That was my thought today as I was driving to finalise my timeshare closing.
Sales is wonderful BUT there are times when the thought of a stable salary is sooooooo tempting. I work on commission only, which has great tax advantages but in the slower months it can be a real challenge.

Seems in the past it didn't bug me so much because I wasn't so focused on paying off debt. Now I can only imagine what it would be like to get a definite amount each month and be able to budget with a known income.

Oh well… the joys of being in sales.

Goals for tommorrow:
1. Close 4 deals and send out invoices - only closed one!
2. Follow up on 3 calls done last week - spoke to one client and left messages for the other 2.
3. Price things for Garage sale - not done
4. Finish skirt for daughter - done
5. Follow up on Timeshare payment - done
6. Make 5 new appointments for next week - made 2
7. General office filing - some done

Timeshare documents finalized and now waiting for payment *sigh*

Yesterday I was really feeling down and demotivated - suppose that is part of the path to recovery. Have 2 more days to go and then I have 200 days of no gambling - whoopee

Had a call from a debt collector last week, if I don't pay them by the 31 August they will sue. This is the first time this has ever happened to me and I felt terrible. I was so embarrassed. Have put that debt at the top of my list of things to pay this month and then it will be gone. It is the balance of the timeshare dues... $244

Have to go and finalise the documents for the timeshare sale tomorrow at 9am and collect payment - yippee!!!!

Managed to sell a few clothes that I no longer wear - another $30 towards debt.

Have finally sorted out all the stuff for the garage sale now all I need to do is price it.

Got an order yesterday - small but a nice contribution to my sales target.

DD went to play with a friend today and I was helping her choose something to wear when I realised (I mean really realised) that she is down to only a few outfits because she has grown so much. I have got to, got to, got to make her some more clothes but somehow I just never seem to catch up with her growth spurts.

Spring has almost arrived thank goodness - I hate winter even though our winters here are mild compared to the US.

Oh BTW I forgot to mention that DD was riding her bike around the pool on Thursday and fell into the pool, bike and all. The water is freezing and she got such a fright but managed to see the funny side of it. I laughed so much I was crying - her bike was abandoned in the deepend and she just stood looking overwhelmed.

We no longer have a net over the pool because DD can now swim - the kids here in SA learn to swim early because of our climate and so many homes have pools. I think that if the net had been on, she would have hurt herself quite badly but either way she helped me fish the bike out of the pool with a huge smile on her face. Last night she told me she would have a story to tell her teacher when she starts school again.

Oh well back to work...

This weekend was extremely stressful - I am not enjoying knowing that I have so many debts as a result of so much stupidity. Jeez if only I knew what I know now 5 years ago.

This debt freedom journey is going to take ages and right now I am really frustrated - the timeshare money still hasn't hit my account, I haven't been paid yet and I have $10 left in my purse.

My aunt treated DD and I to brunch on Sunday and must have seen how stressed I was - she gave me $75. I called her today and told her that I would only use it if I really needed to. She replied, "Well that is up to you" - what does she mean by that. Maybe I need to accept it as a gift and not be so stubborn. I don't know.

Weekend Activities Completed:
1. Finished DB's comforter cover & pillow cases
2. Baked a Birthday cake for DB and took it to him with DD as a surprise
3. No Spend Day on Saturday
4. Finished a skirt for DD
5. Tidied my sewing room
6. Cut out and started a second skirt for DD
7. Took sewing machine to Bernina so that they could sell if for me.

Today, I had so much work to get through and didn't even finish it all - I have had a headache all day and I think it may be because of the pressure...

Goals for tommorrow:
1. Close 4 deals and send out invoices
2. Follow up on 3 calls done last week
3. Price things for Garage sale
4. Finish skirt for daughter
5. Follow up on Timeshare payment
6. Make 5 new appointments for next week
7. General office filing

I just pray that I am going to make my sales target this month - I really need to earn bonus!

Okay I am off to bed now

I am shocked - I have just added up all the little but necessary expenses we have had since I started this journel (which is one of the reasons I started tracking) and we spent...

$200 exactly

Wow, I thought I hadn't spent much - just goes to show.

I would never have thought it would add up so quickly - now I understand the value and impact of no spend days.

Goal tomorrow: NO SPEND DAY!

(you know the song) well that is me tonight.

Have a great sales lead and have managed to get specialist support from the USA to assist with the sale. Just gotta blow my competitors out of the water - goodbye and goodluck this deal is gonna be mine!!!

Now all I need is some money - I hate mid-month, we get paid monthly and I have about $20 (miscalculated last time I checked) left until I get paid or the timeshare gets paid. Think it will be easier next month - this is only the 4th week that I have been on a budget and really focusing on getting rid of debt - actually think I paid too much toward debt and didn't leave enough for daily expenses.

Oh well, also the first month without credit cards - a challenge in itself.

