How I live now.

Knitting_Nora

moneyonmymindsam wrote: »

Leaves a trail of chocolate and waits for Nora to sneak in........;-)

*does a handbrake turn and screeches to a halt by her diary* did someone mention a trail of chocolate??

macpumpkin

There is now free fish on offer..... x

RosaBernicia

Did I hear mention of a trail of chocolate?

Tinkerbelle2000

Hope you're ok Nora xx

RosaBernicia

Noraaaaaa... *shakes bag of pralines*

MuffinTops

Missing your updates Nora, but totally understand that life is busy - and hopefully choc filled and fab too! MTx

Knitting_Nora

First up - thank you all for the shaking of bags of chocolate. I did run across, but somehow everything had gone by the time I got here. How very odd.


Secondly, a little tip if you ever decided to cancel your BT service and not go to another provider - cancel and make sure they understand you're cancelling... otherwise the following happens:


So, when I rang and cancelled my BT service last month, I was apparently meant to call again and really, really cancel it to make sure it was properly cancelled in a fully cancelled-and-not-going-to-another-provider way.


Because I didn't know to do this, my cancellation wasn't considered a cancellation and my request to cancel everything was cancelled. With me so far?


Suffice to say, I invoked the 'can I speak to a manager' spell, and all BT services (phone and broadband) will now end tomorrow as previously agreed when I phone to cancel last month.


In related news, the poor chap I just spent the last 20 mins speaking to has probably gone for a sit down in a quiet room.


And you know how this all started? I rang to cancel that stupid BT sport thingy that they've automatically started charging all bb users for and was so incensed by the fact that it took me a WEEK to get through to them that I cancelled everything.


Other than that, life potters on.


I'm applying for full time work - which feels really good, and will do wonders for my finances, so keep your fingers crossed (it's fine - I'll eat all the chocolate for you).


Erm...I do need to confess that I had to take out a loan a couple of months back as everything was silly-complicated and I was most definitely drowning, not waving.


Funnily enough - having just done a new SOA (will post later), it's the debt repayment that takes me over my monthly income total. Isn't that always the way! *rolls eyes* so a nice lotto win to cancel that out and I'd be laughing. Still, my mess and totally within my ability to deal with it - look, not even hiding under the covers about it *shoves big blanket out of sight*


It's also coming up to busy time for the business - all events were pre-paid earlier in the year (score one for being organised!), I have plenty of stock to work with - and a little set aside from sales to restock if and when required (bloomin' 'eck - you'd think I was running an actual business here!).


My cash back has just appeared from the car insurance (woo hoo!), but they're offering a couple of quid more if I take it as an Amazon voucher rather than cash. Fine by me - covers all Christmas presents this year.


Ooo, that reminds me - I'm playing hardball this Christmas. I've told all but a select few that I'm not buying gifts this year. Instead, I'm buying an Oxfam Unwrapped 'gift' on behalf of everyone - not only saving me at least £100, but also doing something good with what I can actually afford to spend on presents. If you're interested, I'll be buying the 'Teach a Teacher' gift at £27.


There are a five childerbeasts that I'm committed to sorting a 'real' present for this year - four of which are getting fabric advent calendars as keepsakes (hello Amazon voucher...) and I'm thinking of making the other one (9yr old) a glitzy glass Christmas bauble of her own. Something a bit more grown up, and which I suspect she'll love.


What else? Well, I think I've almost perfected the meal planning (no, really!). I now have a big pad that I divide into the main plan, then sections for freezer, cupboard and garden 'stock' so I know what I've got. This seems to really suit me - though I've discovered I'm over-run by fajita packs, porridge and almonds in ground and sliced forms.


If I'm sounding happier, then it's because I am. I'm focussed on my personal goals, I'm more in control and I'm weaning myself off of being so reliant on others. Don't get me wrong - I'm still asking for help if I need it, and I'm yet to become a total recluse, but I'm discovering (re-discovering?) the pure joy of time spent alone. Even better, is time spent alone doing tasks that have annoyed me for years! (I've had my fridge-freezer for about four years, and have been meaning to switch the doors round since the first day. Finally did it on Sunday - took me all of 20 minutes!!). I've had people ask if I've lost weight - I haven't, at least not enough to notice, but I'm walking a little taller and smiling a bit more sincerely these days and I'll bet that's what they're noticing.


