Money Fritters 'Enough Now' DFW Diary - Chapter 2

Money_Fritter

Hi folks,

The time has come to set some goals in my life. My ultimate aim in life, apart from being debt free, would be to become my own boss and be self-employed. I have a few ideas with respect to this, but this is not the time to discuss these long term goals. I have more immediate goals that I need to achieve first.

I have decided to break my goal setting into several areas of my life.

1. Physical
2. Work
3. Debt
4. Mental
5. Home


As I mentioned in a previous post, I think it is very important to lead a balanced life. As well as the obvious debt busting, there are several other areas of my life I need to set goals in.

Physical

I think it is very important to have a healthy body and a healthy mind. Over the last year I have let my physical fitness slip and have piled on the pounds. Therefore, I need to set some goals with regard to my fitness. These are:-

1. A 20 minute run at least 5 days a week, ideally more.
2. No sweets, crisps or chocolate throughout the week, odd treat at the weekend.
3. No more than 20 units of alcohol in a week (recommended 3-4 units per day). This will be the hardest as I do like having a few glasses of wine over the weekend.
4. I will lose 1-2lbs per week

I have already started this; since Monday 2nd of July I have lost 7lbs. I realise that you tend to lose more weight at the beginning, as you de-toxic your body. I think losing 1-2lbs per week is a realistic target.

Money_Fritter

Work

For the last year or so in work I have been in a real slump. I work in research and science. I use to be very enthusiastic about my subject and had a positive outlook. However, recently all that has changed. This is due to me not setting any real goals and not being motivated as there are no prospects in the company I work for. However, the job I have is stable so I must grateful for that. I know I cannot move jobs at the present time, due to recession and no suitable jobs being available. Also I don’t want to take the risk in the current climate. Therefore, I need to try and make my current job interesting again; I need to set goals and start taking more of a proactive approach.

1. I need to start completing a weekly report, summarising the work I have completed during the week. Hopefully, by doing this it will keep me focussed on the tasks that need to be completed.

2. At the beginning of every week, I need to sit down and construct a rough plan for the week ahead. This will include the week’s targets and lab plan.

3. Before I leave work each evening, I need to plan my next day’s work and make sure I have everything prepared. I will write a task list for the next day.

4. Each day in work, I need to use 30 minutes to read around my subject. This will be either reading New Scientist or reading RSC or a chemistry article. Anything to try and get my brain back into chemistry.

5. An the end of the week I need to make sure my lab book is up-to-date and necessary documents are complete.

Money_Fritter

Mental

As with physical fitness, mental fitness is also very important. I need to test my brain regularly. Obviously some of the work goals, like reading around my subject will help, but other simple goals can be set:-

1. I like completing Sudoku puzzles; it helps your concentration and focus. Therefore, I will try and complete one difficult Sudoku per day. It might be good to do this during my lunch break.

2. My vocabulary is not what it use to be. Therefore, as I like completing puzzles, I will aim to complete one quick crossword per day.

3. Another challenge that is good for mental exercise is maths puzzles. I might try and find some of these and test myself on a regular basis.

Money_Fritter

Home

This section refers to any jobs related to my house. I was unsure whether or not to put this section in, as my debts are so high I don’t really think I will be able to do any jobs in my house. But that is being defeatist!!! I need to think outside the box and see if I can generate any extra cash to get jobs done!!!

1. Apart from the outside of the house, I cannot do any inside jobs until I get a new central heating system. I have an old back boiler, and until that goes, I cannot do any other decorating. So the short term goal is to raise cash to pay for a new central heating system. I will discuss this more in the debt and money section.

2. When the weather is fit (not very often), do 30-60 minutes of gardening.

MrsPorridge

HI MF - they seem really sensible and achievable goals to me. I look forward to hearing more.

Money_Fritter

MrsPorridge wrote: »

HI MF - they seem really sensible and achievable goals to me. I look forward to hearing more.

Hi MrsP,

I still have one section to complete, the debt section. I thought I would leave the worst to last.
:rotfl:

Money_Fritter

Morning folks,

Well I am doing well this week; I have been out for a run on Monday and Wednesday. I will try and complete a run tonight after work as well.

Money Fritter

MrsPorridge

HI MF - how are things going? Have you managed to do some planning at work?

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

I still need to post my debt plan, which is almost complete. However, I have been trying to follow my other plans and have acheived mixed results so far.

Physical

Last week I managed four 20 minute runs. A couple of days I managed a run before going to work and a couple days after work. My target was at least five 20 minute runs for the week, so I just fell one short.

I did manage to resist the crisps, choc and sweets over the week and I also had no alcohol over the week. However, during the weekend I was not good as I had quite a bit of alcohol and treats. This was due to my gf's brother proposing to his gf a couple of weeks ago, so we all went out for a meal and champers. Hopefully I can stick to my target this coming week.

As a result of the above, I only managed to stay the same on the weight front. Must try harder!!!

Work

Work plans are going well. I constructed a work plan at begining of last week and have constructed one for this week too.

I have also started to read new scientist as stated, 30 minutes per day.

I also managed to complete my lab book on Friday too.

I also found planning the following days work was very useful and stopped me procrastinating in the mornings.

The only thing I did not manage to get done in my first week of planning was my weekly report.

Mental

During my lunch break I have managed to do a quick crossword everyday. I have only managed to complete one fully, but I managed at least half of the other ones.

I have also managed to complete a sudoku everyday as well.

I have not managed to find any maths puzzle yet, but I will keep trying

Home

The weather was nice over the weekend, but I did not manage to get any gardening done, due to other commitments.

So overall, not a bad first week, I need to improve, but not bad at all.

Hopefully I can keep it going.

Money Fritter

MrsPorridge

Well done MF. Don't beat yourself up about the diet - at least you were good during the week! Staying the same is much better than gaining. Its very hard to stick to your resolution if there is a family celebration as well.