It is my brother's birthday today - no money for a gift but we are taking him a homemade birthday cake and I will make a new duvet cover and pillow cases tomorrow.

One thing about having no money is that you get really creative with what you have - that part is fun.

Looking forward to the weekend, tomorrow I promised DD that we would turn our kitchen into a bakery and stock up the deepfreeze i.e. muffins, waffles, cup cakes, crunchies, choc chip cookies. At least that way we have snacks taken care of.

I still need to get stuff sorted out for my Garage sale - I need to time it so that everyone has just been paid. Think DD can get involved too and sell some of her toys that are no longer played with.

Oh I MANAGED A NO SPEND DAY TODAY!

This is a really tough challenge - I have only managed 5 No Spend Days since I started on the 8 August.

Today when I got home DD showed me a fever blister on her mouth - ouch. So off to the pharmacy $2.71 for the ointment.

Needed gas so another $22 and that will only last until next week.

Not large sums of money but the end of a No Spend Day.

Having read other journals I think that to start out I must try for 10 days out of the month versus the 7 - 14 consecutive days some of you are doing.
This is definitely a mind set and it sure makes you realise how disorganised you are or how much better things would be with the forward planning.

Will be diving into the deepfreeze tonight for a homemade precooked meal - just don't feel like cooking tonight - at least we are avoiding the takeouts.

In fact we haven't had takeout since the beginning of August - Hmmm didn't think that this was possible.

Had to add water to the swimming pool today so that will boost the water usage for the month. Urrgh...

DD has grown again - I swear I am going to put bricks on her head Everytime I look her clothes are too small or getting too small. Wish she had an older sibling for the hand me downs or an older cousin... but her cousin is a year younger and 2 sizes smaller - don't think that would work?

Guess I will be back in my sewing room again this weekend...

It amazes me how you all clock up so many no spend days. I thought I would have another one yesterday but we needed bread, milk and colddrinks.
Spent $12.86 - not too bad but I wanted a no spend day so badly.

Today I have 2 client appointments - hold thumbs - I am hoping for an order from at least one of them.

Have to put gas in my car today but if I get an order it will be worth it.

When I finish work today I am going to go through the store room and look for stuff I can sell at my Garage sale - I haven't had one yet so I may be surprised with what I have to sell.

Last night, DD and I had leftovers for supper so that was a no cost meal.

DD is on school holidays at the moment - I have to find something that we can do together that doesn't cost money. Any ideas?

See you later...

Spoke to the buyer of my timeshare today and I should be getting paid for it tomorrow

First thing to do:
1. Get current with CC2
2. Save my mini EMF
3. Renegotiate a lower rate with CC2

Then I think I will let it sink in that I have some extra money to put against debt and see if I make bonus at the end of the month. If I don't I will need to use some of the money towards daily expenses.

Either way, what a relief

Met with the CEO of my client today and he wanted to see if I would be interested in negotiating towards the end of August. Told him it would depend on whether the Managing Director had left or not - that was the most important issue. Then of course, secondly what they were offering.

In the meantime, I have to stay focused on working towards my sales target - don't want to get sidetracked on something that may never happen.

Feeling better today - just the leftover headache from my migraine. Think an early night should sort that out.

Roll on tomorrow...

Just as I was getting through so much I am battling with a migraine today.

Have just taken my meds and now I am back to bed.

Might check in later

Last update for the day:
1. Proposal for client from todays appointment DONE
2. Make appointment with lead I got today DONE
3. Start work on re-accreditation for one of our products that has had some updates NOT DONE
4. Make 2 other appointments with clients
DONE
5. Update client files from today DONE
6. Supper from leftovers DONE
7. Sewing 2 hours NOT DONE
8. Sell clothes NOT DONE
9. Advertise Bernina Serger on the internet (we don't have ebay here )DONE
10. Prepare for appointments tomorrow DONE

I love it when I can check off things that are complete.

Good day today ALSO a no spend day

3rd Entry for today but this is such fun - it amazes me, how much I feel accountable when I enter goals or a "To Do" list in my blog. It really keeps me focused.

1. Proposal for client from todays appointment
2. Make appointment with lead I got today
3. Start work on re-accreditation for one of our products that has had some updates
4. Make 2 other appointments with clients
5. Update client files from today
6. Supper from leftovers
7. Sewing 2 hours
8. Sell clothes
9. Advertise Bernina Serger on the internet (we don't have ebay here )
10. Prepare for appointments tomorrow

Maybe I will have time to check back later for my 4th entry - we will see...

