Doing up the House (and me) while doing away with the Debt

supersaver1000

Oh greenbee that is a lot of travel.  DH used to work away during the week, so weekends home were a blur of trying to get the washing done ready for the Sunday evening train.  Enjoy your time off from travelling - I wish I knew when working from home will end, as I feel like I don't want to get too settled in case it all suddenly changes.  I don't think it will and I'm not sure when normal will return - the papers were talking about not even being able to try clothes on in the shops.  Losing a bit of weight is giving me the urge to buy a new bra, so I'm not sure how that will work out.  I usually try on about 20 to get to the right one.  I've got hair appointments, eye tests and chiropractic appointments booked in May - I'm not holding out much hope - at least I won't be able to see how bad my hair is

supersaver1000

Found this amazing bra fitting website with info about what to do when you are in the middle of losing weight too!  https://www.brafittingsbycourt.com/blog-1/2014/04/weight-loss-and-bra-buying-and-makeover.html  As a result I remembered I'd got a lacy stretch one in the cupboard that I bought to go under a scrappy summer dress last year.  Fits a treat and is sooo comfy.  I've also gone online and ordered a couple of the Wacoal items she recommends and I think these will definitely see me through until we can get back into the shops.  Looking forward to using the information on the website to finally buy myself a bra that fits my shape - really useful information about cupsize and that having a band size too big can cause the straps to fall off your shoulders as they are too wide apart!!  All hail the tinterweb!!

greenbee

Ooh... thanks for that. I definitely need new bras as mine have a LOT of space in them at the moment! But don't want to get new ones without having them properly fitted.

supersaver1000

Ordered one of the Wacoal ones from the Bay of E, really recommended.  I'm thinking of getting another - very similar to this one but about half the price:  https://www.figleaves.com/uk/wacoal-halo-lace-soft-cup-bra/WC-006571.html

supersaver1000

So, this morning I have been indulging in my new hobby which is trying on all the clothes in my wardrobe.  First its trying all the ones on the 'too small' shelf.  Woohoo - have put about 5 items back in my wardrobe and some are getting closer to fitting.  Then I tried on the things in my wardrobe and quite a few things are starting to feel a bit loose.  A couple of items were definitely too big and have gone to the CS bag, but I feel in the middle of the two sizes at the moment so will give it another week or two before I start ditching more - have to do this though because my wardrobe is full to bursting now.  Exciting!!  I was feeling a little concerned because I've only just sorted out my wardrobe - as in I felt I had actually got clothes to wear rather than a full wardrobe of nothing that I liked or that fitted.  But its actually fine because I have quite a few of my too small clothes which will start to fit and so I won't be short.  In fact I prefer my too small clothes so it doesn't matter if I have less of them (and better as will be less to move).  The only thing I am short of is shoes, but I'm not really short of those as I'm wearing either trainers, slippers or flip-flops at the moment.  I am hopeful of getting an interview some time in the near/far future so I must think about that - but could always borrow from DD.  I really want to follow the capsule wardrobe going forward, so I only have things I like and few of them.  And it helps I'm following the fashion on the ration thread which makes me think twice before purchasing something in the sale cos its cheap but will never wear.

supersaver1000

Really not sure where the weekend goes these days.  Might be because my job seems rather dull and boring and I am really not enthusiastic about getting back into it on Monday morning.  I can't be ungrateful especially in these uncertain times because it is a steady job but I'm longing to have something I feel a bit more passion for.  But on the other hand, more than once I've ended up with too much being dumped on me and feeling majorly stressed out.  Going to keep on keeping on - I have lots keeping me busy at the moment.  Will work towards either a) a more interesting job or b) a sideline all of my own (who knows what yet, but its one thought).  Or my favourite c) a more interesting job and a sideline all of my own  Aiming high!!

I think I have a four day week/three day weekend coming up and my aims for this week are to keep positive, keep exercising, keeping eating well, be kind and encouraging to others, and keep making progress with the decluttering.  There seem to be so many temptations not to, so I need to be on the alert - its only 4 days worth after all!

supersaver1000

So the four day week has been and gone.  I'm feeling a bit more positive about work - and I am so grateful to have a steady job.  I was reading something this morning about looking at obstacles and challenges as opportunities to grow.  That is so true - just how am I going to tackle this - I need a plan of action as I just forget about everything except the target when I have a plan.  The other thing I read was to stop framing old situations as something bad that happened to you, it happened and you learn from it and move on.  

