Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

MuffinTops wrote: »

It's always a good idea for me to pop into your diary Rosa, when I'm looking for some inspiration or motivation.

I've decided that money tends to get spent when I'm feeling like I should really be figuring out other neglected areas in my life. So, my next focus will be on sorting out paperwork and more clutter.

As Sam said, it's lovely hearing you sound happy, and your ideal man does sound ....... well, ideal! Once the weather gets better we'll have to look at which beaches to have a little wander through. The thing is, he could be somewhere having these same conversations with his friends about being single and holding out for someone really special (that's you!).

Have you ever read "how I lived on a pound a day"? Her focus and ability to really shake up a situation reminds me of you! May be worth a read if you can find it cheaply.

I hope you're enjoying your week! MTx

Aw thanks MT! I am feeling quite energetic atm - I love this time of year - well actually I love every time of year so what am I talking about... I even love the dark Jan/ Feb days, just for that sense of energy welling up ready for spring.

Paperwork is a PITA and one of the areas of clutter I find hardest as it sneaks in so easily! But I've gone back to FlyLady for tackling it a bit at a time and herding it together so I feel organised. I did enjoy the Marie Kondo book, and I think her approach works well for things like clothes that are very emotionally charged and kind of easily swopped, but not so well for other things. (I mean, who really considers renting sheets for the guest bed? Do whaaat??!)

I am wondering if I can find a weekend to just go and wander on a beach anyway. I don't mind rubbish weather as I'm not exactly a sun worshipper to start with. And I am noticing myself looking for him in a much more positive and happy way - wandering through somewhere looking around and thinking 'oooh, I wonder if he's here' - than before. I do hope you're right that he's out there looking too.

I will have a look for that book - not that I don't have a 'tsundoku' already, but it sounds very interesting


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Well lovely people, today I've been posting earlier than usual because I took some time off to see a friend who has just had some bad news (it looks like she will be OK).

I was able to just send an email and walk out of my office after I got the call, because I work for an organisation who understand why it's important. And because I work with lovely people who just say 'yes of course'. I could go straight there because I'm able to afford a car, thanks to my own hard work and my parents who helped with replacing the last one. I've come home to a cosy little flat, with two purring moggies who would otherwise have stayed in a shelter, because my landlord is nice and because when I moved in I gave this place the TLC to tidy it up. I bought yet more prepped food on the way home, because I can afford to do that and give the extra time to my friend and my studying. I'm healthier than I've been in years, possibly ever before, now I'm diagnosed and staying off gluten.

I'm very lucky, and very happy, and I think I'm starting to understand what Elizabeth Gilbert means about fierce joy.

So now I'm telling you wise and lovely lot :beer::j and celebrating you too, because you rock .


Rosa xx

MuffinTops

Ahhh Rosa, what an absolutely beautiful message to read first thing. It's so nice to read the credit you've given yourself for the sacrifices you made in the past so you can do the things you've mentioned. So well deserved.

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we think you rock too! I know I definitely think that! :happyhear

MTxx

RosaBernicia

MuffinTops wrote: »

Ahhh Rosa, what an absolutely beautiful message to read first thing. It's so nice to read the credit you've given yourself for the sacrifices you made in the past so you can do the things you've mentioned. So well deserved.

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we think you rock too! I know I definitely think that! :happyhear

MTxx

I have some very good role models on the making sacrifices now to enjoy freedom later like certain people who have managed to get debt and mortage free (that's you, MT, that is!).

bellevie

What a lovely post, we should all take a pinch of your positivity, we are all very lucky in our own ways after all.
I hope your friend is OK xx

RosaBernicia

Ooops . So it turns out this nearly DF is a learning process just like the rest of life :rotfl:

I got my banking text this morning and it turns out I did go into my overdraft. Only by £120 and for a day, and it's in the interest free zone so it didn't cost anything. Also, the reason it happened is because I used so much of my last paycheque to clear my CC of the costs from going away. And this explains why although I had money set aside according to YNAB, that money wasn't showing up in my account - I'd arranged to take it from today's paycheque. Which doesn't really work, does it...

So I will take a bit of a breather and not be in quite so much of a hurry to pay off the 0% card - I'll pay some off this month but make sure I leave money in the account and also enough for a social life. There is no desperate hurry, after all - it's on 0%, I don't have college fees til January, and the car loan is flexible. Time to get back to using YNAB the way it is intended and learning good habits - I'm glad this worked out OK, as I really don't want to go back to any nasty surprises, I'd just got used to those being a thing of the past!

I'll sort out my budget over the weekend everybody have a good one :beer:

Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

YNAB done, budget updated :eek::o, bill payments set up.

I seem to have run into yet another lesson about doing things slowly and steadily. Looking at what I paid off last month to get the holiday covered, it's really not surprisingly this month was short and I hadn't really thought about this, so hadn't realised that clothes shopping might be a bit premature .

I've readjusted the budgets so that bills will go out in November rather than being paid early in October - one is just clearing £30 of work expenses and the other is 0%, and neither are due til mid November, so there is no cost. This leaves enough to cover October costs and get me back on track. I should still be able to clear the college fees with no bother, and I think I'm going to stop worrying about the car loan for just now . Mostly because I am enjoying having a social life instead :rotfl:

I do have some expenses to claim and I think there's a couple of things worth putting on Ebay, so there will be a little more coming back into the pot, but will still try and be sensible. Ish.


Rosa xx

moneyonmymindsam

ooooh good luck with the ebaying

moneyonmymindsam

I just remembered I have slacked again regarding expenses ... I really should track this better ...I think this month would be only £15 ...but that £15 that could have come off my debts.


I am starting to think I have two lists ...what I am going to do and what I actually do ...:D


Have fun - cant wait to hear about your antics ...lol
MMsam

RosaBernicia

I am owed about £70 by this point... there's gotta be a way of us fixing this hasn't there Sam!