Happy April Fool’s Day. I hope that everyone is having a great week. I started a new job today so when this blog is (hopefully) published, I suspect that I’ll be trying to get access to all the new IT systems and local folders I need. Wish me luck. Despite the lockdown, it feels like the first three months of the year have flown by. I’m aware that I’m repeating myself, but having a busy full-time job does help.

If you read the three personal challenge posts I published at the beginning of the year, you’ll be aware that I set myself some money-saving challenges for 2021.

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If you haven’t read these posts, please do check them out Challenge 1 | Challenge 2 | Challenge 3.

Challenge 1: Will I be able to get through the year without buying any new clothes and shoes?

During March, the cold weather meant that once again, the urge to buy some snuggly hoodies was strong. I spent quite a lot of time admiring the hoodies on TK Maxx. I also discovered a brand I hadn’t heard or before called Fairfax & Favor. Luckily, I’m far too tight to spend £245 on a pair of sheepskin boots or £475 on a hand-made gilet.

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In the previous two updates, I raised concerns about the condition of some of my ‘everyday’ clothes. I’ve now started filling a clothes recycling bag. At the moment the bag only contains a couple of holey t-shirts. I’m sure I’ll be adding more to the bag throughout the year. I’m yet to spend an afternoon up in the loft but will do as soon as it warms up a little.

Challenge 2: Can this shopaholic get through the year without entering any races and without buying any more running clothes?

During March, I actually found this challenge relatively easy. I think spending less time on social media helped, it was very much a case of out of sight, out of mind. The combination of my complete lack of fitness and the positive news about parkrun hopefully restarting in June also helped, as did having a family member pay for the one virtual event I did want to enter.

Although I managed to avoid adding to my collection of running clothes, I did end up buying a pair of Sole Active Medium footbeds. I worked out that my current Sole footbeds needed replacing as they were four years old. I didn’t want to risk using the Superfeet insoles I suspect contributed to my knee injury, so I spent £38 on a pair of Sole footbeds. Hopefully the £38 footbeds will turn out to be a good investment.

Challenge 3: Can I make £2021 in 2021 through a selection of side hustles and other sources of income such as cashback websites?

And finally, how much money did I manage to make through my various side hustles and other sources of income during March? Like last month, to keep things simple, I’ve listed each side-hustle and source of income separately.

Selected side hustles

• Prolific Academic surveys – £49.78
• eBay sales – £0.00
• Facebook Marketplace sales – £0.00
• Sponsored blog posts – £0.00

Other sources of income

• Overtime at work – £0.00
• Share dividends – £202.45
• Interest from bank accounts – £0.54
• TopCashback cashback – £0.00
• Vouchers from points and gift cards – £0.00
• Competition wins – £0.00
• Freebies – £22.98
• Roadkill finds – £0.00
• Random – £4.00

March total: £279.75

Rolling 2021 total: £644.50

After a slightly disappointing February, March was a great month, and I smashed my monthly target. I’m now back on course to reach my target of £2021 by the end of the year.

Prolific Academic was on fire, I was paid £17.50 for a study that consisted of me learning how to screen baggage at a simulated X-ray security checkpoint. The study lasted well over an hour but was great fun if a little stressful at times. My other side hustles weren’t successful but I’m hoping that April will be a better month. I’ve got a pile of unwanted running gear ready to list and hopefully sell on Facebook.

As for my other sources of income, without my share dividends I’d be struggling to get anywhere near my total. When I set out the ‘rules’ of the third challenge, I decided to include any items I get sent to review as a source of income. I was sent a couple of books to read and review so I added the value of the books to the ‘freebies’ category. And finally, I’ve added a ‘random’ category as I returned £4.00 worth of carrier bags to Ocado. Old Emma probably wouldn’t have bothered sorting through dozens of carrier bags, so I was quite proud of myself.

I’m not sure how I’ll get on during April, but I hope that Prolific Academic continues to be prolific. I know that I’ll be receiving my local recognition award through work this month. I’ve asked for a £50 Amazon e-voucher and I’ve already got a list of the books I’m hopefully going to buy. Otherwise, I just have to hope that I find loads of roadkill during my Couch to 5k training sessions.

And finally, I hope that you enjoyed reading this quick update as much as I enjoyed writing it 🙂