The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

judi24

Can't believe I have been awol for so long - it was not intentional - I guess I just needed a break! Had so much on my mind - and still have! Too many decisions that I am struggling with! so instead I am doing nothing!!! Will update soon

Bobarella

Nice to hear from you Judi even if it is just a little post.

ampersand

Good morning judi - lots of peeps have been stepping back a bit It's normal and good. If the sun's out, so should we be, especially in this country. [&, don't start on that].

No public forum, mse included, should be a treadmill. Social networking is not a substitute for real conversations, actual listening and talking with real people.

I'd just quick peeped at 5 osps, read yours :-), then thought 'My word! judi's d-f diary's a year old and she's stuck with it. and there have been nasties i.e. driveway.'

So, this is today's very special Happy Birthday DFD judi celebration:

:jLBM Sept 2014:j

:(Total = £19014:(

:eek:+ 3k added for new driveway,:eek: May 2015
equals :mad:£22014 :mad:

:jbut:j
Sept 2015
Debt has shrunk>£9315
[Tesco Loan 2465 + MBNA CC 6850]
:Tthat's £12699 paid!:T

Will be debt free in 7 months and counting!!!
- and we'll be here to celebrate that with you judi.

#

Take pride in your Master's Day today. Go safely.

Fizzy11

What an incredible achievement Judi.

The weather has been so brilliant up here recently there's nothing like fresh air to help with thought thinking even if no decisions are made. You've had so much to do recently I think you should just enjoy your achievements.

Fantastic children who are decent human beings are the greatest achievement in my book & you've certainly got those,regardless of their sniping & thoughtlessness sometimes. Speaking from personal experience obviously.

Enjoy the day Judi.

judi24

Thank you all for keeping an eye on me! It has been a strange few weeks! and can't believe my diary birthday has been and gone! I have made reasonable progress in the last year all things considered but still a fair way to go and lots of hurdles to get over!!!


So proper update:


I passed my masters dissertation!!! Found out last Friday - such a relief! The mark was ok - I think I will get a merit grade overall - which I guess is ok for an old gal with 4 kids!


Had residential course last week which was exhausting! it was a 4 hour drive away and the days were full from 8 am to into the evening - but its done now!


I have been thinking long and hard about moving -I spent a lovely weekend in Scotland a couple of weeks ago and really wanted to move back - I even found a great job-but after much consideration I decided that it wasn't the right thing for my kids -but then I started thinking about moving house! I had the house valued and was happy with the valuation - but I really can't decide what to do for the best! A downsize would be cheaper certainly but would incur some cost both financially and in energy and stress to get the house sellable and keep it that way - and I wonder if it would be better just getting on and paying the mortgage off sooner and then moving when the kids are finished school! - still torn with this decision!


Work is going well - I had a great review with my manager and I know there is so much I can do to improve the care we provide to more people however a job has come up in a nearby hospital which would be good career move (and a hefty pay rise!) and again I am torn with what to do - I feel disloyal to my team even thinking about it! I really like working for the hospice - and it is definitely more than a job - it fulfils more than just an income stream in me - its about being part of something that's important to the community - however there is a niggling bit in my head that says it is not the best career move - its not in the NHS and if I stay out of the NHS for too long I may struggle to get back in - but then I am not convinced that matters!!! I am so confused!


Not getting very far with debt payment either - My front wall has collapsed and I wasn't going to get it repaired this year but with me considering a house move it really needs doing - so I am just paying minimum payments this month and getting that done - it will delay my debt free date by another month but it really does look terrible and if it collapses further it will cost more to get repaired!


Me - i'm struggling at the moment with my own indecisiveness and I'm feeling quite low - considering all the positive things I have going for me this is really annoying me! I am struggling to keep on top of the house, garden etc and just feeling like there is no one who has my back-I don't normally feel sorry for myself - it is my choice that I am on my own so have no one to blame however I guess I have been on my own long enough now to be missing someone to share the highs and lows with - but I am also aware that I don't feel good about myself and really need to sort this out! I need to lose weight and get fit so that I feel confident in my own skin!!!


Kids - well DD1 has gone to Senegal - she left last week for 10 weeks - and although she doesn't live at home I am really going to miss her. DD2 is sitting her driving test soon - finger crossed she passes! It will give her a new lease of life I'm sure! DS is just the same - up and down - he has not wanted to be at his dads the last 2 weeks and when asked why he doesn't seem to know - I don't like forcing him but at the same time I feel he needs that male influence and selfishly I enjoy the break! DD3 has settled at high school - but has developed and attitude!! and its driving me mad!!!!


That's enough rambling for now!!! Will update my signature even though I haven't made much of a dent this month! Onward and upward!

beanielou

Great news on the dissertation :j :j :j

ampersand

judi - for what it's worth, there's a lot of that sort of feeling about on 5 osps too, & included. I'm not good at downturm of year, any year:-)

Why not stay put until debt has gone? That was my instant and continuing response to your feeling. Other decisions will fall into line then.

I really think you must see this one thing through, clear this one hurdle which has been a repeat faller for you before.

That's not a telling off, but it IS saying Try This New Way Once.

Lots of growing-up children happenings too - you are a passenger here, so make yourself sit back and enjoy them. You are rightly so proud of 4 fine children, let alone what they're absorbing as template from one amazing Mum M.A.
You don't need to match or outdo them for activity levels or big upheaval decisions.
You know this. It is something of a pattern we've read.

Back to Face, Accept, Let Time Pass, Float.

Your wall, my cooker and MOT failure tday :-)...one of those weeks, wet, windy cold and cack. hwb, where are you?

Big hugs all round. Time to start thinking about the slow, steady prep. of h-m crimbo bits - raspberries in lesser-known liqueurs here. You did so much last year, but take it a little easier this time.

judi24

Yes I think you are right Ampersand - stay put and relax for a bit - but doesn't come easy to me! I have always been the same - need a plan, need a focus - but will do my best!


Christmas will be upon us soon - and really not done any prep except pick plums and gather jars for the chutney - need to start doing a bit - but not going over board this year (I do say this every year though!!!) I need to look at my budget over the next 3 months and start putting money away!


Had some sad news tonight - my American friend who was coming to stay for 2 weeks in November has had some problems with her sons health and now may not be able to come over!!! I have over 3 weeks leave to use up as I have saved 2 weeks for her visit - so if she doesn't come over I will have to have some time off to myself - which I guess won't do any harm at all!


Oh and a NSD today!!! Its a start but must get back into my MSE ways!

Dansmam

Hi Judi
Hope you don't mind me chipping in. Sorry to hear about American friend's troubles -hope they make it, am sure you'll find a valuable use for the time if they don't get across.
Reason for chipping in is just to say, if you need to be back in the nhs for you or you and yours, don't forget you're leaving a space for someone else to do the truly valuable and rewarding work you're doing now. So if that's keeping you from doing what you need to for you and yours, don't let it. You are leaving a gift someone else will love to pick up and unwrap x

judi24

Thanks Dansmam - normally I would agree with you however in the role that I am in there has been a high turnover of post holder over many years - the staff need consistency and effective leadership and I can bring that but will need to be there for another couple of years to effect the change. I also have spent time considering the personal impact on being part of the hospice - and actually I get a lot out of it that isn't in my pay packet - its good for my soul in a way that working in a big NHS trust wouldn't be - if in a few years I have achieved what I need to do and I can walk away knowing that I have not abandoned people and made a difference I will be happy.