I Spent !

No money - but nearly an hour at the library, and enjoyed it. This was Day 2 Saturday 25th, came home with James Patterson and Dan Brown :) Spent a purely selfish afternoon in the garden reading, amazing what a little escapism does for you.

Day 3 - Sunday 26th, this is a Bank Holiday Weekend so loads of stuff going on locally. We opted for a carboot sale (I spent 0.00 ) and the afternoon on the beach. I did pay £2.00 for carparking though.

Day 4 - Monday 27th, kids had plans - out with their friends, hubby at work, what are bank holidays for ? Sitting in the garden reading ! Finished James Patterson - Cradle and All (please don't bother, lot of effort for a bad book !) However ran out of dog food and milk so I spent cash, under a fiver, but this weeks target of a total ban on spending has gone out of the window. I'm not cross I just want to be able to do it.

Day 5 - today Tuesday 28th - should be a no spend day.

To Be Continued...

The Joy of ...

not spending. My small dilemma over what to read in the garden (to be honest the books I have planned aren't appealing) this afternoon and how not to spend a penny was running through my mind whilst walking the dog.

Came home and decided I'll visit the library. I used to be a library addict years ago, four books a week no problem, dug out card that hasn't been used for at least 3 years and decided that sounds like the perfect Saturday morning treat.

Isn't life simple when you want it to be ?

Can't spend a penny !

I've set myself a challenge, no spending from 24th of August until 30th. Why? because it's over 2 weeks til payday, all creditors have at least minimum balances, have food and petrol, but only £80 left. I 've attempted and dropped out of so many challenges on MSE -DFW that I want to prove to myself I can do something. Plus it will be a babystep.

Day 1 - Friday 24th - resisted 30p paperback in charity shop, have at least 2 books to read at home. If said book is available on Thursday 30th I will buy.

Today I will tidy this house up, catch up with the ironing then treat myself to an afternoon in the garden with book, followed by Chicken Fahjitas and X-Factor. Kids will be happy playing with their mates.

History

I've just read my blog and I'm dissapointed with myself. Since March I've been declaring I'm going to stop that, do this, change the way I do that. And it's all poop ! I've achieved none of it in the last three months. Nothing is going change unless I make the effort. Mohammed and mountain and all that.

Getting my head together today, set some realistic goals and get with it.

Hysteria sets in.

Friday - Boiler pilot light goes out, husband fixes it.
Sunday - Microwave dies, thankfully still in warranty, gets sent away for repair/replace or refund . Respect to Amazon customer services :)
Tuesday - Fridge dies, freezer ok. Six weeks out of warranty. Only had damn thing since May 2006, second time it failed in nine months. Husband deals with it, but 48 hours no fridge is pants. Just glad for once - that it's not 70 degrees + in July.

House is a total tip. Today is day off work - obviously not day off for attempted domestic goddess impersonation. To top it all I've seen a spider in the utility room that is wearing wellie boots, looks like he needed a shave too.

Wish me luck.

Good to be back..

earning a wage and working hard for it. Mean that. After 3 years of 'self employment' and 100 wishful dreams I have to be somewhere to do something 4 days a week. It maybe slightly monotonous and manual too, but I'd rather this than 9 - 5 Monday - Friday surrounded by computers, phones and office politics ! My days off are now precious and I'm getting myself into a routine.

On the financial side I'm getting there, things are treading water until Iget my first wage packet, now that's something I've missed.

So a positive start to July.

No Businesswoman - sorry Mr Sugar

In the aftermath of my financial panic something kicked in. Realisation that I'm not cut out for the business world. I know nothing about marketing and advertising. I'm fickle, don't have a plan or stategy for selling. So it's sunk.

I gave it three years, reflecting on it - towards the end of the first year I made a big mistake, I was selling well and was very busy, I had my eye on a competitor and when I think about it I was 3 months ahead in my products. (Sold body jewellery via ebay and QXL) I had the chance to take it up a notch and extend the range, decided not to because of my knowledge in the area and guess what - the competitor did exactly that 2 months later. That was the beginning of my problems. Can see it clearly now.

So I changed my product lines , continued with jewellery, but became more mainstream, earrings, necklaces etc, even making some. All was well for a while. Then it seems the goal posts moved on ebay with less visibility and fee increases, I was just falling into financial difficulties and things were touching desperate, I think that reflected in my approach to selling.

I called it a day in late October 2006. Took a month off, and then completely changed my market to music and media. Christmas was good, had dreams (always been dreams) of a market stall, but my April I was struggling again. Hundreds of competitors, and a fading product.

Here I am late June, admitted I can't do this. Too risky. I'd rather work as a kitchen porter with a steady wage than continue this risky business, never knowing how much I'm going to earn each month. Literally living off tax credits during the bad times. I want more security than that.

I got myself a nice housekeeping job yesterday, 4 days a week with a decent wage so I can get back to a level playing field. I will continue selling in the background, but I'm pleased I have done this.

I have the utmost admiration for true business orientated people, I honestly don't think it's something I can learn, because I certainly wasn't born with business acumen.

I won't be applying for the Apprentice any time soon.

Same Sh*t - Different Day

In the last three weeks nothing changed with my lifestyle, everything small thing that amounted to spending fell in my lap. As a result I spent close to £400 on the car, used credit cards, lost all budgeting for food skills and basically fell flat on my face. I wasted two days this week in a state of panic, a sweaty, no sleep, stomach churning, shaky panic. I never want to feel that way again. Was making myself ill.

An epiphany ? Perhaps, but if it was then I'd know. Get head back where it should be, everything back in focus, positive mental attitude. Get back on the wagon. Need to adjust my figures on what's the cost and avoid all silly spending.

Today

1. Become a domestic goddess today and make this house the palace it should be.
2. Start all pay per clicks, lottos and comps again.

I want to make some headway.

In a tunnel

That's how it feels, but there is no light. I'm just chugging along, waiting to see the way out. What am I on about ? Every day I declare to myself that I am going to change. Stop smoking stop drinking, get on with stuff. Be positive, make small adjustments on the way to making bigger things happen.

Well nothing ever gets done and I just carry on doing the same silly things. Particularly over spending.

After seven weeks I've achieved nothing that was in my original post, so let's try again. My inspiration comes from the MSE DFW forum. The '101 days to change our lives' challenge .

Giving myself 101 days from today to do something. 101 days away is August 23rd.

1. Stop smoking
2. Avoid wheat and yeast - psoriasis - so that means stop drinking.
3. Make a big whole in debts, exact figures to be confirmed.

That's food for thought.

Smober and Sober

Very pleased and positive about the the last two days, although I have one confession, which has lead me to a decision. I have a mountain of energy, amazed at the difference, or am I just behaving like this because I've read/been told energy levels would be good ? Anyway I have a spotless car, the house is feeling the benefit and so is my sleep.

My one confession involves alcohol - again, last night I picked up a cigarette of DH and lit it for him, yes I'd had two lagers.
I've said earlier in my blog Idrink too much and I can't trust myself with the combination of alcohol and nicotine, so from today I'm going sober aswell as smober.