Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Queen_of_the_Hive · 25 February 2020 at 7:50PM

eeeek tuesday the stock market is pummelling the bit of cash in my stocks and shares isa!

Drawingaline · 25 February 2020 at 9:13PM

I also struggled with a changing shift pattern an it took quite a while to get used to not working evenings and weekends. I always feel I am wasting time if I don't do anything, but by Friday night I am normally shattered (better since doing two days in my new office job) and cba to do anything.

Queen_of_the_Hive · 27 February 2020 at 9:47PM

Well its thursday night and im sweating cobs as a northern expression... my stocks and shares isa is down £420 since monday

and i suspect it will only keep on going down... gotta hold my nerve...

On the positive my provisional licence arrived today in my 'new' address (moved last yr) and the Monzo card came too! hurrah!

Queen_of_the_Hive · 29 February 2020 at 11:29AM

Hello Saturday,

This weekend has turned into birthday week, with my kids being invited to 3x parties next weekend (one party is for 8yr old twin boys and the other 2x 4yr old girls). A budget of £10 and under doesn't really buy much as a gift but x 4 its a lot yikes. Luckily with my better budgeting and working a better paying job is starting to reap its rewards

So after trawling Amazon last night I decided on a twin set of walki talkies would be perfect for the boys £15 and I found nice dressing up outfits for the girls @ £8 each. I also thought wise to order a pack of birthday cards with blank insides for future use. I normally end up down card warehouse buying £1 cards so already I have saved as I would have bought 5x cards this weekend. These were £10 for 46 so my total spend was £39 which I actually don't think is too bad. Its also my partners birthday this week too and I need to sort him out with a gift as well. Last weekend I booked accommodation for us both to go away for the weekend later in the summer. I did one of those book now pay at time of check in so I didn't need to find the funds for it this month and have also ordered one of those beer subscription packs. I had a voucher for first order half price so was only £12 & the box arrives on tuesday

. We will see if we like the offering and see if its worth keeping the subscription. Neither of us drinks much but I do like a beer in the summer with picnic or bbq so I think my partner will be keen to keep this going.

Yesterday was a bit exciting too (I get excited by the most odd things!). Well I had a text from this particular card (one of my balance transfers cards) saying my limit has been increased, I knew this was happening but didn't actually realise the date. Normally I try to avoid limits increasing but this time it was welcomed. So I have set up a transfer to take the bulk of my credit card debt (£1200) on my 'monthly spend' card and transfer it. This now means the remaining balance £330ish I can now afford to pay off in full next pay day and to make sure I do in fact pay this off I have now set up a direct debit to pay the full amount on my card every month. I was doing this in full moons ago before I went through some pretty big life changes so I am feeling happier today that I've made a bit of progress getting back to a debt free life & being able to stand on my own two feet. It sounds simple but this is really important to me

.

My other tasks this weekend include food shopping - as much as I don't want to get into panic buying mode I think I am going to get one or two extra items "just in case". The virus is making me feel nervous about the potential impact of finding myself / family in a self isolating situation with kids for two weeks, disruption to schools and work etc.. ah humm I'll leave it there.!

I now have the monzo card and so need to transfer some cash on to the card, my partner who is pretty laid back about money but is also sorting out his finances is keen to try this card and account too so this week coming I'll be helping him get set up with the account too.

Queen_of_the_Hive · 2 March 2020 at 11:38PM

Hello Monday evening,

I was planning to update the diary yesterday but didn't make it... oops!

So after procrastinating for weeks I finally made it out for a run on Sunday morning

. Wasn't anything special but boy did I feel it this morning lol. I was pleased though and definitely plan to get out again this week. So yesterday I made it to the garden centre and bought the bamboo canes, a couple of packets of vegetable seeds and a propagater. So in the next couple of weeks I will get these up and running. I needed the canes for my three bean plants that have managed to grow so far. I am impressed as I am completely novice to growing veg but plan to get into it this year!

So my balance transfer is now showing up on the card which I was paying interest on so that is great, my stocks and shares isa started making up for its losses last week which I am pleased to see and I am quite impressed with the Monzo card. I have not yet done anything on my passport application. With all this talk of the virus I'm not really feeling in holiday spirit.

Queen_of_the_Hive · 3 March 2020 at 10:39PM

Hi Tuesday,
Its 9.30pm and I struggling to keep my eyes open. So the presents for the kids and big kids arrived today and unfortunately man child very excitedly found his birthday gift of beers subscription in the shed

. He'd already discovered the card and cake earlier in the week so no surprises for him on Thursday.

Quick check of my spreadsheets are looking good - looks like if all goes to plan I will have paid off 5 or 6% of my debt! yay!

Sarahwithlove · 3 March 2020 at 11:43PM

Well done on making it through a rough period. I'm pleased you have a new job and seem to be enjoying it. Is there any update on the amicable divorce?

Queen_of_the_Hive · 4 March 2020 at 7:58AM

Hi Sarahwithlove, it's all gone a bit quiet on the divorce front. Not to be unexpected though as the paperwork is with the courts & just following through its paperwork trail. My ex and I suspect it'll be end of April time. I'm just looking forward to receiving the settlement as I want to move on too. Hope everything is good with you & thanks for reading my diary.

Sarahwithlove · 4 March 2020 at 8:48AM

clarissa62 said:

Hi Sarahwithlove, it's all gone a bit quiet on the divorce front. Not to be unexpected though as the paperwork is with the courts & just following through its paperwork trail. My ex and I suspect it'll be end of April time. I'm just looking forward to receiving the settlement as I want to move on too. Hope everything is good with you & thanks for reading my diary.

Not too long to go then. I imagine it will be nice to draw a line under it all and focus on looking forward.