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

Baileys_Babe

Like you craftingmad I don't usually wear bright colours, earlier this year I also needed something bright to wear to a funeral. I picked up a bright top in a style I like in a charity shop, I teamed it with navy trousers, which worked well. The surprising thing is I have worn the top often since and I have even received compliments when wearing it.

I hope you find something you are happy with 🤗

craftingmad

~FlowerPot~ said:

hi Crafting,

how about going for an outfit you feel comfy in and then a really bright scarf and accessories to jazz it up?

By the way I think you are doing amazing, this situation shows your strenght of character, dont forget to give you daughter an extra cuddle before she goes x

My ds1 is home for reading week and is a hiding in a corner not talking, told girlfriend he doesnt want to go back. I need to try an unravel what going on!!! ~ it never easy!

Oh no I hope he is ok and you get to the bottom of why he doesn't want to go back. It certainly isn't an easy time for anyone Good luck x

I think I drove her crazy with all the cuddles I gave her and I cried when she walked through the platform gates but was not alone as lots of other students were going back and many mums were sobbing just like me. It's reassuring to see others feel the same as I do as sometimes I feel like I am just a blubbering wreak alone!! 

Love the idea about a bright scarf and accessories - that might make me feel a little more comfortable.

craftingmad

Baileys_Babe said:

Like you craftingmad I don't usually wear bright colours, earlier this year I also needed something bright to wear to a funeral. I picked up a bright top in a style I like in a charity shop, I teamed it with navy trousers, which worked well. The surprising thing is I have worn the top often since and I have even received compliments when wearing it.

I hope you find something you are happy with 🤗

Oooh thats a good idea. I would feel so much more comfortable with a darker colour on my bottom half and navy is not black is it

I hadn't even thought about looking in a charity shop. If I cannot find anything in my wardrobe today then I think that will be my next stop. 

Thank you x

craftingmad

Morning all. 

Things are back to the usual routine again today as daughter is back in Uni, son is at college and hubby is back at work (happy about the last one as he has been so grumpy this past week I've actually felt like calling time on our marriage) so I'm hoping that I can actually achieve a nice lot from my list as it's been a while!!! 

However after a huge argument last night I'm actually feeling really tired and deflated so only time will tell what I can actually achieve - I might end up taking myself off to bed and hiding under the quilt until I have to go to work this evening!!! Life feels so pants at the moment so just hoping things can only get better  

After the saga of my Amazon clothes not fitting properly I told hubby to try his shirt on he had ordered from there last week to make sure it fitted. He was not amused with my idea and told me to not be silly as of course it would fit him (even though when he took it out of the packet it was clear it would not) and after him actually trying to fit it on he has also come to the conclusion that he too now needs a new outfit for the funeral as well so at least it means we might both be going in our brightly coloured underwear now rather than just me (brightly coloured underwear I can cope with wearing as it doesn't show -especially when it was reduced to only a couple of £) but people actually seeing it might be a step to far for everyone

It's Etsy payday today so hopefully that might cheer me up a little bit (although it has been another really quiet month) but it does mean that I will be able to add a little bit more into the OP savings account which does always seem to bring a smile to my face  

I also HAVE to sort something out to wear today as it is really starting to stress me out. I've thought long and hard about it and its going to be such a hard day anyway that I now know I really need to wear something I feel comfortable in so I'm going to hunt through all my own clothes today and hope I have something which will be suitable. Wish me luck!!! 

 So here's my (not so)  list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - 2 points earnt  
2. Go through wardrobe and try and find something to wear - found a possible two full outfits plus a cardigan which would match the red trousers already bought
3. Upload some new designs onto Craftsuprint 
4. Phone mortgage compainues for balances and update monthly spreadsheet - DONE we managed to pay off another £830 on our first BTL mortgage since last month which is made up of our regular payment and monthly OP of £500 - that's bought the first little smile to my face of the day  
5. Design pink goal planner and stickers for Etsy order and send proofs
6. Make anxiety fairy for Etsy order and post off using funds before they pay out - made just need to post off
7. Return clothes to Amazon - packaged and ready to return  
8. Write to Royal Mail raising claims for three items which have not arrived but cannot claim for online for some reason
9. Check and see if farmshop has paid the invoice I sent - DONE no payment received yet
10. Raise claim with paypal for item which arrived and was not as described (tried contacting seller direct but no reply) - have emailed company one more time and will raise claims if I have heard nothing tomorrow morning
11. Put all Christmas gifts bought into a box so I don't lose them
12. Renew FB Marketplace listings - none to renew - I'm a couple of days ahead of myself  
13. List something new on FB marketplace
14. Write and schedule social media posts for months to try and keep my business visible
15. Complete some of an online course included in a membership which runs out at end of month
16. Comment on In Search of Posts on Facebook to hopefully get some more orders
17. Advertise my business in 3 FB groups to improve my visibility and hopefully get some orders 
18. Create a new item to sell
19. Check freepostcode lottery, win a dinner and freeemoji draws  
20. Complete surveys on Prime Opinions
21. Complete surveys on Inbox Pounds 
22. Complete surveys on Panelbase 
23. Declutter 10 items from the house
24. Action one idea on my MF list
25. Investigate others ways I could earn a living as businesses are not doing that well
26. Chip Shop Shift - DONE it was so quiet but its added another 4 hours into the wages for the end of this month at least  

