Blinking in the brightness of the lightbulb moment

Cat2011

April Tally of savings.
Saved £317.80

£12.00 Mystery shop
£7.50 eBay
£32.50 Mystery shops
£20.00 Mystery shops
£8.00 Mystery shops
£12.00 Mystery shops
£15.85 Cashback
£0.17 Interest
£7.10 Interest
£16.50 Mystery shops
£13.00 Mystery shops
£97.00 eBay
£14.99 eBay
£45.00 eBay
£8.28 Interest
£6.16 Amazon
£1.75 mystery shop

Cat2011

April Tally of savings.
Saved £337.24

£12.00 Mystery shop
£7.50 eBay
£32.50 Mystery shops
£20.00 Mystery shops
£8.00 Mystery shops
£12.00 Mystery shops
£15.85 Cashback
£0.17 Interest
£7.10 Interest
£16.50 Mystery shops
£13.00 Mystery shops
£97.00 eBay
£14.99 eBay
£45.00 eBay
£8.28 Interest
£6.16 Amazon
£1.75 mystery shop
£19.44 Mystery shop

Cat2011

So eBay... being a bit of a pain at the moment. I've had 2 people buy something, and then fail to pay. I sent an inovice after a couple of days, then an email yesterday. One of them has finally paid, but the other hasn't, so might have to open a dispute with him if he doesn't pay up .

Money saving has been going quite well this month as I'm being paid for all the mystery shops I did last month, so my savings total is quite high. Still have to add all the savings from my salary onto that next Wed on payday. Bit worried I've still been spending too much tho...

A new job has been advertised at work which is a band up from my current job. I asked the boss about applying for it, as I'm not too sure I'm capable, and he didn't say don't be ridiculous... so decided to apply. Another guy in our group is also applying, as well as at least 2 others - so my boss said it would come down to the interview and "be a bit of a bun fight". I don't think I'll get it, but it's been ages since I had an interview so will be good practice for any medicine interviews I might get in the autumn, and it will show my bosses that I'm keen to progress. Such a shame we can't get a promotion just for being good at our jobs, or a bonus for working hard. Have to do entire application forms and interviews to get anywhere...

Haven't managed to get round to doing another car boot sale yet. I bought a cheapie table for it tho. Was thinking about this weekend, but it's going to be raining. There's a boot sale near me which is undercover, but not sure if the rain will put people off....

In terms of the love life, I've been chatting to a few different people on an internet dating site, who all seem nice. Might line up a couple of dates in the near future .

I've changed my diet about too in an effort to get rid of some of my excess baggage and generally be healthier. Decided to follow the principles of an elimination diet, and a paleo diet. Basically the paleo diet involves eating food pre-agricultural revolution, so meat, veg and fruit, technically mostly berries - no grains etc. The elimination diet means getting rid of all processed food in my diet, no caffeine, no dairy and no alcohol. I'm not massivley subscribed to either mode of thinking, I just want to feel healthier - so I thought I'd give these a try. Monday was the first day and I had a headache most of the day likely due to lack of caffeine. But I feel pretty good at the moment . I'm enjoying eating all the fresh food - tho i do need to go shopping! I'm drinking herbal teas instead of the usual black tea or coffee, and quite enjoying them. It's forcing me to try new and interesting recipes too. I had a lovely frittata for dinner last night . So I'm doing this for 40 days - seeing how it affects me, and then maybe reintroducing a couple of things either completely or just in moderation. We'll see. I'm not missing the traditional carbs like rice and pasta at the moment, but once I start ramping up the exercise, it'll be interesting to see how my body copes. This is not in any way a low or no carb diet, as I'll still be eating 30% carbs due to all the veggies so should be all good.

