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

craftingmad

~FlowerPot~ said:

morning! well done on the etsy orders

keep moving to stay warm, its cold today!

Flowers x

Morning Flowers x

It's flippin freezing. I am on my 2nd hot chocolate of the day to keep me warm - much better than moving around  

craftingmad

LadyWithAPlan said:

Amazing year end figures well done ! 

Can you start a side hustle in helping people declutter as sounds like you are doing brilliantly at it 

if you ever think of the missing chippy money please also reread on here how it made you feel - as you say you feeling positive is an important thing - is there local supermarket you can do shifts at as then you also get reduction on food as staff discount ?

Thanks LadywithaPlan.

Believe you me I am not very good with decluttering I don't think - I've still got loads left but that said I think it would be much easier to throw other peoples things away so that could be a very good idea. I actually saw a local business offering a half day declutter cheer leading for £75 so it could well be worth a lot more investigation. Thanks for the idea  

You are so right with the chippy. I keep thinking I made the wrong decision but I have re-read some of my posts and it bought back just how unhappy I was for the last few weeks I was there. It's spurred ,e on to start applying for other jobs so I am taking a look at the supermarket websites today as I hadn't realised I might get a discount too - love an extra bonus  

craftingmad

Morning all.

I've woken up in a productive mindset so I am determined to achieve lots today. How long it lasts I'm not sure but I'm going to take advantage of it whilst it is there as it does not seem to make an appearance much at the moment  

I'm hoping for another NSD today although we do need bread so I will ask hubby to pick some up on his way home from work I think to save me going outside and spending money. I will have to take the dog out but the beauty of living in a small village with no shops is that I cannot get tempted to buy anything  

It is freezing on the Broads again today but I'm determined that the heating will not go on again until at least 4pm. I've already got my slippers and oodie snoodie on so I'm nice and toasty. Not sure son is feeling quite so happy having to get out of his warm bed and dressed in the cold though but hopefully it will speed him up as he nearly missed the bus yesterday and I had to drive him to the bus stop!!! Good news on the bus pass front too - it arrived yesterday afternoon so no more spending an additional £4 on bus fares which I have technically already paid for. Now just to try and claim my money back from the Council which I don't think I will be successful with but if you don't try you will never know I'll add that to my list  

So today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - 69 points so far
2.  Make up 75 seed packs for my neighbours mum funeral (I said I would do them for free which I'm beginning to regret as it is so much work but some things are more important than money right?) - DONE  
5.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
6. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders
7. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it - DONE  
8.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again 
8.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion - DONE 122 points from 3 surveys
9.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds - DONE 7 ;points from searching  
11. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
12. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
13. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
14. See if Amazon seller has replied about used storage box I bought when it was supposed to be new (it had horrible stains and they want me to pay to return it and keep 20% of cost as a admin fee!) - DONE they have replied offering 10% discount (£2.50). I have counter offered 25% (£6.25 off) so lets see what they say
15. Write remaining social media posts for this week and next and schedule them - wrote todays and a couple more  
16. Start getting figures ready for tax return - DONE and tax return submitted  
17. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
18. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
19. Tidy shelf in lounge
20. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday
21. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji to see if I'm a winner - DONE not a winner  
22. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home - DONE although I am very happy that it will be coming on very soon now as my fingers are feeling a little chilly!  
23. Check and see if cheques have cleared - DONE due to clear tomorrow  
24. Redeem Amazon gift card codes earnt on Inbox Pounds - DONE £20 added to OP savings account
25. Update spreadsheets for year - DONE  
26. NSD - DONE no intention of going out or buying anything online today  

craftingmad

Good morning everyone.

Boy is it a cold one today but I'm determined not to put my heating on until tonight again.

I feel like I achieved a lot yesterday getting my tax return done and all the seed packs so I'm determined to have another productive day today. I was really lucky and got three orders in yesterday (one of them is a large £137 one) so I'm feeling very grateful and will make a start on those today. 

