Have grasped the nettle..........now to deal with the ensuing rash

Igamogam

In 2017 my longest,closest and dearest friend died. Taken ill,admitted to hospital diagnosed and died in the space of 4 days. She had a life to still live and it hit us all hard. In the same year DD1 had a huge change in her life which meant a new start something we and she did not expect and was not ready for. A parents love is unconditional and we supported her throughout 2018,emotionally and financially.

I pretty much drifted through 2018, I see that now. Floundering really. I stopped doing a lot of things and struggled to find pleasure and satisfaction in many different parts of my RL. MSE life took a back seat too. I had to put stuff aside and concentrate on other things but I really went too far. I was beginning to lose sight of me and what was important. Boredom and apathy set in. I started looking into 'mindfulness'. It wasn't a revelation. I wasn't saved by it and TBH I find lots of it a little toe curling but I gradually found some head space and started revisiting things I had closed the door on....work,relationships, debt and me

As 2018 came to an end I realised 2019 was going to have to be big,well significant for what I am planning. I need to get the debt,the house,my health and work on a trajectory that when all the star are aligned I can RETIRE...........and when you are the breadwinner that is a biggie :eek:

It isnt the first time I have mentioned retirement but I dont think I had admitted it to myself that its a 'thing':rotfl: And it is a thing that needs a plan.

Regarding the debt I am going to back to fist principles.........I am not gong to buy anything:rotfl::rotfl: By that I mean NOTHING that doesn't sustain life............sustenance can be loose definition because life has to be lived.;) What I really mean is that I am back to principles of budgeting,not over spending,saving,over paying......and listening to my own advice:rotfl:

Some things I will be trying though - just to spice it up a bit and keep boredom at bay is that I intend not to but any new clothes - underwear an exception. I will be shopping from the cupboards and freezers first because after all I can keep to a list and meal plan. I have set a budget for the year for groceries and may just succumb to a spread sheet to monitor it all! I will be using up the box of unloved toiletries and I will rekindle that relationship with Ebay again...........cant be hard can it? :eek:;):p

Igamogam

brizzlegirl wrote: »

Interesting you use the word bored. I know how you feel and how it all gets too consuming so one wonders off into RL to actually live a little. But no more for me. I just can’t do it. If I want to look at a reasonably content retirement then I need to ditch this debt once and for all and learn to live differently.

Have told the family this and they seem on board. We shall see. No more holiday booking and every spend needs to super mindful.

Suspect you’re back at work tomorrow ...hope it goes well x

Ha you beat me to it Brizzle

Yes work tomorrow with the Idiot in Charge:o

Actually we are now united in our concern about the new Twit at the Top..........they have been on a course and boy dont we know about it! We are enduring every last power point slide that must have made up their final presentation for said course. The powers that be have put in overall charge a serial badge collector who knows nothing about the job. They have a list of statements, a barrow full of targets, a tiny bucket of budget figures and row pigeon holes they are trying their hardest to squash the frogs and those of us who care for and understand them, into.

Wonder why RETIREMENT has now become a 'thing'

Aaleigha

I have been waiting to here how 'the idiot in charge' or have they been replaced by 'twit at the top' has been doing this week and your frogs - I loved my frogs when I was teaching

Igamogam

Aaleigha wrote: »

I have been waiting to here how 'the idiot in charge' or have they been replaced by 'twit at the top' has been doing this week and your frogs - I loved my frogs when I was teaching

:rotfl::rotfl: The Idiot in Charge just doesnt have the skills to be in charge. Out of their depth and should have stayed in the classroom where they were very good and happiest - they have now come to realise. The Twit At The Top........very quiet after initial steam roller. Still needs to learn weekend are weekends:mad: I am united with The Idiot in Charge in our with our concerns;)

Took the mad frogs to the panto this week:eek::eek: None have ever been to any sort of live performance before - all barred from their school performances no doubt They loved every minute. Didnt look out of place. ( remember these are frogs that are out of control and should never be seen a public place if some people had their way!) Wanted to go for more today.........let them down gently with a trip to local cafe ( where they are very welcome and understood) for juice and toast i.e. "social skills training" Twit At The Top doesnt see the value in it........too bad:D:o

Apart from that all I can say its Friday...........

Igamogam

Got news today that I have accepted on a diploma course :j I get restless when I go too long without some study This one is going to be quite tough....subject matter rather than work involved. I have a degree and a master s and various postgrad qualifications but I would really like to do a PhD and I am hoping this will help me bring my practice and experience together and bang up to date. No cost to me as being paid for through professional body/work. Ironic as I see this a possibly a way to leave work behind and something I can use when retired.........well semi retired because if I am being true to myself I could never do a 180 degree turn and just walk away


On the finance front. Not spent anything except on Stuff that Sustains Life! Took back an order of clothes bought in the N£xt Sale before Christmas - I was going to kid myself that because they were ordered in 2018 then that was 'okay' and didnt infringe the 2019 embargo on clothes and shoes........then I realised that was silly!! So £37.50 not spent and I have put that on a CC as an over, over payment.

Not in work today ...........hospital appointment.

Igamogam

Full of a cold today....dont often get them and I am the last person at work and in the family to get the latest round. At home to day as yet another hospital appt. Cant sit around and do nothing though so going to have a quick sort out of stuff hanging around the bedroom with no home and may actually get round to Eb*ying!

Have a small bag to go to CS - must count how many items in there as I have challenged myself to get rid of 2019 things in 2019

Also got a couple of things bought on line for Christmas that need to be returned....just keep forgetting. Still within time....just!

Cant decide whether to put on heating, light log burner or wear an extra jumper...or all three!

And then I must clear space in office and desk pre starting this diploma course. Oh and I havent started the book for my next book club meeting which is next week...........too much to do!!!!!

AAAARGH!!!

One thing I am winning on is that I am not spending money:D

Igamogam

All parcels now returned

£10 swept into the EF. Using the penny saving challenge to help with this

Refund on its way for something that didnt turn up and I had forgotten about.

Winning....?

Small things:D

Aaleigha

sorry I have not been in for days (really dodgy internet makes posting hard as half of them dont send so I lose them)

you seem to be doing really well on the savings

are they all going to come off debt or are you staying for something specifc - you probably said pages ago and I have forgotten

H xx

Igamogam

Aaleigha wrote: »

sorry I have not been in for days (really dodgy internet makes posting hard as half of them dont send so I lose them)

you seem to be doing really well on the savings

are they all going to come off debt or are you staying for something specifc - you probably said pages ago and I have forgotten

H xx

Just concentrating on debt busting without missing out on life! Want to retire without a huge debt.......otherwise it's work on and on and on. Really don't want that!

Igamogam

£12 under budget for the weekly shop concentrating on running down cupboards and freezers.

Still fighting off a cold - really cant shift it and usually I am pretty good at doing that but this is really lingering Consequently I have changed my plans for weekend which will really means I am not going anywhere so money saved on fuel and I was meeting up with friends for breakfast....again money saved from the 'entz' budget

Having saved money I have also 'gained' time.............now to use it wisely........