The reason I'm doing it over 40 days is that I want to try out barefoot running - or at least minimalist running. I bought some lovely new shoes with my "sports" savings. They are uber flexible, and help me to run more on my midfoot, instead of heel striking. This is thought to be more efficient, allow you to run quicker, and reduce injuries as well. Merrell have a 40 day training program as you have to ease into this type of running very slowly, due to my feet not being used to being asked to run effectively barefoot. I've been getting quite a few odd looks when I wander around in bare feet outside! On day 4 at the moment and the food and barefoot training is going well so far... watch this space.

Finally - I need to get on with the other training. I'd like to do some triathlons this summer, so need to get back into the pool, as seriously unfit for swimming. I haven't lifted weights since forever, so I want to get back to the free weights. I'm also doing the Wiggle Dragon Ride in June which is cycling 128miles of serious hills.... so REALLY have to get onto the bike.... Must try harder....

Cat2011

April Tally of savings.
Saved £378.21

£12.00 Mystery shop
£7.50 eBay
£32.50 Mystery shops
£20.00 Mystery shops
£8.00 Mystery shops
£12.00 Mystery shops
£15.85 Cashback
£0.17 Interest
£7.10 Interest
£16.50 Mystery shops
£13.00 Mystery shops
£97.00 eBay
£14.99 eBay
£45.00 eBay
£8.28 Interest
£6.16 Amazon
£1.75 mystery shop
£19.44 Mystery shop
£20.31 Car Boot Sale
£12.49 eBay
£8.17 Interest

Cat2011

Finally managed to get my butt to a car boot sale. Decided to go to a big local market in a nearby town to make sure there were lots of customers. Stayed up quiet late cleaning the jewellery I wanted to take. Lots of necklaces and earrings. Then crept about the house in the morning packing the car. Left at 7am :S, and set up the stall ok. It was undercover thankfully as we had a bit of rain towards the end, but there were some nice sunny spells. Customers were very low on the ground and I wasn't sure if I even broke even.... but turns out I made £20 profit which isn't too bad. Made some pennies and got rid of some stuff. Slowly getting there with the clearout/money making! I only sold ONE necklace tho out of all my jewllery. I've got them in nice boxes, so think I'll take photos and put them on eBay instead, see how many sell on there. Next time will take things to my more local car boot as tho that was small, it was pretty popular. Also going to put the rest of the DVDs I have on MusicMagpie as I'm only selling them for 50p, and I can get 30p on the website for a lot less hassle.

The last eBayer finally paid up after I opened a case, so need to send those off tomorrow.

After my car boot I went over to a friends and we drove to a seriously hilly area to do laps of a 10mile circuit as training for the hilly Dragon Ride. Unfortunately only managed 2 laps, and had to rest twice on 1 climb, tho only rested once on the second lap. It was a bit of an eye opener... Really need to do more cycling as the event is only 7 weeks away. The weather was also truly awful, I got soaked! And of course as soon as we finished cycling the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day. However did see the brightest rainbow I've ever seen on the cycle round - was also a double. Looked awesome!

Put in an application for the promotion job yesterday. Hopefully the rubbish I wrote will get me an interview. Not sure how soon they're happening, so need to spend tomorrow revising for it, and generally researching the science.

But right now - I'm knackered, so early(ish) to bed...

Cat2011

PAYDAY! :j

in April I saved/paid off £864.21

My new total savings are £14,530.29, bringing my debt down to March payday = -£2,689.64

That amount is not too shabby. But I should be able to save £800/mth just from my salary due to lots of cutting back. I earnt/saved an extra £400 as well, so the total should have been around £1200. Think the issue is those extra spends. I started using my savings for general spending at the end of the month which is a habit I definitely don't want to get into. It could be a lot worse I guess, I've held off several "sports" purchases as I had no money in that account - spent it all on race entry fees - I need a set of pedals for one of my bikes (currently share one set between two bikes and its a pain to constantly have to change them...), and also need a new chain for my road bike as its feeling very sorry for itself.

