would love to be mortgage free!

Penny_Counter_Girl

Hi coldcazzie

It's difficult to hear that your crisis in your chosen path is the result of ill-considered, or downright horrible, words from others. We all rely on feedback from others to help us improve, but it doesn't sound like this was the intention from those who have caused this upset.

And I'm sure you're not alone in wondering whether you've chosen the right path in life - I know I'm often in that camp. I also agree that it's hard to see others apparently overtake us. Whatever our career goals - money, promotion, job title, etc - it is incredibly difficult to see others race ahead, sometimes without it being particularly clear why.

You have done the right thing in choosing to focus your energies on your OU - once you have that qualification, it is yours and no one can take it from you, and although I don't know what the actual degree is, you know it will be valued by employers because of the workload involved with OU study. Is there any way you can talk to your course tutor with respect to the exam you failed, perhaps in order to take account of the particular circumstances that were in place at the time? At my institution, we try to be very helpful when students face difficult situations that coincide with exams/coursework deadlines, and there may be some small thing that could be done.

Also, if you are almost at the end of your OU study, then that is a tremendous achievement, and it doesn't sound like you are giving yourself enough credit for it. Take a moment to reflect on what you've already achieved with your OU studies. It may even be that those who've given you a hard time recently are threatened by your desire to get ahead and are attempting a sabotage. Believe me, I've seen this enough in my own field to know that even very senior people can become irrationally unnerved by junior or less experienced people coming up behind them in the organisation/profession.

Stay true to yourself - and remind yourself of the very good reasons you have for pursuing this qualification, and the fact that you have a passion for what you do.

And hopefully you have also found decent people here on MSE who aren't out to make your life a misery - but to offer genuine support and encouragement.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Caz, PCG is bang on the mark with her comments. There are always people looking to sabotage others' progression and success. Just keep your eyes on your goal. Have a number of mini goals to achieve along the way and the next thing you know, the real goal will have been achieved.

You really are doing brilliantly with your study so definitely recognise that and don't let it disappear in the midst of the journey.

Best wishes Tilly x:beer:

coldcazzie

Heh, funny, my friend/mentor who I rang after I got the email (who's been doing it many more years than me) laughed out loud and called her an "interfering !!!!! who seems to think it's her job to point out other people's failings".

At this stage, OU is my core focus. I'm trying not to let other things get in the way, and that even includes this. I could totally get bogged down in the minutiae of money saving and completely lose myself. I don't want that - it's a whole new level of obsession that must be avoided. Passing is my goal. I was hoping not to have to start hunting for a new mortgage deal until after I finish mid Oct, but our fix ends 3rd Oct not 3rd Dec like I originally thought. Ah well.

Thanks ladies, like I said, I appreciate it :grouphug:

Ps. Pcg, the OU have really specific criteria for mitigating circumstances (as I'm sure most Unis do) and "emotional derailment" is unfortunately not one of them :rotfl:

coldcazzie

Didn't have enough change for us all to go into town this week, so got everything at Morrisons (I had to raid the copper jar for Squish-pot's fare :eek:). I was expecting it to be near to my usual budget of £60 but I actually got everything for £48.76. Which is grand... except now I'm wondering if I've forgotten something major! :rotfl: The only thing on the list I couldn't get was parmesan as they only had the pre-grated sawdusty stuff.

coldcazzie

Been very busy this week due to half term, fitting lots of studying in etc etc.

I went out in the garden today and dug over a patch of garden which I covered with weed-proof stuff October/November time last year. As I had hoped, all underneath had died so I just dug out the roots and loosened it all up. I'm hoping to put a loganberry or blueberry (or maybe both) there. Earlier on this week I dug over the flowerbeds in the front garden, planted a load of bulbs I had in the garage, and started to move earth from around an elder bush. It's a shame really - the bush is right next to the house, so it blocks the light and I'm slightly worried about it getting too big and interfering with the house foundations. If it were at the other end of the garden I'd be thrilled to have it - elder berries with other fruit for jam and elder flowers are great for natural remedies etc, but it's just too close to the house

This week I also used the link in the grabbit forum for a 1p tree peonie. I bought one for my mum, one for my besty and one for us, just paid postage for each, plus 1p. Went via TCB and QC for cashback too. I've picked out a spot for mine and have now moved my weed-proofing stuff to that spot to start clearing it. Unfortunately it's going to require a lot more work as it's got loads of brambles and rocks in it.

My 16-25 railcard arrived in time for me to go to Leeds Uni for my course's day school yesterday, so I got cheaper train travel.... which was great.... until the day school turned out to be a huge disappointment. I'd have done better to stay at home, ship the kids off to my mum's and spend the day studying.

