VelvetFreak is saving up to buy a house!

Cherryfudge

Hi Velvet, just popping in to say I hope you're okay? x

VelvetFreak

Hi Cherry! just popping in to say that I’m alive. Sorry for being MIA for so long

Christmas wasn’t a very good time for me. My entire family is what can only be described as Stark Raving Mad. It’s taken me a few weeks to recover emotionally.

The bathroom renovation is now finished. I stayed with a friend for 3 weeks while it was being done and whilst I was glad to have somewhere to stay, it really was a stressful time.

I’ve not been focusing much on money lately, just trying to keep up the motivation to go to work each day, keep my house clean and do some form of exercise has been enough to keep me occupied.

I passed the first subject for my diploma so I’ve only got two more to go

Work has been fraught and I’m well and truly sick of it but there aren’t many other jobs around that I could apply for and I really don’t want to go through the stress of changing jobs anyway so I suppose I’ll stay put for a while longer.

In a few weeks I’ll probably focus on financial goals again but I’m not too fussed at the moment, so I’ll just coast along for now.

I’m thinking of starting a fresh new diary because I feel like this one is cursed and so many negative things have happened that I don’t even feel like writing in it :P

Cherryfudge

Hi Velvet, I'm sorry to hear things have been so negative. It's just as well crazy Christmas and three weeks at your friend's place are now behind you. Are you pleased with the new-look bathroom?

Well done on the diploma work - a third of the way there! It must be time-consuming but it will be worth it in the end.

I don't think your diary's cursed: you started it on a high when you achieved your savings goal, and you've ridden various changes since then so it's bound to feel as if things aren't going well, but you've overcome quite a lot in the last few months and your house savings are looking healthy. Perhaps the cooler weather will bring more positives when it comes?

VelvetFreak

Happy Sunday! 

Time for another check in! I suppose I will keep this diary even though lots of bad things have happened over the last year, I am rather attached to it

Am currently resisting the urge to go to the shops and look for new clothes and shoes even though I really want to. I need to let my bank account recover as it has been well and truly decimated from the bathroom renovation, christmas, huge amounts of bills paid in the last couple of months as well as me spending money on random junk.

I have applied for a couple of new jobs lately, I had an interview for one last week but didn't get it because I was "too experienced". The girl who interviewed me said I spoke really well and had a great amount of experience, but ultimately they were wanting it to be more of a "junior" role. I wasn't overly disappointed as I didn't think it would be much of an increase in pay and I probably wouldn't have taken it if offered it anyway.

I submitted an application for a different job on Friday night, so I'm hoping to hear from that one some time during the week. I actually do hope I can get this one. They are wanting someone more experienced and it pays more than what I made now $$ so fingers crossed!

Making a list of positive things because I feel like I've been in a bit of a negative place lately and I need some cheering up and to remember that although life may not be perfect, there's lots to be grateful for. 

• It has been raining like no one's business lately and it's so wonderful to see green grass in the backyard
• Jobs to apply for (my type of job doesn't seem to come up often)
• Finishing the first subject for my diploma (honestly shocked that I managed to do it. I hate studying!)
• Reconnecting with a good friend from high school. We never really lost contact but have been talking a lot more lately and we've been a great support to each other as we are both going through similar things.
• A new bathroom that's so nice and easy to keep clean
• Being financially comfortable. I am proud of myself for working hard to get where I am now. A few years ago I never thought I would ever make more than minimum wage.
• Despite my constant whingeing about my workplace, I am glad to have a job that has regular hours, pays decently and I really do enjoy it for the most part.

I've got lots of cleaning and washing to do today. Have got a hectic week ahead. Better get my skates on!

Cherryfudge

Those are nice positives!
Perhaps haul out all your clothes on a quiet afternoon and try different mixes of them? Or arrange a swap-meet with friends where you bring stuff you don't wear and take back 'new' stuff. I do understand the urge for new clothes, it strikes me about two or three times a year but I'm not good at getting rid of stuff.

VelvetFreak

Cherry, my problem is that I just love to shop
I can probably hold out until winter with the clothes that I have now. I don't have a uniform at work so I need more clothes than I ever used to and I'm still getting used to what I like to wear and trying to build up a decent work wardrobe.

I had a very productive day today. I got lots of sleep on Saturday so I think I've finally got some energy back I cleaned the house very thoroughly. I vacuumed and mopped. I scrubbed the laundry floor (cat litter and cat food was everywhere!). I am still getting rid of dust that was caused from all the fires and awful weather, not to mention the dust from the bathroom renovation and wall repair. I also did 4 loads of washing! And some furniture re-arranging.

