved today although I'm pretty certain my legendary over ambitious list will still not be able to be completed - Baileys I love you x

I have already managed to take daughter to work, package and post two orders,  got some food shopping in as we needed more chicken for the dog, take the doggo for a long walk and loaded and started running the dishwasher so I'm feeling pretty proud of myself

Now just to conquer my to do list and I will be a very happy bunny

So today I HOPE I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) - 2 points so far 
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched two video for a total of 16p 
3. Post jewellery planner for Etsy order - DONE  
4. Post off cross in my pocket for Etsy order - DONE
5. Cafe shift (11am - 4.30pm) - DONE actually finished at 4.15pm
6. Print and post off stickers for repeat customer
7. Make and post off never forget elephant token for Etsy order
8. Comment on in search of posts to hopefully get a few orders
9. Schedule social media posts for next week
10. Check free postcode lottery - DONE not a winner
11. Complete Prime Opinion survey
12. Tidy craft room to see if I can find missing heart dies (just in case they are hiding in here)
13. Post in a facebook group to try and drum up more sales
14. Take a course from one of my memberships
15. Design one new card making sheet for membership idea 
16. Make something to sell using my crafty stash
17. Use Lidl plus app in store when buying food - DONE and I've earned enough for two free items when I next go in  

One question for you all though as I want to know if I am being unreasonable. At the chippy we usually get paid a week in arrears. Next week they are off on holiday so I will not be able to paid the following Saturday for the hours I will have completed this week. I asked for both this weeks and last weeks money when I finish my shift tomorrow but they have said I will have to wait until they return from holiday and get paid on that Saturday. What do you think. Is it fair to make me wait two weeks to get paid or am I right in asking for it this week as they cannot pay it on the agreement date we have?

daisy_1571

how did the tax enquiry go?  

I was sorry to read about your down day tge other day and your frustration at your friend.   I wouldn't have thought it possible that someone on benefits alone can go out doing paid for activities all the time so I would imagine 1) shes getting paid for doing something on top of the money she gets in benefits  2) she has an allowance from somebody maybe family or sugar daddy on top of the benefits 3) she gets these activities paid for her by someone who would rather she accompanies them to do these things 4) there is more to it and she only says she is on benefits.

Either way, you live your life, you aren't cheating, you don't need to worry about someone knocking on the door and catching you out dragging you into court and you have fines plus huge overpayments to  pay back, you know you are making your way under your own family's efforts, you can go to the tax office with a clear conscience and get them to check, if you sort out the tax bill and you do owe it you know you only owe it because you have earned that money  - noone pays tax on money they haven't earned - and also you are both choosing to work physically hard this year because you own or part own not only the house you live in but 2 or 3 other houses.  One day you will have the mortgages on them paid down/off, you'll both be retired from working and the rent you receive will be extra on top of pensions.  You could let the mortgages chunter away and be paid by the rent but you have decided to try to clear as much as you can this year.  Amazing.

Thats an amazing position to be in however whileothers looking in might think you've got it easy, you know you got there by taking a risk, making good financial decisions, maybe the odd bit of luck or something working in your favour, maybe you've struggled through hard times (like now with the hours you are doing) I don't know.  Thats the point, none of us really know what other folk have gone through or are going through.  Hopefully this gives you a boost.  Sometimes we just can't see the wood for the trees but I think you are doing great.  You were tired after months of working long hours and something about your friend triggered you that day, hopefully today it won't be bothering you  😊 ☺ 

Daisy xxx

craftingmad

daisy_1571 said:

how did the tax enquiry go?  

I was sorry to read about your down day tge other day and your frustration at your friend.   I wouldn't have thought it possible that someone on benefits alone can go out doing paid for activities all the time so I would imagine 1) shes getting paid for doing something on top of the money she gets in benefits  2) she has an allowance from somebody maybe family or sugar daddy on top of the benefits 3) she gets these activities paid for her by someone who would rather she accompanies them to do these things 4) there is more to it and she only says she is on benefits.

Either way, you live your life, you aren't cheating, you don't need to worry about someone knocking on the door and catching you out dragging you into court and you have fines plus huge overpayments to  pay back, you know you are making your way under your own family's efforts, you can go to the tax office with a clear conscience and get them to check, if you sort out the tax bill and you do owe it you know you only owe it because you have earned that money  - noone pays tax on money they haven't earned - and also you are both choosing to work physically hard this year because you own or part own not only the house you live in but 2 or 3 other houses.  One day you will have the mortgages on them paid down/off, you'll both be retired from working and the rent you receive will be extra on top of pensions.  You could let the mortgages chunter away and be paid by the rent but you have decided to try to clear as much as you can this year.  Amazing.

