Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

beanielou

Late to your diary
Hope that your new job goes well.

DancingInTheRain

Thanks Beanie x

DancingInTheRain

Good morning fellow DFW's hope everyone is well

I'm unemployed! (for one day only...) Yesterday was my last day at my job, all went well with minimal work to leave with my colleagues which was pleasing for all involved. We're all going out for a meal i a couple of weeks so I'll get a chance to say a proper goodbye to those who weren't in yesterday.

Once I got home we worked through the to-do list we put together on Friday before I fell asleep on the sofa at 7.45 I woke around 9 and just went straight to bed and slept through to 6am so I must've needed to recharge my batteries more than I thought.


We're just about to head out to the local city, I'm armed with a list of what I still need in terms of office wear plus a couple of bits for DH and both boys for autumn/winter. Will keep costs down as low as possible and stick to the list but there's no denying it will be a spendy day.


The plan is for DH to take the boys to an indoor play area (their treat) while I run round the shops before going for a pub lunch so DH can enjoy a pint or 2 (his treat). My treat is a new bottle of perfume as my last bottle ran out a couple of weeks ago. I'm quite good and only really have one bottle on the go at any time but I don't feel like I'm properly dressed if I go out without a squirt of perfume so this is one of my 2 personal little indulgences that I like to maintain where possible (the other being regular hair appointments ).


Will report back later, wish me luck! x

FootyFanDan

Wow that time has flown! Good luck in your new role, i am sure you will smash it

DancingInTheRain

Thanks Dan, I hope so! Really looking forward to getting started as it's been quite a while from job offer to start date.

I absolutely LOVE September and this time of year in general, Autumn, kids back to school, darker nights, falling leaves - it has a real 'fresh start' feel to me & in my head I class it as new year rather than dark and miserable January.

Historically my family as well as myself personally always seem to have had a lot of bad news and bereavements in August so it's always a relief to get through that month without any additional issues. May also explain my lack of motivation last month. Anyway, line drawn under that & lets start again....

So this fake new year, coupled with the new job, really does feel like a fresh start at the moment. Lets go debt busting!

But first, as promised here's an update on today's spending which came in at a whopping £240 :eek: this included most things on my list (2 x trousers, new underwear and tights, 1 cardigan, 1 pair of jeans, 1 jumper, 1 pair of ankle boots, perfume ) plus 3 pairs of trousers for DH and a winter coat for DS2.


Still need to buy DS1 a pair of trainers as he's gone up a size plus winter hats and gloves for both DS's, not much in the shops at the moment.

I had £60 from the last lot of survey and ebay money a few weeks ago and DS2's coat came from his birthday money. My final pay from the job I left had £100 more than I'd thought for outstanding holidays owed so 'only' £62 to come out of this months budget which makes me feel a bit better.

Have put some money in an envelope in my purse for the remaining items for DS's items so that if I see them when I'm out and about then the money's there. Other than that NO MORE SPENDING ON CLOTHES for the forseeable future!

On the plus side, I think I've managed to put together a decent capsule wardrobe for work and given my lankiness and very changed body shape following 2 pregnancies in 3 years and the fact I hate shopping for clothes then I'm just happy to have got a few things I feel happy and comfortable in while looking smart and professional.

I promise my next post will be more about the debt busting

savingholmes

Hope you quickly settle into your new job. New clothes always give me a boost - but have gone to a quarterly allowance now (max) unless I use personal spends to limit what I buy.

DancingInTheRain

Hello how's September treating everyone? Kindly I hope

This week has gone in the blink of an eye for me, first week in the new job has gone well but has been a bit mentally draining getting my head around everything. I've been asleep by 9pm most nights



DS1 has settled back in to school well but has also been quite tired and DS2 seems to be cutting 4 teeth so he's been a little unsettled but coping well bless him. DH has really stepped up better than I could've hoped so we're all getting in to some form of new routine, long may it continue!


Being so busy has been great for cutting out spending - Mon to Thu were all work days and NSDs (apart from planned parking fees for work which are unavoidable). Yesterday was my day off so grocery shop completed then hair appointment for me before DH and I went to see a comedian at a local venue. I was driving so spends were low and we had a really fun evening.

In debt busting news I've already manged to transfer my previous employer's pension to my SIPP, only took a week, can't remember previous transfers being so speedy but I'm really pleased as all my previous employer pensions are bundled in to this SIPP so they're all easily managed now.

All minimum payments have gone out to the debt for the month and a small ebay sale plus an account tidy this morning saw me sending a further £12 to CC1. Total debt paid has now just tipped over the 10% mark which I'm really pleased about :j:j


Survey Totals currently at:


VYPR 8100/10000
Shoppix 2970/3200
RH 658/1500
OnePoll £12.55/£25.00
Prolific £2.81/£5.00
YouGov 1900/5000


All creeping up slowly but should easily cash out from a couple of these this month so they'll be sent across to CC1 as and when that happens.


Haven't spent much time on here this last week, planning on having a binge catch up either this evening or tomorrow, in the meantime I hope everyone is well and having a lovely weekend & (((big hugs))) to those that need them xx

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Glad the new job is going well!

savingholmes

Glad your new job is going well. How have you found having a SIPP? Been considering setting one up for DH.

DancingInTheRain

Thank you SH. The SIPP looks after itself to be honest. I took the leap about 3 years ago after reading a few FIRE blogs, particularly The Escape Artist. These gave me an idea on the funds to invest in that met my comfort levels and I tested the waters with a fairly small pot then once I felt more confident added the others to it (5 in total). Growth has been steady and, as a result, DH has also moved his old employer pensions into a SIPP. He's extremely risk averse so mine must've looked good The plan is once we're debt free we'll both add to our SIPPs while maintaining our employer pensions as both offer a fairly good rate of employer contributions so don't want to miss out on these.