Alibear's adventure

Alibear

Hi everyone

Here's another diary to add to the list if you'll have me? I've read so many inspiring stories on here I'm hoping to follow suit.

I guess this is slightly different to the DFW-style diaries on here. I'm not really in debt, but will be living very frugally until the end of June, when I start a new job.

I resigned from my current role as it really wasn't for me. My new one is only 12 weeks long but the money is good and I'm hoping it will open loads of doors for me, one of which may lead me to my dream job! During my 'career break' I have some relevant work experience planned (voluntary) and hope to pick up a bit of ad hoc/temp work along the way. I also want to thoroughly research my new role so I can hit the ground running when I start and hopefully impress a few people!

I guess I'm starting this diary so I can keep an eye on my funds and pick up ways to earn more cash. I've put aside enough to pay the bills for the next three months and have some social (read wine and shoes!) money left over. But this will be a very strict budget and is partly dependent on me picking up a few days' work. As my new job is only 12 weeks I obviously need to save as much as possible as it's highly likely I'll be unemployed again for a while after that.

I want to spend any free time I have as proactively as possible. Whether it's doing online surveys, batch cooking meals, eBaying, exercising... And think starting this diary will keep me on the straight and narrow.

My bf's job will be taking him away a lot over the next few months too. So while this is a geat opportunity to get our house/my finances straight, I want some cash so I can go out with friends and enjoy myself so I don't feel like I'm sitting in a darkend room at home awaiting his return!

Oh, and we're getting married later this year so I'm sure that'll keep me occupied too!

Thank you for making it to the end of this post, you are all lovely and deserve a medal! Look forward to starting my journey with you all................ x

Alibear

I just logged onto my Onepoll account and found I have £33 just sitting there - this is great news! i've also got £16.90 in my Valued Opinions account and they've started offering Sainsbury's vouchers, my nearest supermarket. It's amazing what you can find out from a little punt around!

I'm really determined to stick to this; I was stuck with my uni debt with me for far too long and still have a few marks on my credit file to show for it. My loans and overdrafts took me about 8 years to clear and some of that was thanks to help from loved ones. I won't be doing that again!

Alibear

Gonna drag myself to the gym soon. I find exercise is a great motivator as you feel so proud of yourself after a workout, especially if you spend all day REALLY not wanting to go!

My mum has been on at me for ages to sort out all the carp in my old bedroom (understandable seeing as I moved out 4 years ago!) so over the next few days I'm going to get a whole heap of stuff together to put on eBay. That site is a real pet hate of mine (it's so time consuming!) but I'll try and think of the money! Have a good evening all. x

Alibear

It's payday tomorrow... my last one before I enter the realm of unemployment! As I've said, I'm planning to pick up some temp work during this time but need to be realistic. I've saved enough for bills for April/May/June and have put that over to the bills account which me and the bf pay into. We also have a savings account, whihc is the money for the wedding. I'm planning to put all the cash I get tomorrow into savings and draw out a set amount each week to live on. That way I won't be tempted to pay for things with my card and the money I do have will earn as much as possilble. Hopefully if I pick up some extra work I won't need to draw anything out at all!

One thing I am wondering about is whether to sign on or not. I read that you (understandably) need a 'just cause' to resign from a job without another to go to. I wonder if saying I'm preparing for my new job is a good enough reason? I'd argue it is as there is a hell of a lot I need to do. But I'd certainly be open to working if an opportunity comes up... And the selfish part of me says I've never been out of work since the day after my 16th birthday, even when at uni, so I should be entitled to get something back! But I've seen how hard it is for people to get back to work after redundancy etc so am obviously very thankful and certainly don't see it as my 'right'. Hmm, what a minefield!

Shoe_Gal

Hi and Good Luck in your new job

I'm not sure but I thnk you need to 'sign on' anyway to keep your NI contributions correct - even if you're not entitled to a payment

Alibear

Thanks Shoe Gal! I think it's best if I do sign on anyway, even if it delays my payments for a month or so I still might get something.

I'm going to head to the old style board soon for some cooking tips. I want to batch cook as much as possible so I always have a choice when it comes to dinner - if I only have one option I can guarantee I'll want something else!

I also found out my elec is £250 in credit after 12 months. The bill said they've amended my bill so I only pay £5 per month but I phoned and said I'd rather keep my DD the same and have a refund, which they agreed to! I usually pay about that into our savings account per month so that will go straight over and hopefully allow me to not feel so guilty if I want my hair done or something!

Hope everyone's ok today and enjoying the sunshine.

Alibear

I got into work this morning thinking 'oooh, payday' before quickly changing it to 'sh*t, this has to last me three months!' I've put everything into the savings account and plan to transfer a certain amount back every week. That way I hopefully won't be tempted to splurge on clothes etc. I'm out with the bf tomorrow night for dinner, which is already paid for via Groupon so this will be a relatively low-spend weekend.

I'm also phoning the elec company today to get my credit refunded. I will not have N Power earning interest on my money!

I've just remembered the clocks go forward this weekend - I always feel cheated when this happens, like someone's stolen some of my sleep time, how rude of them!

Alibear

...And i've just requested a £10 Sainsbury's voucher from Valued Opinions. Get in!

Alibear

I've had a productive day today, despite being a little tired after staying out much later than planned last night! I've been batch cooking all afternoon; have made enough mince for a couple of decent-sized cottage pies, some more bolognaise mince and about 6 individual portions of soup. We made sure we didn't go to the supermarket hungry (always a disaster when I do!) and spent time looking around to make sure we got the best deals.

I've spent the last hour watching Homeland (how on earth did Brodie cheat the Polygraph?!) while doing more onling surveys. Really can't wait to see the money come in. I might total up the figures and put them in my sig.

I'm now off to bed for an early night to get ready for my penultimate week at work tomorrow!

Alibear

I've suddenly discovered the virtues of Excel - amazing! I've created sheets to show how much we'll be saving and spending while I'm not working so I know how much extra I will need to put back in once I start working again. I'll be making sure I input everything I buy so I'll know which areas to reign in on if I'm spending too much (coffee will probably be one of them!) I'm also going to work out how much I'll earn through surveys and eBay etc, every penny counts!

I've got two weeks left of work and will then be volunteering during the week after Easter. After that it's de-clutter and tone-up time! : )

I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine, it's gorgeous out there today.

Alibear

My first week of budgeting is nearly over and I've stll got £53 in my bank account and around £4 in my purse. Happy with that! I've decided to 'roll over' any cash I have left over till the next week. seeing the money build up will be great as It'll be another way to save up for other bits without feeling the need to buy something out of savings and pay it back in a few months. Saving project no. 1 is to have enough to get my hair done. I haven't had it cut for months and more evil greys seem to be rearing their ugly heads every day!

I've got confirmation of more volunteering work which is cool; it all helps to gain more experience for my ideal job when my next placement is over! : )

Hope you're all well and having a good week x