The Road to Financial Security

Pushkin

In the interest of fairness (and to remind myself of it when I read through this blog) I have actually had a reasonably good day at work today.

Feel like I've made some progress on the project, wasn't bothered by any managers at all (likely due to main culprit being on an aeroplane having been in US for business this week).

Will probably all be pulled apart and ripped to shreds Monday when we meet but by then I will only be 1.5 days from my holiday.

Today I will just revel in the sense of having actually made some progress...

Pushkin

Dog really perky today, wet nose, bright eyes and even some mild pestering to go for a walk - really think she has turned a corner. Vet has indicated she will be on treatment for the foreseeable future but as long as she's making progress I'm happy. Obviously vet bills have been quite high and no end in sight but some things are more important than money.

It also makes me appreciate the value of this site and the fact that it's opened my eyes to financial savviness meaning we have savings and can use them for the vets bills.

Popped to the shops today, collected the 1ph0ne (brand new) to replace the damaged one - £200. Will sell once I'm back from holiday and hope to make a bit of profit - be rather annoyed if not.

An otherwise remarkably unproductive day - very little housework and certainly no preparation for our holiday.

Parents coming for lunch tomorrow so that will make me pull my finger out and do some frenzied cleaning and tidying in the morning :rotfl::rotfl:

Ali-OK

Been lurking and reading, so pleased to hear pooch is on the up :j that is great news.

And your DS...oh I feel your pain...my DS is an only child too and loves his games. Went through similar when his laptop died (he plays them on there) so replacement was a joint birthday and Christmas present. I repeated over and over so it went in and stuck :rotfl:

Nothing like visitors to spur on a mad rush at home and with family, tends to be easier knowing what can be left and they won't notice :rotfl:

Pushkin

Just realised that today is my diary's one year anniversary :bdaycake:

Will do some kind of status check later which will cheer me up.

Amazing that I woke up with a sense of dread in the pit of my stomach - its Sunday morning and I'm dreading Monday already - and I only have 2 days to work this week - very strong indicators about possibly getting out of this company.

That said I'm not a very decisive person and am very risk averse the thought of leaving makes me nervous as well. Shame we didn't win the lottery this weekend - mind you I don't buy a ticket so for me to won would be quite a feat!

Am mid clean up in the house, just noticed a canvass letter from the council for us to fill in - says you might be fined if not completed within 2 weeks - sure we've had it over a month :eek: Just done it anyway so hopefully will be ok.

Pushkin

Thinking about the work situation makes me very grateful for the first time that we didn't end up moving house. If we had I would have no choice but to stay put or find another job on a similar income.

At least having stayed here I am not so restricted and can do some temp work while I find my feet and get my confidence back - if and when I leave.

Have made £376 with selling stuff in the last year - that cheers me up, got a few electronic bits to sell next month so think I will use that to pay towards Christmas presents.

Just checked what mortgage balance was when I started this blog £120k and what balance estimate is today - £104k - that looks like a nice, healthy reduction to me. I don't make ad hoc overpayments just have a regular DD which includes £500 more than needed. I could stretch it further but am also trying to build up savings both for long term and short term (planning on changing cars at end of year).

Have also done a lot in the house, bet part is the garden which is now somewhere we like. Have never had a year of spending like that but it was ring fenced money for when we were going to move so I work hard at trying not to feel guilty.

I know with good incomes we don't exactly go short of stuff nor do I put in the amazing efforts others do. However I am conscious of everything we spend and do look for the best price. I think this forum has been excellent for tracking that and for getting tips and guidance on it.

Of course this will change if I leave my current job and then I really will need to step things up a gear and control spending very tightly.

amycool

You've done brilliantly this year Pushkin! Excellent progress on the mortgage and you now have an amazing garden to enjoy.

I'm sorry that work is so horrible at the moment. Just keep going and your holiday will be here very soon!

Pushkin

Thanks Amycool - did debate over whether or not to post it - not meant in a smug way at all, just a progress check and to try and show myself. All to easy to think not much is happening when looking at things day by day but looking at a few months or even a year does improve motivation.

Pushkin

Well got through the day, work is over until next month. Quite an easy day actually as there was a massive email outage in the UK for our company.

Got a bit ranty this afternoon due to further meddling from senior managers - think I'm at the point where certain people wind me up whatever they do.

Have had a beer to celebrate finishing - feels very naughty on a Tuesday Poor DH still has 2 days to go - mind you I'll be doing all the cleaning and packing so not exactly relaxing couple of days coming up.

Big decisions to think over while I'm off.....

Pushkin

House is now in decent order, 2 loads of washing on the line so hoping it won't rain. Packing not started and washing still to sort out upstairs

Nipped to supermarket and spent more than intended (when does that not happen?). 25% off clothes so bought a couple of tops. Got some stuff to make sandwiches etc to have on the ferry on Friday - avoid the long queues, high prices and poor quality of their offerings

Resisting perfume will be a different story as I seem to think its a right when on holiday to buy perfume I know it's not any cheaper but I'll have a look int the shop anyway.

Stayed up too late to finish my book last night so feeling a bit tired but a granny nap mid week would be awful wouldn't it :eek:

amycool

Pushkin wrote: »

Well got through the day, work is over until next month. Quite an easy day actually as there was a massive email outage in the UK for our company.

Got a bit ranty this afternoon due to further meddling from senior managers - think I'm at the point where certain people wind me up whatever they do.

Have had a beer to celebrate finishing - feels very naughty on a Tuesday Poor DH still has 2 days to go - mind you I'll be doing all the cleaning and packing so not exactly relaxing couple of days coming up.

Big decisions to think over while I'm off.....

I've had 2 rants about senior managers in 2 days. The combination of incompetence and sheer thick-headed, single-minded, stupidity gets me every time. My anger at decisions that negatively effect everyone knows no bounds. Whenever I feel sad that (hopefully) soon I will be a full-time mother, I remember how much I hate a few people!

I must admit to having a few granny naps last week!!