Sorting out my life - Part 2!

copperjar

Oh I agree about Labours mistakes SA - its just frightening the speed at which the ConDems are making these massive sweeping changes. Without a mandate to do so as well of course.

Well I didn't go shopping but did go to the gym. I upped my workout today to 55mins and added in some rowing. It was a killer, but I feel great now; I think I'm defintely getting fitter and the no smoking has made a massive difference. I wouldn't say I look forward to going yet, but I don't have to force myself either!

I've bought a few new gym clothes which might have to be my treat for this month and I've spent a bit on iTunes as well. I know I wanted a treaty treat, but considering I would hardly spend anything on myself in the past, its not a bad start! I've got the Virgin card down to -£200 which was my target, now I want to try and get £60 extra paid off Santander before the end of the month. Its going to be very tight but I think I might just be able to scrape it together (especially if some of the Amazon stuff starts selling).

Trying to think of a new hobby to take up - and linking it to money saving/making! Any ideas?

iwantahome

copperjar wrote: »

its just frightening the speed at which the ConDems are making these massive sweeping changes.

Fully agreed. They are cutting things far too fast, it took 60 years to pay off world war two debts, why rush to pay this off so fast. Take time and let the country enjoy the scenery and enjoy still having jobs. It's rude of MPs to cut other peoples jobs and still sit in their own jobs unaffected by the cuts themselves.

Well done on going to the gym, I need to follow your lead as things have slipped for me this week, despite promising myself that they would be great. Oh and also :T:T:T:T for still not smoking, you are doing extremely well, and they do say the first week is the biggest hurdle so it's good that you are so far past that too.

Why can't gym clothes count as your treat? Your treat should definitely be something that you will use, and you will definitely use gym clothes. I say when you look for your monthly treat find something that you will get use out of and then it won't be a waste.

Let us all know what hobby you find, I too am looking for a hobby, not related to gym/running as that is just something that needs to be done anyway, something to focus my mind away from work/past rubbish.

Good luck with the business stuff this weekend too.

startagain_2

Not going to harp on too much about the politics but I worry too about the cracks that seem to be appearing in the oh so cosy coalition. If that was to break down and we have a general election sooner rather than later how much damage will have been done?

Well done for the gym and not going shopping - exercise and no spend... a win/win situation.

Hobbies - are you an indoors or outdoors person?

Indoors - knitting, crochet (seriously, my dd loves it) Writing, DIY, learning a new craft, a new language on t'internet?

Outdoors - Rambling, Hiking, Cycling, National Trust volunteering, Sporty stuff ( I want to take up badminton again) Car boots?

The hobby world is your oyster ..... go seek and you shall find

Have a good day...

SA

copperjar

I think the cozy ConDem partnership will break sometime soon. As soon as the Lib Dems start to follow their own beliefs and principles, it will crumble. Some of them are starting to look very uneasy these days....

IWAH - yep, definitely counting my gym clothes as my treat. I also had a mini splurge on some CDs yesterday, so that's it now. No more treats this month!

SA - thanks for the ideas. The problem with hobbies is, a lot of them take more than one person and none of my friends have the same interests as me. I played badminton a few times with the ex and loved it (she lost interest though) - but I can't think of anyone else who would be up for it. Or I love tennis, but again, none of my friends do. I'd love to start going to watch the mighty Boro play again, but its a 1.5 hour trip to get there and my only football loving mate lives in Cornwall now! So another no, unless I go on my own or take my dad. Grrr...

I've got an interest in modern antique type stuff (retro 60s and 70s) so maybe I'll do something about that which involves leaving the house (auctions, carboots and the like) rather than spend hours trawling through eBay. But it costs money! I'm not particularly creative or arty, but I guess I could give it a go. Was also thinking about joining a class of some sort, my gym don't seem to be running the class I really fancied any more, maybe there's one running elsewhere....

Anyway, plans for today:
- food shopping (yawn)
- make a nice Sunday lunch (for one - boo!)
- domestic chores (sob)
- sort out my money for the rest of the month.

