Learning to live within my means

StartingAgainAt29

I hope you're doing ok @astrocytic_kitten x

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks for checking in @StartingAgainAt29. I’m not doing too well, lost my boy cat and now the flat feels so empty and all the stress and grief is causing an illness flare up on top of everything else, which makes me miss how him and his sister always used to just lie next to me when I was ill and that silent support helped me through it. I just want a hug, but can’t have one with social distancing and my underlying conditions meaning I need to isolate as much as possible. I haven’t been keeping up with diaries or doing anything really other than lying in a fog listening to the radio. Did manage to make myself eat a proper meal today, and did the dishes afterwards, so there’s small progress being made. I will come out of this, and I know I’ll get through it, and I have lots and lots of support from friends and family... but at the moment it’s just horrible. I miss him so much, and I never realised how much of a buffer against isolation and loneliness he was. He was always ready with a cuddle.

I did change home insurance and internet providers before all this happened, I can’t remember how much money I’ve saved a month but I think 20-ish. I feel like I’ve been waiting months and months to change broadband providers so glad that’s done.

StartingAgainAt29

@astrocytic_kitten I am so sorry. I can only imagine what you are going through. Well done for eating today, and being able to make financial savings under the circumstances is nothing short of amazing. Your boy is at peace now. I'm sure he was very grateful for the life he had with you. I'm sending a virtual hug. You take as much time as you need to process this, the world certainly isn't going anywhere xx

astrocytic_kitten

Whew, well it’s been quite a while since I updated. @StartingAgainAt29 thank you so much for the kind words, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you.

I’m still feeling quite down, and dealing with continued illness flare up and lots of work stress too. Trying not to lose sight of me being lucky to have a job and income in these times...money-wise, I haven’t sorted out my totals yet. I spent £250 on a painting which I have no justification for 😬 and food will be higher than normal. I’ve had to get some local deliveries of eggs, bread, fruit etc from cafes when I haven't been able to get supermarket delivery slots. Amazing quality stuff but loads more expensive than I’d normally spend, though it’s good to support local businesses. Also, selfishly, I want to still be able to go to my favourite cafe once this is over (and also once I manage to double the distance I can walk). Spent about a tenner on kindle books in the past month too. And bought some skincare stuff that isn’t strictly a necessity, with the aim of getting rid of a patch of melasma on my face. So...yeah, not the most frugal couple of months. I haven’t increased the debt, have managed to pay for it all with pot shuffling, so one pot now needs built up again.

Good news however on the money front is that I’m getting a £3k bonus which I’m going to put to the debt. Strictly speaking putting it into savings would be most sensible, but the thought of getting to 4 figures has grabbed hold of me and won’t let go! I remember the awful sick feeling of realising it had gone over 4 figures on the way up, and can’t wait to pass it on the way down again. The money is a real surprise, I wasn’t expecting a bonus this year so I’m feeling very lucky. 

Right, off to read some diaries!

astrocytic_kitten

Finding it hard to get back into the swing of the forums, but want to make an effort to. Bonus has been paid - I had last minute cold feet about putting it all to debt and split it between savings and debt in the end, so I now have 3 months living expenses saved. There’s a target that seemed totally out of reach at the start of the year! And I should reach 4 figures for the debt in August now, so not so far away. I’m now over 50% paid off too!

Thought I’d feel much safer and more secure once I’d hit my savings target but I don’t, oddly - 3 months doesn’t seem nearly enough in the current situation. I think that’s probably a red herring though and it’s more to do with me, something tells me I could win the lottery and still not feel financially secure. Definitely something to do some thinking on.

Have managed to get a grip on spending since my last post thankfully 😅 I’ve also started a couple of savings targets in ynab for some things I’ll need to buy for the flat, but that I can hopefully put off till next year and save for gradually rather than decide I need them all right now. 

I’ve still been quite stressed and down lately but tentatively hopeful I’m starting to come out of it. Dug out my summer clothes this week, and have started putting lipstick on for work calls. Turns out a red one I love but hardly ever wear because it seems too full on for work is great on a video conference 😂 

astrocytic_kitten

Well I’ve learned my lesson about not updating totals before everything clears 😂 Had made the payment when I posted last time and there were no error messages or anything, but my loan is with a credit union and turns out there’s a £500 payment limit per month due to current events (I don’t understand why) so I can’t make the full overpayment. I’ve popped the money in a separate account and change my mind every 3 days about whether it should go to savings or debt. Very much a first world problem!

I’ve been really stressed lately but have just signed up for a move gb £1 trial and I’m planning on a daily live-streamed relaxing yoga class. I’ve been trying apps and doing at home yoga but I struggle with consistency especially when I’m feeling tired and overwhelmed, the plan is that having a scheduled class to attend (and being charged if I don’t!) will force me into it.

In good news, a plant I’ve had for a couple of years that’s never really grown is absolutely flourishing this year after I put it on a windowsill that gets direct sun. All the care guides for it say indirect light is best, but this particular plant seems to be a sun worshiper - it’s grown about 5 times it’s size this year.

StartingAgainAt29

Hi @astrocytic_kitten! I do zoom yoga and it definitely is motivating to know you have to join at a certain time! Doing it from home is nice too because if you need to dip out for any reason you can do so with no judgement. Love that the red lipstick is getting an outing! Have a good week

redofromstart

So sorry to read about your boy cat.  

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks @redofromstart, I still miss the wee guy so much. Home just isn’t the same without him.
@StartingAgainAt29 I’m loving the classes for just that reason, it’s so much easier to listen to my body and rest when I need to at home. I’ve also slept really well for the past couple of nights.

girlatplay

I also have a plant which has grown loads in the past few months.  Also told it doesn't like direct sunlight but since moving it to the dining table where it gets about an hour of direct sunlight at the end of each day, it is flourishing.  I'm going to have to think about repotting it.  I've had it 8 years and it's never been this stunning.