Thats an amazing position to be in however whileothers looking in might think you've got it easy, you know you got there by taking a risk, making good financial decisions, maybe the odd bit of luck or something working in your favour, maybe you've struggled through hard times (like now with the hours you are doing) I don't know.  Thats the point, none of us really know what other folk have gone through or are going through.  Hopefully this gives you a boost.  Sometimes we just can't see the wood for the trees but I think you are doing great.  You were tired after months of working long hours and something about your friend triggered you that day, hopefully today it won't be bothering you  😊 ☺ 

Daisy xxx

Thank you so much Daisy, this was exactly what I needed to hear. I will no longer dwell on things which are out of my control or worry about what others are doing and just purely focus on myself and our goal 

You have given me that reminder of just how much we have achieved so far and the reasons why we are doing this to help me keep going and stay strong in our quest so thank you from the bottom of my heart 

As for the tax enquiry he hasn't contacted them yet as he is on a course at the moment so has not had any spare time when the tax office is open to query it. It is on his list for a couple of weeks time when he is home for a few days Fingers are crossed it goes well

craftingmad

Morning all,

After my little pep talk from Daisy (thanks again), I am refreshed and ready to climb a few more baby steps up this mortgage mountain - I've heard the view up there is amazing and well worth the effort 

I have a cafe shift in a little while and then a chippy shift (which I expect will be the shift from hell as they are closing for a week from tonight to go on holiday so we have to deep clean the whole shop and when I say we I suspect that the majority of it will fall to me!) so I won't have time for much else but in my usual style I will be adding a very long list and failing miserably to complete it  no doubt

So today I HOPE I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) - DONE 132 points earnt
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched two video for a total of 16p 
3. Cafe shift (11am - 1.15pm) - DONE actually finished at 1.30pm so squeezed an extra 15 minutes pay from this short shift
4. Print and post off stickers for repeat customer
5. Make and post off never forget elephant token for Etsy order - painted the elephant - just waiting for it to dry
6. Chip shop shift (4.30pm - 9.30pm) - DONE
7. Comment on in search of posts to hopefully get a few orders
8. Schedule social media posts for next week
9. Check free postcode lottery - DONE not a winner
10. Complete Prime Opinion survey
11. Tidy craft room to see if I can find missing heart dies (just in case they are hiding in here)
12. Post in a facebook group to try and drum up more sales
13. Take a course from one of my memberships
14. Design one new card making sheet for membership idea 
15. Make something to sell using my crafty stash
16. NSD - DONE

craftingmad

Good afternoon all,

I have a day off today but also a huge list of chores I need to complete as the housework has been severely neglected lately as we have all been working really hard. I did have a bit of a lie in this morning as I did not get back from collecting our daughter from work until 1am which after my hard shift at the chippy was a bit hard to say the least. I've got another late collection tonight for her which I am not looking forward to but it is what it is so I will just have to suck it up and deal with it  

I have already taken the dog for a quick walk, done one load of washing which is on the line and will hopefully be dry before any rain arrives, filled the car up with fuel and picked up a few bits from Asda as I desperately needed washing powder and theirs is the only one we can use on our sensitive skin. I get petrol from there too so it was a no brainer to go at the same time  

I also must get my Etsy orders made and posted off today to avoid the huge postal price increases which come into effect tomorrow. Honestly Royal Mail prices are really hurting my little business. It won't be long before the postage cost is way higher than the items I make I really need to find time to get my digital idea off the ground and starting to earn money so I can replace the income I am losing out with on my physical items!

OK no more time to chat I MUST get on and plough through my list 

  So today I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) - 27 points so far
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched two video for a total of 16p 
3. Pay chippy wages into the savings account - DONE £141 added
4. Get one load of washing (all my uniforms and sons things) washed and dried outside - on the washing line and I'm praying for no rain
5. Use Asda rewards app when shopping - DONE earned £4.34 as took advantage of some offers earning £1 when you bought three items plus some reward points per item and blue light discount   
6. Sort out fridges and see if anything needs freezing - DONE had to throw a couple of things which makes me annoyed so I must get back on top of it
7. Meal plan for next week - DONE  
8. Tidy and clean kitchen - DONE  
9. Tidy and clean bathrooms
10. Tidy and clean lounge/dining room area
11. Put clean washing away before it gets dirty again - DONE three large wash baskets full all put away (well mine is out away - I've left the kids on their beds for them)
12. Pay hubbies bus lane fine before it increases to £100 - DONE sadly cost us £50 still though
13. Print and post off stickers for repeat customer - printed now just to package and print postage label
    