And I haven't looked through the business stuff yet

copperjar

Well, another uneventful Sunday, but I got my chores done so that's good. Also have worked out my money, rounded up all accounts and paid an extra £32 off my Santander card, leaving me with a bit of cash to get me through to next Monday and pay day. So I can total up what I've paid this month - results are scaring me :eek:

Paid the usual amount to the two loans
Paid £671.02 off the Virgin card, leaving a balance of £200
Paid £88.60 off the Santander card
Paid £25.10 into savings

That is crazy! If I didn't have all this debt and wasn't about to lose my job, I'd be rich!

copperjar

I've been as giddy as a kipper at work today. Think its hysteria. I'm really going to miss my job and all the people I work with. Its like the whole department is just winding down waiting for their fate.

Weighed in this morning - have lost 1.5lbs this week. I'm a bit disappointed with that. Have been going to the gym 3 times a week and eating really healthily. Considering what I used to eat, I thought the weight would fall off (people always say that don't they - it never falls off me, I have to work bloody hard for every 1/2lb!). Just got to make sure I don't lose my motivation and get to that gym again tomorrow.

Looking at my debts, if I can pay £800 off the CCs for the next 3 months, they will be totally cleared. This would then give me 3 months pay before I leave work, where I can hopefully save £1500 for an emergency fund. Now, I reckon I can put about £500 towards the debts from my wages, then just (:eek:) need another £300! Some of this can be from frugal living, the rest will need to be eBay and Amazon. Problem is, I don't think I have that much left to sell! I think a spring clean is in order to really clear the junk, and maybe a carboot sale as well. Its a tough target but I want to aim high!!

startagain_2

Fantastic efforts with the debt clearing, copperjar. It is so good when you have that office camaraderie, I remember it well from my old job, I just miss it so much. It just couldn't be more different at my present job, small company, old fashioned building, old fashioned people and old fashioned attitudes. But with my new teflon shoulders I will keep on because i think I will be good for them, eventually, but the road is a bit rocky getting there.
When you are more comfortable with just being you and not half of a couple you will find that you don't need a.n.other to go to things and take part. That is what clubs are for, for people to meet up. I am sure you would find a partner if you went to a sporty club. I go to the cinema on my own and it is fine. My friends are at the other end of the country and contact is mainly by phone so I have had to get used to it. I am now perfectly happy with my own company (and MrT the dog, of course) and relish the selfish, independent life that I have.
Have a good day copperjar, you sound like you are in a purple patch at the moment.
SA

copperjar

Thanks SA Not sure why I'm so reluctant to go to things on my own, I was never that bothered before, think I've lost my confidence a bit.

Well after a week or so of a purple patch, I'm feeling pretty down in the dumps today. Bloody typical. Seem to have had reminders of the ex everywhere I've turned today - better get myself to the gym and work the frustration/annoyance/hurt out!

iwantahome

Reckon its a case of jumping in feet first (and we both need a huge shove in that direction). The first will always be the hardest, then it surely can only get easier right?

I've seen a kayak taster session I want to do, but its not until april. I am really excited about it, and if I have to go on my own, then I go on my own. It's only an hours drive away and is something i've always wanted to try. So this is the first step into seeing if I like it and if theres a chance i'd get a little hobby out of it. Theres a snowboarding course I want to try to so I can learn and get some practice in and save up to have a few days up in scotland next xmas. The only down side to these are the costs, but it might mean I don't spend as much on going out and drinking and just transfer the spends to that if I really like it.

This shall not be a pipe dream, this shall not be a pipe dream, this shall not be a pipe dream. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

copperjar

Yep, I definitely need a shove! Love your ideas though IWAH, strangely enough I was talking about possibly looking for a canoeing course the other day!

Well, my bubble has definitely burst the past two days. I've been a sobbing, crumpled mess and there's no logical reason for it. My friend met with my ex last night so of course filled me in on all the details. She told me nothing I didn't already know but it sent me into a complete spin - obsessing about the small details that really don't matter. Hopefully it was just a small setback...and I don't have any more. I'm actually boring myself with it all now.

One good thing though, I went to the gym yesterday and tonight. I'm on one! Unfortuately I rowed over my earphones and have broken them, but other than that, I'm loving going and its definitely helping keep my mind off things. No more payments to the CCs until payday, I do have a bit of cash left but have been invited out on Saturday so I think that needs to be the priority for once.

Onwards and upwards....