We are just back from our holiday in Norfolk, where we had another lovely week on the coast. It is such a peaceful place and we needed the break. So I thought we could have a little catch up and let you know how I have been saving and making money this week.
Cheaper laundry
When you go on holiday, but you are self-employed and a one woman business, no one does any of the work in your absence! This is one of the very few downsides. Generally, as you know, I love working for myself, doing bits and bobs to bring in money rather than having to deal with the grind of the nine to five.
So there has been the usual rush to catch up with myself. I have been doing laundry, but the weather has been rather damp and grey, so it is all drying on airers in the spare room. I did manage to get some on the line in the autumn sunshine today though.
We don’t own a tumble dryer, and I’m not putting the dehumidifier on at this point of the year either. Hopefully it will dry reasonably quickly as I have another load to go on.
Talking of laundry, I use a 30 degree wash and choose the quick wash programme. I can see from watching our smart meter that using a longer, hotter programme costs quite a lot! It’s all about saving energy right now. (Incidentally, I wrote a post on eco-friendly ways to do laundry here.)
Saving money on holiday
On holiday, we saved money by cooking for ourselves almost all of the time. We had fish and chips a couple of times, plus a few coffees out, as we were on holiday after all. But other than that, I did a Lidl shop before we went and took most of what we needed, then topped up at the local farm shop.
We made quick and easy meals and had some nice bottles of wine too. After all, if you can afford a holiday, you need a few treats whilst you are there! You can see some of our trip on my YouTube channel here.
I loved the quiet of our coastal retreat, and it was a shock to get back to the bustle. It made me realise if I needed to that I need a peaceful existence. Lots of cars and people make me stressed out!
New inspiration
I found a lovely channel whilst we were away, Bealtaine Cottage. Collette O’Neill is a writer, gardener and environmentalist who lives in a perfect dream cottage in Ireland. She has made the most beautiful home and garden along permaculture principles. It is the kind of place I always thought I would like to live, but in reality it is probably a little remote for me. I love her attitude, creativity and simple way of living.
Collette, like me, has put various side hustles together instead of going out to work at ‘A Job’. Do check out her channel if you want a relaxing watch. Not to mention some inspiration for saving and making money.
Being a self-employed Jill of All Trades is busy and you need to be organised to keep on top of it all, but you have a lot of flexibility too. Having said that, I am feeling a bit stressed today thinking of catching up, getting ahead and also packing up the house! Just breathe….
Packing and organising
I have been rationalising the eBay clothing boxes in my office, as some of them were quite empty. As a result, I was able to fill some of the empty ones with my fragile vintage collectibles. They were on a bookshelf, but obviously need packing up carefully. It’s going to be fun moving them whilst still keeping them accessible in case I sell anything.
Things seem to be moving on now with the house move. We had some solicitor enquiries whilst on holiday, which we were luckily able to answer, but they needed some documents that we couldn’t take in until we got back.
We have to clear the garden, including what we consider a wildlife area but what our buyers described as ‘rubbish’ down the end. I feel bad moving it, but hey ho. It’s all about perception, and it seems that one person’s wildlife area is another’s pile of trash.
Making money
Selling online is one of the ways I make money – mostly on eBay. However, I have considered adding a shop to my blog, as Vivi has from What Vivi Did Next. This is just the germ of an idea and not something I am planning to start right now. However, once we have moved and are settled I will give it some consideration. I might even stock new eco friendly products if I can source them, like soap, etc. Let me know what you would like to see in there if I did start an online Shoestring Cottage shop!
In the meantime, because I have been so busy with the house, I have barely listed anything new online for months or even sourced new stock. Things are ticking over, which will have to do for now.
Another way I make some money is by freelance and blog writing. I am just about keeping up with my freelance stuff. However, I must apologise about my blog is slipping behind a bit. I have been neglecting you! From now on I will attempt at least one post each week, but the move might mean I disappear for a few weeks, so please be patient.
Clearing the freezer
My daughter has been here cat sitting while we were on holiday, and has been very thrifty in eating her way through random bits of food in the freezer rather than buying more. This is perfect as it means we can continue to whittle down the freezer contents and defrost them both ready for the move. If we have some food left it will go in Mr Shoestring’s mum’s freezer for a few days.
I am packing up the food in our store cupboard and not using that up. In these uncertain times, I prefer to have a good food supply, as I explained here.
Anyway, this is how I have been saving and making money since we returned from Norfolk. Hopefully, I will get back into some kind of routine without stressing out too much!
Don’t forget that you can also find me on YouTube and Instagram, as well as joining the chat in my Facebook group, My Second Hand & Frugal Life.
Until next time! Have a great week.
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