craftingmad

Morning all.

I have got a banging headache today and my kneecaps and hips are really aching. This perimenopause is not being kind to me!!! Men seem to have it so easy - its hard being a woman!!!

On the plus side, I got back from work yesterday and hubby was on his best behaviour so that was nice and I feel a little less sad today than yesterday but still not feeling wonderful (I think it is knowing that we have the funeral on Monday which is putting us all on edge just even thinking about it). At least I now have two outfits I could wear so that is one less thing to worry about.

The chippy was so quiet yesterday - we had 6 people in all day I'm really thinking that as a business it just cannot sustain those numbers with the 7 people who work there so am debating whether to start looking for another little job now just in case. I love working at this place but I honestly think that some staff are going to be made to go soon in order to just keep it afloat. I'm not back in until the weekend now so fingers crossed that will be a bit busier again.

I'm determined to get lots crossed off my list today (although I have just got around to starting it as I HAD to watch the latest MAFS episode before doing anything of course) .

 So here's my (not so) list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay (aiming for 70 points so I can cash out a voucher) - 2 points so far  
2. Upload some new designs onto Craftsuprint - DONE new design uploaded - as soon as it has cleared and is live I shall promote it on the FB group and hope that I get some sales  
3. Make and post off robin for Etsy order - made just need to package and post off  
4. Design pink goal planner and stickers for Etsy order and send proof
5. Write to Royal Mail raising claims for three items which have not arrived but cannot claim for online for some reason
6. Check and see if farmshop has paid the invoice I sent - no payment received yet  
7. Make more stock for farm shop
8. Raise claim with paypal for item which arrived and was not as described - received an email from them this morning so giving them until tomorrow morning to refund me before I raise the claim
9. Put all Christmas gifts bought into a box so I don't lose them 
10. List something new on FB marketplace
11. Add new debit cards onto Airtime rewards - DONE  
12. Write and schedule social media posts for months to try and keep my business visible
13. Complete some of an online course included in a membership which runs out at end of month
14. Comment on In Search of Posts on Facebook to hopefully get some more orders - one commented on so far - hopefully I will find lots more
15. Advertise my business in 3 FB groups to improve my visibility and hopefully get some orders 
16. Create a new item to sell - DONE Plantable Robins which grow into wildflowers made and photographed ready to list  
17. Check freepostcode lottery, win a dinner and freeemoji draws  
18. Complete surveys on Prime Opinions
19. Complete surveys on Inbox Pounds 
20. Complete surveys on Panelbase 
21. Declutter 10 items from the house
22. Action one idea on my MF list
23. Investigate others ways I could earn a living as businesses are not doing that well
24. NSD - DONE £5 transferred into OP savings account

craftingmad

Good morning all.

Heavy rain is forecast here today so I am planning on trying to get lots of indoor jobs done today and keep dry. Luckily the dog hates getting wet too so fingers crossed she will spend the day sleeping which will allow me to get achieve my list I'm also kicking myself for not getting some washing done yesterday so I could have hung it outside!!!
 
I may have to go out and pick up son from college today as he only has a lesson first thing so will be finished by 11am (and the bus does not come back to our village until 4.15pm) but if I do I will make sure that I counteract the journey with going to the post office and returning the dresses I bought back to the shop as I have decided I am definitely never going to wear them so I may as well get the £52 back in my bank.  If not these might have to wait another day depending on how I feel The old me would have just kept them but now I look at every penny and ask myself would I prefer the item itself or the items value being spent to clear the mortgage and nine times out of ten the mortgage wins. I do think I need to balance it a little bit though and start treated ourselves a little bit more than we do. Life is short and all that.  

