The Easiest Daydream

Isn't it amazing how quickly our minds can travel? I mean one minute we could be sat at the bus stop waiting for the number 31 and the next minute we could be sat on a sun lounger in the south of France and what's even more amazing is how elaborate these day dreams can quickly become. They seem to evolve at the speed of light. I found myself in that situation a few days ago at a job interview. Now I should start by telling you this has been my first job interview in quite a few years as I have been a stay at home mum. As you can imagine interviews are few and far between especially with my all too vacant looking C.V.

Anyway, I found myself sitting in the "break room" waiting for the interview process to commence. It was just me and a little lady who was fixing the tea and coffee vending machine. As I watched her work and tried not to listen to the sound of my heart beating like it was coming out of my chest through nerves, I was suddenly in the interview room and half way through the interview. I was like an unstoppable force answering any and all questions put to me. The interview was going swimmingly then suddenly I am walking into the store and being shown to my workstation ready to begin my first day.

Well the first day must have been a success because quick as a flash I am going to the bank ready to take out my first wage! Then I'm buying that beautiful leather sofa I have been wanting since being given a second hand one when I moved in. I am replacing all my old mix match furniture with new matching items, upgrading the the ten year old television set, replacing all the outdated flooring and then buying that gorgeous shaggy rug I had my eye on. (Boy has this wage packet stretched!) But hang on.. Its six months down the line and I'm taking driving lessons. I have been saving hard and I have purchased a nice little run around for when I pass my test. Perfect for ferrying my daughter to and from school. Then I find myself sitting in a travel agents discussing my holiday plans..

Then I feel a tap on my shoulder and a lady asks me if I could follow her into the interview room. Turns out I had only been waiting for a few minutes and yet had managed to day dream the next year of my life away with great ease. Now to be fair, I wasn't interviewing for a job that paid a yearly wage in the millions and I'm certain all my worries would not cease to exist as soon as I was employed but a regular income right now would be the answer to my prayers.

We are only human and as much as we tell ourselves not to get carried away, it's what we do best. When there is something we really want we can spend all our time dreaming of what its like when we actually get it. It is funny how quickly things can change for us in a daydream. If only real life were like that. 

The easiest daydreams are the ones that are achievable but sometimes the most enjoyable daydreams are the most elaborate ones that seem out of reach. You should never stop dreaming (or daydreaming) as the case may be.. Anything is possible ;)

*This post in in collaboration with SCS

Spending My Winnings - The #Spend20k Challenge

Everyone of us has at some point daydreamed about what it would be like to win the lottery and fantasized about all the wonderful things we would buy with our winnings. With changes to the National Lottery taking effect in October, Britmums have been asking "How would you spend 20k"?

This is an unbelievable amount of money and when you are virtually spending your winnings, its very easy to spend it.. So here goes.. This is how I would flitter my windfall away.

First things first. A new TV! Yes you heard me right, not a holiday, champagne or a jacuzzi but a television. I have had mine for over 10 years now and it is seriously on its last legs. Turns itself off when it feels like it, turns different colours on screen and now and then the screen decides to shift left so you can't even enjoy your Eastenders! With a nice big budget too then I'd go for simply the best!

64" F8500 Series 8 Smart 3D Full HD Plasma TV

£2999

The next thing I would buy is a new sofa. Like a lot of things when I got my first place my sofa was donated to me. It was only through donations and 2nd hand sales that I was able to fully furnish my property. I have a floral velvet horror with broken handles and ripped cushions. Sounds great doesn't it? I am a single mum struggling to return to work so sometimes we just have to make do, so if I could choose ANY sofa? Then it would definitely be this one!

Palatial 3 Seater Electric Recliner Leather Sofas x 2

£2198

The next thing would be an intensive driving course! I love doing things with Aalliyah even if its just a walk round a country park or adventure trail, but sometimes Its just so restricting not being able to drive and not being able to just get up and go somewhere on a whim.

One Week Pass Intensive Course

£760

So what next... Well how about a car? After all I am now fully qualified to drive! I have always fancy cruising around, with my sidekick in tow in a mini cooper convertible.

Mini Cooper Convertable

£4500

Aalliyah always loves it when we go anywhere and she has her own money to shop. Her last birthday, all she wanted was money, so we went to London and she had an amazing time shopping with her own money. So I would love to give her a lump sum to go on a fabulous shopping trip where she could buy all her favorite things.

Shopping Spree For Aalliyah

£1000

The next thing I would purchase would be a few gadgets. Aalliyah has been droning on about getting a phone for so long now and with secondary school just around the corner I think this would be the perfect time to get her one. I would also love an iPhone 5! No particular reason other than a selfish "I want one" . I would love a kindle so I could get back into reading and would love to update my camera to a more advanced model so I can really start enjoying my passion for photography.

