The Final Furlong

Dottles1

thanks Savingholmes I do feel like I'm taking back some control but I am feeling a bit nervous about how I'll manage Christmas. I have told the family that I'll be working from a budget this year so at least they know, I just have to get my own head around it now.
I met up with my eldest daughter for a coffee this morning and discovered that she has been made redundant from the end of the month. Her partner is quite supportive and she is confident that she will get something else quite quickly but it is still a worry.
It's been drizzly here all day, not the weather for out side jobs so I've caught up a bit on the housework, wrapped GD's presents and dropped them off so she has them when she wakes up. She has invited both Nannas for tea tomorrow night which I shall look forward to, I just can't believe how quickly she has grown.
I'm going to settle down to watch a bit of tv this evening with a dog at each side of me.
Have a lovely evening all
Dottles x

beanielou

Enjoy tomorrow

Dottles1

Thanks Beanie, I did. We had pizza and present showing and non-alcoholic fizz. She seemed to have had a good day.
I've had 2 heavy but productive days at work so far this week and finish tomorrow for half term. As marking won't come in until November I'm taking the opportunity to take the whole week off. This half term seems to have been so long, I'm really ready for it. I'm just going to spend time catching up with friends, reading, doing some jobs in the house and garden and maybe visit my youngest DD in Manchester if she's around.
I've heard from my solicitor again today about one of the pension providers. My ex hasn't accessed his pension with them yet so no money coming from that quarter yet. On the bright side, they have acknowledged that they have the court order and will activate it once he does contact them. There's still on other provider to hear from but I'm expecting much of the same. Oh well I guess I just have to wait for now and keep on doing my budgets etc.
I need to boo up panto tickets this week before they are all sold out. It's a family tradition that I take the grand children to the small local theatre every year but they are now growing out of it and this year there will b 4 of us, GD 2, GD4 and, for the first time, my great GS who is 3. It will be lovely to have a little one with us again, long may it continue.
Well I'm off to sleep now
Good night all
Dottles x

savingholmes

Glad the birthday celebration went well. Hope your daughter finds a better job soon. Look after yourself too.

Seasidegal58

Your plans on how to spend half-term sound lovely and relaxing. Just what we all need now and again.

I hope you daughter manages to find a new position quickly. Strange how these things are generally announced not long before Christmas!

Hope you receive news on the pensions in the not too distant future too.

Have a nice weekend.
x

Dottles1

good morning all. I've woke up to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies. It's quite chilly but who can complain at this time of year and after the rain yesterday?
Thankyou for your kind words Savingholmes and Seasidegal. Unfortunately my youngest daughter has also been told that her job is no longer available this week. As she has been there less than a year she doesn't qualify for redundancy but has been put onto "gardening leave" until January which is something I suppose. She also is not worried, saying that she will use the space to think about what she really wants to do career wise. I'm so proud of their attitudes, especially at this time of year when the pressure is on to spend.
Yesterday I went to a charity coffee morning in support of cancer research. An invitation had been put through my door by somebody who lives nearby. I only know the people in the immediate vicinity and those who pass the time of day when out with dogs. I'm ok with this as I'm not really one for popping in and out of each others houses and I'm quite happy in my own company, probably because my work entails talking to people all day every day. However it was nice to chat with some new people over coffee and cake (when is cake not ok?) I spent a grand total of £7 and that included 2 little fir cone Christmas trees I bought .
Well I'm off to get organised, I'm going to take advantage of the sunshine to get out in the fresh air with Tilly followed by a bit of housework, hopefully I may be able to dry some washing outside, and after that I plan to a lazy afternoon with my book and a good cup of coffee.

Enjoy your Sunday all, I hope you are sharing the sunshine, wherever you are
Dottles x

Seasidegal58

The sunny weather is a welcome relief today isn't it? It's lovely to have the sun shining through the window whilst I'm typing this instead of the dark, rainy weather of yesterday.

Sorry to hear of your other DD's news though she sounds very positive. Sometimes things happen that gives one a chance to sit back, reflect and decide on what we really want to do with our careers and life rather than stay on the hamster wheel because it's easy and brings in a safe, regular income.

Have a nice afternoon with your book.