Have just got back to my home office from seeing 2 clients - 2 really great appointments. The first one, the client just needs a final proposal and then they will be ready to make a decision.
The second appointment, one of the key decision makers gave me a lead to work on in the corporation.
If I can close the first client - 40% of my sales target achieved Whoopee!!!!!!!!
The second opportunity may take a little longer but that's okay, it will give me a head start into 4th Quarter.
Feeling much better today compared to Friday.
This past weekend I managed to:
1. Clean out and tidy my office and it looks wonderful. You can actually see the top of the meeting table.
2. Cleaned the swimming pool.
3. Had friends for a BBQ - have owed them a return invitation for sometime now. They brought the salads and I provided the spare ribs - it was yummy..
4. Spent a couple of hours in my sewing room last night but never finished anything.
5. Got to bed by 10:45pm - the earliest in ages and felt much better for it this morning.
6. No spend day on Sunday

See ya later...

Took the afternoon off and am feeling better now... not so irritable.

Plans for the weekend:
1. Finish DD sweats and make her a skirt
2. Sell some old clothes
3. Clean the swimming pool
4. Return books to the library - they are late so I will be contributing to their income
5. Take my new Serger Sewing machine (which I bought 2 years ago because I NEEDED it but have only used 5 times) to the Bernina shop. They think that they can sell it for me. Really hope so = more money to put towards the EMF

My EMF fund is non-existent at this stage as I am still trying to get current with one of my CC. About $2500 to go and then I can start at Baby Step 1 which is $1000 in an EMF separate banking account.

Oh got a call from the CEO that I spoke to earlier this afternoon, he wants to take me out for lunch next week. He says that he wants to discuss the possibility of me joining them to open up a new division in their company.

I am not even looking for a job so the offer will have to be excellent with great benefits if they want me to consider the offer. It is nice though to get these offers as they really boost your confidence.

Well we will see what happens...

Now it is time for a hot bath and bed with my book.

Please Lord can today be done.
Today could be put down as frustrating and yuck and it is only 2pm...
Went to see a client about 35 miles away to find that he needed some support materials but hadn't told me. Now I have to go all the way back next week - the value of the order doesn't even cover fuel costs.
The next potential client asked that I show them how our product works by doing a workshop with them. At the end they were happy with the result but had the audacity to ask "when can you do this again for us". This mentality of something for nothing drives me insane - I left there feeling like they have no intention at all of buying from me AND that they had just got 2 hours of free consulting. When they call again, I will tell them that these services are only for clients...etc The directors of this company are multi-millionaires but won't invest in their business - I guess that is how they got to be so rich. Well I have made my contribution FOREVER.

Sorry I needed to vent.

Oh but that is not all, another client wanted consulting time on Wednesday next week and is now refusing to pay for my time. Basically told him where to get off and asked if they ran their business giving away expertise (of course I know they charge fortunes). Oh well I don't think I will get any more business from them for a while. Called the CEO of the company to explain what had happened and he told that this employee was on his way out anyway and that I wasn't to worry. Just goes to show.

Now I am going to take some time out and go and read my novel for a while - just not in the frame of mind to call anymore clients.

At least we will have a no spend day hahaha

I managed the income producing goals but I just seem tired this evening and if I try to sew when I am tired then I mess things up.

Tomorrow I have 2 client meetings - hoping to close some new business.

Also, waiting for a client to make a decision on a proposal I submitted last week. Hold thumbs... Will contribute nicely to my sales target.

Yeah tomorrow is Friday - will get time to get some more stuff done.

Oh, btw I converted our gas prices here in South Africa to USD and guess what we pay $4.57 per gallon - I think it may just be time to start cycling.

Found a bunch of stuff in my office so no need to buy office supplies for a while

Have sold my timeshare now I am just waiting for payment - that will take care of a chunk of debt - whoopee, yippee, yeah... I am so excited.

Now to increase my income with bonuses!!!!

Managed to get through quite a lot today:
1. Review all client files and set sales goals for the quarter - DONE
2. Get into sewing room - DONE Panties cut out and sewn: Savings $20
3. Sort out office - NOT DONE - a bit of procrastination here. Will try for tomorrow
4. Supper - DONE - fish, fries and salad - yummy
5. Check Bank Balances - DONE - have got about $800 till the end of the month. Still need to keep money for gas, food etc.
Oh my daughter had her hair extensions done by a friend so we gave her a gift of $15. She looks wonderful.

Well now I am going back to my sewing room to cut out the sweats for DD - savings $15.

Thank goodness I sew and have a stash of fabrics (like many sewers) in my cuphoards. I love the down time it gives me and able to put the TV on whilst I stitch away.

I just love holidays - it is great to get things done and caught up.

See ya tomorrow.

Today is a holiday here so I am going to use the time productively:
1. Review all client files and set sales goals for the rest of the Quarter
2. Get into my sewing room and make panties for DD and myself. Also need to make her some sweats - it is winter here and she is on school holidays so play clothes are a priority. (Our children wear school uniforms here in South Africa thank goodness).
3. Tidy out my office and look for all unused stationery so that I don't rush out to buy and then come home to find I already had it lost in all the untidiness
4. Find something to make for supper in our nearly empty grocery cuphoard
5. Check the bank balances to see what is left for the month for food, gas etc and maybe even find something extra to pay on debt.

Will check in later