A new debt free journey

lcc86

Small update, I went to apply for the job I've been talking about, and I don't pass the screening questions as I don't have a specific qualification, even though the job description says that this qualification is desirable not essential :mad: I've emailed my contact to see if there's a way around this. If not, it's not the end of the world, I will keep on the route I'm on now and build up my experience with them. I feel reinvigorated in terms of career anyway at the moment so long may that last!

Sitting in bed atm, haven't had such a nice lie in for a really long time. I have plenty to be getting on with and part of me feels rather anxious for treating myself to said lie in but it has to be done sometimes.

Need to buy a couple of bags of sawdust and hay for the piggies today and then pay my way on the evening out later, but nothing major. At least the hiccup with the job application means I have a little more time for chores and what not (provided I ever get out of this comfy bed!).

I had been sent two emails on Friday evening about studies I was eligible for, but didn't have time to log in to complete them until today. When I went to log in this morning, there were no spaces left, so lost a chance to add a couple of pounds to my survey count there. Better luck next time!

lcc86

Just to add, I have just decreased my credit limit on my Barclaycard to £1250, I plan on dropping it regularly as my savings increase and debt decreases and only use it for genuine emergencies. I also want to keep it for large purchases e.g. my car insurance, just for the protection of paying using a card although for stuff like that I will pay off straight away.

Also I just calculated and think I will have paid off slightly more than I hoped once September's payments go through. I'll need to double check but this could be good news! :j

lcc86

Just returned from my evening out, spent a grand total of £2 :beer: Goodness me why do I bother drinking when I can have a good time with friends for a fraction of the cost and drive home too?!

lcc86

Today I've had a couple of spends. I bought my sawdust and hay as I didn't do it yesterday, total of £8. Had to buy some bananas and bread, I also decided to treat myself to a £3 bunch of flowers. The person in front of me left a 16p off voucher on the till so I ended up using it, plus my own 60p off voucher. All adds up!

Back to work tomorrow, a very long day as I'm working 8-4 and then 5pm-7am on Wednesday morning! Ah well, just think of the money...

belleandthebudget

Sorry to hear about the application LCC. Hopefully there's a work around! I had a similar situation recently - the job I got a few months ago was advertised as requiring a project management qualification... well I don't have one. But when I applied they said it was a nice to have and as long as I could demonstrate those skills I didn't need an actual qualification for it. Fingers crossed it's something similar here!

I've been thinking the same with drinking! Really had a great time the last month without drinking... now I'm wondering why I bother. Going to have to, at the very least, cut waaaaay back.

lcc86

What a long couple of days. This week does seem to be flying by though, guess it always does when you're busy.

I was able to complete that job application in the end. I sent it through yesterday. I've noticed I've had some anxiety since hearing about it. I'm going back to the doctor's tomorrow so I'll discuss it with him, I've noticed my anxiety has been up and down at various moments.

I'm volunteering this evening. They STILL haven't paid my expenses (three months after submitting) and it's getting a bit frustrating. I will chase this today.

Yesterday I spent £35 on a top up shop, and I also bought a cheeky energy drink in the morning, but that came from my own spending money. I've been quite good with money in the last week, just need to keep it up.

Did a survey on PA yesterday, earned £2.50. I also booked a short break to ibiza next year for my 30th. Deposit paid, the rest isn't due for months so plenty of time - and incentive - to save.

Right, off to work.

lcc86

The weekend is here... Almost. I volunteered for an extra shift tomorrow at work quite a while back. I'm feeling quite tired so I'm wishing I hadn't but can't back out now just going to have to suck it up. I've booked a lot in work and volunteering wise over the next few weeks and I think it's dawned on me that I've gone from 0-60 too quickly. I've all but stopped meditating and have really fallen by the wayside with my exercising. So I think I need to see out the month with my current commitments and ensure I don't make the same mistake in October.

I went back to the doctor's today and am still on the same dose of anti depressants :mad: that's another reason not to overload myself, if I ever hope to get off these damn things. However I'm also a little glad he didn't suggest reducing it right now, as I've been struggling in the last couple of weeks. I need to remember to take time for myself in all of this. I'm in danger of doing what I used to do when I wanted to clear my debt in the past: work all the hours I could at the detriment of everything else. Don't get me wrong I don't have any grand plans for my spare time, I just like to chill, exercise, meditate and spend time with my piggies! :rotfl:

Yesterday and today have been NSD's. Tomorrow I need to buy a few fresh bits from the supermarket and pay for my prescription. Sunday OH and I are going to a local carvery for dinner, it's cheap and pretty decent. Need a treat every so often.

A couple of positives to mention: work is still challenging me and I'm still enjoying it. Although I have applied for that other job I won't be unhappy if nothing comes of it. I've also paid an additional £115 off my debt so am on my way to hitting the target I set myself of paying off 25% by Christmas. I also completely forgot to mention that OH moved in recently (I'm clearly a terrible girlfriend!) so his rent money is helping in the quest to become debt free too. Although he eats like a horse so my new challenge is to feed him things he likes that will keep him full without breaking the bank! weekly shopping instead of monthly is helping with that, and I've been pretty good so far this month.I think returning to weekly shops will be the way forward for me.

Orange_Ena

It's good that you've recognised that you're in danger of burning yourself out. Taking time for yourself is so important, just to chill and not to have to do anything. Debt wise you will get there, but if it takes an extra few months, so be it. No good getting debt free but you're too exhausted to celebrate it

lcc86

Thanks Orange Ena, it's funny I was having a chat with a work colleague about meditation today, and she was asking why I started meditating in the first place. I realised it was to help ease my anxiety and depression, clear negativity and to take time for myself. It's reminded me that I have to make this a priority. It'll help me not to worry about things so much too. So as of tomorrow I'm going to make sure I make time for this a couple of times a week.

Today my spends were £8.20 on a prescription, £6 on a few fresh bits in the supermarket and £3 on chocolates at the cinema while at work (have to treat yourself sometimes eh, especially when you're getting paid to watch a film ).

belleandthebudget

I actually took a class on meditation with a Buddhist monk earlier this year - you've reminded me how much it improves my mindset when I make it a regular part of life. Must join you in carving out some time for it!