Nothing exciting planned again but we will have to pick father in laws car up from the garage later as it is having it's MOT as it only had a month left and we thought it would help to sell it quicker when we list it on Auto Trader tomorrow (assuming it is going to pass of course - my fingers are tightly crossed as I really want the £5k back in the savings account and earning interest) However it looks like the money from this will be earmarked towards getting a small camper van for hubby to live in when he works away so I wont see much benefit from it sadly  

 So today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - DONE 137 points today  
2.  Print and cut 500 double sided plantable business cards for website order - 285 printed and cut. Will make rest tomorrow  
3.  Make and post off little bag of friendship for Etsy order - made. Will post off later when I have the other things ready to go  
4. Print and bind sewing planner for Etsy order and post off
5.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
6. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders - DONE posted on three posts  
7. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it 
8.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again 
8.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion
9.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds
11. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
12. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
13. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
14. See if Amazon seller has replied about discount I suggested - DONE no answer yet  
15. Write remaining social media posts for this week and next and schedule them - wrote and posted for today  
16. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
17. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
18. Tidy shelf in lounge
19. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday
20. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji to see if I'm a winner - DONE not a winner  
21. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home - DONE  
22. Check and see if cheques have cleared - DONE £21.05 transferred into OP savings account
23. Read the latest MSE newsletter - DONE added a couple of things to my list of things to investigate further  
24. NSD - FAILED I could not be bothered to cook so had a take away instead  

craftingmad

Morning all.

I feel really down this morning. Father In law's car failed its MOT because of fog light issues and I don't seem to be getting anywhere with adding money to the pot this month which I have earnt  
At this rate we will be making a loss on the bloo*y car as well as losing money from the interest the lump sum  could have been earning.
Our daughter also messaged last night saying that she does not think teaching is for her so we could have 3 years of the money to put her through Uni for nothing! I just feel like nothing is going right at the moment and it's starting to get me down In fact I spent most of yesterday crying and today is not looking much better  - what the heck is wrong with me  

Yet again I think I need to be gentle with myself today but I'll post my list to see if helps to motivate me but if I don't get anything done, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

So today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - 12 points today so far  
2.  Print and cut remaining double sided plantable business cards for website order and post off - printed and cut - will  post off later today  
3.  Package and post off little bag of friendship for Etsy order - packaged. will post off later  
4. Print and bind sewing planner for Etsy order and post off
5.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
6. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders
7. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it 
8.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again 
8.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion
9.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds
11. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
12. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
13. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
14. See if Amazon seller has replied about discount I suggested - still no response  
15. Write remaining social media posts for this week and next and schedule them 
16. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
17. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
18. Tidy shelf in lounge
19. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday
20. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji to see if I'm a winner - DONE not a winner  
21. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home  
22. NSD - did have to buy dog biscuits and a few groceries but no spending on anything other than food so I'm counting that as a win    

Jessy103

Hope you feel better soon crafting x

craftingmad

Morning all.

I think I feel a little bit more positive this morning. At least I've not cried yet so I've improved on the past two days

Bad news is that car will cost £250 to repair and will not be ready until Tuesday so as soon as we get it back I must get it listed on Autotrader as I'm determined to get it sold by the end of this month. I think once it's gone then I will feel much better. 

Good news is I won £10 on Lidl spin to win after my shopping trip there yesterday so I have 7 days to spend it. I wasn't planning going shopping again but I will early next week to make sure I use it and take full advantage of £10 of free food Anyone else won too?

Although I didn't manage to achieve much yesterday, I did get my large website order completed and posted off so I am pretty pleased with myself as I will be able to add that money into the savings account in the next few days once it has paid out into my bank account. It feels scary knowing that I won't be getting wages this month but it is what it is and I do feel better knowing I don't have to go there again and get my confidence knocked even more than it already is  

I made a lush lasanga last night from the left over bolognase so I am going to make a real effort to ensure I don't waste food again as I really slipped towards the end of last year. I'll either make a new meal from it like last night or I'll make sure I pop what's left into the freezer so I've got a quick dinner in there when I feel I need it.  

I also need to get back to the decluttering after having a few days off so that it is high on my priority list today. 