And isn't that just lovely?


Love and hugs to you all.


Nora.xx

Knitting_Nora

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet - see below for my notes!

Monthly Income Details

Income from Employment (after tax): 835.00
Income from Self Employment (before tax): 0.00
Working Tax Credit: 166.99

Monthly Expense Details

In Your Home
Mobile phones: 9.00
Gas and Electricity: 64.00
Water: 15.00
Council tax: 84.00
Overdraft cost: 5.50
Home insurance: 16.75 - UPDATE: new policy - now just £5.17 a month (saving £11.58 a month, or £138.96 a year!)
Mortgage/Rent: 560.00
Food and household shopping: 50.00

Motoring & Public Transport
Petrol/Diesel: 50.00
Car tax: 11.38
Car insurance: 20.08
Car maintenance: 12.00
Breakdown cover: 5.42

Debt Repayments
Credit card repayments: 60.00
Personal loan repayments: 165.00

Family
Pocket money: 30.00

Clothes, Health & Beauty
Haircuts: 5.00
Dentistry: 5.50
Prescription charges: 10.40
Christmas: 5.00

Total monthly income:1,001.99

Total monthly expenses: 1,179.03 - £1167.45 with the home insurance saving.

Total monthly overspend: 177.04 - £165.46 with the home insurance saving.

Notes:
Ok - I know I'm still overspending, but this is a far more accurate SOA than any I've previously posted so I'll be deleting the others.

Income - this is for my part time job and the WTC covers the time I spend on my business. Lovely - but not practical if I want to keep the house (by far my biggest expenditure), pay off the debt and get saving. So I've pulled my socks up and am applying for full-time employment. Fingers and toes crossed!!

Household expenditure:

• Phone: is sim-only;
• Gas and elec - cheapest for me at the moment. It should go down a bit more as I'm due a meter reading for the summer.
• Water: that's come down from £24! Seriously - if you live alone, get a meter fitted!!
• Overdraft cost:
• Mortgage/Rent: this is my absolute (at the moment). I know it's disproportionate in terms of my income - hence looking for full time work again. If I wants it, I needs to pay for it (little Hobbitsis)
• Shopping is cheaper some months, but never more than this.

Debt Repayments:

• Nothing to say about either of these, other than that getting rid of them is my absolute priority so I'm looking at interest free cards etc. as well as increasing my income.

Other stuff:

• Pocket money: that's MY pocket money, just in case you were wondering. This includes birthday gifts, hobby-related stuff (though mostly I'm all about stash busting), my cheapie haircut every 6 - 8 weeks (£10), incidental parking, and treats. It's often cheaper than this, but never more.
• Christmas: As mentioned in my previous post, I'm largely cancelling Chrimbo prezzies, so this is just for those I really need/want to buy for.

Phew! Think that's it. Just need that job....


Nora.xx

twiggy86

Nice to see you Nora! And so pleased you're happier!

Knitting_Nora

I'm back with a Holy Ferret! tale:


Thought I'd check home insurance premiums as mine runs out a few days before Christmas and I've been wanting to move it to a more convenient part of the year (like now-ish).


Did all the various comparisons, then checked Direct Line, then checked topcashback - and discovered that Direct Line have a deal on at the moment for £40.40 cash back. Didn't think much of it, because I assumed it would only be applicable if you spent lots on combined home insurance (I rent, so contents only).


I WAS WRONG!!


£40.40 cashback has just been tracked for my recent home insurance purchase which only cost me £62 as it was... down from £201 last year when it auto-renewed!!!


So if the cashback comes through (obviously, no guarantees - but they paid out on my car insurance easily enough), then my home insurance actually only cost me £21.60!!!


Say it with me, folks:

HOLY FERRET!!!