2009 diary - time to make changes!

Shoe_Gal

Thanks Lula :A

Good advice, I think my plan needs to consist of little things chipping away and then I will feel better if I can see some progress

Shoe_Gal

Hi everybody

I have lost a pound this week, trying to see it as a good thing but I had really hoped for more, I've really tried this week :rolleyes:

Update on the week's list

• lose 2lbs - no, lost one
• exercise 3 times - no, none
• drink 1 litre of water a day - done!
• 2 x NSD - no, none
• get to work by 8.30 - no, not once
• do one thing every day just for me

Well, looking at that, no wonder I never get anywhere!


Ok, list for this week

• lose 2lbs
• exercise 3 times
• 2 x NSD's
• get to work for 8.30
• do one thing every day just for me

I have to do it this week :mad:

Shoe_Gal

This is the start of a 4 day weekend and I intend to use it to put some plans in place to get my life on track


Plans for today

1. tidy apartment - Mum and Dad coming to dinner
2. food shopping for dinner
3. exercise
4. take a couple of 'frivolous' purchases back
5. buy Easter eggs for neices and nephew - but no more!
6. face pack and fake tan
7. start getting paperwork together
8. keep eating under control - no need to go mad cos I'm off work
9. a little treat!

Off to make a start, will update later

Hollyberry

:T That sounds like a great start for a F Fabulous Friday - will drop by later to see how you are doing.

One suggestion on your plan for the week. If you really struggle to get to work by 8.30, why not (assuming you are on flexi and don't have to be there at a set time) go with the flow and accept you will start at 9am on at least some of the days. It's one thing less to beat yourself up over (which always makes me feel carp and less motivated to do the rest)...and plans are always seem more manageable when at least some parts of them are easy to achieve.

As far as generating extra dosh is concerned, it might be worth having a look at the make £10 a day threads. I am studiously avoiding the April one at the moment, having planned a big eBay listing binge this weekend to augment my paltry total so far. I never thought I would be able to make much cash, but have exceeded the target on either £5 or £10 a day each month since December. You could possibly wipe your smallest card in a month, which would be a great boost. See what you reckon. FWIW, this is what I am doing to generate the cash:

• two free bingo sites for the free scratchcards (BTW I truly hate bingo). Minimum 10p per day on one card, 5p per day on the other (although more usually 25p). Deposit a tenner to start off, then withdraw once you have earned some cash on the free cards. Total so far since January, £40 cash winnings withdrawn, and about another £11 split over the 2 sites still to be cashed out. Takes about 5 mins a day.
• another bingo site, earn points which can be redeemed for Amazon vouchers. I tend to play the slots to earn points, as it's quicker. On average, this makes a fiver a fortnight, so I've had about £60 of free Amazon stuff so far this year. Takes about 15 mins a day.
• eBay. I have a shameful amount of stuff, having cheered myself up by spending much of my spare cash on clothes while I was really depressed. I am progressively weeding my way through the wardrobes and either taking it to recycling, the charity shop or eBaying. So far it's paid for a summer holiday, and it's now a third of the way towards a laptop. Takes about me about 4 hours to list 20 items, but I'm way slow - sure it can be done more quickly.
• Qype reviews - did 100 to earn a £50 Virgin voucher. (However, as I don't drink much, am not entirely sure what to spend it on yet.). Took about 5 hours in total, as we go out way too much and I had loads of places to review.
• Amazon - I have about 100 books listed on there (tends to be better than eBay for the type of books I have - mostly lit crit, classics etc), and tend to see about £10 worth of profit each month. Not megabucks, but it's quite easy to set up/maintain, less than 30 mins a week.
• Survey sites. I am signed up with a couple, and probably make about £15 month from it. Again, hardly earthshattering, but it doesn't really take any time - usually have another window open while posting on here. About 15 mins per survey, while doing other things simultaneously.