Right I'm going to get cracking with my not so little list for the day:-

1. Play on Mistplay (aiming for 30 points so I can cash out a £10 voucher) - DONE 52 points today so I have earnt enough to cash out a £10 voucher  
2. Check to see if upload is live on Craftsuprint and promote it on FB to hopefully get some sales - DONE promoted so hopefully will get a few sales  
3. Post off robin order from Etsy 
4. Return dresses to Bon Marche for a £52 refund - wont be going today as an engine warning light has come up on my car  
5. Try on shirts bought from Amazon and return at least one of them
6. Design pink goal planner and stickers for Etsy order and send proof
7. Write to Royal Mail raising claims for three items which have not arrived but cannot claim for online for some reason
8. Check and see if farmshop has paid the invoice I sent - DONE payment received so £15.50 transferred to OP savings account  
9. Make more stock for farm shop
10. Raise claim with paypal for item which arrived and was not as described if refund not received
11. Put all Christmas gifts bought into a box so I don't lose them 
12. List something new on FB marketplace
13. Write and schedule social media posts for months to try and keep my business visible - DONE all posts written for this month and a week's worth scheduled
14. Complete some of an online course included in a membership which runs out at end of month- started  
15. Comment on In Search of Posts on Facebook to hopefully get some more orders - DONE commented on three posts  
16. Advertise my business in 3 FB groups to improve my visibility and hopefully get some orders 
17. Create a new item to sell
18. Check freepostcode lottery, win a dinner and freeemoji draws  
19. Complete surveys on Prime Opinions
20. Complete surveys on Inbox Pounds 
21. Complete surveys on Panelbase 
22. Declutter 10 items from the house
23. Action one idea on my MF list
24. Investigate others ways I could earn a living as businesses are not doing that well - Uploaded a lot of items I could buy wholesale on my FB page which fit nicely with the items I already handcraft to see if any interest (much higher profit margins for not much work) but despite tagging everyone, I've had no interest so have saved myself a fortune in buying stock which clearly will not sell. Back to the drawing board for new ideas
25. Read latest MSE newsletter - DONE added opening a LISA for daughter and Nationwide bank account switch to my list to look into  
26. NSD - DONE  

craftingmad

Good morning.

Well if I'm honest I'm not sure how good it will be as I had an engine warning light appear on my car yesterday (why does it always seem to go wrong just before we have a long journey to make!!!). 
Luckily my next door neighbour is a car mechanic so he is going to plug his machine thingy into it and see if he can diagnose what is wrong with it. My fingers are tightly crossed that it is nothing too serious but at the moment and knowing our luck I'm not going to hold my breath!!! 

Other than having to take the car to him to make it better, I don't really have lots planned so will try and crack on with my little list to help make our hike that little bit shorter  

Today I WILL:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 29 points earnt
2. Take car to neighbours garage to get checked - DONE. Fault has been cleared for now so may have just been a dodgy sensor  
3. Reply to enquiry for 12 small Christmas gifts from existing customer - DONE working on a few different designs now  
4. Upload new design onto Craftsuprint 
5. Post off robin order from Etsy - DONE  
6. Return dresses to Bon Marche for a £52 refund (if car works ok)
7. Try on shirts bought from Amazon and return at least one of them
8. Design pink goal planner and stickers for Etsy order and send proof - Planner done and proof sent off. Once approved I will design the stickers  
9. Write to Royal Mail raising claims for three items which have not arrived but cannot claim for online for some reason - picked up forms from Post Office but turns put was given wrong ones so will have to collect the right ones tomorrow on my way into work  
10. Make more stock for farm shop
11. Raise claim with paypal for item which arrived and was not as described if refund not received - DONE have not got anywhere with the company so claim now filed with paypal and hopefully I will get my money back with them
12. Put all Christmas gifts bought into a box so I don't lose them 
13. List something new on FB marketplace
14. Schedule remaining social media posts 
15. Complete some of an online course included in a membership which runs out at end of month 
16. Comment on In Search of Posts on Facebook to hopefully get some more orders - DONE commented on four already this morning  
17. Advertise my business in 3 FB groups to improve my visibility and hopefully get some orders 
18. Create a new item to sell - DONE created 7 new wooden tokens to sell all using materials I already have in stock  
19. Check freepostcode lottery, win a dinner and freeemoji draws - DONE not a winner   
20. Complete surveys on Prime Opinions
21. Complete surveys on Inbox Pounds 
22. Complete surveys on Panelbase 
23. Declutter 10 items from the house
24. Action one idea on my MF list
25. Investigate others ways I could earn a living as businesses are not doing that well
26. NSD - DONE not a winner  

craftingmad

Morning all.

