The Final Furlong

Dottles1

Thanks everyone. We did have a lovely lunch and when I got to the till I realised my daughter had given me £40 not 20. Because the notes were folded over I didn't notice. So I bought my friend's coffee as she is always generous with me and it's nice to be able to do so sometimes. I bought a few groceries and put some aside for next week to get m to pay day. We completed the application form for b@&gain Hunt with much hilarity especially as they asked for an example of an embarrassing moment...where would we start?? Either they will think we would make good telly or (and more likely) think we are a pair of nutters Later I was interviewed for a school project by DGD 4, so lots of lovely family time.
Yesterday was a lazy day. I had a sleep in which is unusual for me and then talked to DGD's 1 & 2 followed by a stroll with Tilly in the sunshine.
I didn't do ay marking as planned but no regrets and I have made up for it today.
On a good note, I lost 3lbs last week so feel back on track to lose a stone. I have far more to lose than that but have decided to tackle it one stone at a time. That way it feels more achievable and easier to stay on track. I feel really positive about most things at the moment and can't wait for pay day so I can start chipping away at the debt. Hopefully I will get thinner as my finances get fatter.
Ok back to the marking now.
Speak soon all, have a good evening.
Dottles x

savingholmes

Glad your LA trip went well - just catching up. Lovely that your DD shared her windfall

Dottles1

It was Savingholmes, she is very generous. I have invited her & partner and GD3 over for Sunday lunch in a couple of weeks, once I've been paid.
It's been 2 very busy days at work so far this week and tomorrow doesn't look as if it will be any quieter. All students are back now and I'm settling into my new timetable. So far so good, still battling on with marking but slowly getting there.
PA pot is now up to £48.88 so I should be cashing out anytime soon to pay of CC3, but no more private work on the horizon yet, I have had an enquiry but I'm not sure it will come to anything. I'm not worried, just plodding on with my action plan.
The healthy eating is going ok, helped along a bit with lack of money. I have taken HM soup to work both days this week which has helped with the NSD's. I'm up to 10 for the month and may even beat my target of 12 for January. The increased steps is a slow process but I am trying t walk a little more each day and I will get there. I know from experience that I often try to change too many things at once which can result in me not achieving any of them.
My sleep pattern is crazy at present, some nights I can't get to sleep and then I woke at 3 am this morning, too early to get up but just couldn't get back to sleep. I am still getting up early so hopefully it will adjust itself eventually. Tilly, on the other hand has no problem sleeping - at anytime of the day or night.
I'm going to check out and (hopefully) get some shut eye.
Night all, sleep well
Dottles x

Dottles1

Good morning all.
I have friend H's dog visiting for the weekend. She is really sweet but a bit of a diva (only eats chicken breast and sometimes has to be hand fed) she also has a heart condition so is on medication. I think she would prefer not to have to bother with Tilly but tolerates her. Tilly on the other hand is unfazed by her but is VERY interested in her food and treats. I have to be careful not to leave one out but Tilly does get the odd extra hug here and there, if only for putting up with an interloper.

Well I am well and truly skint now and can't wait for pay day. I managed to rustle up £2 from the loose change box and bought 2 pointed red peppers, 3 large brown onions and 2 tins of mushy peas £.54 in total. God bless Aldi !! I now have everything I need for meals for the coming week and have plenty of marking to do so no time for socialising till Friday (pay day) anyway.
Then.... I had my day planned, tidy round, wash dishes then settle down to 4 hours marking only as I finished the dishes and emptied the bowl, water came pouring out from the cupboard under the sink. A quick investigation showed the plumbing cobbled together ad held up with electrician's tape. I tried fiddling with it but no joy so took off the u bend and attached pipes and headed to B&Q but again no joy. They directed me to a plumbers nearby where a lovely, helpful assistant sold me some new piping that actually fits together and assembled it so all I had to do was re-attach when I got home. With a bit of fiddly work it's done. I've left the bucket under the sink for now to make sure but it appears to be holding. Total cost - £20.77 - but much cheaper than a plumber. It will probably need a plumber at some point but at least I can put it on my "house jobs to do" list.
So, today is no longer going to be a NSD.
Unfortunately the cost of the piping had to go on the credit card but I will take that into account when I do my budgets.
On a much happier note my utilities statement came in and I discovered that I am £243 in credit. I rang them and requested £200 returned to my account (I'm leaving the rest in there for now in case we have a cold snap and I need to use the heating more) and I will adjust my payments later. The money should be in my account within 5 working days.
That will be going off my CC3 with anything else I can manage giving me a great start to the debt busting year.
I'm having a cup of tea while I type then I will be getting my head down to mark for the next 4 hours and then I will take the dogs out for a trot (or a sashay in the diva's case). I find if I allocate tasks in blocks it helps stop me getting distracted.
I hope you all have a fab Saturday, I may pop back later.
Dottles x

savingholmes

Impressed that you solved your plumbing problem. Also at going in Aldi and coming out only 54p lighter! Wow

