London Socialite Sees The Light

FacelessNumber

Hi, I have read your diary all along, but not sure if I've posted before or not. I'm only posting because I recently managed to negotiate myself a payrise so thought I'd weigh in.

I was underpaid in my job, so I went to my manager in my monthly catch up with him and said 'I feel I'm underpaid for the responsibility, this is the normal banding (I was 2.5k under the bottom of the band). I also said that I don't want to leave because I enjoy my job but that I would start to jobhunt if I needed to (didn't make it as a threat if that makes sense, but was happy to job hunt - you definitely have to be prepared to do this if you say it), and he then took it to his boss and they put me up to 'market rate'.

Anyway good luck!

LondonGirl252

Hi all,


Thanks Facelessnumber for that insight and well done on a positive outcome! He is down next week so planning to bring up with him then, the salary reviews happen in March/April so I won't expect an immediate answer.


Been a crazy few days and not been feeling that perky to be honest, work is picking up again got a few challenges to face, not been great at being efficient with money - had to buy lunch and breakfast at work a couple of days this week, Im just really struggling with time and energy and it's getting me down. My house is a mess, my bedroom floor is covered with laundry i need to put away, i couldn't find enough clean gym kit this morning, dirty laundry piling up, washing up piling up, kitchen needs a clean the list goes on.
I thought about it last night as I was having a proper sulk, and realised (I know, this isn't rocket science!) that I'm doing on my own now what used to be shared between 2 of us. And i guess its part of adjusting to living alone, also now ive upped my training etc I don't have as much time at home.


I've also been getting frustrated I haven't been able to meal plan and thats resulted in me eating unhealthier meals and spending more money on them than I should have.


So I've just been through my work diary and blocked out some more work from home days, which means i saved an hour commuting and can use that time around the house/meal planning etc.
I have also decided to try that recipe/food deliver website for a month, i have a voucher for 50% off box 1 and 30% off rest of month so see if that will help. The discounted prices are around the same as I'd spend in the supermarket but should help me avoid having to buy food out etc. The recipes come in portions of 2 so I'll cook both in the evening and the second portion will be my lunch the following day.
I am hoping that by not being in the supermarket as often I'll avoid impulse purchases and Im more likely to stick to a meal plan when it's all chosen and delivered to my door so less chance of me going off piste diet wise.


After getting the energy bills refund i booked myself in for a rising lesson on Tuesday as I am missing it. But i really regretted it, it was nice to see Lexi (horse) but my riding has taken a step back and its a really technical lesson she teaches so I've missed loads and you could tell, really I need to go every week to get the most out of these lessons and I just can't afford to right now. I just need to take a break from it completely and go out on my friends horses with her when i can to get some more relaxing rides in then pick up lessons once money is sorted. They also stung me for my annual membership fees which i had forgotten about so instead of spending £35 I spent £88 so that added to the grumpiness.
Now onto what has gone well.... training is going well, being to my usual morning sessions and back again tonight to do some training with my partner.


My ex and I have plans to meet up Sunday night to discuss next steps on the flat.


Thats about it!
I hate being skint! It's making me grumpy!
LG

mark55man

if you trust your washing machine enough - try putting a load in just before you go to work, then that kind of forces you to tumble dryer it in the evening - do that a few times and you'll be on top of it in no time

in terms of mess - just pretend your mum / gran / fussy aunty is coming round in one hour - now see what you can do with your pots and pans and clutter. works for me - and they're all long gone!!

plus loud music really helps -
plus possibly you are overtraining - rest is important even when you are clearly on a far stronger fitness regime than I've been on - but the indoor rower forums (my sport of choice) its a constant refrain to either try really really hard or not to try at all - its the middle ground of doing too much at medium intensity that kills you (not intense enough for anaerobic and not long enough for base building)

anna_1977

Hi LG - I've just spent the week reading your diary.

Sounds like you're getting on incredibly well, I can totally get why you don't want to be returning to the flat, you need your own life and space to be able to move on.

Fingers crossed it sells soon - that'll be as massive weight off your shoulders.

Re the debt - you've done it once before so you know you can do it again

LondonGirl252

Hi gang!


@Mark88man thanks I managed to get on top of it over the weekend and did leave my washing on while i was out which helped. Annoyingly it doesn't have the function to wash then dry immediatley even though it's a washer/dryer! WFH today so blitzing more washing today!


hi Anna_1977 thanks so much for reading it all! Thanks for your supportive comments too


soo updates....


Flat! Things are moving again, we received an offer yesterday at 10k below asking price. It's still unaffordable for me to accept that however they did say it was a starting offer so we have replied to ask if she could please advise her best offer and we'll consider. My ex wanted to stand firm on 300 but I reminded him of my financial situation and if we got close enough then I'd be willing to let it go to allow us to move on.


We met for dinner on Sunday which was nice, he still isn't firm on a decision to buy it but we're pretty certain that he can afford to. When we spoke last night I was pretty clear he needed to make a decision ASAP as i wasn't prepared to lose this buyer if she gets to an offer in the right ball park.


We also discussed renting or him staying and increasing what we pays which are plans C & D.... we'll see.


moneywise not doing toooo bad. I checked the balance on a prepaid reward card when i took out my BT internet. I thought it only had a tenner on it, turns out it had £35.90 so this morning i emptied that on food for this week and a bit of fuel. so thats good as can now see through end of the month without going back to credit card.


I've got the debt to £6k after paying off as much as i could. So in Jan I increased debt by £107.23 but considering I had £460 in annual expenses for prof membership fees and ground rent I am pleased I managed to make up the shortfall so much!


In Feb will overpay to get back down to my jan starting position.


Ooh, my ex has just text asking my price to be bought out. I'll finish writing once I've got back to him

LondonGirl252

OK texted him back with my price! Really pleased he's looking at his numbers and planning to speak to someone, some action finally!!! Will keep you all updated!!!


It's enough that I could pay off all of my debt. Then I'd be starting 100% afresh and can build up an emergency fund & savings finally while slightly loosening the purse strings!


Please keep your fingers crossed!!!!!


LG xx

LondonGirl252

And now for Feb Goals and Planning!


I have looked at my reports on YNAB and re-jigged budget to challenge myself but be acheiveable, luckily Feb is a shorter month!


Groceries
Average spend since Jul £255.78 highest £331. Jan managed £224 but put some on rewards card. I'm setting it at £200 which is still a challenge but with using the recipe delivery at a discount should be do-able.


Social
Average is £292, highest was £600 in Dec (HORRIFYING) in Jan I managed £100! So setting at £150 for Feb, I have looked at my diary and planning out where it's going so it's all accounted for. Can't accept any more social invites!


Other
Average £296 in Jan managed £96 just goes to show how much you can save when you really try! Setting at £110 for Feb.


This should allow me to pay £112 off the credit card to make up for Jan shortfall in addition to paying the min payments which total £127 so hoping to see a reduction in debt next month.

mark55man

Well done LG sounds like my sort of financial plan. Am hectic today so will catch up tomorrow afternoon - things are moving quickly for you so hurrah for that

joeyjimbles

ooh fingers all crossed for you. Hope you get what you want/need x

MuffinTops

Hello LG. My fingers, arms, legs and feet are crossed for you in selling the flat to either the seller who put the offer in or to your ex. All this unrest at your future can't be easy.

With February being a shorter month, your lower budgeting shouldn't be as much of a challenge as January. Good luck with those plans. I also need to keep costs down for the next few months, so I'll be there with you.