14. Make and post off never forget elephant token for Etsy order - second coat of paint added. Hopefully it  will be dry very soon so I can finish assembling  
15. Make and post off plantable gingerbread man shapes for Etsy order - printed, cut and packaged. just need to box them up and print postage label  
16. Update spreadsheet
17. Get Business accounts up to date
18. Set up custom listing for repeat customer on Etsy
19. Comment on in search of posts to hopefully get a few orders
20. Write and schedule social media posts for next week
21. Check free postcode lottery - DONE not a winner  
22. Complete Prime Opinion survey
23. Tidy craft room to see if I can find missing heart dies (just in case they are hiding in here)
24. Post in a facebook group to try and drum up more sales
25. Take a course from one of my memberships
26. Design one new card making sheet for membership idea 
27. Make something to sell using my crafty stash
28. Change postage prices in my online shops to take account of price rises

Jessy103

Fingers crossed the tax bill is a mistake 🤞

craftingmad

Good evening all,

I meant to post this morning before I went to work this morning but time slipped away from me and I have only just managed to work up the energy to move from the sofa after a very busy 9 hour cafe shift so here I am but better late than never eh?

I'm just going to launch straight into my list as after my quite productive day yesterday I am determined to get a bit more done today and help move the savings balances up a bit and therefore move us closer to our mortgage free dream  

So today I HOPE I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) - 22 points so far
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched two video for a total of 16p 
3. Change postage prices in my online shops to take account of price rises - DONE fingers crossed it will not put people off buying but if I didn't change it I would be losing money so it has to be done  
4. Cafe shift (9am - 6pm) - DONE it was so busy and I am worn out now but it will help to contribute a good sum into the pot so I'm tired but happy  
5. Transfer wages from new cafe into savings account - DONE £291.42 added
6. Transfer Etsy earnings for Sept into savings account - DONE £62.34 added
7. Add a second coat of paint to elephant for Etsy order - DONE
8. Create custom listing for repeat customer on Etsy - sent a message to customer asking her to confirm a couple of things before I can create listing but hopefully she will get back to me soon as looks like it will be £100 order
9. Update monthly spreadsheet
10. Get Business accounts up to date
11. Comment on in search of posts to hopefully get a few orders
12. Write and schedule social media posts for next week
13. Check free postcode lottery - DONE not a winner
14. Complete Prime Opinion survey
15. NSD - DONE

That should keep me busy until bedtime  

craftingmad

Good morning everyone  

I got up a little bit earlier this morning especially so I could write my list - I may have become a bit obsessed! 

I have another 9 hour shift in the new cafe today - I'm really hoping it is not as busy as yesterday as I still feel shattered but I also don't want it so slow that the time drags - you just can't please me can you! 

I feel as if good progress was made yesterday with all the earnings I managed to add into the savings account so I want to keep working hard to try and keep that momentum up. The joint account is already not looking too healthy this month though as there was no overtime at all from hubby so there is a possibility that I may have to transfer some back at some point during the month if it drops too low. Fingers crossed we can be careful this month and not have to do that.

I am also going to be kind to myself today as it would have been my nieces 21st birthday and it is also exactly a year since she passed away. I still cannot quite believe it and although I have learnt to try and get on with life again, today sees me just constantly thinking about those tragic events which happened. I'm scared I will randomly burst into tears at work today but if I do, I will just have to explain why I guess. Grief is a strange one isn't it. It never really goes away - you just learn to keep it hidden. Hopefully keeping busy will help me through this difficult day. 

So today I HOPE I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay (50 points target) - 2 points so far
2. Watch videos on WeR8 - DONE watched two video for a total of 16p  
3. Cafe shift (9am - 6pm) - DONE ended up not finishing until 6.30pm
4. Finish making up elephant for Etsy order and post off
5. Post off stickers for returning customer
6. Post off plantable gingerbread men for Etsy order
7. Create custom listing for repeat customer on Etsy 
8. Update monthly spreadsheet
9. Get Business accounts up to date
10. Comment on in search of posts to hopefully get a few orders
11. Write and schedule social media posts for next week
12. Check free postcode lottery
13. Complete Prime Opinion survey
14. NSD - DONE
15. Be kind to myself and stop if I need too - DONE I felt physically and emotionally exhausted so did nothing after work apart from watch some tv

Baileys_Babe

🤗 your niece's birthday and the anniversary of her passing will be hard today. Do allow yourself some time today to remember something happy times and to also mourn for her.