Squizz's Fizzy Diary

redsquirrel80

Hello!

I feel like I'm entering a new chapter of life, so I thought it was about time for a new diary. The old one is here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1892061 if you have a few days to waste.. I've just read the first few pages and cringed a bit :rotfl:

For those who don't know me, I'm generally known as Red or Squizz on here - I'm 30 (how did that happen!), and have recently moved in with Mr Squizz, although I've unofficially been living there for most of this year anyway!

I work in admin in a University - started the job a few months ago. It's busy (which is good) and involves lots of problem-solving (also good), but is very frustrating at times (not so good). I also have a second job mentoring people on an IT training scheme. The second job seems to be opening up lots of interesting opportunities, one of which might involve some teaching which I would love to do. Long term I would like to be doing a few different things for work, rather than one full-time job.

I'm also doing a couple of courses just now - one to do with the mentoring, and one in philosophy - I have part of a philosophy degree and desperately want to finish that and do more studying in that area - am looking into ways to do that at the moment.

I love gardening, especially growing fruit and veg, hillwalking, running (although I've been a bit lazy with that recently), reading, and anything to do with food. I really like travelling but this year has been severely lacking in holidays - something that needs to be remedied next year. I enjoy writing and have a blog (which you can find on my profile) where I ramble about philosophy and gardening.

Suppose I'd better mention something about money! I have £7428.38 of debt from old loans and credit cards - I've paid off nearly £3000 since last December, so making progress. I'm aiming to get down to £7k by the end of this year and then really get stuck into it next year - it would be amazing to have it all paid off by the end of 2011 but we'll see.

My basic SOA is
Income: £1200 (plus sometimes extra from second job)

Outgoings:
Rent: £350 (includes all bills)
Mobile: £15
Debts: £120 (minimum payments)

Balance: £715.

Obviously I will be chucking a lot more at the debts, I will have to figure out exactly how much soon.


And the fizzy bit? That's how I want my life to be - busy, exciting and full of things that I'm passionate about. I'm also quite partial to a glass of champagne, cava, prosecco... :beer:

redsquirrel80

Thought I'd better copy over my aims for the 50 day challenge from Memorygirl's thread..

1. Finish mentoring course and arrange next steps
2. Finish philosophy course and arrange next steps
3. Post on blog at least 2 times a week and build up a following
4. Get debt down to £7k
5. Lose 10lb
6. Do something to work on my lack of confidence

On the last one - this is something that really holds me back. I'm booked onto a couple of day courses at work which might help a bit, but it does feel like it's need some drastic measures. Not quite sure what though!

redsquirrel80

I've had a think about the debts and for the next two paydays I've set up my standing orders to pay £100 to each of them. That'll bring me down to £6882.38 at the end of the year (and leave me enough money to sort out the rest of my Christmas shopping). So to get rid of the debts by the end of 2011 I would need to pay off £573.53 per month.. hmm!

Anyway, off home to cook this - http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/other-recipes/italian-bread-and-cabbage-soup-with-sage - yum!

Have a lovely weekend

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
Happy weekend

gilligansyle

Hi

feel like I *know* you from MG's thread and KC's diary, so happy new diary.

Should I go back and read the old one?

redsquirrel80

Hi Beanie, hi Gillian - only read it if you really have nothing better to do! I think the highlights were getting a new job, running 16 miles, and finally moving in with Mr Squizz after months of wondering if he was ever going to ask (in the end, my lease was running out so I asked!)

Had a nice weekend - lovely bright cold weather. Tidied up the garden on Saturday then had a mammoth shopping trip as we both had vouchers to spend. Can't beat free shopping Yesterday there was lots of cooking and reading - we made falafel and houmous for lunch and Mr S made amazing soda bread, got that and homemade soup for lunch today Made a start on my 'big' philosophy essay for my course - really enjoying getting stuck into that.

Making progress on the second job thing - am discussing teaching opportunities with them - very exciting!

And me paying rent has meant that Mr S could afford to pay his car insurance in one go this year - saving quite a bit of interest as opposed to monthly payments

redsquirrel80

Just a quickie today - on a training course and just on lunch break. Course is about dealing with difficult situations, things like assertiveness and how to deal with criticism.. pretty heavy going but definitely helping with my trying to improve self-confidence. Has brought up quite a few past issues, and some very interesting points on the language we use - I am definitely too apologetic!

Lots to think about, but for now I need to shove food in my mouth and get back there!

Karmacat

Hiya! Shiny new diary - thank heavens you told me you know what, I'm going to go through the diaries board at least once a week - when the weekly email comes out is a good day to do it - just done it to find you (tho I couldn't - used your name and "find other posts" instead :o) and there are loads of people I sort of know who have diaries that I don't visit .. mind you, if I spend all day on here, I'll never get the house finished .....

See, rabbiting already :rotfl: I must have been posting on your old diary for the past 5 days .... ah well.

Doesn't your life sound great now as opposed to 18 months ago! Not just the debt, but everything else too.

redsquirrel80

Glad you found me! I must go and check the old diary to see if there's anything I've missed! I am also guilty of only checking my regular diaries and really should have a look round more often.

Well, yesterday was interesting (lots of good tips), frustrating (not enough time) and draining. A good experience but I really felt that I would benefit from doing this sort of stuff once a week, not just a one-off. So that is something to explore and definitely in the improving confidence category. Although actually I surprised myself by how much I spoke out yesterday, and the person I was working with on the 'role play' section said I came across as serious and confident. I maybe do when I'm thinking about it, but not so easy in the heat of the moment.

Feel like I'm only really getting started on the week properly today - lots of work to do. Also need to do some more work on philosophy essay, pay my deposit cheque into the bank, and erm, think that's about it!

And yes, things are definitely better than 18 months ago, in many ways

Ellidee

'subscribes'

redsquirrel80

Hi Elli :hello: