Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Thank you SH, Skinty and SW

Happy New Year!

I have settled into my job since knowing someone was leaving 🤭 and it is one I could do for several years.

I've still been enjoying the holiday season, having lots of laughs and chats with TomBo, watching TV, eating and had a lot of rest.

Yesterday I was taken out to a few counties for photo opportunities and have managed a couple of snow capped mountain (hill) pictures! I've yet to have a proper look at them, but it's on my to do list. 

Didn't sleep last night and went to bed when TomBo got up, managed to finally stay awake and get up after midday!

Tomorrow we are going to the bank to pay in gifts, been told we'll be popping in pr1mark and I'll be taken for a hot chocolate.

I'll catch up with diaries over the next couple of days and post my year end results up too; I've not forgotten you all 💖

MovingForwards

The long awaited end of 2022 financial round up:

Saved £376 pushing all savings up to £8012

Saved £100 into the car everything pot, pushing that up to £658

£40 float

£10 misc fund

Overpaid the mortgage by £1175, bringing that down to £56,995 (ish)

Plans for 2023 are save as much as I can, January I'm aiming for £200 in general savings and £100 to car everything, with a bit in the misc fund.  I'll be transferring money from lower APR savings to the 7% account, so my overall monthly interest will start to go down, but have a lump sum from the new account just before Christmas 2023.

I'd like to get general savings up to £10k and the mortgage down to £55k, however I'll reassess everything in February when I should know more about hours etc.

savingholmes

Great progress and goals. Glad you got out and about for the photos.

Skint_yet_Again

Well done on the mortgage overpayments bringing it under 57k. All other savings pots are looking good too 🤗

MovingForwards

Thanks SH and Skinty

Well I've certainly made the most of this holiday season with rest and relaxation, I almost feel normal and have started driving again 😊

I'm slowly building towards picking my studies up, still feel guilty about not doing the exam this month but I'll get over it; I've still got the other result coming March which combined with another I hold is a qualification in its own right. 

Just paid my registration fee and retain the letters after my name 🤗

Yesterday I had a pamper, shaved legs, nice shower and got all dressed up for a few hours. In the evening I painted my nails red and put silver crackle on top of my finger nails. I'm applying moisturiser daily.
- I'll be practicing with different hairstyles on the weekends 🤭

I've ordered a few things from 3bay including a gorgeous enameled necklace, satin shawl / wrap and chunky healed boots; spent less than £20 on those. I ordered other things including a dress and those bits came in at under £40. As usual I've saved loads buying previously loved. 
- I'll be going through my jewellery and donating some to charity. I've also been wearing my engagement ring on a daily basis, just turn it round when I go to bed so the 'rock' doesn't catch the covers.

The Christmas money TomBo has spent on a new stiff broom for outside, a vac which has made the carpets and rugs look new and today he got me a turquoise, pink and white glass ball. 

I'm back on a diet of sorts, mainly watching the junk food and carbs I ram down my neck. Started on the 1st and stuck to it, I even ration biscuits, don't have them if I've had a lot of food that day or if I've already had something 'naughty'.

Still to look at the photos, postpone my exam and sort my job application out ready for when it goes live, but I'll get them done this week. 

MovingForwards

I'm back on the hamster wheel, eased myself in yesterday and was up to speed today. I am also giving a lot of support to another colleague who isn't really getting to grips with the work.

I've estimated I'll be doing these hours for another couple of months and if I can make it to double payday month on this wage I'll have my hair trimmed and book a 'nail art' appointment as a treat; less than £50 for all of it.

I'll be picking studies up properly at the end of this month as it gives me a few more weeks to carry on my recovery and rest.

The necklace arrived today, it's really pretty but isn't the colour they said it was, just have to compare it to the outfit I had planned and see if it can be incorporated. 

Did the washing up after work and I'll have to touch a couple of nails up until the weekend when I'll redo them properly.

Had a dance on my chair for an hour while playing music, which was a lot of fun! Ending up dozing on my chair after chilli and rice as I've not slept the last two nights.

Must try and do a few surveys each day too.

I've got just over £100 to last until payday, basically £33pw for food and whatever else I want to buy 😀 

savingholmes

Dance sounds fun 

MovingForwards

Thanks SH, it was a lot of fun!

No dancing today as TomBo was on an early, I worked over.

I will be applying for the job when it gets advertised.  If I was to get it I'd budget as I do now on my lower PT hours and the new salary would allow £100pm for spending on me and the rest into savings. I'll tweak my application this week.

We popped to T for fruit, veg, juice and cat food; back home within 45 minutes of leaving.

I've had my feet up all evening and been watching TV 😀 

Skint_yet_Again

Good luck with your job application 🤞

savingholmes

Best of luck with the job. Glad things have settled for you.