A whole new world, for now

in_need_of_direction

Whoop whoop. Stalked my client yesterday and am meeting him today. I'm also in dublin for work tomorrow but have managed to arrange three different meetings and am hoping to catch up with a friend on the way home. This is subject to her child care arrangements. Today I am on a timer to get the common areas of the house all dusted and hoovered by ten. I will also get all garbage into the bins for collection tomorrow.

Am struggling to get an essential element put in place for my business but contacted someone I met years ago who seems like he may be able to help. Am worried about the cost but it's essential to qualify for some contracts so I just have to suck it up.

Got very little done yesterday. March 2018 project is looking less certain so I suppose I wallowed a bit.

Tues evening, OH treated us to a steak night in a local restaurant. Two steaks (from a choice of three), two sauces and two sides from a selection of potato dishes all for £20. They also provided big carafes of iced water so no rip off drinks prices. We then swung by to see BIL and nephew.
Today I'm gonna see if I can get fitted in for a haircut only. I know my colour needs done but the funds aren't there for this.if I can at least See through my fringe, that'd be a bonus! The funds really aren't there for the cut but I need to have a professional appearance tomorrow.
Yesterday, I spent money on dd's Christmas present. This is one of the few things she has ever really craved and it's currently 60% off. I was dithering until I got a 10% discount code and I also got a few pennies from tcb. It will be paid for at end of august credit card payment. If I haven't gotten the income through by then, the emergency fund will be raided.
DD is normally an experience rather than a things person but I still deliberated long and hard. These past months have shown me just how recklessly I spent money previously. It's scary that I thought I was being frugal while living well but so much was squandered. I think I'm getting a much better appreciation of the value of money. Having said that, I know a lottery win would still result in a splurge!

beanielou

Steak night sounds just fab :drool:

in_need_of_direction

Well, so much for keeping hairdressing costs low. Was persuaded to get my colour done but at least this gained me points towards a free blow dry.
Client work went well last week but one job has major issues inc the need to deal with fairly aggressive behaviour. At least I know the client will be supportive re this.
Did my weekly weigh in yesterday, no change. Need to start tackling this properly. Followed up on a business opportunity however the insurance requirements are prohibitive so I'm giving that one a by ball. Met my friend on Friday night. I'd forgotten her background was in marketing. She's currently reviewing my website as she was underwhelmed by both my logo and my business card (both of which I liked).
Yesterday afternoon was spent planning for the March project. Phone calls have been scheduled in to take this forward. We also have a weekend booked in London at start of September as the person with whom we need to engage, can't travel currently due to family commitments. We got an introductory offer for a nice hotel, less than a third of full price and return flights for both of us are under £100.
I got awarded a bonus sparks offer of £5 off a £25 spend. This is to be used by tomorrow. I cashed in £20 of survey related vouchers so this week's shop should be frugal. What I'd really like is for next to email saying my curtains are ready for collection as the branch is close to m&s. Fingers crossed for that.
Today requires work work and housework. Lists need to be made if things are to be achieved and soup is to come out of the freezer for lunch. I managed two soup based lunches last week which is heading in the right direction.
On Saturday, we went into town for breakfast. This was paid for by a groupon voucher. Not a place we would return to. Food was ok, service was scratchy. It was worth the voucher price but not what would have been the full price. Still, I suppose that's a good thing about vouchers. You get to test drive without a major commitment. We did some shopping on our way home inc paint for the kitchen and put the car away. Hopefully, it'll stay away until tomorrow when I'll drop OH into work before going to marks.
I've made a decision re the car. One of my concerns is that I exceed my annual mileage allowance (it's contract hire). To avoid this, I've decided to lodge £20 to my CU account any time I pay myself dublin related mileage thereby creating a buffer.
So, must get a wiggle on. Hope everyone's week gets off to an amazing start.

in_need_of_direction

Well,I got a report out the door, go me. Also have dithered a bit re another job that needs to get underway properly today. Got feedback on the complaint re the unsuccessful job application. They blatantly ignored half the points made and didn't answer the foi related element. They also sent me the internal guidance for dealing with complaints which they have breached! I'll be so surprised if this doesn't go to the ombudsman.

I did the m&s shop yesterday. Got the main ingredients for six different meals whoopsied, bought some on offer items and three full price. One of the full price was a new item that did not live up to expectations. However, with use of coupons, offers, discounts, etc. the actual cash leaving my purse was less than £4. Last night I was out with some friends to see a play. We had a chippy take away at mine then went to a play that I'd wanted to see previously. It was part of an arts festival so total cost to me was £13 and others drove!
Today I have a 9.30 appt so will help OH avoid the rain and will drive him into work. Will make a list while I'm there. Yesterday I set up an appt re the March project for fri and today will be making a call to arrange another.

My marketing friend is also a qualified executive coach and has offered a series of coaching sessions free of charge. I had originally declined but have decided to accept her very generous offer. As she says she doesn't filter feedback so it'll be scary but good.

Happy hump day everyone.

[Deleted User]

That's really great of your friend to offer that.

It's also good that she won't filter the feedback because then it wouldn't help you at all.

At least if she picks up on things even very small ones that you can change it may improve your situation so would be a good thing.

Dxxx

doingitanyway

Good news on the free coaching sessions

in_need_of_direction

Yesterday was a bit of a faff day. I'm turning into a professional complainer. I contacted my professional body last week. They were to call back and didn't. I followed up yesterday and got the brush off so complaint emailed through. I really do wonder what I get for my subscription given that they offer no training locally and their courses cost a fortune.

I got a piece of work kick started by the issue of an email yesterday. Need to follow up today and apart from that, the day is being given to housework. I've arranged to go walking with a friend at five this evening as we both need to exercise and to lose weight. Hopefully this will become a free regular occurrence. I also contacted a potential supplier yesterday for the March project. They have yet to return my call. This is approx a £5k fee. Don't people want business anymore?

Today might be NSD but I'm running low on milk and me without tea is not good for anyone. I was contacted by a friend yesterday who offered me a free massage treatment. This is the second since I stopped work and while I accepted the first, I'm not comfortable about this. I don't like accepting what I can't reciprocate. Equally, I don't want to alienate well meaning and lovely friends. What to do.

Today I am grateful for
DD's birthday parcel finally getting there
The generosity of friends
The ready availability of good food.

jwil

Well done on the report, and great news about the coaching sessions!

Cherryfudge

Just catching up... good job you mentioned M&S, you have reminded me I have an order waiting over the last few days.

Re hair cuts, are you brave enough to trim your own fringe? In the days when I had one I used to do my own and got good at it (first having learned the hard way not to take much off)! Hairdressing scissors are a lot cheaper than hairdressers and it will lengthen the time between 'proper' cuts.

Could you accept the massage but take some home baking or offer to babysit of something in return? People do like to give and if she's good maybe you could pass on her card to other people so she will get more custom.

beanielou

Take the massage in the lovely manner it was offered.
Repay in kind if you feel you need too