Ruby's "Stop Spending, Start Saving" Diary

InaPickle

Bless you, Ruby - I really hope you manage to do it!

Naturally, I will be at the wedding as part of the buffet, but if anyone *actually* tries to eat me, I will not be a happy Pickle and may be forced to bite someone. Warn your guests! *bares teeth*

ruby_eskimo

Hehe I will warn them Pickle, don't worry.

Been getting a little carried away with wedding planning, even though we have yet to set a date. Think I really want a 1950's tea length wedding dress but still want to try on a big pouffy thing just because I can hehe. Also want some navy peep toe shoes to wear with it. Oh and I've found the underwear I want to wear. And I know I'm wearing my grandmother's pearl necklace. I can just imagine this vintage, romantic theme in Prague and it will be perfect!

On other news, failed my driving test for the second time! Apparently wasn't looking out the back window enough on left reverse. It's the one manouver I hate and I was already wound up because I did the EXACT same test route I did the first time. Was very upset when we got back to the test centre because the examiner had a go at me for being too hesitant and cautious. Yes I know there are dangers to being too cautious, but really, it's my driving test and I didn't want to do anything wrong. The previous examiner criticised me for stopping at junctions before going into first gear (he wanted me to drop into first on approach) but this one said I was dropping to first too much and I could have just kept going at a lot of the junctions...!!!!!!? They really need to be more consistent I think with the way they examine these things. Now I feel like I'm a rubbish driver and my dad doesn't even trust me to drive now (his exact words were "failing first time is bad luck but come on failing twice is just ridiculous" Thanks dad!) Rebooked for next available date which turns out to be the 25th October! Definitely need to try and get a cancellation because I've applied for a few jobs that I would need to be able to drive to, and they would have start dates before then!

Better go do some more dissertation writing, got an overtime night shift tonight.

InaPickle

Hey Rooobie!

Sorry about the driving test -that's pants with regard to how they assessed you - but don't worry about your dad's comments: I didn't pass until my 4th attempt (:o ), but I've turned out a pretty good driver since. My brother, who passed on the first attempt, managed to accrue a spectacular 13 points in his licence, however...:eek:

Glad to hear the wedding plans are going well. I like the sound of your 50's style dress: very stylish, not common and it somehow suits you, even though I've never met you!

Glad to know you've got the underwear sorted already...some things are more important than others! :rotfl:

ruby_eskimo

Well, it's been an eventful few days here in the igloo;

-Been sent home in tears in the middle of the night from work because a patient said some things to me that are not suitable for anyone to hear. I would understand if he had cognitive detereoration or dementia or a mental health illness but he doesn't

-But on the brighter side, I might not have to put up with it much longer because....I've been invited to an assessment for a job I applied for! The pay isn't that much better than what I get at the moment but it's Mon-Fri, 9-5! Just think, no more nights, no more weekends! I've never had a job that is just like most people's! I know it's just the assessment and it doens't mean that I will get the job but hey, it's a start. Plus it will be good experience, it's in mental health but not quite so hands on as I (literally) am at the moment.

- I have finally paid off the student overdraft. Basically the account linked to it was my paypal account too and I just racked up the overdraft again because I kept treating myself to little bits (and those bits add up!) But no more, since I got a scary letter in the post from Shatwest saying that they are changing my graduate account to a regular current account and will close my overdraft. So since today is payday, it's all gone now.

- Speaking of ebay, i have started finally listing things on there. Basically the final straw was, I bought a Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser from there that I knew I would never use as I have a tinted moisturiser that I love, and I have a face routine that finally makes my skin look great. As I opened the envelope with the LM one in, I just thought "what the hell are you doing, you know you're never going to use this". So I went through the rest of my makeup and found things that I had used once (or not at all!) and knew I would never use again and put them all into a massive box. Now I'm listing them 15 at a time, and my first bunch are due to finish today. I'm rather excited to be honest; a little bit of extra cash for me, and less clutter! If I get this new job, I might have to use the money to buy myself some new clothes as I have to wear a rather unflattering uniform at the moment!

