Update from me (and I need a chat!)

lynzpower

KAth I used to work in womens clothing shop back in the day

I suggest you see if you can get a footspa on freecycle. Believe me, it will be worth it

Snaggles

Hello Kath, sorry I don't really have any advice to add, but most of what I wanted to say has already been covered. But I just wanted to re-iterate what others have said about the amount of effort you put in to providing support to people on here. Several times your posts have made me smile when I've been feeling miserable, you are always thoughtful, honest and caring. Hope you feel better soon, don't be too hard on yourself, and listen to ZTD.....the guy talks some serious sense sometimes !!

kathfisch

Minnie - thank you for such kind words, you make me all embarassed! Its strange to find support from so many people I've never met... and yet I feel like I do 'know' people on here.

Lynz - oooh yes... footspa needed here!! I've worked in a shop before and I did get used to it after a few weeks but my feet and my back are complaining at the mo! Nice feeling though... will make me fit!

Snaggles - thank you

Right then!

Encouraged by you lot I have:

a) Worked out that I am about £600 overdrawn this needs exact 'working out' because of various comings and goings with matched betting and MFN challenge that I can't get my head around tonight!

b) Made a weekly budget that looks like this:

Incomings = £120 This is absolute minimum but with a promise of much overtime up to Christmas

Outgoings
Bridge Toll = £25 Not a typo, it is £5 a time :mad:
Petrol = £20 Think this is an overestimate
Christmas = £10 6 weeks until Christmas so £60 will have to do me... not a prob, don't buy for many people and will be creative!
Clothes = £10 unless some dramatic weight loss happens I'll need some more winter clothes
Me! = £5
Total = £70

Which leaves £50 a week to reduce the overdraft... would take 12 weeks at that rate but the job is only guaranteed for 7 and a half weeks but they might ask me to stay on. I really hope I can save a lot more than that though, by working overtime and cutting down on the expenses listed.

There's also my MFN challenge money to consider but I'm not sure how I'm treating that yet

I know there are giant categories of things missing from that fairly poor excuse for an SOA :rotfl: but that's primarily the things that my parents pay for at the moment. I sound like such a spoilt brat I'm sure but we have agreed that I will not pay any rent until I am earning a bit more or have paid off the overdraft. Equally, they pay for the taxing/insuring of the car and household bills/food etc until such time as I can afford them and believe me as soon as I can I will!

This is just a temporary budget to get me through the next few months and help me be strict on my spending! And its only been done thanks to a bit of a kick up the bum from you lot, especially ZTD :cool: So now its official and I have to stick to it!

Mrs_Sparkle

Kath I came to this late in the day but just wanted to send you a big hug. Be strict- you know you can do it. You know from other conversations that I'm having to tighten my belt a bit further the next few months so you're not alone. You're doing brilliantly with your MFN challenge and matched betting and just think how useful that money will be x

kathfisch

Mrs_Sparkle wrote:

Kath I came to this late in the day but just wanted to send you a big hug. Be strict- you know you can do it. You know from other conversations that I'm having to tighten my belt a bit further the next few months so you're not alone. You're doing brilliantly with your MFN challenge and matched betting and just think how useful that money will be x

Thank you! You're right - I can do it - and I feel a lot more positive now that I have actual budget amounts to stick to.

I'm really not sure about the MFN challenge (which includes the matched betting) - I don't want it to just get swallowed up in my everyday budget or used as an excuse to be more relaxed about my general spending. But equally I don't want it to be an excuse to spend on something extravagant! :rolleyes: I'd also like to carry on with it beyond the official end date so I don't want to use it all up really... want to keep some to keep me going with the matched betting!

I shall have to think on it but my brain is frazzled now, it will be my task for tomorrow (among many!).

tryhard_2

hi kath
with weekly petrol and toll cost would train be more economical? as you are quite young you can get a young person's railcard with 1/3 off train travel
good luck!

sammy115

Hi Kath

I have a footspa if you want it. I was going to freecyce it, but I will send it to you if you want. I remember the feet!!

If you want it pm me.

Sammy

moozie_2

Hey Kath

How did I miss this thread??? Sorry sweetie

So lovely to read your progress through the messages and see how much more upbeat and confident you are now you are getting your head around your budget and your task!

I only have 2 things to add!

1. You are AMAZING! Don't you ever forget it. Me and many others have benefited from your kind words, support and [STRIKE]car mat [/STRIKE]jokes when we are down. Seeing your name on a thread always makes me think that something well rounded, well put together and well meaning has been posted. You really are one of the kindest people I know :kisses3:
   
2. You know when you put your mind onto something, you can undoubtedly do it! You have achieved much harder things - like get out of a difficult relationship and get a degree - so this will be a walk in the park! It's always harder dealing with the unknown but now you have a budget and a target, it will be a much more structured and concentrated effort!

Hope you keep us updated with progress - we are a nosy lot! :rotfl: and we really do care

kathfisch

Unfortunately there's no train to the shopping centre where I work, otherwise that would be a fab idea! I have a young person's railcard but not much chance to use it now that I've left uni :rolleyes:

Sammy, that's very kind of you! I've been offered one by a friend which I guess is cheaper than you posting it, but thank you anyway

Moozie, thank you You're all saying such sweet things and I really don't know what to say... except I feel the same towards all of you and its fab having you around to keep me going (and keep me on track!).

I will definitely keep you updated! I've never had a diary thread or anything like that but I think I'll keep this one going so that I can keep a record of this new budget. I will also be joining your daily spending threads Moozie, feel free to tell me off if I don't!!

summerday

Hi Kath,

You've already had lots of supportive replies which you totally deserve, because you've always struck me as being such a kind and lovely member of the forum. But I will add my 2p as well because the more support the better eh

You could have been writing about me when I graduated a few years ago. I couldn't believe how impossible it was to get any kind of job - not enough experience or over- qualified was always the answer. It got too depressing to even look at the job paper after a while and just doing everyday things became too much effort.

In the end I took the first job offer I got- a junior admin role that paid the same as what I would have earned if I'd left school when I was 16. But sometimes, that's what you've got to do. You've just got your first step in the shop, and even though it's not what you want to do forever you should still be proud that they chose you, and it will boost your confidence and give your everyday life more structure. I stayed in my junior admin role for 5 mionths, it was dull but I took up every scrap of training they offered me and sucked up to the boss to get a good reference. After 5 months I saw a job advertised that I never thought I'd get with my junior current position, but I tried anyway, got it and doubled my salary!


This isn't about me trying to boast I promise, I can just empathise because I really felt so negative when I couldn't find a job, and not too pleased with the first one I did get. And you are in the same position now so I know things can work out for you the same they have for me. Do your shop job as well as you can, build up good relationships, go on all the training you can and you will develop your skills and maybe make new mates.

Snap with the perfectionism too. I really do feel for you so much hun cos I have been there but try to take one day at a time, and keep your hand in the interests you want to develop as a career one day, practise them in your spare time so you keep up and can apply for more relevant jobs or training with confidence when you see them.

You really sound like me in so many ways, down to the A-grade school background and marginally disappointing 2:1! But you are defo doing better than me with the fitness and weight loss thing - well done you, I am sadly going the other way and that gets me down.

Take care hun, keep posting.

Hugs, Sarah xx