Aligning the Stars

doingitanyway · 10 October 2018 at 5:02PM

Your wardrobe purge is very inspiring. Thanks

Lucifa73 · 10 October 2018 at 5:18PM

A wardrobe purge sounds like a fantastic idea! I'm going to a swishing event where you take 3-6 items of clothing you don't want anymore (this time it is party stuff) and for each item you get a token you can use to get something somebody else has handed in. Seemed like a good way to get something new for Xmas parties...

Your energy really is very inspiring!

Starmummy · 12 October 2018 at 11:11AM

It's Friday!!!!
Unfortunately Star Child was ill last night so a day of trying to work from home with her, not ideal because I'm snowed under on a project. No doubt I shall be working most of the weekend.

It's not helping the shopping ban. I feel the need to cheer myself up. The silver lining to Star Child's Dad not paying maintenance this month means I couldn't even shop if I wanted as my account is bare.
But all is not lost, debts have been paid and money put in savings...who is this sensible new me?

The kitchen tap ( that's been leaking for ages) totally gave up this morning, thankfully in an off position. So Mr Star shall spend his weekend replacing the tap and sink and worktops- we had planned to do this anyway just not right now.

I could really do with giving the house a deep clean-possibly linked to the sick child, but I just can't get motivated.
Hopefully some fresh air this weekend and i'll be back to my old self.

Take care
SM

redofromstart · 12 October 2018 at 6:30PM

Loving that challenge and the wardrobe purge. I found that challenging myself about why I keep things worked really well to help the purge, and asking why when I want things works too.

That said, I still own 31 jumpers!

redofromstart · 12 October 2018 at 6:41PM

Also magazines, I can read quite a few online via my library ticket. I soon got bored and stopped bothering but it was a good reminder of how little return I got from them.

Starmummy · 15 October 2018 at 1:38PM

The weekend was rather a quiet one. I stayed at home to study most of the weekend while Mr Star did house job, fixing the kitchen tap, fixing the leaky bath, fitting new fire alarms, painting skirting boards....the list of jobs never ends. At least I've finished the 'learning' phase of my exam prep- just got to practice loads of past papers and revise as much as I can. I must stay motivated I feel like I've been studying forever and I'm 5 months from being fully qualified...plus passing these 2 exams promises a nice pay rise.

I did purchase one of my items on my approved shopping list so that's £52.50 gone.

My personal account is looking VERY bare as is the joint account

but I have no plans for the rest of the month, other than one date night before Mr Star goes away with work for the rest of the month.
Feeling quite good at the progress I'm making. I've saved £280 (£80 to the house deposit LISA, £200 general/emergency savings)
I need to organise the scrap people picking up my old car so I can add another £190...to the House deposit most likely.
I've paid just over £350 off the debts this month too.

I'm feeling in control. It's such a nice feeling.

I watched the Stacey Dooley documentary on fast fashion yesterday. It's given me an extra boost to keep going with the shopping ban. We all have so much stuff we don't need. Plus I'm in my 30's now, time to prioritise style and fit over trend.

Just plodding on until payday

Take care
SM

Starmummy · 18 October 2018 at 3:20PM

It's almost the weekend.
Working from home tomorrow as it's an inset day at the school and Mr Star goes away with work until the 29th

It's been a really lovely couple of weeks. He has been so supportive picking up the slack at home and with Star Child while I've been pulling 11 hour days at the office. I'm so lucky I feel the need to pinch myself.
I keep getting told off by him for saying thank you too much though :rotfl:

We have a date night tonight, I'm so excited. My lovely parents are coming over to baby sit and we are going for a taster menu at a special evening at the local catering college. so posh nosh for £25 a head.
This will probably be the last date night of the year because work is so busy for the both of us, Mr Star is working away almost half of the time between now and 20th December so these nights are so precious.

I'm also feeling lucky to have a few days off in half term. Star Child is so often dumped in some kids club in the holidays, it will be so nice to have some girl time.

We had the bedroom carpet fitted yesterday, it feels so much cosier.... and Mr Star has stocked up on firewood so us ladies don't freeze while he is away. I hope to finish the photo wall in the snug/dining room while he is away, and try and split some of the house plants.

I've donated the 2 bags of stuff from the wardrobe purge. I have 1 bag of 'nicer' stuff that I must eBay on my days off.

Other than that it's enjoying some gorgeous Autumn sunshine ( I love living in a countryside Market town this time of year) ...oh and I need to keep up with my studies. I need to just practice as many past exam papers as possible until I can answer them in my sleep and to time. A chunky pay rise in the new year depends on it....hello more wonga towards the house deposit.

Have a lovely weekend guys.

Take care
SM

Starmummy · 25 October 2018 at 9:42AM

*sneaks back in after a weeks absence*

Well.... my budget hasn't been great for the second half of this month. This month seems to really be dragging.

Mr Star is away with work and I am just so busy with work it has meant I've spent money I didn't really want to spend on takeaways and lunches with my sister...and still overspent on groceries.

I need to maintain some focus. I really do want to get myself in the best financial position to move into our bigger (room for baby) family home.
I seem to have redirected my spendy ways away from stuff, due to the shopping ban, to spending more on allowed stuff, i.e food.
I'm going to have to try and implement a proper food budget for the next month to counteracted my spendy ways.

I did have one MSE victory this week. I got my nephews Xmas present, it was 20% off and then i paid with some vouchers I had so technically free :money:
I've also taken lunch to work every working day this month. small victories.

I must keep posting and keep motivated. I think i'm going to print the details of the house I'm eyeing up and keep a picture in my purse wrapped around my debit card.
I need to remind myself of what I really want and stop looking for a quick fix.

MUST NOT SPEND.

rawr_ · 25 October 2018 at 12:27PM

Hi Starmummy - I relate to this 100% - I've mainly got my spending under control but then go and splurge on food as this is in the allowed stuff. It's my thing to focus on the next month!

ftbwannabe · 29 October 2018 at 3:11PM

Same here, food shopping (& snack-y treats) is where my budget's slid down this month. And where I made £100 a month savings in my first two months of posting here. I think you're right about the focus - I'll try to refocus, too. Good luck, we can do it! (I'll finish these two boxes of biscuits first though...)