Wobbly Jellie looks for balance!

gallygirl

*Jellie* wrote: »

So starting tomorrow I will start a detailed inventory of everything we own. I may summarise some categories but I plan to work room by room and work out exactly what we have, how much it cost and what it would be worth if we sold it. I'm going to take this slowly as I will declutter and clean as I go. As William Morris said I only want things in our lives that are useful or beautiful!

This sounds interesting - look forward to hearing how you progress with it!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Thank you, I will have a look as it sounds like just what I need,

Squirrel

*Jellie*

While I was taking a break from MSE I developed a habit to help keep life in balance. Everyday I choose 3 very different tasks to focus on, during term time one is usually related to work, one to home/garden/mse activity and one relaxation e.g. Crafting. I then rotate doing the 3 tasks for a set amount of time using a timer. This might be any time from 20 minutes to an hour depending on my energy levels, moods and the task.
This has worked really well and stops me leaving the task I least want to do to the end of the day. It is also far more manageable if I know I'm only doing it for a set amount of time then moving on.

Since it is the holidays I'm not worrying about a work goal for a while and although I have tons I want to do in the garden it's too wet! So today I am alternating
1. Mse computer stuff- working out my money earns so far in life, updating spreadsheets and making a spreadsheet of expenditure for the last year
2. Inventory of things I own and declutter in our bedroom
3. Crafting

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the link Jellie - will definitely have a look into those as sounds like something I could do with getting into! not sure I really want to add up how much Ive earnt vs how much Ive spent tho!

3 things a day sounds a good balance - one of my tasks lately has meant to be getting outside for a run , but as its lashing it down with rain whats a girl to do? (have decluttered xmas chocs instead! )

*Jellie*

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks for the link Jellie - will definitely have a look into those as sounds like something I could do with getting into! not sure I really want to add up how much Ive earnt vs how much Ive spent tho!

3 things a day sounds a good balance - one of my tasks lately has meant to be getting outside for a run , but as its lashing it down with rain whats a girl to do? (have decluttered xmas chocs instead! )

One of the key things in the process is to treat yourself with kindness. It is all about empowerment rather than blame. Up until now I've been a bit of an ostrich when it comes to looking at my spending habits but now I feel it is time to examine it all properly and learn from it.

Decluttering Christmas chocs sounds like a good alternative as you'll get the same endorphin rush as running

*Jellie*

I have calculated what I have earnt so far in my life as accurately as I could from end of year tax records. I have then estimated the amount of money I have received as gifts. All my calculations are for after tax as what I want to know is how much money has been in my pocket!

I'm not going to post the exact amount but it is in the hundreds of thousands. It was actually less than I feared (being a Londoner in a relatively expensive house I would have been mortified if it was more than the house is!) However it is also an awful lot of money so it is really interesting to start thinking about what I have to show for it.

My main thought doing this stage is that I am very lucky to have been in a position to earn that amount of money and I am determined to make every penny count from now on. I don't want to look back in another ten years and go through the same process to realise I have spent money on things or experiences of little true value.:think:

newgirly

I think once you get in to examining everything you spend, you end up making better choices for yourself. In the past I would spend lots more on clothes/takeways/treats for the kids etc. but it became the norm, so not much of a treat, now we spend less but do more - family days out and very cheap weekends away.

*Jellie*

I hope that is the case newgirly! I keep trying to start spending diaries and never stick to it because of the guilt factor. However, I have suddenly realised that I can do a retrospective spending diary for this year to analyse my spending since I mainly use a debit card or credit card. It may be ugly but I'm determined to do this!!

I've made a start on the bedroom inventory. Thoughts so far
- I am definitiely aiming to be MORE frugal and live MORE simply. People who are really frugal must read my posts and be unsure whether to laugh or cry. I have let go of tons of books in the last few years yet just in my bedroom I still have 108 books!! How on earth do some minimalists live with under 100 items?

- in the bedroom I have a box of random electrical cables which gives me a couple of thoughts. What are they all for? Why have I kept them all and how do you stop them breeding?

Lois_E

*Jellie* wrote: »

- in the bedroom I have a box of random electrical cables which gives me a couple of thoughts. What are they all for? Why have I kept them all and how do you stop them breeding?

I have two big boxes of random cables in the loft. Most don't get touched for years, but twice over this Christmas season I have though "I need a cable for xxxx", been up there to search, and found one of the right kind, and so didn't have to buy one. So if you have the space where they won't be in anybody's way, keeping cables can be moneysaving.

RevolvingDoor

*Jellie* wrote: »

Oops- I forgot there are two books with the same title. The one I'm following is by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robbin.

That said I also read the Alvin Hall book again recently and loved the tv show ( I also enjoyed Spendaholics!).

I might read both, they sound interesting.:T