Lucifa's (Ac)counting the pennies DFW diary

Lucifa73

Back to do the update I promised yesterday.

I had actually typed out a massive ranting post then lost it. Perhaps for the best...

In summary :- I

• started decluttering the study/dumping ground on Friday. It is still not tidied away and Mum and Dad arrive Sunday lunchtime. Housework list is a mile long. Stress.
• Mum and Dad are coming for 3 weeks. My relationship with Mum can be challenging, depending on her mood. Hubbles goes nuts at her sniping at me. Stress.
• I am bored tears (yes actual real tears) at work and can't find a way out. Stress
• I need dental surgery. Stress.
• I am averaging about 4 hours sleep a night.
• I am in a down cycle and can't seem to escape it this time.

So in summary - STRESS!

On an MSE front the 3-day weekend was no spend personally and minor, planned spends on the joint budget so that was good.

We also got a half price voucher for hello fresh. 4 easy prep, fresh meals for £20 sounded like a good plan as the week is so packed with jobs.

Surveys are ticking along. Cashed out just over £5 from prolific. Waiting on tenterhooks to see it hit my PayPal account in case I got something wrong... In addition I have:

• One Poll £6.90. Keep getting screened out at the moment...
• YouGov 350 points (snore)
• PanelBase £8.00
• Prolific £2.50 - already! Had a good £2 survey yesterday which boosted me up nicely. I know this slows down over the summer though so no great expectations on this.

I may add a survey earnings tracker to my signature. Will be interesting to see it accumulate although I doubt I'll ever be a contender for any prizes on that front.

I also finally registered for TCB. Has anyone registered their card to earn as they spend? Is this worth doing?

Well, I've wasted enough of everyone's time with this morning. Thanks to everyone who read this far!

Happy Tuesday!
Lxxx

beanielou

Blimey, 3 weeks is a long time :eek:

Lucifa73

Oh Beanie, you just have no idea... My Mum still introduces me as a university drop out...

UncannyScot

I can relate to the stress issues... deadlines at work, dealing with staff issues etc
For me meditation and exercise works.
There have been times when I have went and hammered the s*** out of the heavy bag at the gym to get my frustrations out and my head clear again...
Hope you find an out for your stress and that you find that much needed escape to a better job where you can put your talents to good use and grow
(((((HUGS)))))
:A

beanielou

Lucifa73 wrote: »

Oh Beanie, you just have no idea... My Mum still introduces me as a university drop out...

:eek::eek::eek:
That is dire. Sorry:o

Lucifa73

Yep. I had to leave the room last time. I try not to waste any energy on it any more.

Lucifa73

Pah! Keep getting screened out Panel Base


I also hadn't realised there is a fee for cashing out Prolific to PayPal.

UncannyScot

Been having same with Panel Base lately, keep with it though cos it can be a good wee earner...
Prolific can incur a fee,
Paypal is 2.9% + 20p of whatever you are cashing out...
Circle is 1% + 10p if below £20. So they're the best option if you want to maximise your cash outs However, it can take a while to hit that over £20 target...

Currently waiting on a few pending payments in Panel Base to get a tenner out and need just a few pennies more in Prolific to cash out there...

Lucifa73

Another weekend of glorious (and no longer unprecedented!) weather. The days off were fun and productive. The kids are happy because the holidays have begin and the sun just makes everything better!

Not much activity on an MSE front though. Mum and Dad are visiting for 3 weeks to help look after the kids. At £70 a day that is actually probably quite a saving... Let me see... £1,050. Wow, yes, that is quite a chunk! In addition, Mum has offered to give us £150 towards food costs which will help greatly. So for all my moans and our personal issues, they really are fantastically generous. I am going to focus on the gratitude elements to help the digs and slights roll off more easily!

Not much else to report really.

• I have a 3-day week at work as it is my birthday and I have my fortnightly Friday off so this will be a quick week.
• I must remember to put £80 into my penny accumulator savings tin. This has paid for Christmas the past couple of years. This months deposit will bring me to £385.
• I get colleague discount at T and this week it doubles to 20% will stock up on things like dishwasher tablets, laundry liquids, toothpaste, soap, cat litter etc. to last 6 months plus fill the freezer with meat. It isn't a massive amount of money but I will take advantage where I can!

I think that is about all for now. Will catch up on some diaries and be back soon!

Happy Monday! Lx

Lucifa73

I have some questions:

• What is Circle and how do I join?
• Is it worth registering your cards with TCB? Is it safe?
• I have always been shy of the Bay of E. IS it safe? How do I get started? How do I know what to charge? Is there a better way of selling surplus stuff?
• How do you keep the momentum going when you hit a quiet spell?

In other MSE news

I paid £4.84 off my CC yesterday.

I will be updating my signature to show my CC debt. Once that is paid I will look at what we have on 0% (maybe about 10k) and start in on that.

Having binged on diaries over the past few weeks I have been inspired by the determination and commitment of others in far worse positions than me. Now I feel ready to tackle this more aggressively now I have the day to day under control. We bring home PLENTY of cash each month. My job is safe as long as we aren't sold off or there is no other fundamental shift in the operating model (or the government abolishes tax...) but my salary would not cover all the basic family costs (mortgage, utilities, council tax, food etc). Hubbles is in a riskier position but is well respected at work. Besides, his qualifications and experience put him in a strong position should he ever need to move on. We would need to source a car though as his is through work.

(I think) The plan is we will hold the purse strings firmly over summer and revisit early August when we will:

• Make sure we know precisely how much is owed and at what rate
• Have full budgets for joint and personal spends
• Set parameters and expectations around financial management to get shot of debt ASAP and start overpaying our massive mortgage.

Another meant-to-be-brief-turned-into-a-ramble post... I see a pattern forming... I think I need to resurrect my daily pages practice as there is clearly a lot tumbling around inside my super dense skull...

Have a fabulous day.
Lx