Balancing not just the budget

kerri_gt

Our garden looks a bit of a sight too, because a lot of the leaves came down late I really haven't been able to clear them, that and for the past few years they would be covered by snow now...thank goodness they aren't. I didn't quite manage all the cutting back I wanted to do either due to the winds so it will just have to wait a bit longer now.

Hope your list to Santa gets answered.

RosaBernicia

Happy new year everybody :beer:


It's a lovely feeling having made such a dent in the CCs in time for a new start. I'd really like to get rid of the last high interest one at the end of this month, as then it would be gone before my birthday in Feb - but as I still don't know how much my monthly pay is (sigh - because it was all mixed up with back pay last time), I don't know how likely that is. I think I would have to give up money earmarked for holiday savings. Will see on payday.

Am still loving the new budgeting software and was very pleased to find a post on their forums pointing out that it was on sale via a games site, so instead of waiting 10 days and paying £33 I got it yesterday for a whole £7.50. :rotfl: I need to get my IT friend to look through things as it seems I have to go via the games site to access it, but that's not really any different to logging on to their own instead, and I assume the security is OK on both. Am just aware I'm no longer at all confident with techie stuff so would like someone else to check it. I'm not linking it to my actual bank accounts anyway as I don't see the need. I do really like their focus on prioritisation and flexibility, instead of long term plans - it means I feel less restricted and don't get tempted to make plans that cut down the DF date but aren't sustainable.

After a whole lot of procrastinating I moved the last stuff out of the storage garage today - it actually only took half an hour and I have easily found space in the flat for the stuff I want to keep. (Some went to my parents place when I went up at Christmas.) There are three black bags for Ebay in the bottom of my wardrobe and I still have to decide whether to really go ahead with selling or just give them to charity - will see later this month. The remaining few bits are still in my car and will go to the charity shop tomorrow together with a few other bits and pieces. Am really pleased I've got it over with as that saves £65 a month and I suddenly remembered I should get a £50 cash deposit back on Monday

I've downloaded the Couch to 5K podcasts and now need to figure out how to get them out of iTunes and onto my mp3 player ... they look really really good so am hoping to get started with that in the next few days. I have everything I would need except maybe something reflective and waterproof to go over the top. I've cancelled my gym membership direct debit but it had already gone through today so will try and use it a few times this month. I looked at the combined running and workout plan but it looks a bit too complicated so am thinking getting up earlier and starting running are quite big enough goals already. :rotfl:


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Other small :money: things I have done...

• Changed my PayPal account link so it goes to the debit card not the credit card... means I know straightaway what I've put on it instead of um, forgetting and then having to adjust plans to repay the CC.
  
• Got an Oyster-style card (can't think of the general word!) for the local bus service, and bought any 5 days travel. This means I pay £3 for an anywhere, all day ticket instead of £3.30 for a return into town or £3.90 for the all day.
  
• Logged a meter reading for my electric. Don't want to see the results :eek: but better to know... and as there's over £260 credit in the account, am hoping that plus the current direct debits will get me through to spring without any extra payments.
  
• Checked the expiry date for my phone and broadband. Turns out it's not til mid Feb but at least I can be looking for deals - though I know which provider I would prefer anyway.

Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

OK after getting to bed on time for once and staying awake worrying about the revision books I need, decided they probably won't come through on library request in time and have ordered them from Waterstones to collect tomorrow.

It's £20 I could have done without spending but no sense stressing for a week and potentially screwing up the assessment (the books relate to my weakest area so knowing I've practiced will keep me calm as well as helping what I know).

I will probably only use one and return the other, and if the library does come up with a copy then I can return both.


I also worked out that if I give up the money I had budgeted for holidays from both my last paycheque and the end of Jan one, I can pay off the last high interest credit card at the end of Jan. Interestingly, I am not AT ALL happy about this, I ABSOLUTELY resent having to do it as I really wanted to have some holiday funds set aside. I haven't had an actual holiday in several years and I gave up my last pot of holiday money to put against the debts when I thought I was buying the flat. So will see what happens at the time. I'll probably do it anyhow as I won't have much leave til the new leave year comes in anyway. But I'm not happy about it. Which is just weird. :rotfl:

Especially as I can pay it straight back to myself with the Feb paycheque since by then I will only have one low interest debt


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Well, PAH is all I can say to today.

Spent £18 on the books - forgot I had some money on the storecard but probably won't use one of them so it can go back.

Then found an online resource for £50 which gives access to similar practice tests. Dithered and figured it was probably worth knocking a facial out of the budget for. The support material is a bit disappointing but it's really good having immediate practice and not having to check my own answers, so it's probably worth it even though I haven't tried the full timed tests yet. If I find I don't use the other book much that can go back too


Decided not to go to green volunteering thing tomorrow as really need the time to swot not happy. Telling myself it gets me a better chance of being able to stay in the area and I can go next time.

