Mind change to debt thanks to MSE forums!

sassychick2014

Hiya

No, I can't be bothered to go to the supervisor as you know they'll just say tough and I'm quite exhausted atm, both physically and mentally. Think the events of the last few months have started to catch up with me. In fact things have been stupidly hectic since Mum's diagnosis last June.

The place I got the car from are quite good and try and get me as much done through warranty as possible. This didn't include the battery I had to buy last week though. However their free breakdown cover got the AA man out for nowt to restart the car so I can't complain. It was £65ish so not to bad. I put money each week into a savings account my mum's got - only a couple of quid - but it's been adding up so if there's a prob with the car it's there. This is the first time I've had to use it and it was really helpful.

Littley's in the middle of sorting her room out. With the new bed in we had to take all the furniture out and it's now slowly going back in but with everything being gone through for rubbish, recycling, charity etc. She's being quite bossy with it - which is driving me insane - but at least she's taken charge of it I suppose. And it'll be done meaning I can have my dining room back!

Right, off to try and finish her majesty's orders then cook some dinner before I fall asleep!

Have a good weekend xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

Hope it's not as windy and cold where you all are as it is here. Walking to school was an experience as we were walking into the winds so feel as though I've done way more exercise than I really did! Littley and I went for a walk yesterday too. We walked just over a mile and this time the wind was behind us so we didn't feel like we were walking, more like being taken along for a ride! On another step of Operation Wetsuit I found a channel on tv that has exercise shows & have recorded a heap of them with the aim of going through and seeing which works best for me. I've already started and done a few over the weekend.

I've had a little look at my debts this morning and they're still steadily going down which is good. I'd taken my eye off the ball recently so it's good to know they're still going the right way.

I've a busy day ahead today. No driving job for a few weeks as the lady is on holiday which means no money for the pot but it does mean I have more time to do other things which is probably more money/time efficient.

Have a good day everyone xx

Whitefeather8

Afternoon Sassy,


We have had that icy wind for about a week now and it does make any trips out a bit of an endurance test.


You have had a huge amount to process emotionally which is bound to take it's toll xx.

sassychick2014

Morning all

So today is ridiculously cold and the school run was icy. We haven't got any snow but I'd rather we did as I love the snow but hate this icy wind we've got. So easy to give in and drive but we didn't. In fact Littley didn't even ask, just got out the gloves and scarves and of we went.

Have booked our camping at Rottnest Island today so that's warmed me up considerably!! Can. Not. Wait!

That's all I have to say for today - an unusually short one for me. Oh, I've got 2 mystery shops to do so that'll be another few pence in the pot.

Have a great day everyone xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

Made a rooky mistake yesterday that's annoyed me. Took my dad to the theatre for his birthday treat and stupidly bought drinks & crisps at their bar. A pint of cider, a bottle of water (that we didn't drink all of cuz it was lukewarm ) and 2 packets of crisps came to £8.50!!! I nearly passed out when the bar lady told me but as it was a treat I could hardly send it all back (plus a big glug had already been removed from the pint! lol) However next time it will be snacks & water in my bag so just the pint for Dad. We still had a great time and Mum treated us to dinner afterwards so overall it wasn't too bad.

Have just realised that I don't need to book anything else for our trip so all savings from now on will be money to spend. However this does include trips that I've saved/budgeted for that we pay for on the day. That's already at £477.65 so I "only" need a further £683! Easy in 4 weeks. Ok, so I'm worrying about it now but that £683 is for emergency, food and anything else we decide on, including extra trips, souvenirs etc. I'm putting in some of my inheritance money so it actually brings it down to £533 to save in 9 weeks which is slightly more doable. That's roughly £60 p/w which is what I've been working on all year and so should be ok.

I've also been looking at cameras today as I need a new one and normally would buy a cheapy job that I probably would need to replace a year or so later. Today though I got a photographer friend round to take a look at ones in my highest budget (again, including some money from inheritance) and have found one that ticks all the boxes. I had spotted ones that were more expensive but having my friend's knowledge made me realise I didn't need the extras that those cameras provided. I'm going to go look at the cameras properly & see which one feels better suited for me and then do a price comparison. I suppose I could also see if there's a cashback site that would help too which would be good.

That's all today. Not much else to say so I'll clear off and do some work.

Have a great day everyone xx

sassychick2014

Morning everyone

So this week my money from my Grandma has come through which although lovely is also very sad. However, I've finally bought the iPad that I've wanted for ages. Yes I could use this money to pay for some debts but I don't want to. I want this money to go to something fun and frivolous - like how she always seemed to be.

However, in true MSE spirit I did a lot of research, confused myself, then asked a mate about her trusty iPad. She has an older model and I was trying to work out whether to get the new Air2 or an older model. In the end I've plumped for a 4th generation refurbished one. This is considerably cheaper than a new one which meant that I could get it with 4G too so I can use it out and about for work and be safe on the internet. I've still saved a good £70 which is brilliant.

