My Journey To My Pot Of Gold

MuffinTops

Fortunately the proof of posting worked this time Rosa, and I think the really low feedback was a sign, but I could just be cynical.

Although it's going to be a massive shock losing my long weekends, they've really made it worth my while financially so I feel I'm being compensated sufficiently. I am looking at the longer term now that I've sorted all of my "now" issues out. So, this will be a massive help.

But EEK all the same!!!

MTxx

MuffinTops

Happy new week everyone!

The radio went well on Friday. Mr new trainee had a work emergency and couldn't get into the studio for his show, but he did pop in to see me when he was free and sat with me until the end of the show.

Then the next trainee came in and she was much more comfortable than she'd been the week before, so that was a bonus.

The weekend flew by. Very frugal with not much money being spent. I didn't even get my usual food shopping. On Saturday morning the bike buyer turned up to check the bike over and paid with no issues at all. He even told me he would have been happy to pay more and feels I've been ripped off! But I don't feel that way. It's a gorgeous bike that was an ornament in my home. I am really happy that it will be used now.

Yesterday was so nice I visited friends who took me out to lunch and insisted on paying! Then we had a natter in the garden with some tea and then I pottered home! So a very jolly weekend socially.

I've also finished painting the bedroom. So now I need to purchase a few cheap items to make it look bedroomified and I can close the door on it!

Next room is the dining room. Also, I'm off for a week from Thursday so I think I'll put Thursday aside to photograph as many eBay items as possible and then just put them up for sale until eBay start charging me for the privilege.

Happy Monday!!!

MTxx

MuffinTops

DIA, Pashley's do absolutely hold their value. They are beautiful bikes! Good luck selling that.

The flirting is great. I'm hoping I can keep it there as he's so attractive and attentive. I don't think either of us want anything "special" which is making me waiver a bit!!! Must. Be. Good!!!

MTxx

MuffinTops

The CC is melting away Sam, like the wicked witch of the West!

I actually tried to go and close a CC account today and they've made it as tough as possible!!! Going to be phoning and phoning until it's done! Little Scamps!!!

How's your health, honey?

MTxx

MuffinTops

My new contract has arrived, and all was fine other than a tweak or two. Those tweaks were just to add my own safety net really.

I'm constantly thinking about what to aim for with my finances now as I am so easily able to push a debt down but don't seem quite so good at pushing savings up. I'll have a little YNAB change around to figure out where to allocate funds again. I do save, I'm not bad at it, but I think I need to focus on that to make sure that I don't fritter lots away.

I have decided that I don't spend enough money on my own wellbeing, which then needs a big investment for catching up, and isn't as effective as keeping on top of things. I'm good at getting my hair done regularly and I'm good at putting a little aside for clothes, but I don't have a good focus on investing in my image. So now I can!

I also need to realisitcally look at the amount I spend on certain categories and either increase those categories to a more realistic level or figure out a plan to keep costs down. This month I've not allocated enough to petrol and that's not a wasteful expense, nor is my car expensive to run, so just things like that need looking at.

I've also decided that as well as meal planning, when I go full time I'm going to invest some time on a weekend to preparing ingredients for each meal in a little bag so that when I get home it's all in one place and ready to go. Currently I pull out salad and veg items individually and chop them and then put them back etc each time I cook. If I portion out what I need, then it's all done at one time and I get portion control too.

Lunches will be the biggest bind for me as that's what I currently struggle with. So while I'm off next week I'm going to experiment with various little lunch recipes I've found.

Lots to think about, but all positive I guess. It'll be lovely having a standard work day, rather than the longer hours I've been doing, and they've been good at letting me do the earliest available times. I'm hoping to cycle commute again!!! August is a great time to be starting that up as the weather, even when "cold" is still great for cycling.

I'm off to YNAB fiddle now. Have a great day everyone. MTxx

RosaBernicia

*whispers* sounds like you could also do with some DIA meal planning magic - maybe we should start a petition for a blog *

Rosa xx

MuffinTops

Contract was easily sorted by my Manager, and the questions I had were cleared up so it's all been signed and sent back. So from 1 August I replace 2 days off a week with other benefits I managed to negotiate. I think it's a good win for both sides as I have a new found commitment and joy for being at my place of work and now I also feel they've shown appreciation of how I am.

Today is my last day of the working week, and I'm off tomorrrow. So today is my final part time day! Not sure how I feel about that deep down, to be honest. It's a bit like losing a lovely friend!

I went out last night with friends to see Backstage in Biscuit Land! Loved it. Although I found it very emotional. The other 3 I went with found it funny and entertaining and not so emotional so something for everyone.

My goal for my week off is to sort out food choices. I need to buy lots of new work clothes too. Oh dear! Getting organised at home is a big deal for me though, and I have some work being done next Tuesday and Wednesday to the house.

I'm still thinking about what my Pot of Gold should currently represent, and I think I've made my mind up there. I want to sit with it for a few days before making solid plans and announcements.

YNAB needs to be updated. I have added a couple more "personal" categories to it too for once my full time salary kicks in. I really like the idea of having a personal maintenance category.

Mr Trainee is giving me a lot of attention, which is also giving me a massive ego boost. He's far too young though. Poor man!!! I'm still being strong, but it's really not easy.

Tonight I'm out for a coffee with one of my closest friends so looking forward to seeing him. It's his 30th birthday in a few days and I think I've found the perfect gift. It's very expensive and absolutely blows my birthday budget, but I think he's worth it, and it's a "special" age so I've decided to get it anyway. Then I have 3 more birthdays coming up over the next few months so need to boost the birthday budget back up quickly.

Happy Hump Day!

MTxx

MuffinTops

You're right Rosa. DIA would do a great job on building a foodie blog and even monetising it for herself.
MTxx

doingitanyway

Glad to hear things worked out with your job. You stood your ground and it paid off. I’m starting to get curious about your plans now. When can we expect an announcement? I have a big dream too, although I’m a much longer way off than you and much more of a coward so probably won’t announce it on my diary at all

I’m with you on the investment of self. I wrote in my diary a few days ago about starting a monthly beauty treatment. I’m going to use a beauty college to keep the price down but I’m starting a cyclical maintenance plan

Enjoy your time with your close friend

moneyonmymindsam

Mr Trainee is giving me a lot of attention, which is also giving me a massive ego boost. He's far too young though. Poor man!!! I'm still being strong, but it's really not easy - Liking the sound of the ego booster just how young is too young ..lol


We have all got to get better at investing in ourselves and feeling good


Glad to hear your off and things all got sorted at work - I'm with you on the lunch thing am still completely useless
xx Sam