We get an annual increment each year in April (no such thing as a bonus at work). Worked out as £26/mth extra this year. I'm paying extra in pension contributions from now on due to the shake-up of pensions (grrr...) which will lower the take home pay, but think I pay less in student loan repayments due to the increase in tax threshold, so get more in take home pay... Will have to wait til I get my pay slip to work out all the changes. *confusing!*

DFD has just crept past July, but hopefully can get that back next month. Currently planning on a Summer holiday to France on the 23rd June. Was hoping I'd be debt free by then as it'd be a nice celebration, but looks like it might not happen. Haven't been on a proper relaxing summer holiday for years (2005?), so really looking forward to it

ZTD

Cat2011 wrote: »

PAYDAY! :j

in April I saved/paid off £864.21

My new total savings are £14,530.29, bringing my debt down to March payday = -£2,689.64

That amount is not too shabby. But I should be able to save £800/mth just from my salary due to lots of cutting back. I earnt/saved an extra £400 as well, so the total should have been around £1200.

Don't "coulda woulda shoulda" this. Your debt went the right direction - be thankful for that. Yes, it could be improved - but that's for the future.

Cat2011 wrote: »

Think the issue is those extra spends. I started using my savings for general spending at the end of the month which is a habit I definitely don't want to get into.

If it isn't a habit you're already into - why did you do it (this is not a rhetorical question)?

Cat2011 wrote: »

DFD has just crept past July, but hopefully can get that back next month.

It'll come right for you.

Cat2011 wrote: »

Currently planning on a Summer holiday to France on the 23rd June. Was hoping I'd be debt free by then as it'd be a nice celebration, but looks like it might not happen. Haven't been on a proper relaxing summer holiday for years (2005?),

That was about the last time I went on a foreign holiday - but that was Spain. I'm just thankful I don't live there... :eek:

Cat2011 wrote: »

so really looking forward to it

:T That's good.

Cat2011

ZTD wrote: »

Don't "coulda woulda shoulda" this. Your debt went the right direction - be thankful for that. Yes, it could be improved - but that's for the future.

If it isn't a habit you're already into - why did you do it (this is not a rhetorical question)?

True story. Debt is going down and that's the main thing. It'll take as long as it takes. I'm not on the breadline and in good control of it all, so actually living a little by not working 24/7 is allowed

With the borrowing from savings... I had a look, and I only did it 3 times, which is less than I thought. I'm good at feeling guilty about things! Twice was for food, and once was to buy some gels from a sports shop because I was about to go on a long ride and didn't have any at home. Used the savings money as my "spending" account was empty. I put in £30/week for food and £30/week for spending money. Except I just multiple that by 4 and got £240, but if I multiple by 52weeks and divide by 12 months I get £260/mth. Think I'll increase it to £260.

Cat2011

May tally of savings
Saved £203.38

£7.10 Interest
£8.02 Interest
£46.46 Mystery shop
£17.80 Mystery shop
£49.00 Mystery shop
£54.00 Mystery shop
£21.00 Quidco

ZTD

Cat2011 wrote: »

True story. Debt is going down and that's the main thing. It'll take as long as it takes. I'm not on the breadline and in good control of it all, so actually living a little by not working 24/7 is allowed

It is. Indeed, is it recommended. Everything in moderation.

Cat2011 wrote: »

With the borrowing from savings... I had a look, and I only did it 3 times, which is less than I thought. I'm good at feeling guilty about things!

You need to start feeling "accurate" about things...

Cat2011 wrote: »

Twice was for food, and once was to buy some gels from a sports shop because I was about to go on a long ride and didn't have any at home. Used the savings money as my "spending" account was empty. I put in £30/week for food and £30/week for spending money. Except I just multiple that by 4 and got £240, but if I multiple by 52weeks and divide by 12 months I get £260/mth. Think I'll increase it to £260.

You can't multiply it by 4. Some months are "long" with 5 weeks. It normally goes in the pattern 4,4,5 so you can see you need to multiply it by 4 and a third.

It makes a difference over time - almost a month per year.