urg's 123 Back to Basics Debt Free Plan

urg123

OMG How can it be October already!!!!

Life is ever - very busy and not much me time. I had a bit of a wobble last week and took Thursday off. Not sure that I really managed to get rested but the time out was useful.

Yesterday I went for a colour analysis and style review with one of the big companies. I found the colour part really interesting but found the style bit hard. To be very honest, I wansn't really happy about the body shape she had given me (round) because I didn't want to hear it. However, the advice she gave was useful. I went around some shops after the session yesterday and today OH and I went to find a few separates to go with the stuff I already have. I don't want to buy too much as I really do want to lose weight and get to be an hourglass figure again.

One good consequnce of the colour analysis was that I was able to go through the wardrobe and put out clothes that don't fit into my colour palette. i have got rid of about 20 items so far and need to do more.

Next week will be my final week in my current job. I will be sad to leave as I have been so well looked after especially after the year that I have had. But I think it will be good to move on and draw a line under the last year.

This next week is going to be pretty busy - it's the end of work and I need to finish a couple of projects by the end of the week; pack for a short trip; try to get back into my volunteer job and carry on the decluttering.

Right - need to check the online banking and get myself sorted for the coming week.

Waving to you all.

urg x x

taxi73

Waving right back at you.

Glad you found the colour analysis useful ..I know how you feel about not knowing what suits etc as I'm the same.

good luck with the final week in this job xx

urg123

Well lots has been going on recently.

This is my last week in my current job. I'll be sad to move on and I know that the management where I am working now have really enjoyed working with me too. Sadly it was a temporary post but it has provided me with a stepping stone to a permanent promotion. I start my new job on the 18th and I am looking forward to it but there are a couple of things that worry me. I hope I'll be reassured when I get started.

I have also arranged to go back to sit in on a shift at my voluntary job. I've decided that I need to make a decision one way or another about whether I do go back or walk away. I am worried that I won't be able to do it and secondy, that I no longer have the time to be able to maintain the commitment. At least I'll soon know if I can or can't do and be able to move forward from worrying.

I also need to move forward with the flat. I realise that I am holding myself back from moving forward because I am scared about doing it and the costs involved. I have decided that I will spend some time decluttering and tidying the flat
and then invite an estate agent to come and give me a valuation and also some advice about the plans I have and whther they are worth undertaking. At least once I know i can use my energy to focus on moving forward.

Moneywise - I do have to admit that I am not managing my finances very well. Ideally need to get on top of this so that I can say that a) I am able to live within my means and b) I can start to save and work towards the future.

Right, it's late. I may not post for a few days as we are away for a few days. I am really looking forward to the break!

Urg x x

chevalier

hi there urg. sorry to hear you have such an up and down year. It must have been very very tough to go through with the wedding. Don't be surprised if the grief still comes out in different ways. And it will for a while yet.

Ref the left overs from OH mum. I am sure she thinks she is helping. And i guess you have come up with the solution in terms of living on these things. I am sure they could freeze though if you didn't fancy them that week?

Despite everything you have managed to become debt free twice in a year and that is no mean achievement.

Have you and OH discussed the bills? I take it that he is now contributing in proportion to each of your wages?

chev

urg123

Hi Chev!

Thanks - it has been a bit of a annus horribulus (sp)! I will be glad to see this year go!

Not usually up this early but got woken up by the radio (DH left it on to fall asleep to!).

DH and I didn't live together before we got married - he had it very cushy at his parents. OH doesn't really contribute to the expenses a huge amount. He has his own debt to get rid of and he's helping out his folks with their mortgage as they have had some health issues that have affected their earnings.

Until he's paid that off I can't see a way of us moving forward hence me focusing on getting this place ready to sell as I have more disposable income now that I am debt free. I am also training him in MSE ways! Mealplanning, budgeting, not being overly generous to others! It's going to take some work but we'll get
there.

I should say he does contribute financially but not an equal share. Being able to cover it all under one wage also makes me confident that we could most cope if the public sector cuts hit us. OH is expecting less income and I don't know how the strategic spending review will affect my job yet. We need to move to a house before we can start a family and so knowing that we can live on a pared down salary, either due to enforced cuts or because we take time out to start a family, will give us some confidence for the future.

Urg x x

Pippilongstocking

Hope you had a nice break - glad that you've managed to get away - it helps - sounds like you and OH are getting a good balance - sorry to hear you leaving the job - I know it was temporary but its always sad to leave folk you like.

What a time to be woken up by the radio.

Hope you find a nice way to move forward at a pace that suits you xx

Its not been a great year in our household/family either - for once I'll be kinda glad when it comes to an end - but in a wierd way we're stronger/closer for it all.

Wish you all good things.

taxi73

Sorry to hear that your feeling down.

Nice to hear that you're getting a nice break before starting your new job.that'll give you a bit of breathing space and have fun xx

urg123

Hi All,

Whoops - as ever I have been away for too long (sorry!).

The trip away was lovely - so nice to catch up with friends - even though it rained over the whole visit !!!

New job started this week - it is going to be hard work but I am pleased so far. The people are lovely. My new manager is new to the organisation so it will be interesting to work with him too.

One of the things that I have been thinking about recently is retruning to my voluntary job. I went back last week and I really enjoyed it. I will go back to it but I am worried about how it will affect my time but I will use this as an opportunity for 'me' time.

In recent posts, I have been talking about doing up the flat. I finally bit the bullet and contacted the local estate agent for a valuation and some advice about what needed to be done for selling the place. It was nice to hear that I have made about 10% on the property price since I bought it. He also provided us with some advice about what buyers were looking for. I had already planned to install windows but was getting precious about putting in uPVC Sash windows in keeping with the current wooden windows. However the EE suggested I really didn't need to put in Sashes so I have decided to change these to normal windows. I am disappointed because I really wanted the windows but I have GOT to learn that I don't have to have the best in place for everything. I also need to be more ruthless and realise that this is going to be someone else's home in a year or two. Thankfully, OH is being the voice of reason and is quite keen to get involved in the decision making. The EE also suggested that the flat could do with a good declutter . I imagine that my diary will now all be about getting the flat sorted especially decluttering!

Finally, and most importantly, money news. I must admit I have not been very good recently . I have been using the CC, am owed some money from others, and have not been budgeting. I will be getting paid this Tuesday and I will be going back to money basics and have set myself a few money rules to help me to get back on the straight and narrow!

1. Set a budget and stick to it
2. Absolutely no spending on the CC
3. Write it all down
4. Set a budget for groceries (and stick to it)
5. Look for ways of saving (review gas and electric)
6. Aim for 10 NSDs
7. Take lunches to work at least 3 times per week.

I have wasted loads of time today - really need to get my rear in gear before I head out for the day.

Waving to you all.

urg x x

Swinstie73

Hey urg,

Some good plans there which I might steal, I've been ebaying a lot recently and ashamed to say as a buyer, not a seller! Also still not de-cluttered, no scrub that, I have de-cluttered but it's all appeared back again - how the heck that happens I'll never know

taxi73

Sounds like you have good plans there