Determination makes the pennies go further.

Dontletmeletyougo

I went to the hospital and they'd messed all my appointments up. It's now rescheduled for next Wednesday. Unimpressed was not the word- a waste of time and petrol.

I quite enjoyed the group I went to. Someone else I knew was there and we were all there for the same reason. I think this will be a good learning curve for me. I'm in a much better place then I was previously (mentally) but I'll still take help that's offered. It's a pilot scheme at the moment and we are the first to participate. So we're kind of like guinea pigs. It seems a mixed group. Some are very quiet, some confident enough to speak out. I give my input when I feel it's required. It is definitely draining though.

Today I'm working and will need to fill up my car with petrol. I have a budget of £80 a month. I've not filled up or topped up yet this month. I'm going to monitor my milage and watch how I drive in order to make it last longer. It's a pain because I do smaller journeys more frequently due to my job and it's a 1.6 engine. I love my car though.

I'm also having my hair trimmed later on tonight. I'm thinking of asking for a wet cut only so it's cheaper. I've budgeted a maximum of £20 for that. It's not been done in over 6 months- oops.

Today's list

- Input travel expenses.
- Make someone smile.
- Take my son to ice skating (walk/walk back)
- Make up a snack box for him to take.
- Withdraw cash and allocate it to envelopes.
- Print off training workbook for work and have a read through and make goals to complete and liase with work.
- Phone up other team whom I shall be working with at the weekend and find out what I shall be doing etc.

milasavesmoney

Two great money saving ideas.

I'm glad the group was nice and that you knew someone. That certainly helps.

Great list.

Today is tackle filing and then start going through old files and shredding. My compost pile will be happy to have something besides food scraps.;)

Dontletmeletyougo

So yesterday I didn't do some bits of my list which I'll definitely do today.

I planned on filling my car up yesterday however was restricted with time so shall do that this morning. I'm not sure whether to just put £40 in or fill to top. Will see how I feel. I am trying to be cautious of how I drive and use the best routes possible to save on petrol. As some of my visits are close together I may walk to some rather than drive round the corner. It would save a few pennies.

I still need to phone up the team I will be working for this weekend and I am going to enquire about a full time position within this team. Either that or a 30 hour position. I'm also going to speak to someone where I'm currently doing shifts to see if I can use them as a reference. I think I need a reliable income. Not knowing is making me very nervous. I'm still waiting on hospital bank to sort out my position there. When that is up and running then I'll do some nights/weekend work to earn some extra money as we get enhancements.

I want to create my own training schedule and book onto come courses to make my cv look a lot better. Well obviously my skills. Will discuss with a team leader today and maybe look into a palliative care training and ear syringing. Sounds lovely doesn't it.

I had my hair cut last night, first time in 6 months. It cost me £15. At least my split ends are cut off though. I'm going to look into some home treatments for my hair. It's gone a lot thinner over the years and I'm only 23 . I don't even use heat on it that often.

Apart from that my to do list today is:

- fill up car with petrol.
- Walk to and from ice skating with my son.
- Pack a full snack box as he's there for two hours tonight. Lots of training. He will be tired after school so will need some energy.
- Pick up an item from screwfix my mum needs. Saves her a journey and it's on my way during visits.
- Make someone smile today.
- Engage in conversations with other people at sons ice skating. It's always interesting to meet new people.

milasavesmoney

Very organized. You are really doing well!

Dontletmeletyougo

So I've had a lovely weekend.. On Saturday my son had an extra ice skating lesson. He has decided he wants to audition for a Christmas show. We walked to ice skating and back. We had a lovely time.

We then went for a walk/he went on his bike around a country area/track with a friend. We stopped off afterwards for a coffee and lemonade for my son in the bar behind a big posh hotel. I paid for this as a treat and it was lovely, £8.20 there.

My son then went to a family party whilst I walked with his grandparents into town where we have booked lapland for this December. It's only a day trip were doing. That will cost me £700. I'm in no rush to pay as his grandparents are paying off the full balance and they say they are in no rush for me to pay it back. It's his dad's side of the family and thankfully I get on really well with them. His grandad gets 5% off the total balance through some reward scheme and the moneysaver in me thought to be cheeky and ask if they did nhs discount.. It knocked another £30 off. Not much but every little helps :j

Then on Sunday I worked all day. Recently I've been speaking to a friend about going on holiday next year with them. They've finally booked so that's on my to do list today. It's only £60pp deposit and final payment will be March next year. I'm hoping when I ring this afternoon I can haggle and get a good offer with the airline. What it is costing me and my son, is only short of 1k for a family of 5. How crazy is that price difference. It's for two weeks all inclusive abroad. It's a good opportunity for me as I don't have anyone else I can holiday with and kids can keep one another entertained.