Other than that yet again no exciting plans from me - Gosh I lead a boring life

 So today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - 97 points today so far
2. Print and bind sewing planner for Etsy order and post off - printed and bound - will post off later today  Posted  
3. Make 5 mini friendship seed packs for Etsy order and post off - made and will post off later today  Posted  
4. Make 5 friendship teabags for Etsy order and post off - made and I will post off later  Posted  
5.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
6. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders - DONE commented on two (only two I could find)
7. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it 
8.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again 
8.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion - DONE 2 surveys for a total of 34 points
9.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds - DONE 7 points earnt  
11. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
12. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
13. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
14. See if Amazon seller has replied about discount I suggested - DONE Amazon have refunded me the full cost and I don't have to return - result I've added £25 to the OP savings account as I am going to clean and use the box  
15. Write remaining social media posts for this week and next and schedule them - all but three posts written for this month and posted yesterday  
16. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
17. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
18. Tidy shelf in lounge - almost complete - now just have to decide what to do with all our CD's
19. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday
20. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji to see if I'm a winner - DONE not a winner - DONE not a winner  
21. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home - DONE  
22. Raise claim with Royal Mail for missing order from before Christmas - DONE only £6.70 but as they lost it then I should not be out of pocket  
23. Return coat which was wrong size (in sale and I ordered two for son to see which one fitted him best)  
24. Improve business in some small way
25. Renew facebook marketplace listings - DONE 7 renewed  
26  NSD - DONE  

craftingmad

Good morning everyone,

I am feeling much more like myself today
Nothing much planned again today apart from taking son to and from work so as I have no orders to make I will hopefully be able to focus on trying to grow my business and applying for other jobs. That's the plan anyway but we all know what sometimes happens to the best laid plans so I'll just go with the flow and see where today takes me  

So today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - 39 points today so far
2.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
3. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders - DONE commented on 4 posts
4. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it 
5.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again - tidied more of my craft room today but still no luck   
6.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion - DONE 2 surveys for a total of 95 points  
7.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds - DONE 7 points earnt  
8. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
9. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
10. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
11. Write remaining social media posts for this month and next and schedule them
12. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
13. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
14. Finish tidying shelf in lounge - DONE and also decluttered mantle ledge too  
15. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday
16. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji - DONE not a winner
17. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home - DONE  
18. Return coat which was wrong size (in sale and I ordered two for son to see which one fitted him best)  
19. Improve business in some small way
20. Brainstorm ideas for low cost start up businesses - DONE will evaluate each one and see what one would be best to start  
21. Take a course from one of my memberships
22.  NSD - DONE will transfer £5 into the OP savings pot  

craftingmad

Morning all.

I think I must have scared you all off with my negativity - sorry! but I'm back in a better frame of mind again now so fingers crossed normal service will be resuming again from today

Nothing planned again today apart from some more tidying and decluttering and a bit of pottering around. I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't get lots done as I think I do just need to take it easy but I'm going to aim to get at least some things crossed off the list  

Hubby has announced he is having next weekend off so that will be nice and I shall make sure we actually go somewhere to enjoy it rather than just wasting it away.

Today I WILL:-

1.  Play on Mistplay (126 points target) - 32 points today so far 
2.  Post in three FB groups to hopefully get more orders
3. Comment on In search of posts to hopefully get a few more orders 
4. Create new cardmaking sheet for Craftsuprint and advertise it 
5.  Keep looking for Scan and Shop booklet so I can start scanning and earning points again - still no luck  
6.  Take a survey on Prime Opinion
7.  Carry out searches on Inbox Pounds
8. Write a specific CV for catering jobs
9. Write a specific CV for administration/customer service jobs
10. Apply for jobs found on Indeed
11. Write remaining social media posts for this month and next and schedule them
12. Claim for bus fares had to pay whilst waiting for bus pass
13. List board games we no longer play on FB Marketplace along with necklace found during decluttering
14. List positivity pills on my Etsy shop made yesterday - DONE  
15. Check free postcode lottery, winadinner and freeemoji - DONE not a winner  
16. No heating on until 4.30pm so it is then warm for the boys come home - DONE
17. Return coat which was wrong size (in sale and I ordered two for son to see which one fitted him best)  
18. Improve business in some small way
19. Evaluate ideas I came up with for low cost start up businesses
20. Take a course from one of my memberships
21. Meal plan for week ahead - DONE all meat out of freezer - will just need to buy some veg to go with it
22. NSD - DONE will transfer £5 into the OP savings account  
 

Baileys_Babe

Our meal plan for the next week is mainly from the freezer and cupboards, I know we will need milk, fresh fruit & vegetables, and brown rice. No idea how we have run out of brown rice, we have had a store cupboard fail.

I'm always pleased when I read in your diary about checking free postcode lottery etc as it reminds me to check. I used to be brilliant at remembering but inn the last few months I've list the routine, so thank you for the reminders.