My 25 Months Challenge

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

savingholmes wrote: »

Hi Stripey - I don't use much kitchen roll but must admit I do like buying wipes...

On the job front - I would prioritise working out what makes you happy in a job - and then find something doing that. Spell it out on paper as if you were buying a new car. Exactly what you are looking for task wise but also location, office environment, the type of people you want to work with... I did that 9 years ago - and found a job the same night and started in it 3 weeks later. They kept me on, promoted me etc and it all worked out really well. Before that I was in a job I detested - and yes it knocked my self-esteem for a while.

I think your immediate interview offer was a really positive sign even if that particular job didn't work out...

Thank you stripes - i will really need to do this - probably need to sort out my self esteem a bit more as i often end up thinking i'd be no good / couldn't do something Negative behaviour which needs to stop, but it's also not a switch i can turn off so make truly visualising something like this very difficult for me x

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

It has been a while since i updated - so it seems - and i have spent a lot of money. the two aren't really connected. November is full of birthdays and celebrations this year - all for significant people and some are significant birthdays / anniversaries. Spending would always happen and there is more to be done. For this reason i held off paying more off the card than i wanted to.

So far the tally is £293. This has all been mainly spent on things that allow for quality time / experiences / making memories & i'll be going along too. Costs kept as low as possible and extra budgeting at the time these will happen by taking drinks / snacks from home already planned. So spends, well received, and i also have a few things to look forward to too. Rest of spends was inevitable meals out these things involve.

I knew it was going to happen - i now need to incorporate a budget for next year - though less of the events will be significant i only spent an extra £37 compared to normal.

I have also purchased some presents on behalf of Mr Socks - about £14 and will need the money back for these.

I have more spends to come - new tights have become a desperate situation and i will make an effort to buy these this week.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

On the other hand i have been focusing on food spends - full to bursting freezer and cupboards not withstanding we still spend a fair bit on food (includes cleaning / toiletries products as well as cat food). The biggest amount is cat food - we are feeding more than our 2 at the moment so this spend will go up now their stock of food has gone down faster than planned. I don't always get it right but my purchases are considered a bit more. There is a long time to go in the month and i've already spent more than i thought i would by now but i am consciously thinking about the spends first which is good

Reached £5 payout on surveys so requested this

having decluttered 10 things last week i'm aiming for 40 this week and hopefully some can go on the bay. I have just lifted 2 items out to go - 1 is to sell

I have been spending a bit on second hand clothes for a bit of time - as posted on here. I have been doing this because i want to wear nice clothes. And also because i'm frustrated with my shape at the moment and want things that will 'hide' it I have been buying in the size i'm in and the size i want to get down to - which is the size i was before illness caused a big weight gain - as well as lifestyle factors. As we all know sizes aren't consistent so some of the things bought don't fit. I am going to keep the things i do love (think i'll love when they fit as it's hard to really tell until then) and be strict on anything else coming in :T

What should help with this is Mr Socks very kindly organised some exercise classes for me :j:j:j <- that'll be me :rotfl: I'm a little anxious as i am not as fit as i was but i am mostly excited because this is the life i choose to live - one in which i am fit and capable and where my health is a priority

I have used food from the freezer for lunches, tea and also used up leftovers

Biggie - connected to budget - i have requested a meeting with my boss. I am going to use it to see about my position and if there are any opportunities for me. I've never done this before as have always applied for promotions when they've come up in companies or steadily worked towards this on a clear career path & i guess that's the thing - i don't have a career path here and am actively seeing what the possibility is - i will keep you all posted - please think positively for me - not sure on the smiley face - it looks more confident than me.

I am sure there are other things and i will post them if i remember x i hope all are well. i am going to have an early night once the washing is finished and hope to post again soon.

Tahlullah.H

Fingers crossed for you and your positive mental attitude going forward. And the meeting with your Boss. I have never had a meeting like that either! Hope it goes well.

I need to do the washing but I am putting it off as i have no motivation. And to top it off the dishwasher broke - water everywhere, so am having to re-introduce myself to the concept of sticking my hands in bowls of soapy water!! Definitely on the list to be replaced PDQ.

To answer your question about kitchen roll, I buy big rolls of the blue paper from the local Asian shop. They sell them for £1.50 a roll here and they are really big and last forever. Much better value than anything you buy from the local supermarket.