Tech/Gadgets

£2000

My laptop has broken buttons, crashes over 10 times a days, overheats, doesn't work without being plugged in and take hours to uploads photos. How I manage to blog on it is a miracle so the next thing I would buy would definitely be a shiny new laptop thats gonna load pages at the click of a button (that isn't broken)

ASUS Zenbook Touch Screen Laptop

£1499.99

I can't remember the day when I woke up and didn't have a back ache, so the next thing on my list without question would be a new bed and memory foam mattress  Like the sofa, my bed was given to me when I moved in and although it has served its purpose and saved me from sleeping on the floor, it is thread bare and showing springs. It's got to go! So I would buy this beauty instead.

Aspen Walnut Bedstead and Elixur Memory Foam Mattress 

£2000

Well I have racked up quite a bill so far haven't I? I have so far spent £16,956.99p. This leaves me with £3,043.01p. There really is only one more thing that I would like to do with my remaining windfall and that is a holiday. Aalliyah is ten years old and we have never had a holiday together. I would love more than anything to give her the holiday of a life time. I am talking about 2 weeks all inclusive in Florida, swimming with dolphins, visiting every water park, every theme park and really giving her the time of her life! That would be amazing!

I have had a blast being able to escape into the land of make believe and spend my virtual winnings. It would be amazing to be able to do so but for now its back to reality. Yes I struggle at times, yes its hard and we don't always get to enjoy as many luxuries as I'd like to but I am grateful for what we do have. I have a wonderful daughter who is appreciative and grateful for everything she has. We have our health, a roof over our heads and when I look at others less fortunate than us I realise how lucky we are. But most of all we have love. Money can buy a lot of things but it definitely cannot buy true love and happiness. I would swap all the riches in the world in a heart beat for the love I share with my daughter. Nothing comes close...

This post is an entry for BritMums #Spend20K Challenge sponsored by The National Lottery, with more ways to win more money on the new Lotto game. Find out more about new Lotto, which starts in October, here –  www.national-lottery.co.uk

Clean Up By Clearing Out

When it comes to buying gifts, weather its for a birthday or Christmas, I much prefer buying for younger children. I loved it when Aalliyah was younger, say 4 or 5 years old as she was so easy to buy for. Anything pleased her no matter how small. I have to say I am very lucky to have such an appreciative daughter. Even though she is now ten years old she is grateful for any and all gifts received. Obviously as she has got older her taste has gotten a little more expensive and her wishlists now always seem to include the latest gadget or game. Her most desired item right now is a mobile phone. It seems she is one of the few poor deprived children left in the school that doesn't own one! What will social services think!! ;-)
I never really buy Aalliyah many expensive gifts throughout the year or for no particular reason which is why she is so appreciative on her birthday or at Christmas when she gets something extra special. I love this because so many children are brought up not wanting for anything. I know kids younger than ten who have the latest Iphone, laptop and more, which in turn makes them unappreciative with anything they receive. 

Anyway.. With all the technology that's out there there will always be a new phone or games console coming out. I am sure that I am not alone when I say how frustrating it is to buy a games console only to learn of an updated model being released just a few short months after I've purchased it. I have come to learn that these sorts of items never completely lose their value and there will always be a market for them. I sell things regularly and games, consoles, mobiles phones etc are the easiest thing to sell.

I can guarantee that nearly all of us will have at least one old item laying around the house somewhere gathering dust. Maybe an old mobile phone or computer game? So if you;re thinking "Where can I sell my DS?" or "How much is my old PlayStation worth?" Don't just leave it there in the back of the cupboard , clear the cobwebs, dig it out and make a few spare pennies for yourself. There are places in your local high street, like cash converters who can offer on the spot cash for various items, especially electronic items, so if you're looking for some quick cash then these places are your best bet. These places do tend to give you a slightly lower rate than selling online. If you are not in a huge rush for the money i'd recommend getting online to sell your items. How about listing them on Ebay? (Take the listing/sellers/paypal fees into account when selling on Ebay)

Another great site to use us Music Magpie who offer decent rates for things like computer games, consoles, mobile phones and more. Which ever way you choose to sell your items just make sure you do! There must be thousands of pounds worth of old, unused electronics, just laying around, forgotten about and unused in peoples homes. It's not always easy for us mums and dads to get our kids the latest things on the market, but at least if you cash in on your old gadgets and gizmos you can put a little extra cash back into your pocket!

*Please see individual websites for selling details/regulations.