Am feeling nicely prepared for a busy work week 

VelvetFreak

I've had a good and bad day today. 
Let's start with the bad. I've been a nervous wreck all day, been shaking and having restless legs to the point where I couldn't sit still at work and kept having to get up and walk around. Very weird. The weather is rainy but very humid and sticky. Yuck!

And the good: I got a call for the job I applied for on Friday. It's through a recruitment agency so the guy asked me some questions and had me sign a permission form and send through a copy of my ID. So fingers crossed I will get an interview!

I just got back from dinner at my friend's house. I was glad to not have to cook but anxious to get home because I just don't feel very well. Hoping for a good sleep tonight so that I can have a good week

Cherryfudge

Well done on progress with the job application!

It really does sound as though you might be coming down with something: are you going to the doctor? I will give my standard advice about keeping up fluids and getting as much rest as you can. I'm so glad the rain has arrived, though humidity is not nice.

VelvetFreak

Thanks Cherry
Honestly, I think it might just be a combination of lack of sleep and all this stupid weather we're having (hot/rainy/humid/windy). According to my fitbit, I pretty much never get more than 7 hours of sleep and it's usually closer to 6 hours, really not enough. Last night I got over 8 hours and I feel pretty good today. Also remembering to take my iron tablets will probably help me feel better.

Have got a hair appointment tonight after work so will be getting home late. Have nothing prepared for dinner so will probably get takeaway, which is fine because I've been pretty good lately. Not very busy at work at the moment so will use the downtime to get some of my study/assignments done.
Also payday today! 

VelvetFreak

I had quite a good day but I still can't believe it's only Wednesday

Yesterday was payday so the bank account is looking much healthier 

Because I'm a person who enjoys making lists, here's a list of positive things that happened today:

• I have an interview scheduled next week for the job that I applied for.
• I have made a new budget/bank account spreadsheet for 2020 after not caring at all for the last couple of months and things look better than I anticipated.
• Spent some time on my study and the assignments don't look as difficult as they initially seemed. 
• I have got a life insurance policy in force that I have been meaning to do for a while but was procrastinating.
• Made pizza for dinner and put the extras in the freezer for nights when I don't have the energy to cook.
• I got a Hellofresh voucher thingy in the mail for 40% off the first order so I have purchased a 3-meal pack for $35 to be delivered on Monday. This should give me at least 6 servings for dinner/lunch which is actually quite a good deal and will encourage me to try some new recipes.

Random thoughts on work/career related issues:
I am really enjoying this course that I am doing and am learning a lot of interesting things. I did a lot of thinking today about my future career and where I want to be in a few years' time. Realised that I really do love my chosen field, it's just a certain person/s who I work with that bring me down due to their overall slack attitude and unenthusiastic behaviour. Made a conscious decision to really focus hard on my work and study and ignore all jerk-ish behaviour from the Annoying Coworker. Regardless of whether I get this new job or not, I am tired of feeling like rubbish so from now on I will try harder to ignore any whingeing and just get on with things so that I can achieve the goals that I have set for myself. Because I am liking the diploma so much, I think I will go on to do the advanced version (double the subjects). I did have somewhat of a plan to do it anyway but today I realised that I am 100% capable and there's no reason why I shouldn't do it.

Thoughts on money and budgeting:
I have done a new budget spreadsheet but it is not as strict as previous ones and has less categories. I have come to the conclusion that whilst I need to be sensible with money, there is no need to be as extreme as I have been in the past. Now that there's not much left to renovate (only the laundry to go), I don't need to spend so much money on house stuff anymore so there's less things to keep track of. I have set spending limits but aim to be more flexible overall and worry less.

I've calculated that I can save approx $15,000 this year, but that doesn't count things such as paying for a holiday (if I ever decide to go on one), extra study that I want to do, other large/unplanned expenses, etc. The bathroom renovation decimated any extra savings that I had so I will aim to have $10,000 by the end of the year which I think is a pretty good number that allows me the freedom to do the things that I want to do whilst still remaining sensible
I'm starting off my Savings with $93.70 so I will put that in my signature

Anyway, those are all the thoughts that I will burden you with for today. I have to travel to a work training thing with my boss tomorrow so will be leaving early and getting home late I must be off to go and blow dry my hair as it will not dry on it's own in this horrific humid weather!