Getting out of my comfort zone

mooomin

Happy New Year!

gilligansyle

f_f and DT just love the animated graphics.

chevalier

hi GG happy new year. I hope that you get a 2010 job that is what you want.

You seem to be more organised than some people i know who earn much more than you

chev

gilligansyle

Thanks for your support everyone.

chev I wish I was more organised - but its thanks to support and inspiration from others on here.

I am currently working on a plan based on what I currently earn, as it fluctuates a bit. Some of it is guaranteed but others depends on the work available. Fortunately most of Christmas this year was paid for by bingobritain. If I can work out a budget, then when I get a job, I will be able to put a lot extra towards debt payments. I will still be able to keep up with some of the part time work which is what has helped me not have to claim JSA etc.

gilligansyle

Have signed up for some challenges to try and keep myself organised, and have found a notebook to keep track of stuff in. My old one was getting a bit battered. I know people like their spreadsheets, but I like my notebook. Wouldn't think I used to work in IT though.

Today I have sorted out the freezer, amazing what lives at the bottom of it. Enough food to keep us going for a while, wish DS would eat stuff with rice, it would make life a lot easier. At least he pays extra for having chips with his meals. He is talking about moving out in the next six months. there are pluses and minuses to that. Pluses, I can eat a lot cheaper if I don't feed him, because I will eat lentils and rice, jacket spuds etc. he considers them to be snacks. Minuses, he pays for the additional sky packages and throws extra money my way every now and again. See what happens with that.
Have gone through all the coke boxes and taken the codes off, we now have 100 coke points just from over Christmas.
Plan on clearing one kitchen cupboard each day, starting with the one with all the spices etc. in.
Tomorrow will sort out CV and get it to some agencies. Have decided to have 2 different ones, depending on whether the agency is general or specialised.
So far this year have spent £14, but some of that was for son, so really only spent £7 odd. Gas is costing a bit more at the moment obviously, usually use about £12 a week, but costing £30 at the moment. Last year I promised myself that I would carry on putting a lot in the meter but stopped, so this year, have decided that once the weather warms up I will still put £15 to £20 in the meter, so to build up a credit for the winter. I know its more expensive to have a meter, but you need a £300 deposit to switch to quarterly.

gilligansyle

Back to work today, but first some plans.

Update CV - create different versions
Post said CV's to agencies
Get paperwork together for HMRC
[STRIKE]Do budget spreadsheet[/STRIKE]
Breadmaker on
do half an hour ironing each day
sort out 1 kitchen cupboard each day
start to take Christmas stuff down

Need to think seriously about the house.
Things that need doing:-
Windows need replacing - quote £1700 just for front
Gutters need replacing - quote £695
Neither of these will last the year. Also the Central Heating needs sorting, as there is not enough hot water for a bath, and only 3 radiators out of 7 actually work.
Damp needs sorting out, after gutters done.
All of this will cost money, that I haven't got and begrudge spending because I will not see the benefit. As DS is 23 this year and plans on moving out, I will get something smaller, more economical. Problem is that no-one would buy this in its current state, so need to get some of it done, or else sell to a builder. Not a decision for right now, but one that I need to be conscious of.

I have seen the flat that I would really like to live in, but would probably rent for six months at least while I sorted myself out.

Decisions decisions.

savingholmes

Hi Gill

It is difficult isn't it - when you are at home more it is easy to see what needs doing - you have the time to project manage it but not the funds to pay for it - such is life!

You are making great strides - if you carry on focusing on what you CAN do that will help a lot I think.... I know how uncertain I felt about everything when I was off - it can drive you made if you let it... I think you are doing the write things at the moment and the most important thing is to stay positive - hopefully you will have some more good luck soon.

It is fab isn't it that bingo britain / mse ways paid for xmas... It did for me too!

gilligansyle

Very busy work today, as some other couriers decided to take a sicky. Should be a decent payday anyway. Have done some of the things on the list, spent a total of 2 hours ironing, started on one of the cupboards but have decided to wait until the weekend and teem it with a food shop for replacements. I found some herbs with a use by date of 2003, which wouldn't bother me, except I think they've just moved with me from house to house.

gilligansyle

Day started badly..why is it the country grinds to a halt with a little bit of snow?? Son rang me at 7am to tell me he couldn't get home from work as no trains running. Only a 10 minute drive, so I allowed extra time and went for him. No problem. It then took an hour and a half to go 4 miles, mainly because of an accident on a road with very little overtaking room. Did a U turn and went a different way, only to find 5 buses 'parked' at the side of the road, and a wagon stopped in the other direction on a hill, so couldn't get past. Heard on the radio that the bus company had ordered all drivers back to the depot because of the state of the roads.

So today have tarted up CV and applied for some more jobs. There were jobs with an agency which would have been perfect except they are in London. Sent my CV to the agency anyway with a covering note.
Definitely store cupboard tea, and no idea how DS is getting to work tonight!

macgirl

I was thinking the same thing this morning, but I guess because we usually only get snow for one week of the year, we don't need to gear ourselves up for it.....

I'm enjoying "working" from home for the day (probably 2 days) - though I doubt I could freelance - too many distractions

Good luck with the job hunt x