Prosperous & Creative Soul Year 4

Merlin's_Beard

the "watch art get made" reels always seem very popular, so that's a good idea.

I can definitely recommend dropping a few hours - it's making a lot of difference to my life! but I'd be careful of using generative AI type models for mathematical modelling and use one specifically designed for numbers, because they work differently (hence all the asking google for a simple sum and watching the AI get it wrong)

savingholmes

Thanks Merlin

Yes I have recorded myself making some art. Not posted yet but have assembled some videos.

At hairdressers now. I've booked a make up appointment for after my next one.

Hoping to record some more videos this weekend. 

savingholmes

Dear diary and all... 

I've agreed I'll change my day off to a Friday as I think that will work much better for me and the organisation so switching next week. DS has offered me a slot to see him mid-week so taken it as he's only in the country another 7 weeks or so.

I finally have business bank accounts! I can't access them yet but notified today that finally approved.

So my focus is on developing suitable products for sale and reviewing those I've already made - and trying to cash in on the Christmas peak. I've not been taking my photos at the right resolution - so I need to re-take most of my art photos if I want to blow up the prints.

Art progress

• Completed 2 x A4 oil painting 4 hours each for my online course - should have been 2 hours each... I have a third left to do this week. Then I will finally (after 6 months) have completed week 4 of the 12 week part 1 of the course... (There are 4 parts!) However I've had a bereavement and DS's wedding abroad so cutting myself some slack.
• I took some time to read ahead in the syllabus - and I fulfil some of the later requirements with my life drawing and portrait groups so may be able to catch up a little there.
• 6 x 15 minute portraits at a portrait group where we take it in turns to be the model. I think I left my art supplies behind the other day so I need to give them a call and hopefully reclaim them (about £30-40 of drawing stuff!!). 
• 4 pictures at life drawing this week (with a paid model). 
• I still need to finish DS and his partner's portrait.

Money

• Mortgage went out at the start of the month so that's another £650ish off what I owe.
• Been to chiro this week - and reclaimed cost. Plan to go fortnightly and need to book my next appointment.
• I've been spending more on my business recently so took some money out of savings as trying to cashflow it while also putting over £1K a month into AVCs was proving stressful. I have a new printer and scanner and life is easier with it. I also have insurance and other costs starting. 
• Renewed car insurance with existing provider at a lower cost than last year by £40-50 so was happy with that.
• My insurer paid £167 of my £516 vet bill so after the £250 deposit I'd already paid I had to pay another £99.
• I've chased my expenses that I'm owed from July. I'm hoping it gets paid next week.
• One of my bank accounts is no longer giving me cashback so need to switch to a different account.
• I hope to return some items this weekend which may also help. 
• I need to reclaim my jewellery from the jewellers and decide whether or not to pay for any more work. The estimates were higher than anticipated.

savingholmes

My ISA S&S and Pension investments are happy at the moment. On one of my investments - I have had a 42% cumulative return since I moved my small SIPP a couple of years ago. My main avc is up over 10% compared to the start of the year - even though it had fallen 15% at the worst point of the year. I am however fully invested with a volatility rating of 6/7 which is not for everyone - but feels okay right now as I have defined benefit pensions. 

It's that thing of earlier in the year - head in hands - what have I done - to now I have the mistaken belief I'm a genius!! 

beanielou

Enjoy seeing your DS. 

KajiKita

Sounds like the art and the investments are both going well 😊👏

Glad the printer and scanner is making life easier. Good kit always does! 😉

Shame about the jewellery costs. Did you like what they did / the results?

KK

Watty1

Lovely catch up. All sounds so positive. Nice 

jwil

Glad things are going well

Blackcats

Sounding busy as ever.
Does your employer have a career break policy?  If you saved up a couple of months worth of your running costs you could take some time off to focus on the business uninterrupted.  Just a thought to let you build up your offering.

Merlin's_Beard

Sounds very full on! Enjoy the time with DS while he's still within reach, and the art sounds like it's going well