Sorting out my life - Part 2!

copperjar

Well I've decided to spend the money if I see something I want, and not to if I don't! Seeing as though one of my new yrs resolutions is to make more of an effort to be sociable and do things when asked rather than make excuses to myself, I'm off into Leeds for a liquid lunch, followed by a bit of shopping. I'm sure it'll be carnage, but if I didn't go, I'd just be sat here doing nothing...literally counting my pennies like scrooge!

I've done so well this month with money, what's the point if I can't spend what I've got left - even after paying a large chunk off the CCs. I'm a bit annoyed with myself as well because after feeling all positive about life last night, I got myself into a tizz when the ex didn't respond to a text yesterday (we're not ones for playing games and still keep in contact regularly) and was starting to worry something might have happened. Of course I've just had a reply to my worried (which might have sounded desperate!) second text - just saying "sorry I forgot to reply yesterday"! !!!!!!!

So, this has highlighted to me that I'm still too preoccupied with what she's doing/how she is/what she thinks about me. Hence the trip to Leeds. Got to start living my life again! And on that note, I'd better get dressed! :eek:

jwil

Glad you had a nice Christmas Copperjar, well done for being in credit too! Hope you have a lovely lunch and mooch around the shops today.

I haven't even thought about my new years resolutions for this year, same as ever I expect

startagain_2

Hi copperjar,

I just popped in to give you encouragement in your mission to pay off your debts and begin another chapter in your life. I know what you are going through with the job.
I was made redundant in July from one of the largest companies in the UK after 6 months of rumours, negotiations and finally announcements. I had been in the job for 6 years and loved it and I didn't know how I was going to cope. Living in North Yorks means the job opportunities are few and far between.
I took 6 weeks out to travel and work on my flat and garden and then got into some serious jobhunting. It took 4 months but I landed a job part time 7 miles from my home that I really enjoy. I also do another part time job in my home town and together they provide me with an income that pays the bills with a bit over.
I have had to downsize and restructure my lifestyle but I think many people are facing this at the moment. I consider myself lucky to have found a job especially as I am in my 50's now. A few weeks of claiming JSA was more than enough for me I am afraid, horrid experience!
What I am trying to say, in a longwinded and roundabout way, is that when faced with having to make difficult decisions we can turn a negative into a positive by thinking outside the box and looking at alternatives.
My very best wishes to you. Without going into details, I too have had some enormous upsets in the last couple of years but am now in a much happier place and hope that 2011 will be a much smoother and happier time.
I hope it is for you too.
SA

copperjar

Hi and thank you startagain
Its a stressful time but the more I think about things, the more I believe this could be the kick I need to get into gear and actually take some risks! There's a few major issues that need ironing out before I can even consider starting up my own business, but all my thoughts of the future are now down that path - so if I want it to happen, I've got to make it happen. Ironically, the one stumbing block could be if either me or my would be partner get a promotion in the restructure in March. We've asked for voluntary redundancy and have been knocked back, so if either of us get one of the jobs, it's going to be even harder to give all that up and go alone - without the security and probably without the redundancy pay as well. And everything is kind of on hold until then as well - we've got to go through the motions just to get statutory redundancy if nothing else. Why is nothing ever straight forward?!
Glad to hear that you managed to get work okay though (we're from the same part of the world) and it sounds like you're very happy with what you're doing now.

I've discovered tonight why I don't go out that much. £50 on an afternoon out in Leeds - no sales shopping, just lunch, beer and cocktails! :eek: That is actually ridiculous!!!

iwantahome

I don't think £50 on and afternoon out with friends is ridiculous. I bet you've spent much worse in the past. Remember you are on a learning curve and calming things down too quickly will be too much. £50 every couple of weeks is much better than £50 twice every single weekend. Just right this one off to 2010 and start afresh in 2011.

Your debts are going in the right direction, don't beat yourself up about an afternoon out at christmas. January is round the corner. The boring month, when everyone stays in, you will be able to recoup that £50 then.

How's the smoking going?

copperjar

Thanks iwah

I know £50 isn't that bad really, just seems a lot when I'm focussing so much on my credit cards. But like you said before, life is also for living and good memories are what its all about. I enjoyed yesterday - was impulsive for once and had fun. So £50 well spent!
Still not smoking (8 weeks I think it is now), although I can't lie - I think you must know to have asked the question :eek: - I had half a cigarette whilst drunk yesterday. I was nearly sick!! Think that's probably finished off my cravings for good.


I have £30 left to get me to payday which is Friday, so I think I can work out the final figures for December and update my sig :j

copperjar

Okay, here goes.
Paid off the £20 remaining from the OD, £52.23 off the Santander card and £296.27 towards Virgin CC. I also paid the remaining £101 on Barclaycard (but that was added last month so I'm not including it!). This brings total CC debt down by £386.50 this month

:j Really pleased with all that.

Also paid my loans as usual, so total debt payments this month has been £641.91 :eek: Crikey - what could I have done with all that?! If that doesn't motivate me to get it all paid off, nothing will!

The majority has obviously been from my salary, but I've also made some extra from eBay and Amazon, made just over £100 on the mini challenge I set myself and general tightness!

Now to set myself some targets for next month.....

iwantahome

Wow! you are doing really well. £641.91 paid off, one debt gone, a £50 night out having a life and 8 weeks not smoking (half a cigarette doesn't count considering its still 2010). Be proud of that!

If you don't smoke for ten days in Jan your £50 is easily made back.

copperjar

Don't want to use this thread to air all my dirty linen, but just found out something |I suspected for a long time is true Hard to stay motivated with everything when life throws all sorts of crap at you!

On the bright side - pay day tomorrow.

copperjar

Apologies for the rather dramatic post late last night. Sometimes things happen that can just knock you sideways, last night was one of those occasions. I've been proud of my progress so far, not just the money saving, but also moving forward (slowly!) with plans for my future career and little steps towards getting over the ex. I've realised that the progress has probably all been a bit superficial - maybe I've been kidding myself and haven't actually made much real progress at all (apart from the money saving).

I'm all churned up, haven't slept and feel that I've reached a rather dramatic crossroads in my life. With 2011 8 hours away, I either continue as I am, hoping things get better, kidding myself that I'm doing okay. Or I make the conscious decision to go for it. Really change my life. Make 2011 the start of the rest of my life!!

Now I just need to decide whether to start a new diary for 2011, like other people are doing to wipe those bad memories from this one away. Or keep this going as a record of how far I've (not yet) come. I don't know...perhaps being more decisive should be the first resolution of 2011 :rotfl:

Anyone got any advice on how to mend a broken heart?