Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

Being organised #2

One of the problems about a tiny flat is finding space to dry washing. Particularly when you have cats, love clothes and are fussy about having white cotton bedding.

I have three brilliant Minky products that help with this - a huge airer that is big enough to hold a king size duvet cover draped over it but folds up flat, a fold up rotary drier that holds oodles of hangers, and an over-the-door iron and ironing board holder that means you can put the iron away while it's still hot.

Am just remembering that if I do a colour wash on Sunday evening, this dries overnight and means I have anything I may need for work ready for Monday morning.

If I also remember to change the bed on Sunday evening, this means I have lovely fresh sheets to combat the back to work blues - and if I put the delay timer on the washing machine, I can have the sheets washed by breakfast, quickly put them out for drying while I'm at work on Monday... so minimal time with the airer in the way.

I think it may be time to put together some new FlyLady routines


Rosa xx

MuffinTops

Ooh, well done on completing so much Rosa. You sound like you've done as much as I have and you've been busy with other things too!

I love the study nook idea, and that you were able to recognise the reasons behind not using it for so long. That's a big acheivement and hopefully helped with you being able to heal that issue really effectively.

I decided earlier today to keep a work journal as I'm trying desperately to get much more involved with a business analyst role in case I'm kept on at my job. I've also set myself up a website to keep all of my documentation together and easily accessed by anyone who wants to see it.

Another lovely update that inspired me to keep going with my plans. Thank you.

MTxx

RosaBernicia

Still plodding here...

Landlord has sorted a couple of things and agreed to do a couple more next week. Still SO pleased I got onto making my flat somewhere I love again. It's amazing how much easier it is to do things bit by bit - now that I've got started I have found myself sorting a cupboard or shelf at a time which is really easy.

Budget is going ok - I have bought most Christmas presents and will review it again at the weekend. I got in touch with a coach to help with interview prep which won't be cheap, but will hopefully help keep me fully focused and make sure I really do everything I can to get the job (ie not talk myself out of things or procrastinate).

Out tomorrow night and a chilled weekend planned


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Just ordered an updated interviews book - :eek::o - expensive but the old one was 7 years old and won't reflect current practice. However... also realised that I can now sell the old one - and two other textbooks I don't need any more :T - so fingers crossed those will sell and cover the costs.

Coaching appointment also booked

And I will try and get photos of a couple of dresses to go on fleabay at the weekend. A bit late for Christmas parties I suppose but perhaps people will be looking for NYE.


Rosa xx

moneyonmymindsam

Fab idea about the dresses - I might pick these out my pile ..thank you for the idea
Good tips about the drying thank you.


How are the moggies doing?


xx

RosaBernicia

Moggies are well

Budget is doing OK - I got my bill for the Last Card and its payment date is in January, so think I am going to solve the juggling by just clearing it before it is due. It's not costing me anything anyway, but does mean that - fingers crossed - I will now be DF to the banks in January. I will still have college fees to pay out of the following month but they can go on the card so long as I am clearing it straight away in full, as that gains me some time in paying it. Then I will decide what to do about tackling the mortage savings and repaying parents for the car loan.

December budget is not going to be as low as I thought, but now that I am OK to work with January that's fine. I'm still trying to be reasonably good.

Landlord is coming tomorrow to sort one thing and I am debating whether to spend £40 on the last thing that would make me happier with this flat for the remaining few months I'm in it - I am fed up of not having space for saucepans (they get left on the cooker as there's no cupboard space, and then I have to work round them when I'm actually cooking) and want a pan shelf but the nicest one is £40. I could take it with me, so wouldn't just be given to the landlord.... and it would make cooking rather more enjoyable... hmm.

Still haven't sorted Christmas cards and must get onto that later in the week. Two more days of college coming up and then none til late January, so that saves money too. Slightly bemused at the idea of paying my last ever module fees!


Rosa xx

MuffinTops

Hello Rosa,
Wooh to being bank debt free so quickly. I agree with paying things on the card and then paying in full each month as that's what I do. It keeps my credit history looking nice and tidy, while giving me a couple of interest free weeks.

I've not written out any Christmas cards yet! Although I've also not put any up that I've received either.

Good luck with your last couple of college days. Some time for studying in your new nook until the end of January?

MTx

Tinkerbelle2000

Rosa loving the idea of a study nook. I'm like MT and just love stationery so would love a nice desk to keep it all in.

A while ago the How I Lived On A Pound A Day book was mentioned. I have it and have read it so I'm more than happy to pass it on to you if you would like it. One less thing for me to have to pack.

Just wanted to say thank you for being here when I returned and am so happy I've caught up with you all.

Tink xx

RosaBernicia

Well my budget has been blown by Christmas just like everyone else's :rotfl:

It was going well until I spent extra on presents, did an unanticipated extra day at college and ordered knee boots online because they're just what I want.

Nothing disastrous but need to be a little more careful over the next few weeks. Fortunately we get paid tomorrow and I won't have to go back to college til the end of Jan.

Freezer is completely stuffed so I should be able to cook while home over the hols . However, I've just made a pizza on one of the gluten free bases and well, there are not many things I've ever met that are less like the texture of a pizza than the gf bases! :eek:


Rosa xx

MuffinTops

Ooh, I love that you blew the budget on knee boots! Totally a woman's prerogative! I agree though, nothing disastrous at all! I'm actually planning a budget blow on the Monday after Christmas to replace the wardrobe of clothes I have and don't wear!

I'm not a big fan of gluten free things! Did you manage to get through it?

MTxx