Where there's muck there's brass

RubySewSew

Funnily enough - it has turned me into a real homebody! The night we first turned it around I slept on the sofa because I was so excited!! The best thing is that she gets it about the money and hasn't let me spend any money. We've made do and we've mended. It's daft really - its the kind of thing I can do for someone else but not for myself. Oh well, it's done now! And the decluttering has left me feeling lighter, fresher more energetic and inspired! I want to get all my paints and papers out and start on all those house projects I haven't been able to face in so long! Which I guess is kind of my plan for the next week. I know it is going to fly by. And I have so loved being at home I don't really feel ready to go back to work.

I am feeling a bit itchy at the moment for the boys to go to their Dad's so that I can pack the presents away, and take the decorations down. I know that this is contrary to what a lot of people do but for me Christmas is about the anticipation and the build up. Once it's done, it's done. And I do love a fresh start!

DS3 has just spilt green glass paint on the carpet

Ho hum. He was happily making a Christmas present for his Dad whilst DS2 makes gingerbread in the kitchen. And DS1 is upstairs trawling through iplayer. Bit better than the wobbly start that involved two of them being confined to their bedrooms for fighting and lying! I've been wondering about taking the carpet up for ages and I think it's getting to the point where I don't really have an option.

I know that I'm going into next month with a defecit. I have had to lay out money up front to get my shower fixed although i am hoping to reclaim that from the water company as it was their fault in the first place. I am also going to have to do get some clothes and shoes in the sales. the boys are literally waking up without trousers to put on, their shoes have holes in and I have nothing but my work clothes and my one pair of boots has just fallen apart. Hand in hand with this is the realisation that I am going to have to increase my earnings because we do not have enough to live on. I'm putting my mind to how I am going to go about this.

I also need to phone the mortgage company and see if they can help me out whilst I am struggling. If I missed one mortgage payment it would help me out enormously as it would put me back on the straight and narrow in order to get back on budget and catch up with myself. Any advice on talking to the mortgage company greatly appreciated. Not to mention thoughts about bringing in extra pennies...

Ok, off to chill out some more, maybe read some of my new book, maybe pootle around, maybe have a little nap i love this being on holiday lark!

RubySewSew

Ok, I'm on the edge of something big. I'm not sure what yet but revolution is coming! I've got budgets and business plans and all sorts in front of me. 2012 is going to be the year that I really get on top of this money situation. I should have a decision from the courts with regard to maintenance, I am going to increase my incoming and budget to within an inch of my life in order to sort this mess out. I want a better, calmer, more relaxed quality of life for me and my kids. It is going to be hard work for a couple of years but I'm going to get there with it.

I feel a new thread coming on....

Eager_Elephant

Ruby, You really have had time to think without the boys being there :rotfl:

I hope next year brings you everything you want and need

chevalier

Have you thought about putting a wanted add on freecycle/freegle for boys clothes. Sometimes people are just too lazy to list them on ebay....

good luck with 2012 I am sure once you have the decision about maintenance, things will get easier.
chev

RubySewSew

I feel that the universe is shifting. As one lovely friend put it earlier, 'things seem to be coming into alignment, there is less struggle and more blessings'. I am writing from my new bed. Yes, that's right! My new bed! A few days after Christmas a friend of mine offered a bed to anyone who could collect it - in fabulous condition, from London. It just so happened that I was at the moment pondering whether to drive to London or to get the train. So many things came into alignment to make it happen and now I have a comfortable bed and have disposed with the mattress on the floor! Yippee! I can't actually get in my wardrobe as a result but it seems like a small price to pay :) I think I need to remove the doors and hang curtains or blinds instead. I have a tiny bedroom! And at least if I take the doors off I won't need to paint them.

I'm still mulling over all the money/life stuff but it was back to work today and I'm focussing on treading water whilst I let myself get used to term time again. I'm only actually back for 4 weeks then off for 1 (whilst DS1 has his tonsils removed), 1 at school and then half term. I took the time today to talk to my boss about increasing my hours. I made it clear that I need to increase my overall earnings and was looking for opportunities to be creative about that. I know I need to increase my hours but I also need to look for ways to work my way, quickly, up the pay scales. I know that it is something she can get embarrassed about so I was careful to put it across as 'how can you help me with this problem?'. She has some extra hours coming up for me, is willing to look at a condensed working week and will consider me for any Individual Needs work which is the next band up. I will also be looking for a higher paid position for the next academic year. The exciting thing is that I met an amazing woman today who came into run a training session. I quizzed her on her career path because what she does is so fascinating and she disclosed that she is setting up a charity. That is a contact worth keeping!

Ok, this was meant to be a quick update so that I can get an early night. Still mulling other stuff over ready for an inspiring start to the year. Anybody got anything worth chipping in let me know!!

Eager_Elephant

RubySewSew wrote: »

I feel that the universe is shifting. As one lovely friend put it earlier, 'things seem to be coming into alignment, there is less struggle and more blessings'. I am writing from my new bed. Yes, that's right! My new bed! A few days after Christmas a friend of mine offered a bed to anyone who could collect it - in fabulous condition, from London. It just so happened that I was at the moment pondering whether to drive to London or to get the train. So many things came into alignment to make it happen and now I have a comfortable bed and have disposed with the mattress on the floor! Yippee! I can't actually get in my wardrobe as a result but it seems like a small price to pay :) I think I need to remove the doors and hang curtains or blinds instead. I have a tiny bedroom! And at least if I take the doors off I won't need to paint them.

All I can say is :j:T:j:T

Hope you are having some nice nights of sleep

RubySewSew wrote: »

I'm still mulling over all the money/life stuff but it was back to work today and I'm focussing on treading water whilst I let myself get used to term time again. I'm only actually back for 4 weeks then off for 1 (whilst DS1 has his tonsils removed), 1 at school and then half term. I took the time today to talk to my boss about increasing my hours. I made it clear that I need to increase my overall earnings and was looking for opportunities to be creative about that. I know I need to increase my hours but I also need to look for ways to work my way, quickly, up the pay scales. I know that it is something she can get embarrassed about so I was careful to put it across as 'how can you help me with this problem?'. She has some extra hours coming up for me, is willing to look at a condensed working week and will consider me for any Individual Needs work which is the next band up. I will also be looking for a higher paid position for the next academic year. The exciting thing is that I met an amazing woman today who came into run a training session. I quizzed her on her career path because what she does is so fascinating and she disclosed that she is setting up a charity. That is a contact worth keeping!

Ok, this was meant to be a quick update so that I can get an early night. Still mulling other stuff over ready for an inspiring start to the year. Anybody got anything worth chipping in let me know!!

:T:j:T:j to all things money related!!

Hope the first week back at school was not too manic.

RubySewSew

Started a new diary!!!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/50010997#Comment_50010997

Come and join me!