Credit card free in 3.9 years

[The Real Cinderella]

We took our 18 month old to WDW for the second time in May this year for two weeks and stayed at ASMus and had the most AMAZING holiday. To be really honest, at the time we shouldn't have booked it, we whacked the whole thing on the credit cards rather foolishly and irresponsibly just because we wanted it.

Anyway, since coming home I'm desperate to get rid of our debt so we can start to save for another trip to the world. But this time it would be more expensive- a 6/7 year old and a 4/5 year old as well as two adults.

At the moment I worked out with what we can afford to pay back just now it's going to take us at least 3.9 years just to clear our debt before we can even start saving up.

I wanted to ask you lovely lovely Dis'ers what you would recommend we try to raise some cash- absolutely ANY suggestions are welcome!! p.s I've just sold the Wii and all it's games on ebay along with a whole pile of other "luxuries"

We are on a very low wage- think below £20k and I'm a SAHM to what will be 2 children by Feb 2011.

 

[Lowen37]

How about car boots that sort of thing you can sell anything at them doesnt have to be luxuries!!!

 

[Pegasus928]

Do you have a skill that you could utilise and do at home?
I have read all sorts of reports about people that have made some good money from the most simple of things. As an example my DD watched a video on youtube that showed her how to make cup cake bouquets. For a very small outlay she was able to make a really impressive one for her Grandma, and as a result she started gettting a few orders from the family for them to give as presents.
She made some nice money for an 11 year old without even trying (£10 for each one meant £6-7 profit each time) - so I would suspect if someone was to dedicate some time to it it may prove profitable
If you click HERE you will see some of the ones she has done

 

[scojos]

hey kenny those are really cool, bless her, tell her the queen of cakes is impressed

 

[2Tiggies]

I love Kenny's idea! When I was in my 20s I offered to make a novelty birthday cake for one of my sister's co-workers. Several people at the party asked if I would do orders for them. Within two years I couldn't cope with all the orders. I still had my full time job and wrapped it up when I decided to study again as full time job and full time student was already as much as I could handle, and then some. But the point is, not necessarily cakes, but if you look a little deeper, there are sure to be things you do every day that you dont give a second thought to .... that could earn you a little extra cash. And when you need some encouragement, post a thread and all the UK DISers will be on there to give you a boost.

Have you also looked into a balance transfer to a no fee card for x number of months? By not paying interest for a certain amount of time you could put all the extra cash you would have used towards the (rather high) interest portion of the payment as payment towards the actual debt.

The Money Saving Expert has a lot of really practical advice and you can sign up for emails for breaking news in offers in all kids of savings.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/

When you are paying anything off over a term, every little you can use to knock the debt will shave time of the payment term.

 

[The Real Cinderella]

Well so far all our credit card debts are sitting on various cards which are all on 0% interest so that's a good thing.

I have a music degree, as does oh. I play flute, and him clarinet.... we've had posters up in local music shops, the car, house windows and even flyer dropped and never seem to get anywhere with any clients.

 

[The Real Cinderella]

Pegasus- your daughter's cakes look amazing, she has done very well!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Well so far all our credit card debts are sitting on various cards which are all on 0% interest so that's a good thing.

I have a music degree, as does oh. I play flute, and him clarinet.... we've had posters up in local music shops, the car, house windows and even flyer dropped and never seem to get anywhere with any clients.

Have you enquired about dropping your fliers at schools?

 

[joolz1910]

Well so far all our credit card debts are sitting on various cards which are all on 0% interest so that's a good thing.

I have a music degree, as does oh. I play flute, and him clarinet.... we've had posters up in local music shops, the car, house windows and even flyer dropped and never seem to get anywhere with any clients.

Have you advertised in the local press? Community centres? Supermarket noticeboard? A CRB check also helps.

I also buy and sell on Ebay.
Car boots.
We save £2 coins in a sealed box.
Use Tesco Clubcard deals to pay for holidays in the UK.
Good luck!

 

[tinks_1989]

WOW Kenny I would of hired your daughter to make my wedding cake and given her all the money bless her they are amazing

 

[2Tiggies]

WOW Kenny I would of hired your daughter to make my wedding cake and given her all the money bless her they are amazing

They're gorgeous aren't they?! How long has she been doing them? They look so professional.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Is there no way you could get a little job in a shop for a couple of evenings a week or one day at the weekend when your partner isn't working, and that could all be just for your holiday fund?