- Speaking of clothes and things, I've lost 2lbs in the last week, after stagnating for a while. Now I am determined to get this weight off for good!

- And finally, I am meeting a friend from college for dinner on Thursday. We haven't seen each other for about 5 years and it will be good to catch up. To be honest I don't have much of a social life anymore because I'm always working weird shifts, I want to see le fiance as much as possible and I've just lost touch with most of my friends. Plus once you go away to uni, you just seem to lose all those connections you once had. So it will be nice to see someone again!

Oh well, had better leave it there, it is 4am and I should be getting things ready at work for the day shift!

The_Dragon

Well done Ruby on the Ebay listings and on the assessment for a potential new job, but :mad: at the current one!

ruby_eskimo

Well I haven't updated this for a while, think it's about time.

I passed my MSc finally so I am now a MISTRESS of Science.

That's about the only bit of good news really. I didn't get either of the jobs I was interviewed for because I was overqualified. But I can't get a job that I am qualified for because I don't have the experience that a less qualified job would give me. So looks like another year of living apart from the OH.

That means another year of not being able to plan a wedding. We were hoping for 2013 but it's just not practical. Plus the idea of getting married in Prague may be out the world because OH's mum has had another stroke and might not be allowed to fly...

Money wise, I don't know what's happened this month. I had to go into uni for a week before my dissertation was due in because my tutor decided to change some of the criteria at the last minute. Ended up costing me over £150 in travel costs and food for that time and it's screwed me up completely. I have enough money to cover my driving lessons this week (I have my test on Monday) but that's it. Anything else comes up and I'm screwed. I can't dip into my savings anymore because I won't be able to put that money back. Got to really tighten my belt next month. If I pass my test next tuesday I will be £200 better off a month so I will have a little more to live on!

But on the brighter side, my best friend from uni is coming to stay in a couple of weeks and we're going to see INCUBUS! I haven't seen them in like 6 or 7 years and love them so much. It was my one treat to myself for passing my MSc. Ok I know, no more treats!

Better get going will stop by with a better update later!

The_Dragon

Well done on getting your MSc (are you going for the PhD at some point?) but yah boo sucks to no money, :eek: to OHs Mum (hope she gets better soon) and good luck with the job hunting.

ruby_eskimo

Thanks Dragon! I did plan on getting my Phd but don't know when. Maybe in a couple of years when I've been in the real world for a little bit. OH's mum is a fool to herself. She doesn't take her medication properly, doesn't adhere to her diabetic diet and should be reducing her calcium intake and yet I caught her eating yogurts and cereal with loads of milk over the weekend! I spoke to the dietician at work to create some meal plans for her before she was discharged, but she's just ignored them

InaPickle

Well done on being a MISTRESS of Science, Ruby :T (us girls can say that? Wow - I'm a MISTRESS of Arts! ), and sorry to hear about the jobs, but don't worry, as something will come up soon, I'm sure. As for OH's mother, there's nothing you can do until she sees the light herself (a dietary lightbulb moment, so to speak): just don't say anything that can be held against you in the future!

ruby_eskimo

Well better dust down the cobwebs here! Time for a little update:

- Still in the same job. Have yet another interview on Friday for a job I don't really want but it's a step away from what I'm currently doing. Things still aren't any easier in the current place, in fact they are getting worse. Seem to have lost all motivation really.

- Savings are going well. Have just applied for an extra little savings account so I can put a bit away each month to cover car insurance and tax and service costs for the next year. Worked out I need to save roughly £84 a month to cover all that based on this years costs.

-Determined to go on a 'Fiscal Fast' because I don't know what I'm spending my money on! I'm getting better and haven't bought any makeup or toiletries since December 2011 but I still spend money and I don't know what on. Have started an expenses and budget spread sheet so I can really see what's going on here!

That's all for now. Hope everyone is doing well!