Blurred Lines Back In Focus

MuffinTops

I do believe my manic spending may have finally ground to a halt! I am so lucky with debt as I've paid everything off (although I did start to run up a 0% credit card, but that's back under control again now)

My company has just merged with another and we are absorbing their staff into our office, which is all lovely, but we don't need a department the size that it will now be. So, while I do understand that staff savings need to be made, if it's me I'm not ready or prepared for it! I need to stop buying frivolous things and get decluttering and saving! It's been a good reminder that situations can literally change overnight and I need to know that I've looked after myself properly.

I paid up all outstanding bills yesterday to get myself on an even keel so I'm ready to get organised again.

On a good point, my car insurance is due for renewal tomorrow. Being a cashback junkie I thought that the £180 I was quoted for renewal could at least be matched with a decent chunk of cashback too! Pfffttt! The renewal price was at least £50 cheaper than the next cheapest quote! I decided not to cashback calculate and just go with them as I consider that to be a fair amount.

Each month I put aside £60 for car eventualities in an IF jar, and I had in there the grand sum of £180 so I didn't need to "find" the money. I'd put it aside already. That felt great!

Wooh to being back in focus! Again!

MuffinTops

During my lunch break today I have reorganised myself financially. Because I have a few current accounts that I had been swapping around DD's to do account switches I'd gotten a little confused with it all. It's all written out clearly and I can update YNAB in a week, just before I get paid.

I also sorted out the ID bits and bobs I needed for the hospital so that they'll give me a hospital ID pass which includes free parking. I think that's on its way to me now.

I also slightly increased a scottish friendly investment that I have (from £10 to £20) and upped a couple of IF jars too. Just to make sure I have enough put aside.

Then - I had chocolate, dark chocolate - with an orangey jelly and a cakey base! They were no ordinary jaffa cakes - they were M&S jaffa cakes! My day is complete!

<snuffle>

MuffinTops

I finally got around to setting up my M&S bank account switch today, so I should get the £100 M&S switching reward voucher they're offering soon. I also need to remember to bring in some ID to close another account that's just sitting around with some funds in it! That money can move to rainy day/panic fund I think.

I've also got an organised to-do list of what money to transfer to different accounts and when. I just need to find out what the outstanding balances are on 2 cards (1 is minimal and will be paid in full this month) and then I'm set for YNAB. I can probably do that this week. :cool:

I'm out for dinner with a friend tonight and then to see some live music after dinner which I'm very excited about. Tomorrow I'm at the radio station after work (I have to work 4 days this week!!!!! It's unsettling) and then I've got a clear day on Friday. On Saturday I'm off for the night for a spa weekend and Monday is hair do day! I need it cut too, but as yet I'm not sure how I'll be paying for it. Maybe they'll let me wash hair as payment???

Did I mention that the group I went to India with are planning another holiday to India, Goa next year? The price we've been quoted is really high, so I looked at booking directly and it's literally a quarter of the price (plus I'd get a full apartment all to myself rather than sharing with a stranger which is the most likely outcome right now for the group booking). So having seen the direct price I know I can no longer pay the price everyone else is, but I'm wondering if I create uproar by booking direct. It's a friend of theirs who's organising the trip and stating costs so I can't believe he'd rip them all off! I must be missing something here.

So far I've come up with the reason that I'll be booking to start my holiday earlier and potentially leaving earlier and I don't want to do the yoga so it's much easier if I just book accommodation directly for myself! Plus this way I also get holiday protection as the place I can book it states that I can cancel within 3 days of arrival time with no cancellation issues or fees. Hmmm! I'll have a chat with my "dinner and music" friend tonight as he knows them all too.

It's been a lovely quiet and productive day at work as I'm the only one in the office. I have to make the most of these days as we'll soon be moving to a vast open plan area with 2 other departments so the quiet secluded times will be no more!

Right, I'd better get back to it! I just needed a brief brain rest and now I'm even more tired!!!!

