Aligning the Stars

WelshKitty85

Fantastic, well done!

lonelyrat

WELL DONE!!!! Fab, fab, fab news

I feel so strong and secure mentally

Here's hoping 2019 is for me what 2018 was for you

Lunch sounds yum! OH's sister and partner got us a restaurant card/ voucher thing for Christmas so we've been keeping that and are going to go out as a treat this weekend.

Starmummy

lonelyrat wrote: »

WELL DONE!!!! Fab, fab, fab news


Here's hoping 2019 is for me what 2018 was for you

Lunch sounds yum! OH's sister and partner got us a restaurant card/ voucher thing for Christmas so we've been keeping that and are going to go out as a treat this weekend.

enjoy your meal out Lonely, it sounds like it's just what you need at the moment. a little R&R

Starmummy

Hi Folks,

I ordered my new backpack yesterday.
I did my research and found one that came top of a lot of reviews on hiking and travel websites. It's female specific too so I hope it's comfortable. The RRP is over £100, I managed to get one in a super sale for £31 delivered. :money:

I have sent some money to my EF savings and Holiday savings. The latter balance has gone down this month though as I have spent on Flights and hotel for a trip to Sweden to see one of my best friends at Easter. That is what the account is for though, I feel so happy that these expenses are paid for and not on credit. I feel like a proper grown up almost. :rotfl:

I want to overpay on my debt a bit this month to try and take me into the 11k's but we shall see if the final expenses I am expecting come in before month end.
I shall wait to update my signature until the end of the month to see the big picture.

I really must concentrate on studying for my final exam from this week. just 7 weeks to go and i never have to study again (I probably will though- glutton for punishment)

The exam passes I got on Monday have triggered a lovely pay rise. According to our payroll department it should be action-ed in time for my next pay day...I won't count on it though. Between my 'annual' pay rise and the exams I'll have increased my salary by just shy of 7% which is wonderful. It should make a difference of over £100 a month in my take home pay (I haven't worked it out properly yet) although I'm expecting this to go down again in April when pension contributions go up.

Still feeling pretty in control of things. We have lots of adventures planned this year so I shall be keeping myself busy. I must remember to be mindful of the budget though. We have lots of active holidays planned which will require some equipment. I need to really budget for this and not let myself get carried away. The same goes for spending money while we are away.

I think that's enough money talk for one day.

take care

SM
x

Starmummy

Hi Folks,

My new backpack arrived and I love it. So many gadgets and pockets and the company has a high ethical stance too so I feel like a very conscious consumer.

SC and I are still plodding on with Mr Star working away and we have managed to get ourselves into a good routine, which sees me managing to get everything done by myself without burning out.
The secret seems to be being in bed by 9.30pm, meditating and setting an alarm for 5.30,

I've also meal planned like a pro, and regimenting my diary. 6am study sessions may not be hugely enjoyable but with just 1 exam to go and it being only 7 weeks away I am battling through the pain.

I'm still enjoying being more active, while Mr Star is away we have no car which is really ramping up the miles pounding the pavement. Walking SC to school, walking to work, walking us to the pool on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday and Sunday mornings, walking to the supermarket and carrying everything home. I've also taken to taking a lunch break at work. 15 minutes to eat my soup and 30 minutes walk. It certainly stops that 3pm lull and I swear the exposure to cold air is the reason we have managed to keep all the bugs and sickness away (touches all the wood).

Right, time for my 30 day challenge exercises and to get breakfast on the table.

Catch you later

Take care
SM

redofromstart

Congratulations on the results, and the happy knock on of the pay rise.

lonelyrat

Payrise sounds great :cool: Glad you're in a routine... I plan on being in bed by 9.30 tonight too!

Starmummy

So Mr Star is back from his work trip which is lovely. His job relocates at the beginning of next month though, which will see us living apart about 80% of the time for a while. It's an exciting opportunity and could rip open some amazing opportunities for us as a family, so a sacrifice worth making.

I'm back into my studies full swing, I'm determined to do well in March so I can give up studying for good. What an exciting prospect.

Money wise, things are looking pretty good. The spending on Holidays and trips away has been crazy but we have savings for it so it hasn't effected savings or debt payment goals.
2019 looks to be really amazing.

just plodding on until I update my totals on pay day.

Take care
SM

lonelyrat

2019 looks to be really amazing

Here’s hoping! January is meant to be such a grim month, but just look at us being so jolly and positive :cool:

Starmummy

Hi all,

I hope you had a good weekend.

Ours was lovely, It was so nice having Mr Star home. Dinners out and a stand-up gig for date night, lots of fresh air and exercise, lots of studying and some little house jobs ticked off the list.:o

It's almost payday so I'm gearing up to update my totals.

February should be fairly cheap other than a bit of spending money for when we fly out to the city where Mr Star's job moves next week.

So...the reason for today's post title.
Star Child wants to help out more and be a bit more independent. We started with her sorting out all the laundry into piles and emptying the pockets.
I totally trust her, she is a sensible kid....oh I was so wrong.
She left a little tin of lip balm in a pocket...now my bed sheets and 70% of the clothes I own are covered in big greasy stains. :eek: :eek: :eek:
I have no jumpers or shirts for work that came out unscathed. What a nightmare.
I shall have to hope and pray and attempt a hot wash...or go shopping, which since starting this journey I've come to really dislike.

Ho hum, every day is a school day. :rotfl:

Take care
SM