£29,303...Enough is enough!

savingholmes

Like that you are taking control of your life. Well done with your business venture.

WelshKitty85

Happy Mother's Day to all the mum's and mother figures. I'm having a much needed day off.  Things have been a little chaotic, but good chaos. The business launched a new Easter themed item and we've been completely overwhelmed with orders. So that's been taking up a lot of my 'days off'. 

My manager had said they're interested in my offer of working full time hours on a flexi basis and is waiting for approval from HR. I think my hours will increase from the start of April. I've booked some time off this week as the house is looking a bit neglected. I want to completely blitz it so that I can keep on top of it once my hours do increase.

DH had some free training this week (something he has wanted to do and would usually cost about £500). It was a good opportunity to add a new skill to his CV and hopefully increase his potential for getting more work.

I had my Covid vaccine this week. Not sure why I was offered it so soon as I don't have any major health conditions, but I went for it. I was quite poorly for 24 hours afterwards (shivering & aching) but fine again now. 

savingholmes

Glad you got the vaccine. Great news on the money front

WelshKitty85

It's my last day off today and I'm torn between using it to finish tidying the house, or taking DC3 for a walk by the river. I think the walk may win. As much as I want to have the house gleaming before my hours increase, I think we need to make the most of the good weather while it lasts. I've only got 2 days in work, then off again for the weekend, so may postpone some cleaning & tidying until then.

DC1 asked me to order some clothes for her a couple of days ago (she gave me the cash & I paid on my card) and I added a dress for myself into the order. I'm usually between sizes so ordered the larger of the 2. I was mortified when I tried it on and it was too tight! I had a bit of a meltdown about my appearance, but it was probably the kick up the bum I needed. We've eaten much healthier the last couple of days, and DH & I have started going for a walk in the evenings. I just need to stick to it now.

Money wise, things are going well. The business has been a little quieter, but to be honest it's given us the breathing space we needed to catch up. I'm going to send the dress back for a refund as the style isn't quite me anyway, but I could do with some new clothes. I've ripped my only paid of good jeans, and burnt the sleeve of DHs hoodie that I acquired to wear around the house. I'll see if I've got any old clothes that I can declutter & sell to make both space and money first.

savingholmes

Hope you find something that helps you feel special soon. I have shed loads of weight to lose - and this last year hasn't made that any better... I try to be comfortable in my own skin regardless - although I too am trying to eat more healthily.

WelshKitty85

Thank you @savingholmes. The priority is definitely to eat healthier. We've just been so busy lately that most meals have been 'X and chips'. We love things like stuffed peppers, which are really quick and easy. We just need to be more organised. 

I was a bit naughty and ordered some clothes last night. I'd planned to wait but saw a link somebody had shared with massive discounts. I've spent around £50 and ordered 4 dresses, a skirt, and 2 tops. I did manage to sell something on Fbook though for £15, so just need to list a few more things to make the money back. 

savingholmes

Clothes lift our spirits - as long as we don't go mad.

WelshKitty85

Happy Easter weekend everyone. I'm definitely in need of the break - work has been manic ( we have a team member off sick and another on maternity leave who hasn't been replaced) and the business has been really busy with Easter orders. We've got 1 order left to be collected today, then I'm hoping for a quiet weekend. Although, I'll probably log into work at some point as I've just got so much to do. I'm feeling slightly nervous about the business going forward. The last month or so has all been about Easter gifts, so I need to push something else to keep the momentum going. I'm thinking father's Day, and teacher gifts.

The sun is shining here today, although the temperature seems to have dropped, so we're hoping to get out for a nice walk. We've managed a walk pretty much everyday for the last fortnight and our meals have definitely been healthier. It's very slightly starting to show on the scales, but more than anything I'm hoping to feel healthier.

My new clothes arrived and I'm really happy with them. I was up in the loft room looking for some clothes that had been passed on for DC2 & I found a pair of jeans in my size. I don't remember ever owning them (I did ask DH if he'd been up there with another lady!) but they must be from before I got pregnant with DC3. Anyway, they fit great so that saves me buying any more. 

This week's grocery shop was more expensive than usual (over £70 instead of the usual £50-60) but I've treated us to a nice piece of lamb that should stretch to about 4 meals, and a few treats for the weekend. I need to be stricter going forwards though. We're doing ok financially, but I'd really like to start making more noticeable progress on both debt repayments and savings.

savingholmes

I am looking forward to some lamb tomorrow too. Great win on the jeans. 

WelshKitty85

I can't believe the long weekend is over already. We've managed to get out for a walk every day, do a small egg hunt at home for DC3, and see the in laws. We've had 2 business enquiries and, despite posting to say we were closed for the weekend, completed the orders to the value of £23. I didn't do any work for my 'proper job' though and I've really enjoyed the break from it. Unfortunately, it means I'll have to work extra hours for the rest of the week.

I slow cooked the lamb on Sunday and it was delicious. I stripped the bones & boiled them today to make a stew, which was equally as good. We still have a platter full of lamb to use up. I have a pasta dish and tagine on the menu & might freeze some to reheat for a roast next weekend. I think there'll still be a fair amount left after that though so need to look up some more lamb recipes.

We did a top up shop today to last til the weekend and, after using a £10 l!dl coupon, spent under £10. So that makes up for last week's expensive shop.

The budget's still looking good. We have around £650 in an easy access savings account to cover large expenses (car tax, insurance etc) or any shortfall in income. I've started every month since January expecting to have to dip into it. So far this year, we've not touched it, even after paying expenses such as car insurance - we've had enough additional income from the business to cover it. We just need to keep the momentum going.

MIL gave me some clothes over the weekend which she told me I was welcome to keep or sell. There was a nice denim skirt, and a summery jumpsuit (brand new, still with the tags on), but a couple of bits that aren't really me. She also said she's got loads more to give me. I'll find the time to sort through it all and photograph/list for sale anything I won't wear. Hopefully they'll bring a few extra pennies in.