Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Trying to start August with a more positive update.

I've set up a new savings pot on my Cha$e account for the holiday, although we do save for holidays each month I'm going to use some free money to pay towards it too. I've not really tracked free £ recently so this seems like a good focus. Checked all my usual sources today and as a combination of interest earned, Pro!ific cashout, and a £5 M!crosoft rewards voucher the pot has £28.41 to start it off.

Also weighed myself for the first time since June and I've lost half a stone which is good on one hand but also not great as I know it's a direct result of the anxiety affecting my appetite - balance definitely required. Using the H£adspace app, journalling and just slowing down a little all seem to be helping, need to keep these going when I start back at work.

The weather continues to be dreary here as has been the case the last few weeks but managed to get the children out to an an adventure playground a few miles away today. Came home very wet and muddy but fun had by all, we always feel better for being outdoors despite the weather. When we got home we threw all our soggy clothes in the washer and then we all had a shower and got into our fluffy pyjamas, you'd think it was autumn!

We've confirmed with the builder that the terracing of the garden will be done some time next month, we've agreed the finer details of what we want done so he can just come and go as and when he can fit us in around other jobs. We know him (friend of a friend) and he's been reliable getting everything else done so fine to wait, we'll enjoy a bit of extra interest on the savings in the mean time. Just waiting on the invoice for the work he's done recently.

New broadband account went live yesterday, so far so good, just had to spend a chunk of time changing the wifi settings on our devices today which was a bit of a pain but worth it for reduced bills and a bit of cashback all being well.

DH's car is booked in the garage for a service and to check a slight issue with the brakes, MOT due at the end of the month so want to ensure all niggly jobs are sorted before then.

Here's wishing everyone well for August x

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Sounds like you've been busy, hope you're enjoying the summer hols so far.  I find them a mixed bag, lovely to spend time with the children and not have school runs etc to do... but 6-7 weeks is a long time
Fingers crossed for your change in hours being accepted

savingholmes

Well done on achieving so much despite feeling on the floor.

I like your August goals. You are important. Your health and wellbeing is a priority.

DancingInTheRain

There is a strange yellow light in the sky today! 

As such I've had the boys out to the playground for most of the morning, took their cousin too along with a backpack full of drinks, sandwiches and fruit. Brought the 3 of them back home and they're happily sat on the sofa while I'm having a cuppa and catching up on here.

I've had a thanks but no thanks from one of the jobs I applied to the other week, not too disappointed though as it sounded like it was set up for an internal candidate. Not looked at what else is advertised at the moment, going to see how work goes in the next week or 2 before potentially appying for anything else.

Counted up our loose change jar for the first time in ages and there was £21 in there so bagged it up and while we were out I dropped that off at the bank then transferred to the holiday savings pot. Also had a couple of longer, well paying surveys on Pro!ific so a bit more £ for the pot once they are paid. The boys and I also sorted through their toy storage unit we have downstairs yesterday and we have dropped 2 bags off at the charity shop as a result.

DancingInTheRain

Morning, just waiting on our groceries being delivered by A$da. The weather is back to wet and gloomy so we are having BIL, SIL and their 3 children round this afternoon to watch football, eat pizza and have a couple of drinks while the kids no doubt sit on their tablets and/or argue!

The car bill ended up being £400  as the brake needed fully replaced so that will put a bit of pressure on finances this month although me being back at work will reduce our spends as the boys will be entertained by their grandparents instead of us  Still best that the car is safe to drive, despite the cost.

DS1 also broke his watch that he's only had for a few weeks, he'd saved his pocket money to buy it so he's been really upset as he knows how hard he had to save to get it. Made worse that he also had a screen protector but had taken it off, pretty sure the watch would have been okay if it was on. Bit of a life lesson for him and he's now back to saving his pocket money to buy a replacement...

Other than that everything ticking over and still feeling okay about returning to work next week, hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

savingholmes

Glad you are feeling more positive. Best of luck for your return to work.

missymoo81

Hey! I’ve just read your whole diary! I your monthly round ups. You’re doing so well with everything you achieve. It does sound like you’re somewhat overstretched though. Hopefully you can sort something that works for you all. Take care!

DancingInTheRain

Thanks for the well wishes and @missymoo81 thanks for dropping in, well done reading the diary! I hope you didn't get too bored with me constantly chopping and changing how I budget   

First 2 days at work haven't been too bad, mostly spent catching up on the many changes in my absence, had a couple of stressy moments but took time to have a break on both occasions. Typically both boys have woken through night the last 2 nights. Once my sleep is broken I really struggle to get back over so feeling shattered this evening. Continuing to journal how I'm feeling at certain points in the day/week so I can build a clear picture and reflect as needed. No news on a meeting to discuss my reduced hours but there are several members of management on annual leave at the moment so I think it'll be later this month before I hear anything.

It's DS2's birthday in a couple of weeks and he had his heart set on the same bike as one of his friends, we had a look online at the weekend and it was £180!!! We found one in excellent condition on marketplace for £50 so my brother kindly went to check it out and collect it for us and is hiding it at his house until DS2's birthday. 

The boys have been having fun with my Mum this week while DH and I have been working. The weather has taken a turn for the better so they've been to a local cafe, the library and the playground both days, lucky them!

Free £ for the month is up to £76.46. Not bad at all.

savingholmes

Great news on the bike.

Good luck with the sleep and work side of things. Insomnia is the pits. I've often suffered with it.

DancingInTheRain

Sleep still rubbish but managed a little lie in until 7am today so feel less wiped. Low key weekend, quiet day Friday. Chores & hairdresser appointment yesterday followed by a family pizza and games night. Today we have booked tickets at a local cinema to see the Super Mario Bros film, only £2 each so cheap Sunday afternoon fun. The boys will pop into £land on the way to choose treats to take in with them

On the house front, the builder sent the invoice for recent work done so that's paid. He'll come back 1 day next month to do the finishing touches as it took DH & I a while to decide what we wanted. Our electrician is also booked the week after next to do some work in our hallway ahead of that being refurbished in the near future.

Free £ for the month now at £90.21