Aligning the Stars

AdventureWanted

That's annoying about the expenses. I know what you mean about not wanting to dip into the EF, but could you transfer a small amount to your Monzo account and then if you need it it's there, and if you don't it's immediately transferred back?

Good luck with the packing. I'm terrible for leaving packing until the last minute. Definitely make a list of things you and Starchild need. It shouldn't take too long to actually shove it all in the suitcase once you've decided what's needed.

Hope you have a fantastic time away.

Starmummy

Well I'm back.

It ended up being a fairly stressful trip, not a holiday at all. Mr Star was working pretty much the whole time. We managed 1 morning together and 1 afternoon. This change with his work is really effecting our relationship and we are both so tired and stressed. We have argued lots and I've cried quite a bit.
I really don't want to dwell on things. He is home this weekend (Friday pm until Monday am) although I have to prioritize studying for my final exam next week (I'm nowhere near ready for it yet). I hope we can get *some* time to just enjoy each others company instead of being at each others throats.

I guess once this exam is done that is one less stress we have to deal with. It can only get easier then right?

I'm really looking forward to having more time to spend with Starchild, and more mental energy to just deal with things in general.


Money-wise,
I am STILL waiting for £390 to come in! so annoyed.

Holiday spends were just £313. Which I'm quite pleased about for a whole week away.
It breaks down as:
Groceries £49
eating out £69
Transport £48
Museums/tours £127
other £20.

The Monzo card worked perfectly. I got a rate of 1.14 to the pound which is brilliant (depressingly).

House

I/we really need to put in some effort here. I'd like to be able to come home and relax.
I'm going to concentrate on finishing the kitchen "spruce up"
*finish painting the cabinets
*finish fitting new worktops
*choose kitchen tiles and fit
*choose wall colour and paint
*decide what to do with the floor
*think about redoing the ceiling and fitting spot lights (depending on if we stay and extend)
*give the back door another coat
*replace the windowsills

Just a small list.:eek:
I'm also going to force Mr Stars hand on doing something with the bathroom, it is stuff of nightmares. I hate it.
Either we do the extension or we fit a new bathroom, tile and redo the ceiling.
We would have to sell the house as a doer-upper in the state it is in.

Too much to think about and I'm driving myself insane. 3 years in a doer-upper is doing my head in.

DrSpendLittle

Sorry to hear things haven't been good for you lately, Starmummy

I can imagine its been a fairly stressful time with OH moving abroad to work and all the big changes that result from that.

You'll get through this.

Good luck with studying for the exam - you got this! Think of that nice big pay rise and career progression that will result from all the hard work.

Probably a good idea to focus your frustrations (once you're done with studying!) on fixing the house the way you've set out. I think it'll give you some sense of control and of moving forward. It'll be really positive. Plus, you get to be creative which is always fun.

p.s. its good to have you back!

Starmummy

Thanks DrS

So kind of you to take time to write such a lovely post.
It's just all at sea, no idea what the 'plan' is with Mr Star's job, the house, a few other things, I just feel like there is very little stability and it is taking it's toll on my sleep and my mood.

It will pass.

I went out for a walk at lunch with a colleague and had a good old moan in the sunshine and feel less alone, so that's one good thing.

Suffolk_lass

Hello Starmummy, I've been reading your diary since you "visited" over on mine. It feels as though all the different things going on are kind of lumped in together in your head. I don't know if you have tried "One moment meditation" here but for a few minutes on a youtube video it really helped me get a few things into different compartments and prioritise. The last thing you need just before your final exams is to be unable to sleep or focus (side effects of feeling stressed). Please can I suggest you try it? it might help a little bit. Good luck by the way!

Remember to tell Mr Star you care when he comes home - it can be so awful when they work away. Mr Suffolk did so for years. Eventually we had the odd-job man vs laundry maid conversation and remembered why we are together - you know, actually liking each other and so on. It really helped defuse some of the tension that was building up over really unimportant (in the overall scheme of things) stuff.

As Dr S said - you've got this x

Starmummy

I had £190 of the £390 come in. At last!
The remaining £200 should come in in the next few days (apparently) I wont hold my breath.

My wages are sat in pending transactions in my account. I'm itching to get cracking on shifting it around to cover my budgets.

Trying to stay focused for the next 9 days until my exam. I've got some study leave from work and Mr Star is going to take Star child away for the day Sunday to give me some time and space to just get cracking. I'm so looking forward to not having the evil study imp sat on my shoulder. It's been a looooong time coming.

This weather is really helping lift my mood, as did finally getting back to my swim coach last night aftre a month off.

Come on pay day I'm ready and waiting.

enthusiasticsaver

Hi Starmummy and I am not surprised you are stressed with Mr Star working away and an exam pending. Glad the lovely weather we are enjoying has lifted your mood though and at least some of the money you were expecting has come in.

Hopefully once the exam is over you will feel less stressed.

natsplatnat

Starmummy wrote: »

Come on pay day I'm ready and waiting.

Oh, me too! x

DrSpendLittle

Starmummy wrote: »

My wages are sat in pending transactions in my account. I'm itching to get cracking on shifting it around to cover my budgets.

OMG I wish mine did that!!

Starmummy

Hi folks :j well didn't February just wizz by?
Things are looking ok...I say only ok as I had hoped to put more into savings, that's what the remaining £200 of expenses owed was supposed to be doing.

My Debt balance is now £11,445.81
I hope to get this into the £10k's this month.

Savings have barely increased at all and sit at £1,820.94

My new Net worth is -£9,624.87
So that has entered a new bracket. as you can see from below. I'm disappointed that this number has only moved £590 this month. I'd like to see it at almost double that. I did spend £300 on a weeks trip and I am short by £200 on income so that explains it, rather than it being poor budgeting or over spending.

30/01/2019 NET WORTH
Total debt = -£11,946.32
Total savings = £1,733.53
Net worth = -£10,212.79

Goals for March
*Get Debt into £10k's
*Get net worth up to the -£8ks
*Make up for February's lack of savings; £500 EF and £300 in Holiday savings for Easter trip
*Pass my final exam
*Read 2 books that aren't text books
*Continue with my low sugar diet
*Swim twice a week
*Give Mr Star a lovely birthday
*Sleep
*Relax :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I can't believe I've been keeping this diary for almost a year. I've never been able to stick at something like this before, quite possibly why I got into this debt mess in the first place.

Right I'm off to update my signature.

Enjoy the sunshine lovelies.
Take care
SM