taking responsibilty to get me where I want to be

efes_shareholder

A few days since the last update.

Work has been ridiculously busy but I guess in current climate we should be glad - Glad to be pretty much WFH through the gloomy weather and glad to be free of the never ending January

Have been in the gym every morning this week including a 5am start this morning , our gym has extended its hours just as we are looking to leave , it appears to have done so on the back of the local body building gym closing - there are lots and lots of new customers.

Asda shop coming today with another £10 off shop , keeping them up as they are issuing a fresh voucher after every shop. Trying my best to eat as healthy as possible , we have had chilli , carribean curry , beef stew so far this week and will have chicken/chorizo rice this evening.

Have intended to try and keep spends down and just stick to food this month however I have spent £50 on a statement lamp for my kallax unit in my lounge as it felt like the room was just missing something. It does feel much more homely now - only taken 3 years.

Money isnt looking too terrible , I forgot the pin of my c/card whilst away so that means until I call and unblock the card I can't spend on it which isnt such a terrible thing.

i will unlock it soon as i need to process my passport renewal and my new gym membership and another months grace gives me another month to accumulate the money without dipping in to savings.

efes_shareholder

monday again ! already…………………………………..

day 8 in the gym today - although i got interupted by a call from my boss to say we have to go back in the office F/time for a short period………….not overly impressed by this but I've had a good run so I can't really complain.

It may change after 4 - 6 weeks but who knows . I'm already looking at ways to dodge it

Had a lovely weekend , the counselling sessions are really helping me make sense of my emotions and feelings so for now I will carry on . I have commited to once a fortnight and for as long as I find it helpful I will carry on , maybe dropping down to 1 a month when I feel I no longer need them.

Had a spendy weekend , purchased the new dining room chairs and did a costco trip - around £500 in total but I wont need bottled water , cheese , washing pods , coffee , coconut water , herbs etc for the foreseeable

it always helps to go to costco with a list.

Yesterday my daughter visited and my GS arrived wearing a big brother T shirt - I am to be a nanny again with a new arrival due late August which is lovely news and news I am very happy about.

MC has finally paid the tax bill , a whopping 10k from his nest egg - his dad nearly fell over. I am still not enthralled by him but am learning to view it as " not my car crash" and accept that I do not have to LIKE him!!!

Newstartforme

Lovely news regarding new grandchild ES . Glad the counselling is helping you . My goodness 10 grand ! MC could probably have paid that over a few months and not missed it . I am a Costco fan also and really believe it cuts your weekly shop bills quite a bit but yes a list sounds like a plan ! Xx

efes_shareholder

well managed 9 days in the gym before life took over and the roll had to stop

We have still managed every other day so hopefully a new routine is forming - its been tough to stick too as life takes over.s a win.

Trialling Gousto this week , got a half price offer at £22 for 3 meals for 3 ( always found hello fresh portions a bit tight) which has actually left plenty for a lunch portion - also got £18.75 cashback on quidco so it was silly not to give it a go. Did the lasagne last night , not really impressed so hopefully it improves - will do a 2nd box next week at 40% discount and then cancel the plan.

Dining chairs ended up being a complete ball ache as they would not tuck under the table so we needed to do a 2 hour round trip to exchange them for a suitable set - they off course cost more money but I think looked better then the original purchase so I guess its a win

Had a quidco payment of £34 which I have sent to natwest to make an extra additional mortgage payment.

Not much has been happening other then gym and work and the excitement of new baby news. I looked after the GS on saturday and had a lovely time with him , he really is a bundle of cuteness and his personality is starting to shine through , this did mean no valentines plans with NM so we just had an asda meal deal on sunday instead although I did off course get flowers !!!

Have renewed the house insurance at the same cost as this year but with accidental buildings and not just contents so happy about this

Love that february is a short month , its now only 11 days until payday!!

efes_shareholder

3 days to payday

I have £500 in my current account and as the chip has broken on my c/card and I am still awaiting a new one I have little on the everyday spends card and these have been leaving the current account instead.

Counselling is going well , I feel like it resets my nervous system and stops me overthinking and putting thought in to scenerios where it is not required.

I do not have a car for the next session so will skip this one as being back in the office gives fewer oppurtunities to go during the day.

on the subject of cars , it looks likely that we will be replacing our convertible - it is 16 year olds but low mileage at only 70k miles and in great nic , its just not pratical. The seating position is low , its just 3 doors and its impossible to get a passenger behind NM , boot space is limited and there is no chance of transporting any baby seats for the grandkids in the back.

NM got a lump sum from his council pension and has ear marked some of this for a new car so tomorrow we are looking at a BMW X1 , it looks like a lovely car. We are pretty sure we want an SUV type vehicle but still want to try and retain a bit of kerb appeal. the plan is that once the trusty old diesel volvo which we use as a run around needs a repair , mot or insurance renewal it will be on its way too.

NM has given me the job of sourcing the vehicle , he loves BMW's but I'm also keeping my eye on VW , honda , toyota , volvo and potentially mazda , good news in we are in no rush

This weekend we will be joining the new gym ( need to prepare myself for a big up front spend) , we have a friends birthday on saturday evening and then either a day of relaxing or a trip to norfolk to visit a family member in hospital.

Had a gousto delivery yesterday but as its now only 20% off I have cancelled the subscription , have a £15 off asda shop tonight and will have no more shopping spends for as long as possible although we are low on rice so need to get to the world food shop and buy a big bag.

Dinner tonight is lamb and sweet potato tagine and i have my gym kit with me so straight from work

The nictotine has snuck back in …………big confession as this is in secret - its not much but its enough and I am only letting myself in

Humdinger1

All looking good @efes_shareholder! Keep going love Humdinger xx

efes_shareholder

quick update whilst i wait to leave the office - day 4 of being back for the forseeable , not enjoying it and its really thwarted me on a personal level as cooking / gym and in fact every part of my routine is needing to be adjusted.

NM has bought a new car - waiting on collection and now is working 2 days a week for a local repair shop collecting courtesy cars - its simple and local and perfect for him

been a spendy few weeks with another set of holiday flights books but ultimately it means a cheap week away now its paid as i only need to pay air fare.

Newstartforme

Hi ES , is the move back to the office permanent ? I would hate that as you get so used to being able to do small jobs on breaks that would otherwise have to wait until you get home , hopefully management will have a rethink . We'll done on new car , future holidays and NM new job xx

efes_shareholder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911533#Comment_81911533

we havent been in that much and my boss has been pulled by his absence - so he has reacted by getting us all back in full time

he says its just for a couple of months - and we will go on a 3 days a week rota in June but I hope its before that , its really affected the work / life balance and I am shattered at the end of the day

efes_shareholder

money has taken a bit of a hit this month but cupboards and well stocked and I need to not worry about shopping until this is not the case.

have 2 birthdays this month - the GS is 2 and my MC 30 so thats a considerable expense - should still be quite acheivable to get through to the next pay day still in the black

We have a buyer coming for the convertible on friday , new car will be collected but is currently having an outstanding recall carried out and we are waiting on it coming back - its no rush as we still have the 2nd car but it may mean sacraficing my parking space for a while.

I've missed the counselling sessions - the next one is the 20th - it gives me space to unload without projecting it at people.

Still in the office , boss says it will be reviewed end of the month but they are changing lots of processes - I'm shattered and its really affected my routine.

I won't be as fortunate as only doing one day a fortnight but I dont mind the 2-3 day a week he is proposing as anything is better then 5 days in !!!!!