Jellie wobbles into her MFW journey

gratefulforhelp_2

*Jellie* wrote: »

Wow- that must put you in a difficult situation at times!

Biting my tongue is not exactly my specialist subject:rotfl:

*Jellie*

these are my general aims for 2011

To live a simple, balanced abundant life. I will determine the things in my life which I regularly use and I will seek to remove anything which is not useful or beautiful. I will declutter until I reach the limits I have set and organise items so that everything has its place.
I will find time to enjoy simple pleasures such as sewing, photography, cooking and listening to music. I will cultivate an attitude of gratitude and will spend time on spiritual development. I will be proactive regarding my health and cultivate habits which support me physically.
We will aim to have £36 000 more in offset account by the end of the year. Aim to put £2000 of my salary into offset each month.

*Jellie*

These are my 11 things for 2011. I will focus on one every month and have a month off after the wedding!
Finances
Keep spending diary and keep to budget.
Meal plan and batch cook.
Have store cupboard challenge for a month at least 3 times this year.
Spend maximum of £100 in year on new clothes.

Simplify
Declutter garage, sheds, study, bedroom 3 and stuff in mums loft.
Reduce clothes, books and DVDs so they fit into the appropriate areas for them.
Use one in one out system

Health and well being
Exercise for 20 mins a day.
Eat 5 a day plus probiotic yoghurt.
Meditate for 10 mins a day
Spend time every day doing something I enjoy.

gratefulforhelp_2

*Jellie* wrote: »

£2000 of my salary into offset each month.

Crikey that pretty much IS my salary. Which school do you work in??

*Jellie*

Focus for January will be to keep spending diary and keep within budget. I am doing a store cupboard challenge to help with this and aim to spend £10 max. a week on groceries

*Jellie*

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Biting my tongue is not exactly my specialist subject:rotfl:

Does that mean you've asked them if it is a genuine charity

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Crikey that pretty much IS my salary. Which school do you work in??

It pretty much is my salary too! To reach our target all major expenses will basically come out of OHs salary and he will have to put some into offset too!

gratefulforhelp_2

*Jellie* wrote: »

Does that mean you've asked them if it is a genuine charity

No...oooo. They run (among other things) an orphanage (aah how lovely I hear you say).

They have no relevant training to do this. They take their staff largely from gap year students. They charge their volunteers, who comprise most of their staff, a HUGE amount for their accommodation. (£70 a week, in East Africa, room sharing, no mod cons).

Their new venture is using local people to make jewellery and then they sell it. There is no mention of fair trade or paying the workers a living wage.

They live in a big, ranch type house with a pool et.c. go on holiday a lot and so on.

I have tried to ask the right questions of my friends to get them to reach their own conclusions. I have no evidence, just think that some things don't ring true.

*Jellie*

From what you say it doesn't sound like a very ethical venture! Don't they need a charity number in uk to collect money over here!

Radish72

To help reduce costs

Eat 5 a day plus probiotic yoghurt.

Just buy a big pot of natural yoghurt, its cheaper and does the same thing

If you want the little "bacteria" to live longer in your stomach, reduce caffeine and alcohol, no need to add any extra as your body make your own


One of my pet "healthy" peeves
1. Eat pro-biotic yoghurt's
2. Drink 2 liters of water a day
3. Special K (has more calories then most cereals and cost more)

Happy New Year to you, wishing you everything you want

gratefulforhelp_2

*Jellie* wrote: »

From what you say it doesn't sound like a very ethical venture! Don't they need a charity number in uk to collect money over here!

Um...they do it all over the internet with a paypal account, so I don't *think* so.