Or how about registering as a child minder if you are a SAHM?

Apart from that just the obvious stuff - car boots, ebay, delivering leaflets.

 

[Pegasus928]

hey kenny those are really cool, bless her, tell her the queen of cakes is impressed

Pegasus- your daughter's cakes look amazing, she has done very well!!!

WOW Kenny I would of hired your daughter to make my wedding cake and given her all the money bless her they are amazing

They're gorgeous aren't they?! How long has she been doing them? They look so professional.

Thanks guys

She started doing them - with a lot of help from her Mum - just over a year ago. Since then they have worked on different colourings and enjoy experimenting with different designs and effects.
She doesn't do them all the time - just when someone asks or if she needs a unique gift for friends or family.

 

[dixonsontour]

Love the cupcake bouquets - never seen those before!

I'd look at working in some capacity.

My first thought would have been evening work (assuming DP works days) or childminding.

But if you are musical have you ever thought about running a toddler music group - you could have your children with you at work then.

I know you can buy franchises like kindermusic/ jo jingles but I guess they would be expensive.

I used to take DD to a non franchise one run by a lady at a church hall. She used to run a couple a week and also go into the local nurseries. She also did 30 mins at DD's party for £40.

 

[stba2006]

Well so far all our credit card debts are sitting on various cards which are all on 0% interest so that's a good thing.

I have a music degree, as does oh. I play flute, and him clarinet.... we've had posters up in local music shops, the car, house windows and even flyer dropped and never seem to get anywhere with any clients.

Have you thought about playing for weddings?
I also play flute and sing, and my friend had a wedding at a local Hotel a couple of weeks ago. She asked me to play, and so the person from the hotel asked if she could take my number if any-one else was interested in me doing the same.

You could drop in to local hotels that also do wedding's and leave your details with them or maybe drop off a tape.

I'm sure you could do some fantastic pieces with clarinet and flute for weddings.

You would make a pretty penny if you could get a few bookings
xx

 

[Lizzybear]

Cakes can definitely be lucrative... A friend of mine makes them and she's totally booked up with orders til Christmas (works full-time and is a mum of 2 aswell) She's still learning sugarcraft and therefore undercuts the professional bakeries/cake makers in the area, I know she uses facebook to promote a lot too
I sell everything that isn't nailed down on eBay and also sew and have sold my creations (mostly babies/kids clothing) in the past but stopped for a while... Planning to start again in time for Christmas

 

[VailaTigger]

I needed some extra income when I got divorced 3 years ago and moved into my own flat...

I work full time already, so I tried Avon to get some extra pennies, but only ever made about £15 a month.

I then got a second job (on top of the full time one) working in Ikea for 12 hours a week (in 3 small 4 hour shifts, evenings or Saturday mornings). Made about £200 a month. It's not an easy solution having two jobs, you get very tired, and don't get much "down" time, but when needs must... it worked for me.

Hope you come up with a solution soon!

 

[Sapper383]

I know how you feel, we don't have loads of money, but once I sat down and worked out our money and then cut out all the items were buying.....but didn't realy need!!! It worked out we could save enough to go to Disney next September

I'm a regular ebay seller and buyer.....all the kids clothes are sold on ebay and the money adds up.

I've also got into making the odd cake for family and friends

Playing music at weddings is a great idea and getting leaflets around the local schools

good luck

 

[Cyrano]

Anyway, since coming home I'm desperate to get rid of our debt so we can start to save for another trip to the world. But this time it would be more expensive- a 6/7 year old and a 4/5 year old as well as two adults.

At the moment I worked out with what we can afford to pay back just now it's going to take us at least 3.9 years just to clear our debt before we can even start saving up. .

Good luck with your quest. It will be worth it to clear the debt and then have the reward of a Disney trip

 

[Netty]

Well so far all our credit card debts are sitting on various cards which are all on 0% interest so that's a good thing.

I have a music degree, as does oh. I play flute, and him clarinet.... we've had posters up in local music shops, the car, house windows and even flyer dropped and never seem to get anywhere with any clients.

what about advertising in local colleges as well
see how much the local paper charges to put an advert in
good luck and well done for tackling the debt
off to look at the cupcake bouquet now!!!