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

craftingmad

Morning everyone. The sun is shining again so I'm hoping I can make the most of it and enjoy some time outdoors whilst my business is so quiet. 
However, you know me so while I'm waiting for the teenagers to wake up there is always time for some small things I can do to help raise some extra pennies to throw towards the mortgage.

Here's today's hopeful list  

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 127 points earned
2. Post off Etsy order - DONE
3. Package up and post off scrapbooking kit sold on FB Marketplace - DONE
4. Meal plan for the rest of the week
5. Cash in Amazon voucher from Shop and Scan - DONE £10 added to OP savings pot
6. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE attempted two but no success and now run out of surveys  
7. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some - DONE
8. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed - DONE
9. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE nota  winner  
10. Minimal heating on - DONE on this morning to dry some clothes but hoping not on for rest of the day
11. Find a small way to save electric - DONE turned off lounge lights hubby had left on
12. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
13. Enter 3 competitions - DONE two cash prizes and a set of models all entered to win - now just hope I'm lucky  
14. Open High interest savings account or ISA
15. Return library book so as not to receive any fines - DONE
16. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
17. List an item on FB Marketplace - DONE
18. Look into selling on TikTok

craftingmad

Morning all,
It's an early start for us all today as son is playing badminton at 8am and then we off to to the City for a spot of shopping.

Still time to do a couple of money making/saving things first though so here's my little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 102 points earned 
2. Complete and post off order received from facebook (only £4 but I will take whatever I can get at the moment!) - DONE
3. Complete a Nectar survey or two - tried but none available
4. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some 
5. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed
6. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE
7. Minimal heating on - DONE - hoping not needed all day
8. Find a small way to save electric
9. Enter 3 competitions  
10. List an item on FB Marketplace 

craftingmad

Good morning. It's freezing here on the Broads today but the heating will not be going on when it is just me - I've got my wearable blanket humper thingy on and I'm toasty warm

Here's my little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 327 points earned 
2. Make and post off Etsy order - DONE
3. Deliver two items sold on FB Marketplace (on my way/way back from journeys today) - DONE £15 added to the OP savings pot
4. Meal plan for the rest of the week - DONE
5. Pay in cheques - DONE £84.30 added to OP savings pot
6. Scan shopping from yesterday and today for Shop and Scan - DONE
7. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE 122 points earned from two surveys and one timed out
8. Raise claims with Royal Mail for orders missing (getting so bad recently!)
   
9. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
10. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed - 2 commented on already - fingers crossed they like what they see
11. Chase local lady for payment for stickers she wants at the weekend - DONE she's the lady from before so as I have already waited nearly two weeks for payment doubt very much it will be forthcoming until she desperately needs her stickers I have actually just received payment so take it all back  
12. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE
13. Confirm interview date and time received for the booking clerk post I applied for - DONE  
14. Minimal heating on - DONE none on so far and not intending for it to go on today unless it gets really cold  
15. Find a small way to save electric
16. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target) - 4 swagbucks earnt  
17. Enter 3 competitions 
18. Open High interest savings account or ISA
19. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
20. List an item on FB Marketplace - DONE listed under sink bathroom cabinet for £30 - fingers crossed it sells quickly
21. Look into selling on TikTok

craftingmad

Morning all. The sun is shining again so hopefully we can all get outside and enjoy it a little bit before school/uni is back and we are apart

I have to admit we seem to have got through quite a bit of cash this month and the bank balance is looking fairly low but although I really want to pay these mortgages off I am trying to balance having fun and making memories along with the main aim so I'm trying not to beat myself up too much over it. Life is for living right?

I also weakened and bought the puppy dog a few different treats yesterday but in my defence that was the first time in nearly four months whereas I used to buy them weekly so I'm feeling a little smug  

Here's my list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 102 points earned - only 300 points away from another voucher 
2. Make and post off Etsy order - made just got to wait to post off until I take son swimming later this afternoon (that way I am not using more petrol than needed) DONE
3. Make proof for stickers for local lady's order - DONE just got to wait to hear from her Heard back and stickers printed ready for collection on Sunday
4. Complain to local garage as had to pay £2.50 for my car MOT reminder letter as they had not put any postage on it! - DONE fingers crossed they will take it off my next bill!
5. Wait in for somebody to collect some paper bags sold on FB marketplace - due at 10am so fingers crossed the turn up! - DONE £8 added to the OP savings pot  
6. Small supermarket shop for milk only! - I got milk but took daughter and ended up spending £111!!!! 
7. Scan shopping for shop and scan - DONE
8. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE one completed for 40 points and 4 points from two surveys timed out on
9. Raise claims with Royal Mail for orders missing (getting so bad recently!) - DONE 3 claims submitted for £19.45 in total - fingers crossed I get the refunds quickly as I have had to refund my customers
   
10. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
11. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed - 2 commented on
12. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE not a winner
13. Minimal heating on  - DONE hoping to not put it on at all
14. Find a small way to save electric
15. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
16. Enter 3 competitions 
17. Open High interest savings account or ISA
18. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
19. List an item on FB Marketplace
20. Look into selling on TikTok

craftingmad

Morning everyone. 
More cash went out yesterday as I had no choice but to buy a new oven. the old one has been a bit hit and miss for a few months now but yesterday it finally decided that enough was enough and refused to turn on!!!
On the plus side I managed to change dinner choices to a hob only meal so we did not need a takeaway  

Sadly I don't think much will be being added at the end of the month to the OP pot though ;( 

Even more reason for me to keep doing my little things which I'm convinced are making a difference  

Here's today's little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 127 points earned - should be able to cash out another £5 voucher in a couple of days
2. Find Paella from freezer ready for dinner tonight - DONE
3. Transmit barcodes and receipts for shop and scan - DONE only another 5 weeks of transmitting until another voucher
4. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE two completed for a total of 80 points and timed out of 1 so should be another 2 points for this  
5. Raise two more claims claims with Royal Mail for lost orders - DONE £12.35 claimed back - now just have to wait for payment from them
   
6. Send in two complaints for Royal Mail claims which they have refused - DONE I am not backing down as it should not have taken nearly 60 days to deliver something and I had to refund my customers so I'm fighting for the £40 they owe me
7. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
8. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed - two posts commented on so far
9. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE not a winner sadly
10. Minimal heating on  - DONE hopefully not on all day
11. Find a small way to save electric - DONE son took mobile phone to work to charge
12. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
13. Enter 3 competitions - DONE 5 crafting competitions entered
14. Open High interest savings account or ISA
15. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
16. List an item on FB Marketplace - DONE listed dog treat dispenser for £2 (every little counts right?) 
17. Look into selling on TikTok
18. Really hoping for a NSD - Yey no spending for me today - the bank balance certainly needed it  

craftingmad

Good news - the item I listed on FB Marketplace sold almost instantly to somebody in my village so the £2 has now been deposited into the OP savings account Every little helps right?

I cannot believe today is the last day of the school holidays so I'm hoping to do something nice with the kids - my daughter goes back to Uni tomorrow so even more reason to get out and make some memories  

Guess what though - they are both still fast asleep so time for me to knock some things off my little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 102 points earned - should be able to cash out another £5 voucher tomorrow 
2. Make a food shopping list and stick to it - list made and stuck to in Lidl (apart from apples which were on offer and will last a while). Plus I checked the app and I had a £5 off £30 spend coupon added so I used that and have added £5 to the OP savings pot. I was also under budget by £30 so feeling slightly smug  
3. Scan said food shopping for Shop and Scan - DONE and receipt photographed ready to submit on Sat
4. Complete order received on Etsy ready to post off tomorrow
5. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE one survey completed for 20 points and timed out of 3 so 26 points earned today Points are adding up nicely now got £11.58 on my card waiting to be used started the year at just under £5
6. Get three loads of washing done and dry outside - all three loads on washing lines enjoying the sunshine DONE - three loads all dry
7. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
8. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed  - DONE commented on two so far
9. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE not a winner again
10. Minimal heating on (preferably not at all) - DONE not on at all today and no plans for it to go on either
11. Find a small way to save electric - DONE charged phone this afternoon for an hour rather than all night
12. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
13. Enter 3 competitions - DONE 7 craft supplies competitions entered
14. Open High interest savings account or ISA
15. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
16. List an item on FB Marketplace  
17. Look into selling on TikTok
18. Sign up to OhMyGosh - DONE earnt £1.50 so far  

