Blinking in the brightness of the lightbulb moment

Cat2011

November Tally of savings.
Need £1,300. Saved £117.42

£39.87 - Mystery Shop
£17.00 - Mystery Shop
£36.00 - Mystery Shop
£13.55 - Mystery shop
£11.00 - Mystery Shop

Cat2011

Ok - So Plan B... I've opened the Santander eSaver at 3.1%, I could have got a fraction more for my money, but Santander is very easy as I already bank with them. I'm going to put all my savings in that one. Then will transfer a regular amount into the Santander Reward Saver at 5% - which I will hopefully go to the branch tomorrow to open. Will think about opening another regular saver, but I'm likely to need the money in the next year, and most regular savers are set for a year. I'm not sure if I'll lose any interest if I don't make 12 monthly payments? At least with the eSaver I've got somewhere to put my savings now.

Mystery Shopping has slowed down recently, haven't had time to check all the sites as been studying, hoping to get a load in round Christmas - I'm not sure if there would be lots extra, or hardly any because of Christmas time?

Free listing this weekend on eBay, I'm out MSing tomorrow, but will hopefully get a few things on. Finally the right time of year to sell my spare ski jacket! Printed off the paperwork today for the MS (4 shops) and discovered the shops are only open 9-12.30! I stupidly assumed they'd be open all day on a Saturday :S . Have planned out the most time-efficient route (2 shops are fairly local, 2 a bit of a drive), and I'll just have to do some very quick shopping!

Still haven't bought the bracket for my bike light. I strangely feel rather odd about spending the money. I've tried so hard to not spend money - in fact I've been really really good recently - now I'm "allowed" to spend money, (because I have the money and it's something I need) I find it hard to do. Guess I'm a bit worried it'll open the flood gates. If I let myself buy something like this, I might not stop....

Cat2011

Right. Have bought the light bracket, a set of front and rear flashing lights and some goggles. Came to £46, should get £1.38 cashback , and also declined speedy postage, so it was free. So now hopefully I'll see/be seen when cycling in the dark to work. I've never cycled in the dark on the road before. Just cycled in the dark mountain biking, which I guess could be considered more dangerous - but at least trees don't move and aren't idiots.... cars on the other hand... I needed the goggles too, as my current pair are so knackered I can't see anything out of them! Swimming will help with the be healthy/make more friends goals, tho not much for the MSE goals as it costs money, but that can probably come out of my entertainmnet budget.

Cat2011

So yesterday was a busy mystery shopping day. Manged to get all the shops done in plenty of time and all submitted . Bought lots of useful things from the shop (which I'll get refunded for), so sort of a NSD. I was very good and took a bottle of water and an apple with me, as I have a tendency to sneak into a petrol station for a drink and choccie bar

Tried to get some writing done yesterday but struggled a bit - ended up watching Knight and Day, which was so-so. Very slowly getting there - must have the essay done this weekend, as the deadline for the next essay is next weekend!

I was supposed to have a friend over today, but he's cancelled (too hungover!), I'm glad in a way as it means I can concentrate on writing, but would have been nice to see him.

I have Wednesday next week booked off as the Man is coming to repaint the bathroom after the little flood... so have booked some mystery shops for the morning, as he's coming in the afternoon.

So to do in the next few days:

• Finish essay 1
• Start essay 2
• Fuel @5p/l off
• Buy lunch boxes (seriously thinking about buying another freezer, as running out of room for my lunches!)
• Paper/UHT boxes/electricals to the tip
• Put bins out
• Transfer my old light bracket onto my road bike as new one won't come in time. Plus attach reflector.

Cat2011

So to do in the next few days:

• Finish essay 1
• Start essay 2
• [STRIKE]Fuel @5p/l off[/STRIKE]
• Buy lunch boxes (seriously thinking about buying another freezer, as running out of room for my lunches!)
• Paper/UHT boxes/electricals to the tip
• [STRIKE]Put bins out[/STRIKE]
• Transfer my old light bracket onto my road bike as new one won't come in time. Plus attach reflector.

Getting there on essay 1. Slowly.
Filled up the tank with fuel - economy has gone up a bit
Forgot about the lunch boxes, going to the tip once I've gathered up all the paper that needs recycling as well.
Didn't have time to do the light bracket so drove in today. tut tut.

Cat2011

Had fun with my first aiding group this eve - played with an AED for the first time . Super easy to use - really think there should be more of them in general public areas. Got another mystery shop booked for the Wed I have off, going to be a busy day!

Managed to get some more things on eBay after a very long break. Relisted quite a few things, and got my ski jacket up there. 35 items on (tho lots of tat), and 3 will def sell, with a few more with watchers. Didn't check out the finishing time, and some will finish Thursday afternoon, which isn't ideal.

Hopefully going to go out with the local cycling club tomorrow night for a mountain bike ride. Will be good to meet some new people - been meaning to join a local cycling/running/tri club for literally years. Hope I don't get left behind!

Cat2011

November Tally of savings.
Need £1,300. Saved £127.03

£39.87 - Mystery Shop
£17.00 - Mystery Shop
£36.00 - Mystery Shop
£13.55 - Mystery shop
£11.00 - Mystery Shop
£3.81 - Amazon sales
£1.81 - Round down
£3.99 - Round down

Cat2011

God I'm unfit! Went out with the mountain biking group tonight, there were five other guys. They were all really nice and waited for me when I was slow. Me and another got a puncture which slowed things down - but it was good fun. I'd forgotten how much I liked mountain biking - tho it's pretty scary in the dark! They have a road ride on a Thursday as well, will hopefully have recovered by then to join them on that!

I got a missed parcel card from the post, I assume that's my lights/goggles - I think the bracket will be some time coming.... oh that's a point - can only ride Thursday if I swop the brackets over . Also got £15 in vouchers today from a survey site :j . Have quite a few watchers on eBay, but no more items sold yet.

I have tomorrow off as my bathroom is being redone to repair the leak damage. Going to pop to the bank to open a savings account (branch only ) , pop to the post office to get the parcel, and also have 3 mystery shops to do. Busy day - don't think i'll have time for a lie in... well... mayeb a little one

Cat2011

November Tally of savings.
Need £1,300. Saved £142.03

£39.87 - Mystery Shop
£17.00 - Mystery Shop
£36.00 - Mystery Shop
£13.55 - Mystery shop
£11.00 - Mystery Shop
£3.81 - Amazon sales
£1.81 - Round down
£3.99 - Round dow
£15.00 - Surveys

Cat2011

ok - so had quite a bit of a lie in.... oops.
Popped to the bank this morning to open the regular saver account, but the bank manager was kind enough to explain to me that the interest paid wasn't compounded?! So despite an advertised 5% rate, it's actually only 2.9%. Pants. So back to the drawing board for that one.

Collected the parcel from the post office, twas my lights and goggles . Will try out the goggles Friday eve if I join the local club for their swim session.

The decorator turned up on time, and is decorating/crashing about as we speak. Not sure how long he'll be, but as soon as he's done I'll dash out and do those 3 mystery shops.

oh - and I've lost my front door key??! I park round the back and only come in through the back door so it's not a massive issue, but does mean I had to lean out the window and ask the decorator to drive round the back . Also won't be able to answer the door to anyone else (the housemates who have keys are all at work).... If the decorator is quick (oh dear.... he's just started singing..) I might pop into town and see if my housemate who works in town will lend me her key to copy it.