While I was out, manwife spent the day (and today as well) putting his new bike engine in. It seems to have done the job - runs much better than the old one, no weird noises or warning lights. However, (and it's going to be an expensive however!) while doing the swap he's managed to damage the oil cooler, which will be £75 to replace :eek: :eek: *sigh* it's never ending.

Our next £300 is due out tomorrow into our regular saver, so that's good. I shall update my sig tomorrow with my new grocery total, and new saving total.

I've not even had chance to read other's diaries this week, but have read a couple this evening. Hope everyone is well.:)

coldcazzie

Part 1, I shall add part 2 tomorrow after I go to the sm.

Eggs: 90p
Red Peppers: £1.25
Butchers: £27.35 (slightly more than my £25 budget, but the chicken hearts come in 2kg bags which means they'll last for 4 weeks instead of 2, so next time I won't have to buy any)
Total: £29.50

ETA: Part 2, SM shop: £43.56 (budget of £45)

I sent back the pair of shoes I bought for Squish - they were far too wide for her feet. I also bought a second hand under counter fridge. "A" energy efficiency rating, no freezer compartment (I never thought it would be so difficult to find a fridge without a freezer compartment!!:rotfl:), much bigger than our current integrated one and most importantly the door actually closes! :T:T Will be delivered tomorrow afternoon.

Manwife bought an oil cooler, that was £79. He also needs new front brake pads which is another £30, but I said I didn't mind as next month (ie, when the cc bill will be due) is when our annual cashback will be applied to the account.

I've also mailed the cheque today to pay for the balance of our holiday :j:j however, considering our precarious financial state at the moment I've taken the money for this and the money for the fridge out of our rainy day savings rather than trying to incorporate it into our budget.

coldcazzie

I've overspent this week needed some household bits/toiletries, including a new broom after an unfortunate incident with the old one. I think I need to set aside a seperate budget for these kinds of things, plus a seperate one for the cats. At the moment though I can't face trying to get my head around it.

Cat litter: £6.63
Wilko: £10.75
H Bargains: £12.19
Butcher: £7.90
Fruit/veg: £9.50
Fish/eggs: £6.89
Morrsons: £18.21 (this is shocking! I didn't even get that much!)

Total: £72.07 :eek::eek:

However, I did manage to get 1.4kg of gammon trimmings for £2.95 from the butcher, so I plan to cook that and then seperate it into 200g portions and it will do 7 meals. Am now searching for chicken & ham pie recipes to inspire me to do something a little different to the normal ham, egg & cheese risotto.

coldcazzie

So... I'm fairly sure I've now got everything written down that will require extra spending on top of our budget, and I'm worried.

- 3 friends, plus my BIL and his missus due to have babies this year
- 3 weddings to buy gifts for, sort outfits for (the kids will only be going to one of those), plus sorting travel
- train tickets to residential school in July
- revision weekend to book onto and buy train tickets for
- car hire for holiday in Aug

In better news, after the purchase of the oil cooler last week (plus having to buy the bolts to attach it), and the purchase at the weekend of brake pads (which were on their way out anyway)... the bike is now back on the road! :j:j:j:j so he's happy because he hates the train, and his boss is happy because he's back in the right office again.

Also, as of today we can change our gas and leccy suppliers if we want to. BG wrote to us offering us another deal but we have yet to compare it to other suppliers.

Peonie

coldcazzie wrote: »

So... I'm fairly sure I've now got everything written down that will require extra spending on top of our budget, and I'm worried.

- 3 friends, plus my BIL and his missus due to have babies this year
- 3 weddings to buy gifts for, sort outfits for (the kids will only be going to one of those), plus sorting travel
- train tickets to residential school in July
- revision weekend to book onto and buy train tickets for
- car hire for holiday in Aug

At least you are planning for the costs now. I have been buying my dresses for weddings from Ebay.

Have you thought about what you will get the babies?

I like to sew and suddenly all my friends are having children at once; being expected to sew stops it from being interesting. Plus it costs a lot.

The baby shops tend to have sales stupidly early in the season, my niece was born in prematurely in December, so there was still 2 months of winter to go, and the MC winter sale was in full swing, it was good for me as I could buy her some clothes cheaper, but who plans to buy premature clothes in advance, just in case.

Train tickets go on sale 3 months in advance so you should get the cheaper than buying on the day.

coldcazzie

Thanks Peonie I'm hoping that, because the three weddings have largely or completely different circles of friends, I can wear the same outfit to all three. He already has a suit, so perhaps we may buy a new tie for him.

Not sure what I'll get for the new babies/mums. I'll ask them. I do try to get mums stuff too - hot choc, scented candle, some smellies, photo frame, that type of thing, as well as something for babe. I don't knit or crochet or anything, so that's not an option.

As for train tickets, I've already diarised the dates to book in advance, plus I got a railcard with some Tesco vouchers I had so that should help too.