Dottles1

I know Savingholmes, but I was on a mission and didn't stop to look at anything other than what I went in for. Just shows I can do it when I set my mind to it. The plumbing seems to be holding up for now. I've been washing cleaning cloths and dusters and getting rid of items in the basket before I put it all back in the morning.
Well I got a fair bit of marking done yesterday afternoon and evening but not much so far today yet. I will be making a start shortly for a couple of hours and I have all day tomorrow to get the rest done.
I had a sunny walk with the dogs this morning, joined by DGD4 and her little pooch and they all walked beautifully together. We just got back before the heavens opened.
I've been round to DS's for tea and a catch up, so I have only 4 meals to plan for now this wee;: sausages, sweet potato mash and mixed veg; Quinoa & black bean burgers & beans; fish, sweet potato wedges and mushy peas; Quorn chili & couscous. Then it will be payday !! The good thing is, that, the chili and bean burgers will each allow for 2/3 portions for the freezer. I like to try to do that every time I cook and eventually have a week where I can eat from the freezer.
I've had another NSD today, that's one good thing about having no money, you can't spend it !! If I can manage another one tomorrow I'll hit my target of 12 for January.
Well off to mark more assignments.
See you tomorrow
Dottles x

Dottles1

a (very early) good morning to all.
I've had a very intense week at work hence not posting for a few days, but I'm back. On Thursday I had one of the best classes I've had in a while which was great and reminds me of what I love about teaching. It has never been that side of the job that gets me down, it's all the other stuff that goes with it and is constantly changing. Anyway. I'm off to DD2's in Manchester this morning. She's going to help me plan my exit from employment and to work out if it is feasible to go private/retire early. I have gathered quite a bit of information but it helps to have another opinion in case I'm missing anything. She is good at this sort of thing and will be honest/blunt with me if she thinks I have my head in the clouds. That is one drawback of being single, not having someone to run your ideas past. Having said that, my ex was useless at that anyway so maybe it's a case of rose tinted glasses.
Last night I went out for dinner with a group of friends, fabulous food, a couple of glasses of wine and plenty of laughs We only get together 3/4 times a year so was really good to catch up and find out what's going on with everyone.. We have planned a "champing" trip for later this year. It is the same as glamping but in old churches should be fun.
The plumbing is still holding so I'm pleased with that, just the tiniest of drips but I've left a bucket under for now and will see if DS can re-tighten the joints later.
Yesterday was pay day so I have set the budgets for February, fed the pots and paid the bills. I received the £200 from gas & electric overpayment and have paid that off CC1 but am still waiting for another survey on PA to reach £50 when I will cash out. Everything has balanced this month so I'm happy. I've started keeping a book of payments I make on the just for points CC so I know which pot I need to take from when I pay the bill. I'm dreadful for forgetting and this helps enormously.
Tilly is coming to Manchester with me and we plan to take her out for breakfast tomorrow as there are lots of dog friendly places around DD's. I don't usually do that so I'm hoping she behaves. I will let you know.
I'll be back on Sunday evening so will check in again then.
Have a good weekend
Dottles x

Dottles1

Good morning all
I' back from a wonderful weekend in Manchester, even the rain held off (it always rains in Manchester). It was great to spend time with DD2 and we agreed we must book another date in soon. We walked Tilly and even took her with us for lunch at the caf! in the local park where she behaved beautifully. There are so many dog friendly places there, I hope that trend catches on over this side of the Pennines.
We also went out for brunch, visited a nearby market and a Scandinavian shop (not the blue and yellow one) which sold just about everything and I bought a small gift for my colleague who is moving into her first house. On Saturday evening DD1 cooked a veg curry and dhal with flat breads and we watched an episode an episode of Vera together. Perfect.
Now down to the financial stuff. DD1 was amazing, helping me to look at everything in a different, more positive way. Not at what I can't do yet but at what I want to do and how to make that happen. We scrutinised my income and outgoings adding in every possible thing I might realistically need/want and came up with a new life plan.
So, I am going to apply for my private pensions and retire from employment at the end of July. This will bring me a small income plus a lump sum that will pay off my debt and leave me with a decent amount in the bank. I will continue to pay off CC3 (will be gone this month) and CC4 (as interest free ends in April) as fast as possible and then just minimum payments on the others until my pension payments come through. Everything else, e.g. hourly paid, private and money from surveys, FB sales etc. will go into my retirement fund. I will still need to work privately for the next 4 years but I know what I need to earn and it is absolutely possible. I'm going to aim for a little more than needed to cover any cancellations or quiet times but will also use the retirement pot to help out if needed. I will still have my mortgage to pay but will overpay a little to get it paid off sooner if possible.
I have come home with a web site and business cards being sorted, photos and info for adverts and a firm plan of action - I feel so relieved.
So... I'm going to inform my manager when I go in on Tuesday which will give them plenty of time to replace me before the next academic year. I feel so much better knowing that the end is definitely in sight and that this is do-able now.

I have a plan of action and feel quite excited about my future - can't wait to get started.
Dottles x
ps. total debt is now in the 8,000's - will update signature later.

beanielou

That sounds like a great plan.
Can feel the relief & excitement bubbling through. .

savingholmes

How exciting. So pleased for you. Yay to support from your daughter too