A whole new world

moneyonmymindsam

Maybe the Lodger eye wateringly gorgeous and you stopped posting on here as you are texting him 24/7 ...lol


Just teasing


Hope things are good in your world.
XXx

belleandthebudget

Hello MSE buddies, wow this week has been a whirlwind!

So, I found a new flatties in a matter of days. She seems lovely and will move in tomorrow afternoon.

I've been busy every evening after work and today is the first that I've felt like I have a second to myself. Crazy! Lots of good things though. My old flatmate and my landlord were both thrilled with how quickly an efficiently I handled things. I got my free massage. I went to see a band I love. I did some exercise!

Looking forward to a quiet day today as tomorrow I have yoga, another massage (both free!) and then the new flattie will move in.

In less great news, I've overspent to the tune of around 500 POUNDS. What a silly girl.

At least some of it is gifts for Christmas and birthdays coming up. But the vast, vast majority is just STUFF I WANTED.

Feeling much more positive again though. As Mum said this week, I've coped admirably with lots of difficult challenges over the last couple of years and I'm still moving forward, getting better and stronger and growing every day.

Other incredible news, one of my best friends had her first baby! I don't live near them but hopefully when I visit home in October or Christmas I'll get to meet him. She's not the first of my friends to have kids but it's a special one.

Hope you all have a great week - and a lot more debt-busting success than I have!! :rotfl:

belleandthebudget

I have discovered something VERY dangerous... my nearest Poundland has a huge display of pre-owned, refurbished DVDs all for a pound each.

UH OH!

crazy_cat_lady

belleandthebudget wrote: »

I have discovered something VERY dangerous... my nearest Poundland has a huge display of pre-owned, refurbished DVDs all for a pound each.

UH OH!

Oh, I was just wondering where to buy really cheap DVD's from as well. Good job I'm not near a Poundland at the moment.

moneyonmymindsam

evening Belle hope all is good in your world

belleandthebudget

Hi CCL and Sam, hope you're both well!

Wow, it's been so busy around these parts. Yesterday was finally pay day! I really did overspend last month by a crazy amount - just under £600 when I totted it all up. I was feeling pretty defeated that I was going to add debt to the amounts for the first time since I started this journey... but I won't have to!

I've done a very, very tight budget for this month and I can just get by and pay the minimums on all my debts, while paying off the £600-odd I put on the credit card last month. So I paid it off in full yesterday.

I'm going to be living off £50 a week which will be tight but totally doable if I can get my food spending under control.

It feels good to know that even in a month where I messed up royally and totally fell off the wagon I actually still made progress towards the DFD. Even if the date will be a little further away because of my spending.

That's the difference - I'm still moving in the right direction rather than giving up!

On Monday I'm off for my free haircut at the swanky salon that did mine last time. It's a model appointment but they do whatever you ask for which is great. Then I have a free barre exercise class that evening because my ballet teacher is trying out a new class and offering a freebie to tempt people in.

I'm trying to plan free or low-cost activities in the city. It's possible when you know where to look but it just takes a little effort. If I have things to do planned then I'm much less likely to blow a bunch of money.

Also, I'm still not drinking! It will be 7 weeks tomorrow. I'm really not missing it, even when everyone else around me is drinking. I think it will take something super delicious to make me break my streak! (Probably mulled wine in the run up to Christmas or hot cider on Bonfire Night.)

AspiringButAnxious

Sounds like you've got things under control Good luck for the month ahead — I will also be keeping a tight rein on my spending after this week.

Always fancied trying ballet, partly because I am the least graceful person in the world and I hope it might help!

crazy_cat_lady

Good news that you have still made progress. Real life happens, and we all have good days and bad days - it's how we deal with them that makes us who we are. I have pulled myself tight this month too. I have the £ to pay for DS birthday party next week, but that's it until I get paid on 30th. However, I'm really pleased about this because my DFD is another month closer and I can look forward to the best, debt free Christmas ever.

StrugglingYouth

Keep plodding Belle, you'll get there. You're personality is quite infectious, I can imagine you flitting around doing all manner of weird and wonderful things.

Subscribed.

belleandthebudget

AspiringButAnxious wrote: »

Sounds like you've got things under control Good luck for the month ahead — I will also be keeping a tight rein on my spending after this week.

Always fancied trying ballet, partly because I am the least graceful person in the world and I hope it might help!

Hi ABA! I do feel a lot more in control now that I've pulled this back. It really wasn't the DISASTER I had in my head although obviously it's not something I want to do every month.

Ballet is so much fun! I'd never done it before but have been going to classes for about 3 years now. I love it.

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Good news that you have still made progress. Real life happens, and we all have good days and bad days - it's how we deal with them that makes us who we are. I have pulled myself tight this month too. I have the £ to pay for DS birthday party next week, but that's it until I get paid on 30th. However, I'm really pleased about this because my DFD is another month closer and I can look forward to the best, debt free Christmas ever.

You're doing so well, CCL! Can't wait until we can all celebrate our DFDs. It will be so sweet!

StrugglingYouth wrote: »

Keep plodding Belle, you'll get there. You're personality is quite infectious, I can imagine you flitting around doing all manner of weird and wonderful things.

Subscribed.

Aw, thanks StrugglingYouth! I just get bored really easily so try to make sure I always have something fun lined up.