Back on the straight and narrow...and a new challenge!

mizmir

Hi all :hello:

I haven't posted on here for months but have dropped in occasionally. Things have been ticking over with the DFW quest but not as fast as I had hoped. Debt when I signed up was over £28K - now it is down to £18K but it has taken 18 months to get there (haven't been as MSE as I should have )

So I have decided to come back and get stuck in again - you guys are very good motivators and I need some challenges!

I have a definite goal this time. I really want to give up my current job and set up my own business. My partner is very supportive which is great. Have been working on the qualifications for what I want to do and have got the first and am nearly there with the second (should be September). I know there is work out there (am currently doing it part time) but - though I will enjoy it a lot more - there is no way I will be able to replace my current salary. So.... before I can follow my dream I have to be debt free, pay for some fairly urgent work on the house (bathroom, roof etc) AND save a "cushion fund" to tide me over while I get going. Total needed: £50K ! :eek:

I would really like to start my new work full-time in 2 years - so for easy sums let's make that 25 months - £2K a month needed! Is this possible????

Well - the good news is that from June we have a big income boost so should be able to set aside £1K from salary. So I need to make/save another £1K a month.
Plans:

• Back to basics - spending diary, OSB - I am sure there are still savings to be made
• Increase my part-time work - will also help to build the business - aiming for £500 a month
• Get back into eBay, matched betting (just found £180 gathering dust in my Betfair account - it's a start!)
• Look at some of the current challenges for more ideas.

Anyway it's good to be back. Would welcome ideas (or anyone wanting to join me on what might be an impossible challenge!)

taxi73

Welcome back you....so nice to see you..that sounds like a good plan.I'll keep with you on the challenge...if that's ok..I see you've also made it onto the pay 20k by christmas challenge....nice to hear what you've been up to..take care xx

hypno06

Yay, Mizmir!! Welcome back!!

I often wondered where you were and how you were doing.

x

mizmir

Thanks guys. Got side tracked with work and let things slip a bit but that's going to change from now on. Feeling motivated again

hypno06

Perhaps you can motivate me to get back into Matched betting - I need desperately to get into it again - there are Soooo many bookies just waiting to make my acquaintance......:cool:

Motivation-a-go-go!!

mizmir

Right - let's do it!
Step 1 - dig out that matcher spreadsheet and remember who we have already worked with.
Step 2 - log into all those accounts and see if there is any lost money waiting
Step 3 - Get over to the Matched Betting board for tips and to remind ourselves how it all works
Step 4 - Choose an offer and go for it!

Let's keep comparing notes!

Gemmzie

Sounds like a good challenge, nice to see you back

hypno06

Sounds good to me.......

I will dig out my notebook tomorrow and report back (brain too mushy after travelling to do it today).

I am "between jobs" this month, so need to get some extra money in to make up for not being paid at the end of April.......MBing could hold the key!!

mizmir

Go for it. I will try to do the same ready to go for next weekend.

mizmir

Well I have done a thorough review of our situation and the bad news is that where I thought we owed about £18K we actually owe £19062.47 . Shows what happens when you take your eye off the ball. :mad:

BUT the good news is that when I checked our bank statement and pay slips I found some lovely surprises. First my OH has had a tax adjustment of £451.59 because her code has been too low for a year. Second I have had an unexpected royalty payment. No - am not a closet novelist - its for a text book I was involved in years ago - payments tend to be pretty low these days so I had forgotten it was coming. But this time it was.........







wait for it........










£1185.30!!! :j:j Nearly fell off my chair!

Plus OH has done O/T for £78 and I have £4.80 from Quidco.

So, with my £180 found in my Betfair account + my minimum payments set aside, this gives me a grand total for my challenge so far of: £2209.55!

Am so happy. Have thrown a chunk at the overdraft to get us out of the danger zone and paid off one card in full. What a great start. :jI know it won't be anything like this easy as I go on but it is nice boost to get me going.

taxi73

Well done..that's a great start!!!