Today I'm on a training course. I don't feel too ecstatic at the moment. I was told I'd have to do these in my spare time however someone mentioned that I should speak to whoever and query this as it's essential for my role even if I am bank. Not holding my hopes up.

I filled up my car on Friday. It was literally empty. That was £52.30. I'm more aware of how I drive and trying to be very careful not to do any unnecessary driving.

My son has also decided he wants a big class party for his birthday. I've told him this is fine but it means he'll only receive a present or two from me, if that as the expense is huge. He's happy with that. I'm currently researching best places possible in regard to function room amd entertainers. I'm writing up a budget plan for this and will do food myself whilst also searching pinterest for home made ideas re decorations. I think it's going to be superhero themed. It will obviously include princess too maybe.

That's all from me for now

It's going to be an expensive couple of months coming up. I'm going to do some overtime where possible. Just waiting for the hospital bank position to come through then I'm going to set myself a target and work out how many hours I need to do to reach this.

milasavesmoney

Holidays and a birthday! What fun and they will make wonderful memories for you two. Excellent!

GD's birthday is coming up in June. My DD and SIL live about 4 1/2 hrs away so it will be a weekend trip. We are really looking forward to seeing her turn two yrs old!
I'm glad you have great paternal grandparents for your son and that you like each other. So important for your boy.

Dontletmeletyougo

Yes Mila, I'm so grateful we get on well it makes my life so much easier.

I booked the family hokiday for next year. Me and DS (two weeks all-inclusive at an amazing resort 1.8k). It's expensive however we went on a cruise last year for much more than that! We are going with my best friend and her family. I can't wait.

I love my best friend. We talk about everything and understand one another so well. She's 15 years older than me but I've never had the drama I've had with other friends.

I felt a bit down last night thinking of my past friendships. I think I shall give them one more go and if they don't respond but are funny then I'll finally let them go.

Today should be a NSD apart from ice skating but that's budgeted for.

Dontletmeletyougo

Well yesterday was pretty much a low spend day. DS ice skating which was budgeted for and then £8 to have his skates sharpened. He has another lesson tonight.

Today I have my CBT. Then I think me and my friend will nip to the local theme park after. Nothing like a bit of a adrenaline rush to cheer you up.

I feel a bit murky these past couple of days. Even though I've so much to look forward to, I just can't see the excitement. I think I need to get back into a routine properly.

It is also apparent my son has threadworms- great. I'll be nipping to the pharmacy to get treatment for him and for the family. Hopefully I can get that for free on minor ailments scheme if it covers it. I've stripped all the bedsheets and will be cleaning like mad later on tonight. It makes me feel a bit OCD if I'm honest. I can't stop till I know it's over.

I'm going out Friday night for a meal with friends and some people I don't know for a leaving do. I'm going to try my best to fake it till you make it and not show how anxious I am as a person. I'm trying to work on my confidence at the moment.

I noticed I had an extra payment in another bank account. I'm going to keep that there until the end of the month.

Dontletmeletyougo

So yesterday I had a couple of unaccounted spends..

£8 treatment from pharmacy.
£4.97 on lunch.
£5.20 Costa at the hospital as I had an appointment and we went to see a poorly relative.
£8 on a Chinese as we had a takeaway treat as a family. By the time we got back from ice skating, we felt it was too late to cook something and we only do this occasionally.

Today I'm working 9-1. I'm not really feeling up to it but needs must.

Hopefully I'll get an operation date through soon. It's all been confirmed yesterday that I shall be having another.

I'm feeling a bit blue at the moment. I just want things to look up a bit.

The cbt yesterday was tediously boring and I felt more agitated in there then I have in a while. I also find it draining. I can't concentrate.

I hope to be back to my cheery self soon.

milasavesmoney

I get anxious in situations like that too(Going out with friends). I am fairly reserved and quiet. There always seems to be a few who can carry the conversation, which is wonderful for me. But I do like being there after I get situated within the group. About halfway though I can usually join in because I have become comfortable. I hate social anxiety but it's something I deal with, and I'm almost always glad I have gone to the event. I guess that's why I keep making myself go.

Perhaps the thought of another operation has you feeling a bit down?