Kicking !!!! and loving life in 2013 :)

zigmeister

So.. For the last 15 months I have been in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. I am 24 (in less than 2 weeks!) and was previously in a 6 year relationship, had just finished a teaching degree and we were planning to buy a house. Out of the blue my ex-OH ended the relationship and tore my world apart. I didn't know what to do with myself, so I took my house savings of a couple of grand and did what I always wanted to do - go travelling!

Whilst there I unexpectedly met a man who is absolutely perfect for me, lost weight, and gained a confidence I never knew I had. I have now been back in the UK for just over two weeks and am taking charge of my life. For too long I have worried about what my family thought, have let them make decisions for me and have spent too much time worrying about them. Time to live my life for me!

I am about to move up North with my OH, try and find a job and pay off all the debt I have accumulated since I have been away! This diary is gonna be my way of keeping my goals in check and hopefully by March 2014 I will have all of my debts paid off and can make some decisions about the next stage of my life. Here's to 2013 - I'm excited!

zigmeister

Although I took a fair amount of money with me to Australia, it was far more expensive than I thought and even though I was earning money, I got into some tight situations and ended up having to borrow some from family members. I have started adding up totals (with my hands over my eyes!) and these are my figures..

Family

Nan £1200
Step-Mum £1000
Auntie £500

Other

Student O/D £2000
Lloyds O/D £370
Lloyds CC £825
Tesco CC £505

Total

£6400

I also owe my wonderful OH nearly £2000 (I think, we still need to work it out) but he is letting me not worry about it until everyone else is paid off.

Even though I'm paying interest on the credit cards and overdrafts, my priority is paying off my Nan as she is the one giving me the most grief! She needs the money to pay for some flights in about 6 months time so I need her paid off first. Then I will figure out who needs paying next.

£120 a month also comes out of my account for laser eye surgery that I had done before I left. My Mum owes me about £2000 but is in no position to pay it back. She is meant to be paying me the £120 every month and sometimes manages it, sometimes not. She is part of the reason I owe money to other members of the family. I am hoping not to rely on the money from her coming in every month so it will be a bonus if it comes in.

zigmeister

Job/Career

Myself and OH had our year anniversary on 1st March 2013 :smileyhea So we have given ourselves until March 2014 to pay off debts and see how we go. We both would like to travel again but OH has managed to land himself a job in the field he wants to work in so we might not want to give that up. I have some important decisions to make about my life and I'm confused!

I didn't do my NQT year before I left (to make myself a qualified teacher) and while I was away I made the decision that I although I want to work with children, I don't think I want to be a teacher. I felt confident with my decision whilst away, but now I'm home I'm wondering whether I should do it anyway. :think:

I think my first thing to do is to get any job, just to get some money coming in. Then think about my career.

Health

I'm 5'3" and at my heaviest I weighed pretty much 12 stone! :eek: I now weigh 9.7 stone and plan on losing at least 7lbs. My target weight at the moment is 9st but I might reassess that. My main aim is to be fit, healthy and toned so I'm looking forward to becoming very familiar with Jillian Michaels again!

I've put on 3lbs since coming home (was expected though!). I have my birthday and a wedding in the next 3 weeks so I will focus on the healthy eating and exercise after that.

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
Keep posting!

clearmydebts

Happy new diary Zig. Your OH sounds wonderful x

Cinny91

Can't wait until you move up North! Will have to get some MSE days on the cards Love the sound of all your plans, you can do it! x

Birdie85

Happy new diary Zig! :wave:

How far North are you moving?! We'll eventually get all the MSE girls up here! MSE meet should be on the cards too!

Good luck clearing the debt, I'm sure with some hard work it'll be gone with time to spare and you can enjoy your 2nd anniversary debt free!

Dinah93

Happy new diary, it's lovely to read, you sound so happy. Whereabouts are you moving to up here?

poddle911

Welcome home, Zig! What a brill start to your diary - sounds like you had an amazing time and a bright outlook for the future

Happy 2013!

Kepp

Hi Zig, followed you here from Dinah's diary and have subscribed

tinkerbel

Hey Zig!
Can't wait to hear all about your adventures now you're back! how exciting and well done for losing weight Can't wait to hear more about your new man too! Where are you moving to up north? (I'm the only one who's moved the other way )
Have you done all of the things like signing on the job seekers allowance to get some cash coming in while you search? Also I heard you can do supply teaching as an NQT for a bit and I think it pays well and is flexible so might be worth registering/calling some to inquire?
What field is your OH in? He's done so well to find a job that he wants to do!