craftingmad

Later than usual today as saying bye to my daughter who is back to Uni today

If I can see anything through the tears I will attempt to cross off as much as I can from today's little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 127 points earned - enough to cash out another £5 Amazon voucher
2. Complete two orders received on Etsy ready to post off - DONE
3. Post off OH license application so we can get it back asap and claim back the £440 we had to pay to renew it! - DONE
4. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE timed out on 3 so will try later if I have the time but 6 points should be added
5. Put sons lunchbox he forgot in the fridge ready for him to take tomorrow - DONE   
6. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
7. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed - one found to comment on still looking for more
8. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE not a winner
9. Minimal heating on (preferably not at all) - DONE no heating on so far and hoping not all day - especially as our oil was due to be delivered today but has not shown up yet!!
10. Find a small way to save electric - DONE no more fairy lights on all day in daughters room (there are some small benefits to her going back)
11. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
12. Enter 3 competitions - DONE 8 competitions in total entered
13. Open High interest savings account or ISA
14. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
15. List an item on FB Marketplace  
16. Look into selling on TikTok
17. Complete a survey on OhMyDosh - DONE free offer to sign up to survey site for 50p - every little helps   
18. Try on clothes to find something which fits for my interview on Wednesday - DONE had to use a pair of new trousers (It seems I have obviosuly put a lot of weight on since I last last wore my smart trousers 20 years ago!) but on the plus side I can return the more expensive trousers I also bought and a top as I found a suitable one in my wardrobe which still fits (obviously my boobs are shrinking or they are touching my stomach now which is why my trousers no longer fit)  

~FlowerPot~

have to say Im not looking forward to uni time come september. I have 2 that moght go. One is thinking about taking a gap year to earn some money. But it will be very odd!

Good luck for the interview on wednesday x

craftingmad

~FlowerPot~ said:

have to say Im not looking forward to uni time come september. I have 2 that moght go. One is thinking about taking a gap year to earn some money. But it will be very odd!

Good luck for the interview on wednesday x

Thanks FlowerPot - I am so nervous that I woke up at 4am today. Let's hope I sleep better tonight or else gosh only knows what my answers might be!!!

Saying goodbye is still hard even though my daughter is in her 2nd year and it is soooo expensive but I am super proud of her and know she will make an excellent teacher. 
A gap year sounds like a good plan. And less money for you to have to find in one go x 

craftingmad

The sun is shining and I have been awake since 4am as just could not sleep. Think I am nervous about the interview tomorrow. I'm feeling tired already so think today is going to be a struggle!!!

Here's today's little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 502 points earned today and £5 Amazon voucher cashed out
2. Check bank account as balance is getting very low. Hoping I won't need to transfer some money from the OP Savings pot and we can limp home for the remaining days of the month - DONE still some left which is a relief so as long as we are careful then we should be ok
3. Complete a Nectar survey or two - DONE not elligable for 4 so 8 points added but think I better cross more off my list before attempting anymore today
4. Read the job description supplied for my interview tomorrow and formulate some answers to questions I think they might ask - DONE I think I am even more nervous now
5. Post in 3 FB groups promoting my business with a hope I will get some more orders as I really need some
6. Comment on In search of posts on FB in the hope I get some orders as again really needed
7. Check free postcode lottery in the hope I might have won - DONE not a winner
8. Minimal heating on (preferably not at all) - no heating on so far and no intentions to turn it on either
9. Find a small way to save electric - DONE tv and sky box turned off
10. Earn some points on swagbucks (hoping to reach daily target)
11. Enter 3 competitions - one entered when completing warranty for cooker
12. Open High interest savings account or ISA
13. Check credit file using £1.50 free offer on Quidco 
14. List an item on FB Marketplace  
15. Look into selling on TikTok
16. Complete a survey on OhMyDosh  
17. Walk to Dr's to pick up OH prescriptions (he has an excemption due to medical condition so no money will change hands) - DONE but not ready so got to go back tomorrow - good job I didn't waste any petrol going there!!
18. Email guitar teacher and give notice to pause lessons whilst son is doing GCSE's over the next two months - DONE (this will also save us £72 a month so this will be added to the OP savings pot)
19. Renew library books to save overdue charges - DONE
20. Submit claims for two more orders not received (Royal Mail are crippling me at the moment)
21. Register oven to gain warranty - DONE one year warranty now on oven  
22. NSD - nothing spent so far