And despite having been in two supermarkets today (bought 'good' treats that I can't easily get locally, and which are supposed to keep me off the bad ones) by the time I've had a minor panic and got going with the revision I really can't face cooking and can't think of anything really simple in the house, so am treating myself to a takeaway. It's the only spend this weekend that isn't basic or work, so figure it's excusable.


Rosa xx

ZTD

RosaBernicia wrote: »

I also worked out that if I give up the money I had budgeted for holidays from both my last paycheque and the end of Jan one, I can pay off the last high interest credit card at the end of Jan. Interestingly, I am not AT ALL happy about this, I ABSOLUTELY resent having to do it as I really wanted to have some holiday funds set aside. I haven't had an actual holiday in several years and I gave up my last pot of holiday money to put against the debts when I thought I was buying the flat. So will see what happens at the time. I'll probably do it anyhow as I won't have much leave til the new leave year comes in anyway. But I'm not happy about it. Which is just weird. :rotfl:

Not weird at all. It's the difference between choice, and what you feel is compulsion. Are you ready for a holiday?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Then found an online resource for £50 which gives access to similar practice tests. Dithered and figured it was probably worth knocking a facial out of the budget for. The support material is a bit disappointing but it's really good having immediate practice and not having to check my own answers, so it's probably worth it even though I haven't tried the full timed tests yet. If I find I don't use the other book much that can go back too


Decided not to go to green volunteering thing tomorrow as really need the time to swot not happy. Telling myself it gets me a better chance of being able to stay in the area and I can go next time.

What's that test for? What's it about? I thought it was psychometric?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

And despite having been in two supermarkets today (bought 'good' treats that I can't easily get locally, and which are supposed to keep me off the bad ones) by the time I've had a minor panic and got going with the revision I really can't face cooking and can't think of anything really simple in the house, so am treating myself to a takeaway. It's the only spend this weekend that isn't basic or work, so figure it's excusable.

Depends on how many you have. You are allowed a treat every so often you know.

RosaBernicia

ZTD wrote: »

Not weird at all. It's the difference between choice, and what you feel is compulsion. Are you ready for a holiday?

That's exactly it... and I am SO OVERDUE for a holiday, I just don't know why I didn't know this til now...

ZTD wrote: »

What's that test for? What's it about? I thought it was psychometric?

It includes numerical reasoning and preparing really does help. Don't listen to anyone who tells you it's not possible to prepare for psychometric tests - just check your local library catalogue and look online for info. The resource I'm using gives mock tests with the real timing - haven't got to that yet as still re-teaching myself numbers :rotfl: but interestingly I'm already doing much better than yesterday so something must be sinking in.

ZTD wrote: »

Depends on how many you have. You are allowed a treat every so often you know.

Well I'm not doing it again tonight, though mainly because I'm not really hungry and toast will do :rotfl:


How's things in Z-land?


Rosa xx

lionheartedgirl

At last - out of lurkdom to say Happy New Year and I hope it's brilliant :beer:

meant to say ages ago, can't believe I forgot and you're probably all kitted up by now but if you have an H&M near you, I really like their sports gear. Most of my running tops have come from there and I think their stuff is really good value and performs well for the money.

I will be watching closely with all your psychometric stuff - I have a big task ahead which is to find a new permanent/long contract job and am so out of touch with interviews etc!

Definitely agree with Z on the treat front

RosaBernicia

hello LHG! :j

I think we have a huge H&M opening in town very soon so sportswear will be a good excuse to go in


Re treats, have been sensible and used Christmas M&S gift card for a bit of extra food shopping (mainly so don't have to cook while swotting). However, appear to have already almost finished the deli salad that was supposed to be tomorrow's lunch too... :rotfl:


Rosa xx

ZTD

RosaBernicia wrote: »

That's exactly it... and I am SO OVERDUE for a holiday, I just don't know why I didn't know this til now...

It's a bit like the parable of the frog and the boiling water. Since it has crept up on you so slowly - you haven't seen it for what it is.

RosaBernicia wrote: »

It includes numerical reasoning and preparing really does help. Don't listen to anyone who tells you it's not possible to prepare for psychometric tests - just check your local library catalogue and look online for info.

I think half the problem is people using the words "psychometric tests" to describe ability tests. Ability tests have nothing to do with psycho anything which are more personality "tests".

In the old days, when things were sepia, we used to call ability tests by the name "ability tests" - that was far less confusing.

RosaBernicia wrote: »

The resource I'm using gives mock tests with the real timing - haven't got to that yet as still re-teaching myself numbers :rotfl: but interestingly I'm already doing much better than yesterday so something must be sinking in.

Shows how you get out of practice.

RosaBernicia wrote: »

How's things in Z-land?

Windy and rainy.

And I have to go back to work tomorrow.

I hope it has calmed down by then. How's things there?