Just thought I would write a quick update on here. It’s one of those therapeutic things, better to write things down to get things out of your mind.
We are temporarily staying with family. For independent self employed people this is very hard. We are grateful to have a place to stay while we look for our next place to live but it’s very difficult going from having all of your own space to being in someone else’s. At least it’s only a temporary setup until we find the perfect apartment.
I’ve been working a lot on our business of late. Promoting it on Twitter, Facebook & various other platforms. It has been going for a few years now and while it makes us some good money things could always be better. I’ve decided to dedicate a few months to growing the Kool badges business & if I cant double the pageviews in that time I think I will look at doing some part time work. I have a well stocked CV so I might be able to get something interesting. It’s not that we aren’t earning money but we could always do with a little more when saving for a house deposit.
I’m also going to start my tech writing again. It’s a skill I had perfected & I used to relish testing & writing about new software & hardware. I need a creative outlet so I’ll be adding much more tech related articles here on the blog.
So if you have a minute go checkout our Business, Koolbadges. If you want to link to us that would be much appreciated.
Hey John
What’s the latest with the downsizing?
Interesting to read your mission from a UK point of view (seems a lot of US folks do it down to the point they can count how many items they own) but yours seems more realistic.
We are currently a couple from two finished previous relationships (aka marriages!) and have brought a lot of stuff together but also, prior to, got rid of a lot or left behind.
(I tweeted you about your Pi & Keyboard last week – we don’t watch live TV – just Kodi and 32″ telly my folks gave us – already one step to downsizing.)
Currently we are living in a 4 bedroom house that I’m putting back on the market as we speak and started this week to ebay stuff again – your blog spurned me on. Plans are to rent in the future and have less crap as possible around us.
Take care!
Leigh.
Hi Leigh.
I’ve been meaning to carry on with the Downsizing posts but been so busy. Thanks so much for getting in touch. For the past 10 months we have been living in a one bedroom/shared living room/kitchen setup. The idea to clear off all of our debts so we can move on without any worries. We have done that and are now looking at getting our own place. Probably a small cottage somewhere picturesque. It’s well worth doing. I sold the Merc and drive a 10 year old Fiat Panda. I have a £7.50 a month PAYG iPhone 4 and next to no outgoings. It feels amazing. I’ll do an update post ASAP to try and fill everyone in. Oh and I’m to the point where I have one pair of trainers & one pair of shoes. When they wear out I replace them but not before. It’s a great way to live once you get started.
John: Seems things going in the right direction for you – managing and clearing debts is good.
It also is the best cure for insomnia – I speak from experience where I was lying awake with debt amounts spinning in my head.
Got professional help with them all now and hopeful impending house sale will clear them all as well as pay off my (eventual) divorced ex.
If the house sale takes ages, I’m predicted to be debt free in three years. I hope sooner.
I’ve an old X-reg Renault Scenic – the oldest car on the car park at school (I’m a science tech) and it’s a 1.4 so cheap to fuel, insure and tax. My mechanic keeps it going for me (he likes the simplicity of it compared to modern motors) and I budget about 250 a year for the MOT and basic service.
Clothes – like you I got rid and weighed a load in at ‘cash for clothes’ – things that I disliked or no longer fitted earned me £22. I have walking boots that are 10 years old and I don’t do brand names unless they are slashed by up to 80%.
Media: I own 600 CDs from DJing that live in a case. They are ‘cash’ if needed. I do have enough saved though to not have to trade them. DVDs I gave my son a load. The rest were given away. All films, etc, now are on a 2Tb brick inside the Kodi PC.
The biggest ‘wrench’ and I know it’s coming is getting rid of my techy stuff – I’m a radio ham so naturally can declare everything is useful. But in reality, I need a couple of radio sets to accomplish everything I want to do.
I’ll check in from time to time – keep at it! Leigh….