I don't know about everyone else but even though it was  4 day week today I was flippin exhausted.  All this exercising, working, cooking healthily, trying to declutter added together with the stress we are all under from just trying to get the shopping etc. is really wearing me out.  Thank goodness for 3 days off.  Of course I will still be exercising and shopping but at least there will be times for rest.  I do like some time completely alone to regenerate and I think I may be missing that a little.  Its lovely to have family around you, but some time to disengage from everything would be very welcomed. I think I need to try and do some meditation tomorrow aka just lying around thinking nothing

supersaver1000

I've had to do a little rejigging today as I really don't want to start dipping into the savings.  I used up £20 in nectar points for shopping this week - they were intended for the xmas saves, but needs must and I will make it up later on.  I've also dipped into the starter emergency fund to the tune of £20, but I'm not too concerned about that as another £200 will be headed that way in June and will bring it up to the £1000 total.  Its all in the name of keeping a lid on spending - I know if I start dipping into the savings that you take the lid off, and then where does it end.

I have more energy this week.  I was feeling a bit achey after all the exercising and just the tension of the current Covid situation, so I treated myself to a long hot bubble bath and the aches melted away.  I must do that more often.  Still exercising, weight is kind of plateauing, but I'm trying to keep my eye on the long-term goal which is to be healthier and fit.  My clothes are starting to feel a little baggy but there is still more to go so that I can get into my 'too small' clothes and finally declutter the size 16s in full.  Also feeling more positive about work.  I have a reasonably well paid safe job, that I am grateful for.  I'm going to put my energies into being my best, while waiting for any new opportunities that come along.  

supersaver1000

I think the size 16s will be coming with me on the move.  It would have been nice to be able to ditch them beforehand, but I'm not quite at the stage of moving into my old 14s, and anyway with Covid and charity shops being closed there would be nowhere to take them.  Well at least I have my target to work on.  

Its good to be heading for the next stage i.e. no debt and a £1k emergency fund by the end of the month.  I think the next step is to have about 6 months of bills money saved for an emergency fund.  That will be the step for after moving, although I'm sure there will be things DH thinks we urgently need, whereas I am happy to live as we are and save for things.  Definitely not going into debt though!  That's well and truly behind us  

Edit - just looking back at my 4 March post and I seem to have achieved almost all my targets.  That's really satisfying to think that in 2.5 months I've made a lot of progress and that things are getting lots better.  Having the space and time from not travelling to work has actually helped with time and energy.

supersaver1000

Strange to think that I reached my earlier targets almost without consciously trying to.  I think its because I had set the course and was just following it, rather than thinking about the end result all the time.  DH has been paid, so I have been planning the June budget.  £200 to the emergency fund, means the starter fund emergency target will be reached.  I've used a little of the Xmas funds for shopping, but there is plenty of time to catch up.  I also managed to cancel a direct debit that was no longer needed and reduced one of the utility bill directs debits by almost a half.  I'm hoping to lose at least another 1lb this week, but it is much slower going than I anticipated.  Its hard to exercise and diet and use the weights, plus working full-time and all these weird stressful shopping trips.  And it feels like there isn't much me time or time away from the home.  Although I have to say that there are some positives, in that there is time to exercise and think about diet and to do a bit more walking and talking with the family.  I definitely need to focus on what I can do at the moment, which is look after my health and do some reading and studying.  Opportunities will come, but in the meantime I should push on, make the most of this slowish time and not give in too easily.  We're all in some kind of weird suspension at the moment and who knows how long it will last.

It feels like there is a lot of clutter around the house at the moment, so this weekend will be a tidy up time.  Clutter seems to breed clutter although it is difficult as we are in slight suspension with moving and also with Covid.  My plan in the new house is to be ultra tidy, so let's start this weekend as we mean to go on.  The thought of moving is daunting and unsettling, but the thought of being settled in our new home is lovely so I need to focus on that