Dottles1

I agree with you Seasidegal, life brings us opportunities at times to rethink our life plans. Those moments have always been good points for me when I look back. I guess I need to remember that they are both capable grown women (do we ever truly see our kids as adults?) who have both got this.

Yesterday was a NSD which brings my total to 8/31 this month. Today and tomorrow will also be NSD mainly as I don't have anything left in the budget (well 30p in food budget but that won't go far ). However I made a chickpea and spinach curry yesterday which I didn't eat as was taken out for drinks and food by my son and DIL, so that will be today's evening meal. I have taken some HM veg and lentil soup out of the freezer for lunch and have had an apple for breakfast as I'm still full from yesterday. I have enough ingredients in to make a ratatouille, pancakes, HM pizza and plenty of porridge oats and fruit for breakfasts plus plenty of frozen veg and dried beans so I will be fine. Does anyone else I find that they eat better when they have less money as they are more creative with what they have in. Pay day is on Thursday and I will be going out for tea with some friends so I am going to leave grocery shopping until Saturday and use up what I have in.

Well my change of bank has gone through now, it was really straight forward so I will have a gift card for M&S within the next month worth £100/£140,not sure which as I got more for having a CC with them too (my new just for points card) and I get a further £80 after a year. I really need some new pants, socks and bras so will be using that using some of it for that. The rest will go towards Christmas presents if possible. Other than that my DIL has informed me that our local large M&S does yellow stickered food at around 7.30 each evening so I could partake and save on the grocery budget if needed. Years ago I worked for M&S and bought and froze many a bargain from the staff "waste" shop. Happy days
I have also noticed that they do a savings account which pays 5% after a year for current account holders. You can't withdraw funds without losing the interest rate but I'm going to open one and use it for Christmas for next year. Apparently you can open one each year so here goes. I'm aware that I'm putting everything with one bank at present but It's worth taking advantage of the new customer offers for a year and then see what's n offer.
I have some private work booked in tomorrow and then nothing until 29th November so I need to get an advert in soon. I'm going to take the opportunity to reorganise and decorate the office and may well call on a friend for a second opinion. I'm going to start with sorting through paperwork and maybe getting rid of the small, ugly filing cabinet in there and rearrange the furniture.
It's time for me to get on and take Tilly out. The sun is shining again after rain last night but it feels really cold so time to get the gloves out I think.
Have a good day whatever you are doing
Dottles x

Seasidegal58

You're dong well with your food plan. Another one here who gets more creative when the store cupboard runs low!

Re putting all your cash with one institution - you would be entitled to up to £85,000 compensation if your bank failed.

Dottles1

That's reassuring Seasidegal, I don't think I'll need to worry about exceeding that amount for a while yet:rotfl: Tuesday was indeed another NSD however yesterday I found £1 on my bedroom floor whilst hoovering and used it to buy a pack of 3 small baguettes and 2 avocados, all yellow stickered. One baguette with my tea, one for today with avocado for lunch and one for the freezer...and I had 14p change. So that's a total of 9 NSD's this month, one over target. I'm going to go for 12 in November.
Today is payday and I've already moved over my spending, food % petrol money and know what is left to go into the holding account (not a lot). On the bright side I will have paid off the "just for points CC and can just about cover the cost of Tilly's dental treatment (£350) by using the EF, £50 I'll get tomorrow from private work, use the 0% overdraft on the new bank account and borrow £50 from the business account.
It's all a bit fiddly and I don't really want to use the EF but I'm reassuring myself that it will al be better planned for next year. Having said that I will be putting it on the "jfp" CC which gives me time to have a push on selling some more items on FB as I've let that slide a bit and to see if I can get a bit more private work in.

This morning I'm meeting my good friend for a catch up and a coffee at the garden centre. I want some winter pansies and violas but will price them at the local greengrocers first. Oooh, just seen some on FB for £2.50 for 6, I doubt the garden centre can beat that. Then I'm out for tea with some friends this evening. I've booked a table at a new Italian place that does 2 courses for £9.99 between 4 and 6 pm, it's within walking distance for me so I can get some steps in too.:money:

I'm going to finish my coffee and get cracking, I've a few jobs to do before I go to meet my friend. I hope you all have a lovely day
Dottles x