Being called frugal is the best compliment

Dorisd

savingholmes said:

Let us know how you get on with Monzo. Enjoy your time off

Thanks SH, I had a restorative few days off back to work now. I’m quite enjoying the Monzo app so far. I have separated my spending as follows 
NW current ac - salary in , bills 
NTW savings ac1- emergency fund 
NW savings ac2 - sinking funds 
MZ new - normal spending, groceries 
I have cracked on with my exercise, getting house in order etc. It has been a speedy few days though 😊

savingholmes

Glad you had a break. Well done on the exercise too.

Dorisd

Back after a break of not posting, lockdown easing today so will take a trip to the charity shop, I know how to live!
All good on debt front, under 10k now and hoping to come in under budget this month so have more to Chuck at the debt. 

Monzo seems to be going well for me still and it really does help to keep grocery budget in check.
Some car expenses due this month but we have a £500 pot for that, no birthdays or events. Just need to make a decision about our flights booked for the summer. We moved them to 2022 last year but I don’t think we’ll get any real answers until next month.
We have spending money saved for this and I would like to get away but a tiny part of me thinks it would be nice to cancel and throw money at the debt so we can end the year debt free. That really would be cause for celebration 🎉 after everything.

Dorisd

New month and new me...the update.

• Work - I am still on flexi furlough for the time being, I have found this great for my mental health these past few months. It has also helped me to see that its not the work I dislike, it's my work environment (incl. some colleagues). So
•  I'm more determined than ever to make a move and really go for the OU degree I have been thinking about for 10 years!
• Finances - Still using Monzo, I have found it great for sinking funds/pots. I have gone a bit off track with spends with extra trips to the supermarkets, but last month got an online delivery which helped but must do better. On a side note I somehow one evening thought it would be a good idea to consolidate and applied and received a loan! I don't know why, after nearly 3 years of debt busting I should go off track like this. I have not spent the cash and I will return it as I am still within 14 days cooling off period. I have received a refund/rebate due to overcharging of water rates through my local authority over £900.  I can request a refund to my bank but it will take 30 days so I will just allocate my normal rent payment to debts. I have listed items for sale on FB market place but I seem to just attract timewasters who do not turn up. I can try posting but will need to change my listings. I have checked with RM  and just one item will cost 3x the selling price to post! Just waiting for this months salary to hit the bank so I can do the money shuffle. DH also got a pay rise last month which will be put into savings for car costs etc.
• Health - I am now a runner! I am almost finished the C25k (week 8) and I'm feeling good not just about running, but my health and the benefits of some me time out of the house. I have also received my second vaccination, I am feeling fine and the rest of my household have all got their first jabs. 
• Home - House is tidy, maybe not as 'clean' as I would like but we cant have everything, have not managed to paint the living room yet, bathroom is almost done. Bedrooms will be next. I think another clothes clear out will be in order though. All in all I can't complain. I have my health, a job, money in the bank and my family.

beanielou

Good to hear from you 

Dorisd

beanielou said:

Good to hear from you 

Thank you @beanielou, its good to be back posting, I was still about checking the boards.
Money shuffle mostly done and STUPID loan money sent back to where is came from.
Have managed to cash out from surveys to a total of £45 so far and waiting on another £25 from Sw@gbucks.
Had some bad health news about a relative today, but although it appears they have suffered a stroke they are on the mend and due out of hospital this week. I had only spoken to them last Monday and so glad I did, I was running at the time and don't usually answer my phone but something told me to.
Once again I'm grateful for all I have, even if to some it does not seem much.
I am also grateful to all the MSE forumites I read daily, I always come away with tips, tricks, dinner ideas and some strength to carry on the journey to debt freedom when I'm feeling low.

Dorisd

Almost 1 month since last update, lets see where I am now?

Mental health has taken a nose dive due to an incident at work, followed by communication issues with DH and more health issues with family members. I feel like I am always the one holding things together. But who holds me? I have continued with exercise and it makes me feel good, so I will continue. I don't go on the scales any more, its too depressing.

We've got our trip next month (green list & fully vaxxed) so I look forward to that, just getting away, out of our home which I feel like I have been looking at the same 4 walls for a year and half now. This should be the reset I need, just to rest my mind, no work, no cooking or boring house chores that grind you down. 

No more furlough for me, but I am working from home and I love it. Some of he anxiety and unhappiness I feel about my workplace is gone because I don't physically have to be there or interact with some colleagues.

Debt busting is continuing although not the big amounts as we are still holiday saving (extras like PCR tests, increase in car rental and travel insurance). I have been managing small PADs (rounding down) to CC1. Mostly stayed on budget with groceries this month, still £21 left in the pot. Payday is only 2 days away. Holiday is 18 days away 

Dorisd

Where to start?
So both DH and I are getting ready to leave our jobs, DH has something lined up and I’m still applying. All this has come about due to a toxic workplace. I decided my MH and physical health is more important that that horrible place. I had been feeling that I no longer belonged there for some time. I feel so much better. Meeting with bosses next week so will know more of what I will be doing. I may be able to take a few months of to get myself better, with no pressure of money worries.
All debts are now on 0% interest and I have £5k in savings. Money saved for Christmas, and there is some cash in the house that needs to be banked.
DD has yet to go back to Uni but is hoping for a better year as she will have face to face lectures. Step DS has started college and is loving it.
Due to the work situation we have put back house buying and me going to uni, I’m not too sad about this as it is something we can get started on next year.
Not much debt busting happening but it’s going down slowly.

Dorisd

Meeting with bosses went as well as can be expected and at the end of the month I'm out of there!
It all feels a bit scary to not have anything lined up, but I do have some emergency savings, all debt is now 0% interest and I'm getting what the American's call a 'severance packet'.
It feels as though a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I cant wait to get on with the rest of my life, just not sure what I will be doing

beanielou

As one door shuts another one opens