Focus, Action & Consistency is the Key!

MuffinTops · 12 March 2019 at 6:23PM

My weekend was very quiet, although I did meet a friend for lunch where it was my turn to pay. All in budget and a good value place. Diesel will need a top up though as I only have £25 left in that pot and lots of driving to do this month.

I have a few birthdays to buy gifts for this month but seem to be doing well keeping that in budget. Not easy for me as I tend to go a bit mad. The test will be this weekend as it's my Mum's birthday and I'm visiting her so that could become expensive if she wants to stop and eat at lots of places. She's generous with me though so I don't want to put any restrictions on her.

I shouldn't spend anything leading up to the weekend as I'm only out this evening for an hour which will only involve a quick drink. I'm also out on Thursday but I'm off to see a show that was paid for last year, so shouldn't require any more spending.

I'm getting desperate to arrange some work on the house but need to be patient. Once my debt is paid, which should be in April's salary, then I can save for holiday spends and house refurbs. I don't want to get into debt for it, not even on an interest free credit card. The house just looks so drab and tired though!

Lots of meetings at work this week in my bid to transfer to a more suitable department for myself. I've also arranged to work in their area just to start getting information on what they do and how they work. Probably a bit of an aggressive approach but I'm not getting anywhere just sitting at my desk and waiting for things to sort themselves out by themselves and I need to get busy again.

I popped out to lunch today during the wind and rain, and got soaked through. I'm wearing boots and had a huge mac on and it still didn't offer complete weather protection! I'm hoping this doesn't keep up for long!

MTx

another_casualty · 13 March 2019 at 6:33PM

MuffinTops wrote: »

My weekend was very quiet, although I did meet a friend for lunch where it was my turn to pay. All in budget and a good value place. Diesel will need a top up though as I only have £25 left in that pot and lots of driving to do this month.

I have a few birthdays to buy gifts for this month but seem to be doing well keeping that in budget. Not easy for me as I tend to go a bit mad. The test will be this weekend as it's my Mum's birthday and I'm visiting her so that could become expensive if she wants to stop and eat at lots of places. She's generous with me though so I don't want to put any restrictions on her.

I shouldn't spend anything leading up to the weekend as I'm only out this evening for an hour which will only involve a quick drink. I'm also out on Thursday but I'm off to see a show that was paid for last year, so shouldn't require any more spending.

I'm getting desperate to arrange some work on the house but need to be patient. Once my debt is paid, which should be in April's salary, then I can save for holiday spends and house refurbs. I don't want to get into debt for it, not even on an interest free credit card. The house just looks so drab and tired though!

Lots of meetings at work this week in my bid to transfer to a more suitable department for myself. I've also arranged to work in their area just to start getting information on what they do and how they work. Probably a bit of an aggressive approach but I'm not getting anywhere just sitting at my desk and waiting for things to sort themselves out by themselves and I need to get busy again.

I popped out to lunch today during the wind and rain, and got soaked through. I'm wearing boots and had a huge mac on and it still didn't offer complete weather protection! I'm hoping this doesn't keep up for long!

MTx

Mum come first

The rest can wait .
You'll probably be looking at this in a shelter from the rain . Well, it is forcast . The good news is your working week is almost over.

Regarding the house , is it an idea to stand in one room and write down everything that needs doing . Then repeat . In a way that's therapeutic as it's something to look forward to . In another it's annoying due to funds etc .
It's good to see that you are trying to get involved in the job side of things . In a way , you will eventually find out what the people are like and that may help you in your thoughts about may time ?
You've got lots going on muffintops. Keep going and all will be well..

MuffinTops · 19 March 2019 at 9:32AM

Thanks AC. You made some good points, as always. Mum's birthday was the priority and she had a lovely time. As expected, I spent way too much but not a huge deal.

With the rooms in my house, I'm nervous about writing out a list as I think there would be so much to do. Maybe I'll pop a piece of paper in each room and just add to it as I go along.

I think we now have some good weather forecast for this week?

MuffinTops · 19 March 2019 at 10:00AM

Not much to report. I still need to go through YNAB and update that after my spendy weekend, but I've not had a moment to myself to do that for a few days. That'll happen either tomorrow or Thursday.

I had a letter from the freeholders of the driveway next to my house and they're allowing me access as long as I live there, but needs to be closed off when I move. It's odd because there are 3 other properties who use that drive. 2 of those could be part of their freehold, but the other one isn't. I don't want it to cause me any issue when I move and that area can no longer be a parking space. I may just need to be a bit creative in what to do down there to make the loss of parking space not matter.

I went to see Waitress last night. It was a Christmas gift to me from a friend and there were 4 of us who went. It was ok, made great by the company and the seat upgrade, but nothing special. But it meant that I got home just after midnight and then had to be up this morning at 5am! I am not feeling it today!

The rest of the month will be mostly spent coasting through to avoid spending any more money!

another_casualty · 19 March 2019 at 8:53PM

Well, the weather is going to be more settled and warmer over the coming days. Not so sunny , but warmer. Brighter mornings also.
Also, the clocks go forward in less than 2 weeks . So lots to look forward to .
Regarding the driveway issue, did the freeholders give a concrete or vague reason about their decision ? I was thinking that if you did decide to move , then it may not matter too much if the potential buyers either really like your home or really like it and don't drive.
Maybe a question from your solicitor at the time may clarify things . Maybe the freeholders want some cash ? Anyway best of luck with whatever happens MT.
Glad you had a great time with your mum. Have a good week..

MuffinTops · 20 March 2019 at 8:43AM

Thanks for that AC. I think you're probably right too, to just leave it until it comes to selling and seeing if anything can be done then. I have made the front garden into a driveway so they would have somewhere to park that's off the road.

MuffinTops · 20 March 2019 at 8:47AM

YNAB has now been updated. A bit eye watering and a lot of shuffling around, but no more big birthdays for a while. Next month is going to be really tough as all of my car expenses are due and I have a couple of friend's birthdays in there too. Best get creative on the birthday gifts now.

Have a big meeting today with the top boss of my department to ask for more work and to be integrated into the department that suits me better than the one I'm currently in. Their definition of job descriptions is so different to ours that I just don't suit the job title I have and therefore the department I'm feeling stuck in. I think I'd best print off my CV so I have my information to hand when it comes to justifying things.

Other than that, I'm trying to keep a low profile when it comes to doing much so nothing else to report. Happy Hump Day!

MTx