Enjoy your early night and I hope the meeting goes as well as you wish.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Thank you Tahlullah - i will need to investigate if there is such a shop near me for the roll x

So sorry to hear about the dishwasher - ours has been broke for years & for a long time i wore rubber gloves for pot washing and then decided we could cut back there too We miss the machine and is annoying for reasons i don't want to revisit :mad:

Waiting for boss to get back to me with a time & date - i have said on here i do not love my job so it may seem strange, my request. For me, i am asking if they value me & want to invest in me - if not then i'll know. I believe i will be a lot happier with a clear career goal and the support for this - it would be like being in a new job. I have been happy when in similar positions in other companies so we will see.

i hope other than the dishwasher all is well with you?

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

I always want the bad news first - i think it's because the good news can't be truly enjoyed because of the anxiety about what the bad news maybe. Also, i've never been given news good enough to out-weigh the bad in these situations.

There has been much upset for me this weekend & it has resulted in an emotional spend - it is what it is. The only thing to salvage from this is that i bought a lot of staple food items at the best price, as well as a couple of reduced 'luxury' cupboard items for us off my 'wish list.' Food can't be returned obviously. I will tot it up and still aim to come in under target.

I also spent my birthday money on me :eek: Unheard of! I bought 3!! new outfits - top, dress x 2 and shoes and top and skirt. I may return the top and skirt - they were all in the sale and they all fit without emphasising my size at the mo so i felt better in them than i have in a lot of things for a long time I love love love!!! the shoes - but can return them & the dresses and outfit will all get plenty of wear at £9 each.

But not a need - i obviously just needed to boost my self-esteem & the buying of cupboard staples didn't hit the spot :rotfl:

I need to find a way to manage these situations until my confidence has been built up enough to cope with things.

I need to decide what to do with the clothes now & shoes now...

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

The clothes and shoes can be returned & i will have the money back if i choose to do this

The food i bought was all staples for the cupboard at the best prices i've seen them at - so not all gone on a takeaway etc. The staples will last a good long time.

I've cooked tea fresh today - new recipe and very good :T 1 lot of leftovers for tomorrow

I've batch cooked 4 dishes this weekend - which is circa 20 meals & none of them using all the staples i bought :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: - i didn't know i was getting the staples until i got them.

Cleared 12 items out of the house - most to sell & not finished on the decluttering yet.

& i have done a very early new years list of things to achieve next year. I may add to it / tweak it but i'll post it next. I'm doing this now because the goals just settled in my mind so i needed to write them down & there's no point not starting now so i will post the goals and hopefully, if i can get on here, i'll post my progress each week / month saying what i've done towards these

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

An update post to be done on these each week / month

Finances:
50k in savings
down to 1 debt
10% paid off mortgage
1k Emergency fund

Home:
Home, including all cupboards, freezer etc sorted and at a manageable level eg - space in the freezer if i buy anything / cook anything. All tins / jars orderly in cupboards

Self:
Run regularly to include a 1/2 marathon each week or fortnight (starting from 0 this is the target)
Zumba - go to classes again
Music practice x 3 a week minimum - repertoire minimum 12 new songs by end of year
Language practice x 5 week 10 hours minimum
Read daily
Travel - plan this
Minimum 2 charity walks

Relationships:
Quality time: Mr, Mum, friends
Each interaction with others to be the best it can be 4 P's - polite, positive, patient, present

Community:
Do more in and for the community - if it is a small spend to help others maybe go without something on the shopping list to afford it?

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

i'm excited to have plans and goals - i've just gone with what's come to me naturally for now

i am trying to sweat the small stuff money-wise but not life wise - means i'm pleasing others more than me but hey ho! surely in the timeline of life it is but a moment of unpleasantness that shouldn't have any more time spent on it than necessary!

Gotta go - i hope all are well and hope to catch up with you all soon x

Tahlullah.H

Wow Stripey, you always have me stand back in awe! Your list of things, which you say are already within your comfort zone. Amazing! Half marathons are within your comfort zone? I cant even run a mile without risk of a heart attack! And then another language as well as learning new songs? My life is so boring compared.

I appreciate you may be feeling undervalued at work and that things are going wrong and life is passing you by, but I can assure you that if you are doing all of these things already which are within reach, then you are already leading a rich and fulfilling life. All that is happening is that you are having a period of down, which will pass. It will always be short lived because you know your own self worth and no-one can take that from you.

Stay positive. The good does outweigh the bad. Because the bad is finite. it will end. Its just that you sometimes cant see the woods for the trees.

Stay positive and great planning for the NY resolutions. I think mine is just to be mindful and not let the negative define me or my life.