Drawing a line under the debt. Take two.

Drawingaline

Well didn't hear anything so that's it am moving on. It's a shame, but maybe I am not quite ready for the time commitment that was involved. There may be chance in the future to go back into the industry, it was a job I adored.

I am not rushing into increasing my hours just yet. I will be increasing my hourly rate with my two private clients, and I know my pay will rise with my other jobs from April too. I am doing my last day on Monday, then I may take a trip to London on Tuesday, I want to go to the National Gallery, can just about do it when the kids are at school if I get the 9.15 train in. 

Then I will speak to my boss and see what I can arrange to fit in. But going to enjoy some days off and try not to worry about being £500 down next month. With an 18th birthday to get through 😱

Ordered the girl her first adult passport. She got her pics done today. She looks stunning in them, no idea where she gets it from, she is very lucky! Also renewed my driving licence as it expires next month. So £75.50 and £14 spent. Hubby a passport is a year out of date so need to get that sorted. We are not planning any trips, but wanted the girl to have it for id going forward and her old one expired in Jan. Said I would buy this one, next one is on her. Well she will be 28 😂

Still nothing from the London uni. Accommodation opens on one of her other choices in 10 days, the one which is first come first served. So frustrating right now. She can't pick until she hears back from all the unis, or withdraws her application from the London one. Which she won't do. There is a tiny chance she could get in and it's the best in the country (possibly the whole of Europe). Gah!!!! The only hope is that everyone else is still waiting and most people who have applied to her other choices will also have applied to the London one. There will be a flurry of activity on they pull their finger out and actually say yes or no! 

boxofpaws

There will be other jobs, perhaps now wasn’t the right time. The passports are so expensive, good job it’s only once every 10 years.

I will keep my fingers crossed for the London Uni, talk about keeping you hanging on!

savingholmes

Good luck to DD over uni and to you over your job choices and making up £500.

Drawingaline

Well I bit the bullet and called the place I interviewed for. Apparently they are still reviewing the applications and I should hear by the end of the week. Feel better for having called, but tbh if I don't hear I am not sure I want to work there. Don't say one thing and do another, it makes you seem disorganised and I have dealt with that before, never ends well. Will see what next week brings.

And on the uni front still nothing 🤦 she spoke to her tutor and he said this uni may keep them hanging until May 😱 because it is rated as one of the best in the world for this course it doesn't seem to care too much about the inconvenience as if she withdraws her application there are plenty more. Their accommodation opens at the end of April, so if she hasnt heard by then it seems unfair that other courses who have already been sorted get first go at it! Although if she gets in we think she will probably end up in one of the many many private halls in London. She had decided that if she is offered a place she is going. It's too good an opportunity to turn down. She just needs to know......

I took today and went I to London myself. Spent three blissful hours in the National Gallery. Been quite a few years since I have been in and I went into every single room that was open. I also managed to hear a few of the tours and people talking to school groups so learnt some stuff too 😂 it's somewhere I could go every week, I love it. Definitely a fan of the older stuff though, I love vibrant colours and a lot of the early 20th century stuff just seems washed out. Also not a huge fan of landscapes. But so much to see and enjoy no matter what your preference. 

Back to work tomorrow. Am taking next Monday and Tuesday off too, and then will look at increasing my number of clients. Won't be doing anything expensive, may try and do a couple of walks. 

I had budgeted for my trip to London so everything is looking good right now. Also back on a healthy eating plan from tomorrow. The girl mentioned something to me that really made me think about my relationship with food (it was a throwaway comment, not said in any way to hurt me, but it really really hit home in a way I don't think she could have ever seen) I am becoming more and more like my mother and i really want to avoid her health issues later in life. Also I see my sister struggling massively with her own health issues, and realise I am incredibly lucky to have avoided these. I need to look at getting as fit and healthy as I can, in a sustainable way. 

Anyway am hopeful I can make a start just by cutting back during Lent, I will allow myself three days off over the girls 18th, otherwise I am going all in until Easter. Alongside some gentle exercise. 

savingholmes

Well done on calling the organisation. 

Glad you had a nice trip in London. 

I can see why your DD would want to study at the best if she could. I wish I'd understood earlier in life all the options open to me. Trying to make the most of them now. 

Good luck with your health goals. 

lucielle

Well done for phoning them. Hope you get the result you want. Good luck on healthy eating and exercise. 

L

Drawingaline

So didn't hear a thing about the job, am writing it off now. Am enjoying this week off and then will increase my hours with my self employment. Normally takes a while though, so we will have a £500 deficit in March, and possibly April 😱 luckily we can ride it out, but there will be cut backs to be made. Really hoping the girl passes her driving test first time so we can take a couple of months break before saving for the boy to start learning in late summer.

And in other news the girl heard from the hard to get into uni. She was offered a place!!! The intake is like 20% of applicants are offered. Honestly we are all somewhat shocked right now. She is now in complete wobble mode about where to go. The first year is on the campus on West London (central line) but from the second year it is moving over to the east end. Halls are in West London 10mins from the campus and accommodation opens end of April, so she has some time to decide. She is wobbling mainly because she hasn't had a tour or open day (it was all online) and because she didn't get an interview she hasn't had chance to ask all the questions she has. Really hoping that she gets invited to an open day next month as they normally run an event for people who have been offered a place. We can also take the train into London and see the area its in. She will be fine living in London, but she is a bit apprehensive, she spoke to her tutor at college about which is the best and he said definitely the London one. It's one of the best courses in the world for this subject apparently 😱😱😱😱 still all a bit shocked. The plus is with the increased loan for London living the halls are no more expensive than one of her choices outside London which is good.

boxofpaws

Hurrah, this is great news! It seems it was worth the wait. I’m sure all the questions and worries can be ironed out.

I think you’ve had a narrow escape with the job if they haven’t even got back to you even now. 

Drawingaline

My healthier eating wasn't great last week. But managed a 10k walk on Monday and have lost a couple of Ibs. So going in the right direction. It's pushed me under the next stone bracket so the numbers seem a little less scary now. I have until next Wednesday to keep on it, then the girls bed kicks in. Have her birthday tea and then a meal out with grandparents on the sat. And cake. Lots of cake 😂

One of my newish blinds has broken. Cannot find the receipt of course. It is under warranty so will attempt to call the company later. Ordered online so they should have a record of the order. One of the components has broken so hoping it can be fixed. In hindsight the window is too large and I should have got two smaller blinds for it. But they made it and didn't say it would put strain on the cords/pulleys so am hoping it will be fixed free. Really can't afford any extra expenditure right now.

I worked out my tax return for 2021/22 and will probably have about £600 tax/NI to pay. Going o have to do it nice and early and get the tax put aside over the next 9 months ready for Jan. Next year I won't be over the income tax threshold which will help. 

Also paid out a deposit for a school trip for the smallest. Still not sure he will be able to go (depending on what can be put in place for his additional needs) so won't pay the rest until much nearer the time. 

Our electricity meter is broken so couldn't read it this month. New one being fitted next month. It will be a smart meter so at least I won't have to read it again. Everyone is panicking about heating bills and gas, however I have found it is the electric bills that are going to go up the most. And come a hot summer with all the fans on it will just get worse. Our gas bill is fine. Probably because I have always been super tight with the heating! Have increased the amount I am putting aside but still concerned.

And petrol is crazy. I am having to increase my hours and I drive between clients. Have told my boss I am staying local. I won't go out of the town. It's just not worth it unless I can start claiming milage. She has had a huge increase in queries so should be ok

savingholmes

Great news on your DD's place. So pleased for her. 

Good luck with the budget hole. Is there anything left to sell? Can you do any bank switches or similar?