Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

Sunday report...

Haven't checked up the shuffle as already pretty much done for payday. 

Peeved to find I have a tax bill though.  I really thought I'd got through paying for this move but apparently not.  I know I should be grateful that I do have it available but it's disappointing when I thought this month I could get back on an even keel.  Next month... plods grumpily onwards. 

RosaBernicia

Even more grumpily, reshuffles budget to remove allocation for decorating stuff that won't happen til March now lockdown extended... supposed it minimises the tax bill damage, but that doesn't feel a lot of consolation right now. 

kerri_gt

   how frustrating Rosa, I'm guessing you're in an area where only emergency internal work can be carried out? It's not much consolation but at least you know the pot is there as soon as you can use it.

RosaBernicia

kerri_gt said:

   how frustrating Rosa, I'm guessing you're in an area where only emergency internal work can be carried out? It's not much consolation but at least you know the pot is there as soon as you can use it.

Yes, it's supposed to be safety critical only.  Expecting an email from the sparky to reschedule.  I suppose I'd better get hold of the other tradies and get something booked in so that things don't slide even further. 

But yes, in the meantime the money is there, I can strip the wallpaper, and as soon as the curtain samples turn up I can get those ordered. 

[more grumpy plodding]

RosaBernicia

belated Sunday shuffle report again!

Nothing much to add really... had a sudden spendy moment with jewellery and clothes last week, haven't tried on the clothes yet so not sure what will be going or staying.  Partly I wanted to try out the company as if the clothes work, I will get more from them - easy to order online and with this company easy to tell what should suit me. 

Spending on textbooks, but that's partly necessary and also, weirdly, enjoyable    as I am lucky enjoy to have a job I find interesting!  The groceries bill is as embarrassing as ever, since I'm still buying a lot of prepped stuff to maximise revision time. 

The house stuff feels more under control now, the last few things are coming into place so it's just decorating and the garden and neither of those can happen properly until after lockdown. 

So still plodding, a bit less grumpily than last week! 

Oh, and I'm dithering over a new furry addition to the household... a friend of a friend has puppies available soon...

moneyonmymindsam

You need the textbooks so let you off, lol. I think it's important to try new things out especially clothing and you are always so good with returns. 

Oh that sounds very exciting about the furry addition   
I think holidays/trips with a dog would be wonderful especially with your van!!!
Was there a main reservation you had to not get? 
Sam x

RosaBernicia

moneyonmymindsam said:

You need the textbooks so let you off, lol. I think it's important to try new things out especially clothing and you are always so good with returns. 

Oh that sounds very exciting about the furry addition   
I think holidays/trips with a dog would be wonderful especially with your van!!!
Was there a main reservation you had to not get? 
Sam x

Thanks Sam

Just tried the clothes, only one top is staying - not surprised tbh as I knew the other shapes weren't ideal for me, just thought worth a try.  Ordering a skirt to match it and going to try the same styles in another colour.  So lots going on and off the CC but yes I am going to be good about the returns, so not a bad likely total cost.  Bit taken aback at realising my lockdown shape though... had managed to reduce the damage a while back with the standing desk but I guess I haven't been moving as much recently. 

Van trips would be awesome I am just a bit nervous about the lifestyle change...  cats can be left to themselves and can't tell the time, dogs a bit more demanding about exercise and feeding and exactly when!  No need to decide just yet though, so still thinking it through.  I did just say I need exercise myself...

RB xx

Buffythedebtslayer

Dogs are the ABSOLUTE best. I love mine.  just saying. 
XXX

Buffythedebtslayer

Also the dog could come with you in the van! 

kerri_gt

Rosa could you try 'Borrow my Doggy' https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgomBBhDXARIsAFNyUqMn3D6UahcCPLR4uLV-etVorGKwjiWwiZPgXF5ZhAdDCH-bldDdY_kaAtPgEALw_wcB as a kind of trial to having a dog? We have a friend who uses it and has a regular 'borrower' for his doggy when he's working. It could be a good way of testing whether the commitment / routine of having a dog works for you, or you may find that 'Borrowing' actually works where you get to enjoy a hounds company but aren't 100% tied to having one full time. 

We'd love a dog but DH is out the door before 6.30am for work and often too tied to do anything when he gets home so the responsibility of weekday walks at least would fall to me, which while doable while I WFH that may not always be the case, and also I don't want 'us' to have a dog and 'me' to have most of the responsibility.