WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Evening All

Cathy- i was pretty impressed with myself, i have to say

So, tomorrow is back to work and back to school. Part of me is looking forward to it, the other half is dreading it.
I have a really good feeling about 2014. I know that sounds corny, but i really do. I think it's going to be my year of change.

I have been talking to someone today about further training. For those of you who dont already know, i want to train to become a Psychotherapist. I have already completed my degree in Psychology, so am looking at what i need to do next.

I have a list of things i need to do this week. It's pretty much all career related. Setting up as a SE cleaner was always just a stop gap, a way to give me an income since i couldnt find a job. I spent almost 12 months being unemployed and hated every minute of it. So it has done the job, it has given me an income.
But i have aspirations for something bigger. I have always wanted to be a psychotherapist, and have gained such a huge amount from seeing a therapist and would love to help others in the same way.

So, my to do list this week:

-Contact Barnardos about volunteering as a mentor/advocate for a child in care. This is something that i feel very passionate about, having been a child in care myself. I left care aged 18 and am now 34, so i feel ready.

-Contact someone about careers advice. This is usually only for teenagers or people in their early 20's, so i feel a bit lost. I am not sure what my next step is towards psychotherapy training. I could do an MA in Counselling, but i could also to a BACP accredited course. I am not sure of my best option.

-Start looking for a new job. This probably wont be an immediate thing as i am happy to continue cleaning until an opportunity comes up within the field i want to enter.

Just thinking out loud now...

TM6

Sounds a very exciting 2014 ahead for you

cathybird

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Evening All

I have been talking to someone today about further training. For those of you who dont already know, i want to train to become a Psychotherapist. I have already completed my degree in Psychology, so am looking at what i need to do next.



-Contact someone about careers advice. This is usually only for teenagers or people in their early 20's, so i feel a bit lost. I am not sure what my next step is towards psychotherapy training. I could do an MA in Counselling, but i could also to a BACP accredited course. I am not sure of my best option.

...

That's a fantastic aim, WantToBeSE. Are there not professional psychotherapist bodies which could advise on what the best next step would be? ... I had a friend who did this and could ask him, though I know the course he did was in London, so may not help you much.

WantToBeSE

Hello Diary

I have been finding it tough getting back to 'normal' after the holiday period! I was getting used to working only 3 hours a day twice a week, it's been a shock to get back into the swing of things!

The boys are back at school, i am back at work, and i have to say that i am feeling really upbeat and positive about 2014, i really feel that change is in the air.

Cathy- i am going to go onto the BACP website and see what advice they have on there. The main problem is that it's hard to find courses down herein Cornwall, without a huge commuting time to the other side of the county. Luckily, my own therapist has been giving me career advice alongside therapy...it's cheaper (but only just!) than paying to see a careers advisor

Savings are still at a total of £862.96. I received an email from the agency today to say that i will be paid on Friday for the hours worked over Christmas/New Year. Even though i only worked 12 hours, it'll be a nice extra £100.

What to do with that extra £100-I am thinking that i'll just use it to pay my credit card this month. I have a credit builder CC, and normally pay the balance in full every month. I have to pay it this week, so may as well use that extra money.

OR

I could bung it in my savings account. I am desperate to see my savings amount grow! Wow, how times change!

It's only 4 days until my sons 14th, and i have booked the table for dinner. Was hoping to invite my older sister to come with us, but she texted me saying she is a bit skint this month, so cant come. That's fine, it's cheaper for me!
We are going to a table table, nice and cheap

Eco_Miser

Always pay off debt before saving. The interest you save is usually way more than the interest you'd get. Also, letting debt accumulate is a bad habit to start.

WantToBeSE

Of course you are right, EM. I'll do that instead. I have no idea what i was thinking!

cathybird

WantToBeSE, I understand wanting to see the savings levels grow too So, how times have changed for me too. But Eco Miser is right, I'm quite sure. Yay that you got the extra £100, though - extra money, always welcome

WantToBeSE

Good morning Readers

EM and Cathy, i do not know what i was thinking! It's scary how easily those kinds of thoughts can grow in your head.
As it is, i managed to both put £100 in my savings pot, and also pay of the CC which was less than i thought (was only £85).

Savings now stand at £962.96

I have to give my son his £100 for his birthday (he has been busy finding bits for the laptop he is going to build!), and £60 should do it for the meal out at table table on Saturday lunchtime. I can't believe he'll be 14!!

cathybird

well I know what you were thinking And wanting to see your savings figure grow isn't mad stuff at all - there could hardly be a better urge to have, in terms of money :rotfl: In any case your credit card bill sounds well under control - admirable stuff.

Eco_Miser

Of course you want to see your savings grow. Just don't go into (or stay in) debt to do it.

Actually, there's a whole board devoted to borrowing to save (stoozing), but the trick is to borrow at 0%, and be very aware of what can go wrong.