A diary about debt, dilemmas and a dog

Choccygirl123

Hi Annie

I know what you mean about the soup being bland. I normally make the hairy bikers butternut soup which has onion and carrot in too. Plenty of sea salt and black pepper and it's tasty. It's even better with some smoked bacon lardons thrown on the top.

Good luck with the present on Monday x

Hangovers are the worst! I've been on heavy painkillers since start of august and am off the booze as they don't mix. I feel so much better, skin nicer, I've lost weight and saved a fortune. I've missed it, but am now at the point just not bothered. Hubby has cut down too and only has a small tin or bottle every few days. No doubt Christmas will get in the way, but Im enjoying being booze free at the minute.

AnnieG

Thanks! I did put onion, cumin and salt and pepper in but it just doesn't taste of anything. I don't eat meat so I'll give the bacon a miss, I did think of making some cheesy croutons. Or chucking it away!!
I'm trying to drink as little as possible, I really need to lose some weight so hope it helps with that. I just need to remember not to replace it with chocolate ����

AnnieG

I've had a busy week. I went down to Devon last weekend as I had a job interview on Monday. I haven't heard back from them yet so am assuming that I was unsuccessful. However, last Tuesday I was thinking about a job that I'd applied to but hadn't heard from the company and I could see that they were still advertising the job. I have nothing to lose so sent an email following up and received a fairly immediate reply saying that they had emailed me on 4 October inviting me for interview, but I hadn't received the email. Fortunately they offered me another appointment so I had an interview there on Thursday, then an informal meeting with the COO on Friday. I now have a final interview with the CEO and COO on Tuesday.... it's only a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave but would get some money coming in. Fingers crossed! I'm now trying to get a presentation together whilst cuddling the dog who doesn't like the fireworks... he goes nuts and barks every time her hears a bang.

I can't really assess my financial situation until I know what the job situation is... I'm trying to spend as little as possible, but I'll be enormously relieved when I get a job as it's really quite worrying. My mum used to work at the CAB and said that if I apply for Universal Credit I need to be prepared to be sanctioned because I left my job in Vietnam. I have no idea how these things work but hopefully it won't come to that and I'll have a job shortly.

Next week I have my son's passing out parade, he's just finishing his basic training in the RAF. My mum insisted on paying for a hotel for me so I can go up the night before and take him for dinner. It's so kind of her but I insisted that it's a loan and I'll pay her back when I'm earning.

Right, doggy has fallen asleep, I'll have a look at this presentation.

beanielou

Hope all goes well.

AnnieG

I just had a rejection from one of the jobs I was hoping to secure. I'm now really starting to panic, there's one more in the pipeline but if I don't get that it's probably going to be January before the market picks up, by which time I'm going to be starting to have financial difficulties. Fingers crossed for good news soon.

I'm trying not to spend any money in the meantime, it's quite hard, especially as my natural reaction to stress is to drink wine and binge, so I'm trying very hard to stay away from the shops.

AnnieG

2 weeks later, I still have no job and feel like I'm running out of options, there isn't much at my level around. I've seen a job back in Asia that I like the look of but I have no idea how competitive the process will be for it. I'll apply anyway and see what happens.

As there doesn't seem to be any work on the horizon I'm going to try and use my time to increase my fitness levels, do will get back to the couch to 5k running programme tomorrow and am going to Bootcamp tonight asbive paid for membership for this month.

I've suffered from depression in the past and still take medication, I really don't want this spell of unemployment to damage my mental well-being as well as my savings account.

I'm off to do a freezer and cupboard inventory... there's not much there, I haven't built my stocks up in the 6 weeks I've been back. I'm trying to keep to a plant based diet, to benefit my waistline and also because it's cheap.

Trying to keep my chin up...!!

CCW007

Hang in there x

AnnieG

Today I've been trying to be proactive. I saw a job advertised with a company I'm familiar with, and know that the vacancy has come about because of an internal promotion, so I emailed them and offered my services on an interim basis while they recruit. I'll apply for the permanent post but figured I had nothing to lose by asking.
I've also followed up on an application I sent off last week and the agency promised to get feedback from the company ASAP, and I also applied for a temp role at M&S over Christmas. It's not what I wanted to be doing but if it pays some bills then it's all good.
Other than that, lots of dog walks, a trip to pets at home for a massive bag of dog food and I spent the rest of the day in front of the telly. Bootcamp tonight. I can't believe it's Wednesday night already!!

AnnieG

So, I got the temp job at M&S. It's only for a few weeks but that's fine, I've got an interview on Friday for a HR job which I what I'm trained and experienced in, and am waiting to hear if I'm shortlisted for 2 other roles.

Reflecting on things, I'm still very sad to be back in the UK even though I do love being with my dog. I can't quite accept however that this is my life, and I want to get back out there in the wide world. I've applied for 2 expat jobs and am thinking about another that I'm not sure about. I don't know what it is that I'm chasing, but I'm very unsettled and I don't know what will make me happy but I'm not sure that it's a 9-5 here and the daily grind.
I don't think it helps that I'm lonely, and Christmas time is always difficult for me.

Anyway, I'm trying to set some goals. They have to be small and easily achievable because otherwise I'll just think oh I'll never manage that and won't even try. So, for this week.....
3 fitness classes
At least 4 days alcohol free
Eat from my cupboards and freezer as much as possible ( I know that's a bit vague)

I'm off to watch Dr Who and the Strictly result... have resisted the online spoilers this week!

117pauline

This too shall pass

It sounds as though you are having a really tough time at the moment so I will try to find some positives in case you need reminding:

Alcohol - you identified you drank too much and have taken steps to reduce it. It would be easy to lose yourself in drink

Fitness - you are doing things which will help both your physical and emotional wellbeing

Employment - still looking for work and getting part time role may not be your perfect job but you are doing it anyway

You are still trying!!

Know Yourself - you know you need short term goals which will increase the wins; you know you find Christmas difficult (so do I!)

Perhaps if you posted more often, you might find some more support in this caring virtual world

Take care, I will be thinking of you
Pauline