London Socialite Sees The Light

ms_london

I do think it makes others feel more uncomfortable and that's why they do it. I guess we don't know what goes on behind closed doors and those who appear to have lots of money to do everything, are probably also in debt! I used to owe £19,000 - fun spending it, not so fun paying it back!

LondonGirl252

I agree, they know with a bit of pressure I'll break!

Very true, and I've realised the same. I'm not sure the fun of spending was worth it now!

turbo.jet

Oh yeah... Lights and heating, the eternal bugbear of flatmating. My last flatmate would sit in shorts with the window open, heating on full blast with every single light on. Drove me crazy. We have no thermostat on the boiler, and he didn't seem to get the concept it could be set at any other level than 'sauna'. Thankfully he's gone now and the new flatmate doesn't use the heater. I do follow her round switching lights off though.

LondonGirl252

Seems we all have this problem!

Currently: I'm in my room revising and dipping in and out of the forum, i have a desk lamp on and main light off, radiator turned to low.

One FM is out.

The other has turned on lights in kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom. Is currently in shower and has left TV on. Sigh....

satchmo1

Hi London Girl

Are all the bulbs the energy-saving type? If not, it's worth getting agreement from FMs to club together to change them all. They're not very expensive if you shop around (the cost does vary wildly), and then you can eliminate the bug bear whilst saving everyone some money.

Also, anything with a big box thingy (sorry don't know its name) on the plug, like phone chargers, means it uses the same amount of power whether the phone is being charged or not when the socket is "on".

I've finally got my DH into the habit of switching most appliances off from the wall by pointing out that "standby" uses 50% of the power of having the appliance switched on!

You are doing brilliantly, and well done for not going into hermit mode. You could occasionally use the "I'm on antibiotics so can't drink at the mo" excuse, especially in winter?

Hugs, Satchmo x

satchmo1

Forgot to say... always charge your phone/camera at work (sorry, a bit sneaky I know).

Satchmo x

Southern_Sadie

Hi London Girl,

Just read through your diary and you seem really determined - well done! I also thought you could pretend you're taking medication so you can't drink.

LondonGirl252

Hi Satchmo1,

Yes they are actually so maybe it isn't as bad as I am thinking! Ah I didn't know that about chargers etc I will go round unplugging things!!

Thanks! yes I think I may have to be "on antibiotics" for a bit of December... I can embarrass anyone who asks why by saying "womens problems" hahaha works everytime they wont ask again!!

Thanks for posting, the support really helps

x

Hi Southern Sadie,

Thanks for reading! Thanks, I'm loving that excuse

LondonGirl252

Hi all,

Time for today's diary entry!

Well despite no NSD's this weekend it wasn't quite a write off money wise. I didn't go over budget at all and even made a whopping 18 portions of spag bol! Add that to my curry and stew portions and I have enough food to get me through the month without shopping again! I'm hoping my flatmates won't want to use the freezer before I've had enough time to eat some.... oops!

Also filled in a few surveys etc over the weekend...

Today should be a NSD and I've had a productive lunch bashing out some exam questions... progress updated in signature! Could have done more yesterday but hey ho..

I had a lovely ride this morning I really am lucky to be able to do that for free or I'd be sooooo depressed! Horses are my therapy!

3 day week at work this week Mon- Weds. Today and Tues should be NSD's.

Weds I have agreed to go out with a girl at work to a singles event - god that sounds a lot worse than it actually is! Just a bar hired by an online dating company for busy young professinals.. dont have to be a member and free to get in. I have already warned her I'm not drinking luckily she is really cool so just accepts it so I can save the antibiotics excuse maybe I'll meet Mr Right... who knows! The chap from last weekend looks to be a write off!!

Thurs - Annual lunch at the yard where I ride, sit down formal meal, speeches, awards then drinks. Always great fun and the bar on site is mega cheap. This has been in my budget for ages so I have already got the cash set aside.
Fri - Day off, heading home to spend the weekend with my parents, train tickets were bought in advance (with my railcard), just need to buy my friend a birthday card and that's all I should spend

Weekend - at home, back Sunday.

I have joined this month's NSD challenge, I didn't quite make my target of 15 for Oct and knowing Nov will be harder I have pledged to have 10 but in reality I'd like at least 15... lets see!

The budget is looking good, 50% of my xmas shopping is done and dusted and I have enough in my account minus all outgoings to give me £10 a day until payday with a bit spare (which will go onto the credit card at month end)

I LOVE MY NEW FINANCIAL WAYS!! Never before have I been happy to check my bank statements and actually PLEASED with whats there.... Never before have I known to the penny how much I am able to spend that day/week or month and actually STUCK TO IT!

I looked over my spending diary for last month and there wasn't a single thing on there I didn't need or couldn't afford.

This is definitley the new me

Thanks team!

LondonGirl252

Just had a right shock!

Last week I applied for the Post Office 0% balance transfer for 20months with £50 cash back through quidco for my Halifax credit card with a balance of £4.3k thereabouts. After the application they said sorry they weren't able to accept me immediatley etc etc so I expected to have letter with an explanation to follow up.

I just checked my online banking and my halifax card has been credited with £3,900. I can only assume the Post Office decided to accept me on a lower credit limit but shouldn't they have checked with me first? I haven't signed anything yet! This leaves me with £474.58 on the Halifax card.

I had been planning to call Barclaycard in Dec to see what offers they had as I have an account with £0 and they often have good 0% deals. Not sure what to do now.

I should be able to arrange to get the £50 cash back through quidco as I have been accepted in some form so maybe I should do this, keep the PO card at 0%pay the min balance on that for 2 months and pay off the balance on the Halifax card over the next 2 paydays??? The £50 will obv go to the halifax card too.

Ideas??? I'm hoping there is a letter on the way from the Post Office with my account details... I can't believe they'd send £3.9k with no signature!!!

Otherwise... had a NSD yesterday, and should today too...