A whole new world

Itsa_Longshot

A bit of a wobble, but still making progress, keep it up! The progress that is, not the wobbling. No more wobbling. Bad Belle!

Orange_Ena

Hope you're Ok Belle. How was the free haircut?

I think we all have little wobbles along the way, it's only natural. As long as we get back on track then all is good. A few extra weeks or months of being in debt doesn't matter in the grand scheme and there may always be a chance for little bonuses along the way.

belleandthebudget

Hello! Free haircut went well. There was a moment of panic when the front was pretty drastically different lengths on each side, but the senior stylist swept in and saved me. That's the good thing about model appointments at swanky salons... it's bad brand management for them to let you leave with bad hair so you'll always get something nice even if it's a fraction shorter than intended. As it was, they wouldn't cut mine as short as I wanted (cause it's so thick and wavy they thought it would puff out) so I pretty much left with exactly what I asked for!

I've still been overspending, but I think I've got it under control now. I'm blaming the season changeover. So, in order to show myself that enough really is enough - here's what I have already bought/own for the rest of the year.

Lambswool and cashmere scarves, gloves, hat
2 fancy scented candles
Excellently hydrating body moisturiser and lip balm
Pretty autumnal nail polish colours and lipsticks
Winter boots both stompy and pretty
Tickets to 2 ballets, Day of the Dead festival, ice skating
Train ticket home for autumn and plane ticket home for Christmas
Coffee machine (and lots of coffee!) for frothy warming drinks
Enough books to last me another year
Lots of yarn to crochet

So, I should be done for awhile. I'm going to try and have a super frugal October and November. The main culprits I have to get under control are:

No impulse spending on myself
No food waste
No buying food/drinks at work

If I can do that I'll be in great shape with the budget. I've felt pretty guilty about my spending over the last couple of months but I've been stuck in a little rut where I keep doing it regardless. Officially pulling myself out of that rut right now. I'm going to make chilli for lunches, plan out my dinner from the freezer and make sure I get up early enough to eat some breakfast at home rather than buying it every day. :T

belleandthebudget

Today's list:

- buy ingredients and make chilli for lunches
- meal plan dinner from the freezer/cupboard
- clean out any expired food from the fridge
- go to museum exhibit
- change bedsheets
- tidy bedroom (put things back in their place)
- do load of laundry

crazy_cat_lady

Have a lovely day Belle - I always think this time of year is tough for frugal living (for me anyway). The nights are getting longer and colder and I just want to put the heating on, drink hot drinks and eat loads of comfort food.

AspiringButAnxious

Your free haircut sounds miles better than mine — I got my dad to trim it and did the front myself! It looks okay; nothing spectacular, but not awful either

Orange_Ena

Great news about the haircut. Haha yes at least people that know what they are doing can rescue it, providing there hasn't been a big accidental snip! :rotfl:

Sounds like a good list of stuff that you've got already, and the plan for today. Have a great week

belleandthebudget

I've been feeling so run down and manic lately. Glad I have a holiday coming up at the end of October. Nothing exciting - just a week of relaxation in the Scottish countryside while I visit my parents. It'll be great though!

Work is going well. I love my new role and I'm really enjoying the group of people I work with at the moment - always a bonus.

Annoyingly I've had quite a bad leg injury for the past three weeks and it's really starting to wear on me. A muscle under my left hip has gone into spasm (for unknown reasons) and it's making even walking very painful. I've been to see my physio but was just told I need to stretch it out. I'm trying to avoid muscle relaxants as they make me into a TOTAL space cadet. We'll see though, I can't bear the constant pain much longer.

I think that's definitely adding to my crazed feeling lately.

Moneywise I've just done something that's giving me peace of mind even if it wasn't strictly necessary. My 0% deal on my credit cards was due to finish with September 2016's pay next year. With my wobbles and seeing how much is realistic to put towards the debt each month I really wasn't feeling comfortable with that. Also I do want to celebrate my 30th birthday in June next year - it only happens once after all!

I got a deal to move everything onto one of my cards until January 2017. That gives me much more wiggle room and although I still want to pay it off well before then at least I know if anything happens I won't be stuck with ridiculous credit card interest. I paid about £150 in fees but I'm happy to suck that up in order to lessen my stress over the next year.

I know it's not the most MSE thing to do but I think it's the right thing to do for me.

belleandthebudget

Okay! Weekend! My leg is feeling a little better, not 100% though so I don't want to jinx myself!

I'd love to say I'm having a quiet weekend but I'm actually kind of working tomorrow. We're filming so I'll be up and out early to make call time. I won't get a day in lieu as I'm not 100% needed but it's a series I helped develop and pitch so I'm keen to see some of it shot.

That'll be all day. Then Sunday I have yoga in the morning before scooting all the way across town to meet two friends for lunch.

It should be a lovely weekend but maybe won't have as much sitting on my bum as I would like.

Okay, off to continue writing up my new budget. Hope you're all having a fantastic Friday evening xx

crazy_cat_lady

Your work sounds like it's really good stuff - interesting.
Hope your leg is feeling a bit better soon.