Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Thanks SH and FP

I do walk round the flat, stretch, garden lunchtimes and after after work. The hours don't really work out much different to what I've been doing as I extended them, unpaid, to see if I could work FT, balance health and life.

I did feel guilty keeping the secret, however felt you'd all understand and appreciate a happy surprise. It was 3 months from booking to wedding and the prep was enjoyable.

New hours have been agreed and I've a few weeks before they start.  I'll allocate the first £200 between increasing mortgage O/P and savings.

I've decided to allow myself everything over that, approx £50, to spend on me, regular eyebrow threading, buying v33t and other feel good treats. I still have to get to get the permanent false lashes priced up, patch test done and booking sorted out. Hopefully they can come within the new 'me' budget every other month.

We had spicy refried beans and rice for tea, brownie for pudding and I'll have fruit in a bit. 

savingholmes

I like how you've portioned up the new money.

MovingForwards

Thank you SH

My stance has always been if we're getting by on a lower salary, stick to that budget when getting increases. There'll be another pay rise at some point with backpay, when the unions have finished negotiations, again whatever that amounts to over my current salary will be dealt with the same way.

I've managed to get us into a good financial position, which is why I've regularly saved since buying the flat, now I feel comfortable and secure enough to allow an actual budget for pamper treats. 

I'll still be colouring my own hair, lashes and brows, v33t my legs while watching TV but with a good pamper budget I don't need to be 'worrying' if things are not on special offer. 

I did nearly 4h at 2nd home weeding the area I've designated for flowers. I've put the lavender in, should have the lupin's in tomorrow and will do more weeding afterwards to see if my flower section is bigger than I think.

We had chicken in a spicy tomato sauce with rice for tea, hopefully I'll get brownie tonight unless TomBo has eaten it all and I'll have fruit.

Skint_yet_Again

Flower garden sounds lovely 💐

Hopefully I will have something growing in my garden next year once we have finished spraying the brambles, ivy and bindweed and killed it all ! 

savingholmes

Fantastic approach to savings 

savingwannabe

Hurrah for rise at work and for treating yourself regularly. So glad Tombo is looking after you. If you get bored pop down here as i have a garden to start!!!! Enjoy it and keep posting ideas of what you are doing so i can attempt the simple stuff. Stay happy lovely friend. 

MovingForwards

Thank you Skinty, SH and SW

I don't blame you for going with the quick approach to dealing with those. We've still got loads of bramble to get up and bindweed has popped up in my plot and two others!

I was down 2nd home all morning, clearing weeds for my mate, doing a few other bits and lifted all the bindweed across the plots.  I finished weeding the strip, split my two pots of lupins into six groups and planted them in the strip. Still need to finish weeding the lavender strip and sow seeds.
- got loads to do before the whole plot is ready, just got to keep chipping away. No time to visit and do gardens down south 🤭

I've got my new contract. I'll book all the business closed dates off when my hours change to see what allowance I've got left and consider what days to have off the rest of the year.

While out I popped to the beauty salon where my makeup artist works. Had lash consultation, patch test and I'm booked in for next Friday. It's £55 I've paid in full from the former wedding budget as that's now my pamper account. I've told my friend, the p-grapher, who was pleased as she loved the strip lashes I had on last week.

I've lost 1lb 🤗

TomBo is so loved up, I feel warm and fuzzy, cat is getting spoilt 💓

We had pizza for tea.

savingholmes

Glad you are still buzzing 

~FlowerPot~

You seem very happy. I love how busy you are and motivated. My garden is fast becoming a jungle! 

MovingForwards

Thank you SH and FP

I've been to 2nd home this morning, got hold of a tayberry vine and turned it into several cuttings, I've 2 cuttings at home in water. I'm hoping they take as two of us want them on our plots. Ideally one each for neighbours garden, my sibling, possibly SILs plot and any spares I can pass to others.

TomBo popped down to remove barbed wire. I got rained off lunchtime and only did 4h. It's dried up again now, but I'm snuggled on my chair 🤭 
- I'll pop down later to water greenhouse.

TomBo is making and fitting shelves in the bathroom, he's also making fence posts for the garden and 2nd home.

We're having a 'home' day today, will venture out to do shopping, tip run and whatever else tomorrow.