Because I'm bl**dy well worth it!

slowlyfading

£6k in one year is nothing to be sniffed at - well done you!

Things are going to be especially tight for us as I now have no job and probably not going to find one any time soon, which is depressing but, through MSE ways, I'm hoping we'll be okay

Lemon_Tree

i hope you find a job soon slowlyfading, i have to admit when i heard the unemployment stats last night my heart sank, we're all facing it across the next few years at work and i'm already starting to worry.

Hypno £6k is a great dent in your mortgage, I'd just started contemplating overpaying ours by more than the odd fiver but now that we're on the move we'll be increasing it and spending money doing up the new place before overpayments come back on the agenda.

lionheartedgirl

very 'of the season' isn't it, this feeling fraught business! :eek:

and double :eek: :eek: to the lack of caffeine - would it be worth putting off the cutting down until next year if you are struggling a little at the mo? I have cut down a lot since the summer, but really notice it (marked by a thumping headache!) if I don't have anything!

I'm with you on the money thing and things not being able to continue as they are - and am another one eagerly awaiting the pearls of wisdom that will hopefully appear here soon from your lovely self
£6k is awesome on the mortgage front though :beer:

Knitting_Nora

*gently prods Hypno*

You done pondering yet? I'm still pretty new around these there parts, and suffer a bit from the slippy slidey way of being frugal one minute, and not the next....(too many snakes, and not enough ladders!). But I'm also learning about the value of the Hypno pearls (or 'peals' as I just typed)....so please share....:)

*settles onto the story mat to wait not very quietly*

Nora.x

hypno06

Lol, nothing like a bit of expectation :rotfl:

Well, its not pretty, and somewhat unexpected......but the fact is that I have done a lot of thinking, a lot of sorting, a lot of grieving for so many things, and along with the theme of being "worth it", I have been out today and bought myself the most freakin expensive watch that I have ever ever owned. It is a stupid amount of money, and even worse, it is money I don't have. I have put it on a CC and I have worked into my budget the amount I need to pay each month to have it cleared by this time next year. If I get a bonus in May, it will be cleared earlier than that, of course, but I am working on a worst case scenario.

I know that many people will be thinking that it is a stupid thing to have done, but actually, it is all part of the process that I have been going through over the last couple of years, more specifically over the last year. There are lots of emotions attached to this purchase that I cannot even begin to explain on here, but needless to say, I do not feel bad about it.

The key now, is to make my every day living costs as streamlined as possible.

This goes back to the silly spending on lunches, pastries and coffees that I have battled with over and over again.

I don't mean the "social" lunches - they are an integral part of my wellbeing - my friends are most important, and I like sharing my time with them - even if it costs.

I do mean the sandwiches, salads and soups that I am buying at huge mark-ups when I could get off my bum a bit and bring my own in.

It comes down to organisation, and this is my main focus for 2012. I am not focusing on the money side of things, but on the organisation of my life side of things, with the knowledge that one will lead to another, and in the meantime will also sort out a whole lot of other practical issues, such as keeping my space neat and tidy, having time to keep on top of my ironing pile, not running out of clean plates because I have forgotten to put the dishwasher on etc etc etc.

Will ponder more.......x

lionheartedgirl

oh my lady, I am thrilled for you! :j :cool:

I can appreciate all of the guilty feelings, but please please please do not let these detract from the pleasure of having bought it, for yourself, and the enjoyment you will get from it :j

(I am having similar feelings about a beautiful bag, but am saying NO NO NO for now as I have a few other fish to fry first :cool: but there will be a Moving On present for myself as well at some point, bought on a similar basis I suspect!)

Some years ago, I saw a gorgeous watch in an antique shop in Manchester. I wanted it instead of an engagement ring, ex hubs said no, I would have a ring instead. The watch was so beautiful (and I am not even a watch kind of girl) that I still get a not insignificant pain when I think about it now - I should have gone back for it as I will probably never see another like it.

Life is for living, and living in style Merry Christmas and hurrah for you!

Keeping_Motivated

Oh I'm such a baddie all I could think was ooh I wanna see the watch! Enjoy the watch because you ARE worth it and I would much rather make my own lunch and avoid pastries and own an expensive watch any day!...ENJOY x

hypno06

Yes, LHG - it is a "Moving On" present.

I suppose, to keep it in context, I am not going skiing this year. Net spending at the end of the day will therefore be the same. I am just spending it on something different for a change.

Knitting_Nora

Seems to me that it's a brilliant anchor to remind and hold you to your plans for the future...what an excellent investment in yourself, and much more lasting than a sarnie or even a fab haircut.

And of course, as an investment it isn't allowed to carry guilt, or any negative feelings...it's like, law or something...;):D

Nora.x

short_bird

ooh, organisation. I should get me some of that:D For almost the same reasons:

• the sandwich from the garage, nice ones too costly in terms of money and calories (actually, disorganisation around food, full stop...:o)
• the dislike of artificial fibres and ironing the natural fibres
• the sewing macines in need of repair (or a ruddy good looking at under a decent light!)
• the realisation almost every day that it's the end of the day already and precious little to show for it...