And now for the motivation stuff. Again, this is what works for me - typed out here in case any of it is good for you too:

• Keep a spending diary. Everything. Every day. Helps me to curb the impulse to fritter.
• Budget for the month, including food and most importantly a treats budget. Without a few treats, I can't keep the rest on the straight and narrow.
• Income targets are for one specific thing at a time. Firstly to pay off one card at a time. Then for fun things. Or even for a fun thing in between clearing cards. I'm much more likely to get on with things if the targets look modest, than if I'm trying to get to some mega and seemingly unachievable sum. :cool:

Phew! Hope at least some of that is useful, and I hope that I don't sound as though I'm teaching a Shoe Gal her Manolos/Ginas. We've all got our own way of doing it, and I really hope you find your inspiration for the F Fabulous Shoe Gal Master Plan. :cool:

Shoe_Gal

Hollyberry wrote: »

. :cool:
Phew! Hope at least some of that is useful, and I hope that I don't sound as though I'm teaching a Shoe Gal her Manolos/Ginas. We've all got our own way of doing it, and I really hope you find your inspiration for the F Fabulous Shoe Gal Master Plan. :cool:

Hi Hollyberry
Thanks for all the advice - and for taking the trouble to type it up :A Just poppong in for a quick update - starting to get a plan together!

1. tidy apartment - Mum and Dad coming to dinner - done
2. food shopping for dinner - done
3. exercise - done :j one and a half hour head clearing walk
4. take a couple of 'frivolous' purchases back - done, refund paid for the shopping for dinner
5. buy Easter eggs for neices and nephew - but no more!
6. face pack and fake tan
7. start getting paperwork together
8. keep eating under control - no need to go mad cos I'm off work
9. a little treat!

Will be back later!

Hollyberry

:T That's great progress on a big list, particularly as you've been walking for such a long time. Hope all those nice endorphins are kicking in as well as the head clearing fresh air. :beer:

Karen_30

Hey all,

Hope you are all enjoying the bank holiday.

Wow SG - you've done loads today already I find walking great for clearing the cobweb's. I recently built up an hours walk to part walk and part jogging now - it's a great way for some free exercise and I love it!

Loads of great ideas and fab plans coming up then for us on here! Good luck with your planning. I am saving mine for Sun/Mon when home alone and can really tackle some bits and bobs. Will pop back and update.

Have had a lovely day with my Dad, he's home (works away) and took me clothes shopping :A He's wonderful bless him and still loves taking his not so 'little girl' out shopping for treats. On the list for today a pair of jean, 2 t-shirts, 1 casual/smart t-shirt top, 1 going out top, neclace and bracelet...bless him. He knows I struggle and loves to help me out. I'm very lucky.

OH sat playing wii at mo but off to work in a bit for late shift....another night on my own until the early hours :rolleyes:

SG - can you recommend a good fake tan??? Or tips??? I never get it right and have given up of late but would like a bit of colour now we're into sring time.

Best get off and cook some dinner.... be back later xx

Shoe_Gal

Karen_30 wrote: »

SG - can you recommend a good fake tan??? Or tips??? I never get it right and have given up of late but would like a bit of colour now we're into sring time.

Hi Karen

I am very fair skinned so am vary of looking 'tangoed' I use the gradual stuff, I prefer the Johnsons Holiday Skin or NutriSummer in the spray (it's quite expensive but it's been on offer in Asda recently) The only tip I can give is being patient and dedicated, every night for 5 nights gives a good colour and then every 2/3 days after that.

I do have to confess to the occasional sneaky sunbed session, norty I know but I just feel better with a bit iof colour, especially in the summer

SG x

Shoe_Gal

Hi everybody :hello:

Off to bed in a minute, Mum brought me a load of magazines :j so that's my treat sorted!


Update on today:

1. buy Easter eggs for neices and nephew - but no more! - no!
2. face pack and fake tan - done
3. start getting paperwork together - done
4. keep eating under control - no need to go mad cos I'm off work - yeah, have been quite good
5. a little treat - done, see above

Today has been a good day, most of my list completed and I'm feeling quite positive! :j

Will update tomorrow

Lula-Hula

Hey Shoe Gal,

well done on your achievements today, that's fantastic :A

I'll be looking to you for inspiration now

Lula
xx