Today is the day hubby is travelling to Wales by train to go and pick up my Father In Law's car. I dropped him off at the train station at 7am and he won't get back until around midnight. I'm not going to lie, given what has happened recently, I'm really anxious and don't think I will be able to concentrate properly until he is home again. 
On the plus side it does mean that we can start trying to sell the car from tomorrow so fingers crossed we get our £5k back we gave to his mum pretty soon. 

In other news the selling wholesale items I tried on my page has sort if backfired as a very good and regular customer of mine has ordered four of those things but I have to have a minimum order amount of £135 plus VAT (she has ordered £25) so I am going to have to take a chance and ordered more things to make up the order as I really don't want to let her down. I'm going to get my thinking cap on today and see if I can find some other places to advertise the items in the hope that I will get a few more orders to help get me to the minimum amount required. 
On the plus side I have had a little look through the site and there are a couple of items which will make great Christmas gifts for my loved ones so I will order those and benefit from getting wholesale prices which is a small silver lining.  

I've got work at the chippy later on today and I have to pop out and get some lettuce so son can make his own chicken wraps tonight but other than that I am planning to stay in the warm wearing my blanket jumper thing and stay nice an toasty. It's far too cold out there today!!! 

 So here's my list for today. Let's see how much I can achieve.

1. Play on Mistplay - 2 points earnt. Hoping for at least 40 today  
2. Upload new design onto Craftsuprint - DONE once it is released from holding I shall promote it in the FB group
3. Make and post off cross in my pocket for Etsy order - made and ready to post off on way to shop  
4. Make and post off bee for Etsy order - made and ready to post off on way to shop 
5. Make and post of lucky gnome for Etsy order - made and ready to post off on way to shop 
6. Look for places to advertise wholesale stock to sell to see if I can get more orders
7. Return dresses to Bon Marche for a £52 refund (if car works ok) - decided to go tomorrow as kids might want a look in town
8. Try on shirts bought from Amazon and return at least one of them
9. Pick up claim forms from Post Office
10. Make more stock for farm shop
11. Put all Christmas gifts bought into a box so I don't lose them 
12. Renew FB marketplace listings - DONE 312 listings renewed
13. List something new on FB marketplace
14. Renew library books to avoid fines - DONE
15. Schedule remaining social media posts 
16. Complete some of an online course included in a membership which runs out at end of month - DONE one course completed and I'm buzzing with ideas from it on how to improve my business
17. Comment on In Search of Posts on Facebook to hopefully get some more orders - DONE commented on three so far this morning  
18. Advertise my business in 3 FB groups to improve my visibility and hopefully get some orders 
19. Create a new item to sell 
20. Check freepostcode lottery, win a dinner and freeemoji draws - DONE not a winner   
21. Complete surveys on Prime Opinions - DONE 2 surveys completed for 51 points  
22. Complete surveys on Panelbase 
23. Declutter 10 items from the house
24. Action one idea on my MF list
25. Investigate others ways I could earn a living as businesses are not doing that well
26. NSD (other than lettuce) - DONE did not even buy lettuce in the end. We had pasta instead for dinner  
27. Chip Shop Shift - DONE the chippy shut early as we were so quiet so I lost an hour in wages but still added 4.5 hours into the wages for this month  

 

LadyWithAPlan

Sounds very focused and busy over here 
glad you sorted your outfits out for the funeral - I am sure the person who died wouldn’t want you to be stressing over this - I love colour but sometimes bright cardigan over a darker dress (blue or black) is an easy way to up your colour 

craftingmad

LadyWithAPlan said:

Sounds very focused and busy over here 
glad you sorted your outfits out for the funeral - I am sure the person who died wouldn’t want you to be stressing over this - I love colour but sometimes bright cardigan over a darker dress (blue or black) is an easy way to up your colour 

Thank you. 
You are very right. The ironic thing is that my niece always wore black like me too. No sign of bright colours from her so I know she will be looking down on us all and feeling my pain x