Where there's muck there's brass

MatyMoo

Been lurking for a while

My sister did this, I have a copy of her basic spreadsheet if you need something to start you off. She recorded every penny she spent each day and used it as a basis for her annual budget for the next 2 years.

RubySewSew

MatyMoo that would be so helpful, thank you. I have no discipline. Not when it comes to organising myself (can't even keep a food diary for a week!) but as somebody better than me once said 'if you do what you have always done you will get what you always had'. Need to make some changes and January feels like a natural clean slate for me. In the last year I have started to take control of my relationships and friendships. I am taking control of my food and nutrition. I have taken control of my debt. I now need to take control of my fitness, budgets and career. Scary stuff huh?

For now I'm going to have a nice cup of chai and take control of what is on TV tonight

Lemon_Tree

do you know that phrase has always done my head in (technical term lol) especially when spouted by a certain person in our HR training department, but hearing it from someone else has made me realise that it's actually a valid point, i really must change what i'm doing if i want to change outcomes.

RubySewSew

Yeah my weight loss guru friend gave me that one. I can see that it would be quite insipid in an HR context!! Applied to my own goals though I can see that I have to change things if things are going to change. I generally use the same book every year for Christmas lists etc and it amazes me that my new year's resolutions are the same every year pretty much revolving around losing weight, getting active and managing my money! Ha! Well, this year, I am actually making the changes to see a change.

On a complete aside I feel over yesterday and I hurt so much. Have bruised my ankles and knees and jarred every bone in my body particularly my wrists which hurt so much

stripes

Hi,

Hope you are okay from your fall, sounds painful.

Lemon_Tree

hope you're aches and pains disappear quickly.
i wanted to stop off on my way home from work tonight to get some chocolate and i thought NO! if i don't change that habit i will never change my weight and actually lose some, i guess it's just small steps

Eager_Elephant

Sorry Ruby I am such a bad friend - I have only just realised that you have not posted on here for a few weeks.

I then discovered another thread you set up about the problems with the cost of Xmas - I'm sorry I was not there to give any advice.

Although to be honest you would not have wanted it - I know what we should do but unfortunately the reality is quite different hence the credit card bills have increased :mad:

I was glad to see from your other thread that you had managed to get a lot of things sorted for Xmas so I guess you are busy making presents for the adults and getting that treasure hunt ready.

Bet you are glad you are off for 2 weeks
Hope you have a good Xmas Ruby and family:j

RubySewSew

Happy Christmas Eager! I'm so sorry you were concerned. I'm well, the happiest I've been in a long time. I haven't been on because I have been so busy. I have had a MASSIVE declutter. My friend came over and made me put everything in the loft or the car. Have got rid of loads of stuff; tip, friends, bin, charity shop, school, gumtree. And the house looks lovely. She also helped me super spiv it, we made curtains and pictures and a new dining table all from stuff I already had around the house. The pride of place went to a huge Habitat frame that has been empty since I moved in 3 years ago. I found a Dupenny wallpaper print I have been lusting after (£90 a roll) printed onto wrapping paper £1.50 a sheet. £2.50 for backing paper = fantastic new feature for £4.

I have absolutely loved being on holiday at home with the boys. It has been so relaxing. We have got the house straight, cleaned, decorated, made presents, made decorations and mince pies and various mulled beverages. It's been fab. We've had a great day today, have tomorrow to relax and then the boys are off to their Dad's for the rest of the holidays.

I'm on a go slow now... so I'm going to wish you a merry Christmas and catch up with you ready to start the new year xxx

chevalier

Wow can you send your friend over here to me. I need someone like that to declutter for me too!

Anyway glad that you sorted christmas and that you had a great time with the kids today.

Have you a plan for what you are going to do over the holidays with no small people around?
chev

Eager_Elephant

Oh Ruby I am glad you are so happy - it is so lovely to see!

What a lovely friend you have - when you are living amongst all the clutter it is hard to see where to start but them someone floats in like an angel and helps you. Energy and Enthuiasm is so infectious isn't it?

Enjoy your day today and I hope you have got lots of things planned for the rest of the holidays although if the house is so nice I expect you just want to stay in !!!!