Learning to live within my means

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks Siebrie!

My work definitely won’t pay for the passport, though they’re good on expenses generally. I have a work card I use for absolutely everything while I’m travelling and someone else reconciles the statement and submits the expense claim so there’s no temptation to leave off the odd cereal bar or tube journey. Having it done that way is such a relief, in previous jobs I used my personal card and did the claim myself and I’m sure there were loads of cups of coffee I didn’t get round to claiming back then.

I didn’t mention it here, but the paper mountain is (mostly) conquered! I got hold of a filing cabinet and in filling it sorted everything out. I still have a gigantic pile of papers that need shredded, but everything else is filed and sorted. It made me very happy getting that done

Siebrie

Well done on the filing!!!!!!

astrocytic_kitten

Sad news here, I lost my little girl cat a couple of days ago. Cancer. Her brother has only just stopped scouring the flat for her and I still can’t believe it. Feels stupid to be thinking about money now, but it’s also going to be expensive, we ended up at the vet hospital at 1am. I have insurance but there’s so much they don’t pay for when a pet dies.

I’m grateful I still have her brother. But what a year 2019 has been.

Chimi

So sorry for your loss, losing a pet is like losing a member of your family and must be very hard on you. Seeing you big hugs. x

StartingAgainAt29

I'm so sorry to hear this astrocytic kitten, please be kind to yourself and snuggle with her brother. Have a lovely Christmas xxx

astrocytic_kitten

Chimi wrote: »

So sorry for your loss, losing a pet is like losing a member of your family and must be very hard on you. Seeing you big hugs. x

StartingAgainAt29 wrote: »

I'm so sorry to hear this astrocytic kitten, please be kind to yourself and snuggle with her brother. Have a lovely Christmas xxx

Thanks both, appreciate the thoughts. Her brother is being pretty clingy which suits me just fine at the moment, we’re both clinging together I think. At least it’s a quiet time of year for work.

astrocytic_kitten

Not much to report here....struggling to find the energy to do much of anything. House is a mess and I’ve let my normal routine fall by the wayside. Need to get back into it, for my health if nothing else, but don’t want to do anything other than lie on the sofa and read. I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll be able to drag myself back to some kind of normality.

From my December pay I’ve put as much as I can aside to keep me going through the next couple of months, I’m aiming for £80 for groceries each month and no non-essential spends. Feels weird to not be putting the money to the debt, it’s the first time all year I’ve not made any overpayments. I keep wanting to throw everything I’ve put aside at it and get myself to 40% paid off by the end of the year. Need to hold my powder though, I’m not likely to be paid much at all next month.

On a positive note, have avoided all sale temptation. I actually really need some new underwear but can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on buying it. I’ve been toying with the idea of not buying any more new clothes in 2020. I certainly have enough to keep me going, but I don’t really believe I could manage a full year. It feels too big a challenge, if that makes sense - I’m wondering if I should keep it to 6 months, or one in 2 out, or be cash neutral and only buy clothes from eBay and survey income...

StartingAgainAt29

Hi astrocytic, sounds like you're being very sensible which is good. I know what you mean re: clothes, I don't have loads but this year I really want to be more conscious about my purchases so I'm challenging myself to only buy things second hand (apart from underwear and maybe shoes as I have weird feet ).

Honeysucklelou2

Sorry to read about your cat...

Well done on the debt reduction thus far.

in_need_of_direction

I applaud your restraint on clothes buying but sometimes underwear is a necessity rather than an indulgence