Making Small Changes to Create A Big Difference

CathT

Hi Yukkibear, glad I found your new diary. Hope the news on the 1st isn't what you fear. I think OP's are hard at the moment, life generally seems to be incredibly expensive. Big holiday sounds fab though and something to look forward to.

yukkibear

Well some big news, and more big news from me today. Two big life changing things are happening in the next few months, and whilst I should be a little terrified, I am excited and looking forward to a change in direction and speed of life.

- I will no longer be employed, but self employed laying out my own destiny from August.
- We are welcoming a four legged friend into our house around the same time.

Budgets have been created, and I am hoping there will still be plenty of opportunity to OP the mortgage, albeit in perhaps smaller chunks for a while.

yukkibear

Well here we are two months later. Life is *I think* starting to take it's new shape. Lots has been happening over the last eight weeks.

- We've had a massive holiday to Disney World
- I am now self employed rather than employed.
- We have a four legged addition to the home.

The budgets have been set and I've been monitoring them for the last couple of months. I can see trends already where the budget has been set too low / high and where we are over spending etc.

I know already that overpayments will be smaller, but that to achieve the dream then every effort needs to be put into living the life and saving where we can.

I have started entering competitions again, and my eye is firmly on the ball for bargains and deals to be found.

Goldiegirl

It sounds like an eventful time, but all good:)

In the last few days I've been doing competitions. I've quickly found out that mass competition entries are quite hard work, so I think I'll probably just do a few from time to time when I'm in the right mood.

A few years ago when I did some comps I did have the odd win, so it is worth doing, if it's something that you enjoy

BookWorm

Hey Yukkibear - just stopped by to have a read of your thread.

What sort of 4 legged friend is the new family member?

All op's are good whether big or small so don't be too hard on yourself.

BW

newgirly

Hi yukkibear, just spotted your new diary and wanted to wish you luck, I have to ask though what type of pet did you get?

yukkibear

We've got a Black Labrador, she's so lovely. Mad, but lovely

lilmissmup

Hi YB!

Best of luck on your goals, I am very determined just not sure we have the funds to do what we want to do.

Hope you had a fab holiday!

CathT

Hi YB, hope the holiday was as fab as it sounds. God luck with self-employment, hopefully you can have that work-life balance. Remember, all OP's make a difference and that is money you NEVER have to pay interest on again!

yukkibear

The electric and gas came in £44 under budget for July, so have sent that as an OP today.

Did the food shopping and Morri's were giving out packets of Disney playing cards for a spend over £40. DD wasn't looking so that's in the present box to start the stocking bits and pieces.

Oh and I won a bbq :j:j