I'm going to get a new camera next week. Again I've looked around, found the one I really want and done price comparisons. The best place is John Lewis so I'll be going there. The day I go I'll do a double check though to see if I can get them to do their price matching.

I popped into the city with Littley yesterday and saw an iPad cover that I really liked for £14.99 and ummed and aahhed about getting it then Littley pipes up (in front of the shop owner) "you've got one coming from the internet that's exactly the same but a different colour AND ten quid cheaper, why do you want this Mummy?" With that reasoning I left it. I'm training her so well

Got heaps of work to do today, none of it I want to do. Littley's been ill this week and so I'm shattered and very cold and just want to stay under the duvet watching rubbish tv. But that don't pay the bills so off I go!

Have a great day everyone xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

Hope you've all had a good weekend. I went away for mine but went with family so that kept costs to a minimum. However, on checking my bank balance today I am £5.52 adrift and I can't for the life of me work out what or where that money has gone. Very frustrating as I have to wait now until it shows properly on my account. For someone who knows where every last penny there is no patience in the world to help me!!

Not much else to report so I'm off to do some work, mystery shop and then some more work. I may grab a nap if I get time too as I'm absolutely shattered!

Have a good day everyone xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

It's been a wishy washy kind of week and not one that's been that enjoyable so far.

I've had another meeting with my main client and they are still unsure whether they will be keeping me on or not so that's a huge worry. I'm trying to find other work to replace it in case they do go, or extra if they don't, but there's not much out there in my field atm.

My second biggest client is having issues with some of the clients we work for and so there may also be some work going there too. This is obviously another worrying issue but I have every faith that she'll either keep these or find more clients to replace them. However, it's not a nice thought atm.

On top of that my daughter's best friend's Nan died last night & Littley has been so supportive for her BF that it's been quite emotional to watch. In her own words Littley "has experienced this already so I know what she needs". However once she's in the safety of her own home Littley will suddenly break down in tears crying "too soon, too soon" and talk about little things that upset her. Namely that she'll never hear her Grandma's lovely laugh again. It's breaking my heart tbh but it's something she's got to work through and we'll do it together. Just as she is with her BF. They're both so young but have such a solid bond it's fantastic.

Apart from that there's nothing else to say really. I'm shattered, Littley's shattered, the weather's rubbish and work's meh. Roll on half term I say!!

Have a good day everyone! xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

Well it's another blustery day here but at least it's sunny. Absolutely freezing but sunny!

It's getting near the end of January and I'll be looking at my goals for the month to see how I did as well as thinking of new ones for February. Not too sure what yet.

I applied for a contract yesterday for some writing work for a national magazine - nothing hugely popular but it could be a step in the right direction. I haven't heard anything back and am not holding my breath but if something comes from it then brilliant.

Also got a few hours extra work for one of my clients. She's great and throws anything my way that is anything like what I can do - even things like the writing work above came via her - so although it's not regular I know there's bits and pieces here and there.

Not much else to say so have a good day everyone xx

sassychick2014

Morning everyone

Well January's gone quick hasn't it!! I've had a look at my challenges for the month and can report:

January

This January I shall be:

1) Money is always tight in January so continue to save money for Australia with a target of £100 Saved £245.07 beating my target by £145.07 :T

2) Littley has been bought a new bed by Nanny so we need to clear out her entire room in an effort to get the new bed in. Her room is tiny and this is a huge challenge Oh my goodness! This was such a hard challenge as her bed is 1cm bigger than her room but somehow, don't ask how, I got the bed to fit! The room has since been sorted out and items either put away, binned, charity shopped or ebayed. :T

3) Raise a further £50 in extra work this month. I had a few extra mystery shops but only a couple of driving gigs as my customer has been on holiday. However I have earned an extra £86.78 which is £36.78 over the target.:T

4) Resume the squat and abs challenge as well as 20mins exercise twice a week. Hmmmm hated this one! Haven't been doing the squat & abs challenge as much as I intended to but I have been doing other exercise every day instead. Therefore I'm saying I passed this challenge.:T

5) Eat healthier and plan meals again. NO JUNK TO PASS OUR LIPS! Didn't have any junk in January from a junk food shop/restaurant. Instead we had homemade pizza a couple of times. Through doing this and my exercising you can see the difference so this is incentive enough to carry on.:T

Achieved 5 out of 5 targets/challenges so think I deserve a :j

So, for February I need some more targets.

February

1) Savings for Australia has been immense and so I only need £364.71 to go to reach my overall target. February's target is to save £150.

2) Again I want to earn more so am giving myself a target of £50.

3) A lot of Littley's stuff that she no longer wants in her room is dumped on the stairs and needs to be put away in her play room. This is the aim for February.

4) I'm getting a little bored through my work so I want to start writing a course and see if I can sell that through PPH. I want to have got most of it down on paper by the end of the month.

5) Junk free January went so well we're doing Fizz free February. However Littley doesn't drink fizz so I think it's just me for this one. For the next 28 days I won't drink any fizzy drinks and I think I'm going to try and keep the junk free challenge going as I feel so much better for it.

Have a great day everyone xx