Cleggie's frugaltastic journey to financial freedom!!

cleggie

Morning!
Revision is taking over my life at the moment, but only 5 more weeks and it'll be over!!

Was going to go into uni this morning, to get some revision done as a group thig, but as soon as i started the car, i could tell something was wrong. It was juddering constantly, and smelt very badly of burning. So, its now in the garage being looked at.

I really hope it doesnt cost too much money. I need to have the car back by Monday morning at the latest, as i have my 1st exam on Monday afternoon!!! Talk about bad timing. The garage are going to call me by lunchtime to tell me what the problem is, and if its fixable over the weekend..or even today if its just plugs/leads etc.

I am incredibly stressed!

Suffolk_lass

cleggie wrote: »

Morning!
Revision is taking over my life at the moment, but only 5 more weeks and it'll be over!!

Was going to go into uni this morning, to get some revision done as a group thig, but as soon as i started the car, i could tell something was wrong. It was juddering constantly, and smelt very badly of burning. So, its now in the garage being looked at.

I really hope it doesnt cost too much money. I need to have the car back by Monday morning at the latest, as i have my 1st exam on Monday afternoon!!! Talk about bad timing. The garage are going to call me by lunchtime to tell me what the problem is, and if its fixable over the weekend..or even today if its just plugs/leads etc.

I am incredibly stressed!

It's a really hard time in the lead up to exams. I can't imagine preparing for finals with two dependent children to care for - but you are really much more organised than I am.

I do hope the car is nothing major. If it is going to take any longer, might they offer you a loan one? - if it's a garage you have a regular trade with it is worth asking - my old garage once lent us a car he was doing up to sell on the side when ours took longer than we thought to fix

When I am stressed I try compartmentalising by putting my thoughts into different subjects and writing down each compartment which gets them out of my head (because having written them down, I won't forgetabout them). Sometimes picking off a couple of low-level stressors and doing something with them just gets that bit off my back and lets me concentrate, because for me, that is the worst bit - something that goes round and round without giving myself room in my head to work it through.

Oh yes - breathing is the best stress reliever - by which I mean a few deep slow breaths in and out to re-oxygenate your system - and a good stretch because revision can mean hunkering down to concentrate and your breathing becomes shallow and you get stiff. You will learn and remember better with a relaxed body and plenty of oxygenated blood coursing round keeping you vital and energised.

Keep it up - you are a great example to others.:T

All the best
SL

rising_from_the_ashes

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

When I am stressed I try compartmentalising by putting my thoughts into different subjects and writing down each compartment which gets them out of my head (because having written them down, I won't forgetabout them).

I do something quite similar SL I stress .... and then stress that I'll forget something - so lists and more lists for me!

I often find that just writing it down (so I don't stress that I'll forget about it) helps!

Cleggie any news on the car? Hope it's OK & not too expensive.

cleggie

Thanks for your lovely words SL and Rising.

I must admit the exam stress has been getting to me again, and havent been able to sleep properly. But its not long til its all over anyway.

Good news about the car- it only needed new plugs and leads and works like a dream again! Luckily i had the money saved already (it cost £96), from my car fund That never would have happened before! do he fitted them and had the car back to me in 2 hours.

Re the stress-I have been trying to write in my journal as much as possible, as i find it very theraputic. But i am just so busy with exam revision/prep and other general life stuff, that its hard to find the time.
One exams are over, i am sure i will have plenty more time though, so will be making more proactive steps.

Hope everyone is well?

In regards to money, i need to be given a good telling off! I have spent too much over the last week, and as from NOW i am reigning it in again and getting back to within the budget.
I like Florenceem's idea of spending as little as possible during May, and will be joining in with that idea! I should be able to do it.

Cant remember if i told you all about how much i spent doing my 'big asda shop'? Well, the aim was to spend no more than £100...and i ended up spending £70.64 So not too bad at all really

rising_from_the_ashes

cleggie wrote: »

Good news about the car- it only needed new plugs and leads and works like a dream again! Luckily i had the money saved already (it cost £96), from my car fund That never would have happened before! do he fitted them and had the car back to me in 2 hours.

Great news re the car ..... and as for having money set aside to cover it :T:T Yay! It's a great feeling isn't it? Happened to me for the first time when I had the service done in Jan..... and .... never want to go back to having to stick everything on a card and spend ages paying for it again!

cleggie wrote: »

Cant remember if i told you all about how much i spent doing my 'big asda shop'? Well, the aim was to spend no more than £100...and i ended up spending £70.64 So not too bad at all really

Another :T:T:T - Cleggie, you've done fantastically well in such a short time - I remember the "early days" when you were so down on the GC thread about your overspending and ..... just look at how far you've come! :T:T:T

Suffolk_lass

Hi Cleggie,

Rising is right, you are doing really well. My view is that you can mentally park that particular stress factor because you have developed the attitudes and mechanisms to manage your money - you can rely on those things in the lead up to your exams because your progress shows they are working for you. The time you are taking out to monitor and measure can come back when you are under less pressure.

Good luck with the last minute preparations for that first exam on Monday. Maybe try a hot water bottle to take to bed - the quick delivery warmth helps me relax more quickly and get off to sleep. If I wake in the night, my pen and paper by the bed gets the immediate thoughts out of my head, letting me park them so I can get back to sleep. I do alwys have to get up first though - go to the loo or get a glass of water, look in on DS then it's like going to bed again.

Thinking of you, all the best
SL

cleggie

Oh guys, you are so sweet, thanks again for your lovely words, brought a little tear to my eye.

I have just finished having my sons 8th Birthday Party. I had seven 8 year olds running around my tiny house, LOL! Lots of noise, tons of mess, but a good time had by all i think!
There were left over party poppers, paper plates, banners, and re-useable gift bags, so they went straight into my 'xmas/birthday/party' cupboard. I got just the right amount of food as they are only a few crisps left, so that went well too. Feeling pretty happy about that, as my son had a great time

Financially- i am back on track as from today. Need to go and take £80 out of the bank (£60 food and £20 petrol, same as every week). I dont think i'll spend the whole £60 on food this week though, so what i dont use will go in my emergency savings account.

I am absoloutley shattered so am going to chill out this afternoon, before getting some more revision in tonight. Hope you all have a great day.

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwww no wonder you're exhausted with all those wee ones running around!

Glad DS had a lovely time (great idea about the birthday/pressie box) - good luck with the revision but take some "me" time too - even if it's only a soak in the bath (even 10 mins is wonderful!). Best of luck for Monday.

cleggie

Morning! My friend and I had a deal that whoever woke up first this morning, regardless of how early it was, they woudl phone the other person. So i woke up at 4am, then got a phone call from my friend at 4.05am! LOL!

So, exams start today..eeek!!

Just to let you all know that if i disappear for a few days its because i am busy revising/learning/cramming and will be back soon!

Piquant_2

cleggie wrote: »

Morning! My friend and I had a deal that whoever woke up first this morning, regardless of how early it was, they woudl phone the other person. So i woke up at 4am, then got a phone call from my friend at 4.05am! LOL!

So, exams start today..eeek!!

Just to let you all know that if i disappear for a few days its because i am busy revising/learning/cramming and will be back soon!

Good luck Cleggie!