Prosperous & Creative Soul Year 4

Merlin's_Beard

Lots of lovely things to look forward to and sounds like your sis is the perfect impetus to start decluttering!

doingitanyway

Yes, I agree with previous posters. You are doing well. Some exciting things are coming up. I find having nice things/different things to look forward to is the so important in regulating mood 

mark55man

Hope things are going well for you SH

savingholmes

Thanks Merlin, DIA, Mark, KK and Jwil

I feel like life is on fast forward currently and I'm not keeping up in any area of life!! Sis coming was full on - although I don't feel enough left my house. To celebrate though - 2 car loads of surplus stuff went to the tip or the charity / reuse shops so progress was made. The garage has room in it which was handy - as DD's ex dumped a load of stuff there pending me taking it to her in September and I had plenty of room for it.

I've been over-spending - mainly on clothes and prep for Florida. I've returned over £300 worth - and have another £300 plus to go. In my defence those brands don't necessarily have my size instore so you are forced to order online. I have got a couple of dresses altered which I need to pick up at the weekend. Bought new bras and knickers yesterday from MnS and anti-chafe shorts to go alongside my Sn*g ones. Thank God I shouldn't have accommodation costs and at least some of my meals should be covered. I've confirmed we will be able to use the pool at the parent's house - and it looks amazing.

Thankfully my AVCs and S&S ISA seem to have stabilised. I need to improve my finances and generate new income so I have more freedom over how I spend my time.

savingholmes

I've taken today off to kind of catch up with myself - as even last weekend was taken up by a visit to wider family. I've applied for a business bank account with NatW as I get 2 year's free banking. My B application never completed so given up on them. I've checked that I'm registered properlly with the tax people - and they are sending me a code so I can set up my online account. I've re-watched a video recorded back in March/April and think it is pretty much ready to go so that feels good. I think I need to launch to make myself carry on and start the process of getting feedback. I need to develop a more consistent approach to my business - and my flow was understandably disrupted by recent family events - so I now need to get back on track.

I am hoping to use Ai to minimise my personal effort but there is still so much to learn and do. I need to set myself a proper launch budget and see that as investment in myself which hopefully will return more dividends that investments in S&S. Currently awaiting an insurance quote. I'm likely to end up paying AI costs linked to video / content creation and a 365 software version for business. I already pay for some graphics software. Hopefully once I get my business account properly set up - I can get discounts etc and track expenses easier and hopefully some income. I need to look back at my website too - and see if I can get something live - even if it is initially a holding page. I also want to develop some lead magnets.

I think my initial focus will be on the money / financial freedom aspect of my channel - and then add in art related merchandising at a later date. Once I have my business bank account I want to set up licencing of some of my art and see if that starts bringing in money. I'm particularly interested in portrait art - so there may be an option to offer commission sales linked to that too. I also love abstract art - so hope that could be another avenue - perhaps starting with art cards. Ideally I'd rather sub-licence my work initially - so that I have no postage and packing to do. I accept I will potentially earn less per item but the most important thing right now is to launch.

doingitanyway

Id probably overspend if I was on my way to Florida to a house with a pool. Doesn't happen every day...
All the business talk isn exciting.
Was it easy to apply for a business account or are there lots of hoops to jump through?

TallGirl

Sounds really exciting glad the business is still moving forward and at a comfortable pace for you.Florida will be an amazing experience I would not worry too much about costs it is a one off for most people. 

savingholmes

Thanks TG and DIA.

DIA on the bank application they came back today with a load of questions which are difficult to answer pre-launch. It's supposed to be a new business set up bank account but they want certainty over income and expenses that isn't possible at this stage. They also want docs that don't exist for a pre-launch digital, home run business. I am also struggling to get insurance which is also frustrating. I was due a call back Thursday that still hasn't come to get a quote... When I looked at insurance previously, they want information and evidence that again can't be provided pre-launch. Makes you wonder how anyone ever launches....

At least it's the weekend. I'm potentially working Monday which I usually... As a minimum I'm committed to two meetings - but it might let me finish sooner next Thursday so it's a trade off. I have next Friday off anyway for last minute prep. Due to stay at a family member's and then get a train for a short distance and then fly over the weekend with DS and his partner.

I need to return about £350 of stuff to Am and RO. Of course I decluttered all the boxes I had recently and one of the items needs a box. I'll see if I have any in the garage. The Am suff has a deadline of Monday. Tomorrow I need to pick up my altered clothes by noon. So much on the to do list. I also need to find my BP machine so I can submit my reading and get more HRT. I also had to weigh myself and was pleasantly surprised to find I'd lost 4-5 pounds (eating more salad among other things). 

I had a nice time at life drawing this week. One of my favourite models was back and I chatted to the other artists. I want to finish an artwork pre-Florida which might then become a gift - no pressure!!! That's my top ask of myself this weekend. If I achieve it I'd be chuffed. Ideally I'd then create some professional prints that I could give parents / step-parents while in Florida. I've not told them that's what I'm attempting so I can give myself more time if needed - but it is a good way to practice my skills and could open the doorway to art commissions later. It's also in line with the course I'm supposed to be doing that I'm behind on. I'm going to write to them and request an extension.

When I come back from my holiday I'll need to recommit to a workable spending plan, taking account of a leaving party/parties for DS pre-emigration. Unfortunately Sept/Oct is car insurance and MOT and car servicing time... One of the approvers for £125 expense claim is off and it seems to have gone into a blackhole so currently chasing that up too. I have to pay that CC off before I'll have the expenses. Thankfully I'm also due some backpay in September. I've also committed to a five month recurring payment of £50 a month. It all adds up.

I've been paid which is always nice. So another £1020 has gone into AVCs which is good - as my savings vs credit card spend ratio is getting pretty dire. It's still the right way round thankfully. A relative has offered to come and do some electrical work next week - so I may have some outside lights and some non-crackling sockets!! There are 2 sockets in the front room I've stopped using... 

jwil

Loads of stuff going on.  Florida sounds like it will be amazing.  Well done on the decluttering and weight loss!

beanielou

jwil said:

Loads of stuff going on.  Florida sounds like it will be amazing.  Well done on the decluttering and weight loss!

Just this. Enjoy Florida.