I hope everyone's enjoying their Hump Day!

MuffinTops

Ooh, I've just been told that when I get to the radio tomorrow that I'm on air again! I was wondering if they'd let me loose again and they have! This one is a request show so around half the songs are chosen for me to play and that gives me things to say too. I just need to decide on another 9 or 10 songs to play in between the requests.

I think Aaleigha's list may be taken along with me. I'm also going to play a song or 2 from the singers I'll be listening to tonight! One in particular as his voice is amazing and I love his songs!

EXCITED!!!!

MTx

RosaBernicia

oooh another YNAB convert, yay!

Odd about the holiday, but very sensible to book yourself.


Rosa xx

Knitting_Nora

MuffinTops wrote: »

Was there chocolate in here at some point? Nora?

Nope. *whistles innocently*

MuffinTops

I've been lurking around but not had much of a chance to update my diary or post much recently. It's just been pretty busy but is hopefully calming down a little. I was also trying to find that chocolate!!!!

I was paid last Thursday! I think I mentioned before that I decided that this month I'm resigned to being a painful one as I've overspent on credit buying "things" recently and they need paying back. I had considered a 0% credit card to pay over time but have been strict with myself. I'm quite pleased I did now too as it makes me feel more productive and in control. It's a good feeling.

I've removed my credit card details from "easy to buy" online shops as well so I won't just spin that mess again. I've replaced them with my daily budget card details so that will make me think a whole lot harder before impulse buying.

This weekend I've been trying to catch up on things at home. I'm still so disorganised, but feel I've made some headway. Not enough but there's always next weekend. I'm hoping to take a few items to Cash Converters on Friday and I may put my most expensive bike up for sale. Gumtree may be best for that one, although I do get nervous about meeting up with people to hand things over and accept payment (I never accept paypal on a large item they collect). I'll have to see them whether it's eBay or gumtree so I'll just have to make sure I have a friend or someone with me.

Right, well I guess I'd better push on as this is our last day off! 3 more days at work and then next Monday I'm off to Sunny Majorca for a week! Yay! :cool:

Bring on the sun!

I hope everyone's having a wonderful bank holiday weekend. MTx

MuffinTops

Good morning on this dreary post bank holiday Tuesday! I hope the day is going well for everyone.

Aren't quiet bank holidays good for recharging the brain cells and giving you space to think?

I've decided that after my holiday next week I'm going to really get myself into gear and make actual and specific plans for the life I want. I have a rough idea of where I'd like to be, but I want a path to follow now! :cool:

Holidays are always a good reboot for me, but this particular place is ideal. I've been there lots of times before, I know the area and lots of local people so I feel comfortable and I really get to relax. It's all inclusive too so that means that when food is cooked for me and I can just pick what I want from a buffet I don't eat nearly as much, and what I do eat is generally more healthy (ok, the first day I do act like I'm on a scavenger hunt , but after that it really calms down).

So I've got a food plan written for my return and while I'm away I'll be in a better mindset to create a 1-5 year plan. I may even create a signature with my goals in - once I've figured them out.

In money news, I looked at my emergency and holiday jars earlier and realised I have more than enough in there to give me a nice amount of spending money, with a fair amount left over to keep in the emergency jar. That means that this month won't be that tight at all as I've been able to tap the holiday budget. My only downside is that I've only been able to save £100 this month which isn't great. Although I do actually consider myself lucky to be able to save any amount.

Well I hope everyone is feeling as positive as I am. Have a great week.

MTx

MuffinTops

Bank account has been closed and money will be transferred to the standard current account I have with them.

Then, my M&S current account switch will sweep that money up, put it over to them and close that account too so I'll lose all of my Natwest accounts this month. Much more organised and I'll hopefully get my M&S vouchers soon too.

Next I need to close some credit cards and get that side of my finances organised. The perils of opening cards JUST to get their 0% offer.

MuffinTops

Whoop! I've also received a large amount in Amazon vouchers as a little work bonus! YAY!