Keep calm and carry on....

South_coast

Money shuffle for me is always on payday. I normally tend to set them up in advance, but not knowing how much the mortgage payment was going to be thwarted me somewhat this month. I had half expected BF to borrow the money to fund buying some shares that he knew were going to rocket up in value (or some similar venture where he ends up wealthier), but apparently it was just to cover some DD's that had fallen on awkward dates - most dull!

So, I did a 15-point survey on One Poll last night to get to my required points, cashed out, got a notification at the top of the screen to say I'd done so, and....nothing. I was expecting an email to confirm the request, but nothing. My points balance is now showing as 0 and when I click on the reward history it says I haven't taken any. Hmmm.... I want my £25 and I really hope they don't make this as painful as transferring my balance over from their old platform was 😮 

South_coast

Right, it's the end of January (almost), so time to check in on the 2021 goals:

South_coast said:

Money....
* Save up £4k to transfer into the LISA at the start of the new tax year - This will earn me the maximum bonus of £1k for The Future and the overall "money needed" figure - Achieved 🧚‍♀️
* Once I have the £4k ready, pile all money into the mortgage - Simples! - Underway 🧚‍♀️
* No clothes purchases, except for work clothes, underwear and tights - I don't have loads of clothes, but I definitely have enough and they're all in decent enough condition. The exceptions are to a) make sure I look professional and b) ensure public decency, so are sensible enough omissions! - I have ordered some sports leggings (much better than jeans 🤣) but that was using Amazon credit, so no money spent
* 1% of monthly salary to be donated to local homeless charity - Rolled over from 2020, as not yet a habit - Yep, done with January salary

2021, the year of health....
* Buy a 12-month prescription pre-payment certificate - I have been guilty of not using my inhalers at the prescribed dose to save on prescription charges in the past, so this feels sensible and grown-up. It will also save me money overall - Not needed yet, I've got a few spare inhalers to use up first
* Act promptly on health concerns - No more ignoring back/chest pain for two weeks and telling myself it's down to sleeping on a lumpy mattress (although this did at least prompt me to buy a loooovely mattress topper 🤣!) - This month I've had a hospital appointment, GP appointment about one thing, phone call with the GP about something else and nurse appointment, so yes!
* Continue to minimise alcohol consumption - No explanation needed here, I think! - Started badly as I got a bottle of vodka for Christmas that I was desperate to get rid of, but improved once that was done with
* Avoid all processed sugar - I'm not going to refuse birthday cake if someone has taken the time to bake it, but I'm not going to go looking for it either. The same goes for biscuits, chocolate etc - Don't think I've had any, unless you count alcohol (and I don't 😀)
* Take steps to minimise processed food - A bit tricky as I'm veggie (I do eat fish, but not at home - mostly to make it easier for other people catering for me), so I can't just base meals round a piece of meat, but some of the meat-alternative products don't feel very natural so I'm trying to cut those out as much as possible. Just need to make sure I leave myself something to eat! - Nothing at home, BF has cooked one or two bits, but I can't demand too much when he is both purchasing and cooking!
* Exercise outdoors once a week and indoors once a week - I know this will sound really lame to you fit lot, but I have to start somewhere and also try and keep it achievable - I was up to date on outdoors, but will fall back this week as it's pouring all weekend. Bit behind on indoors (which you'd think would be easier 🤔!)

Not a bad start, I'm happy with that 😀!

South_coast

Aargh, I've just remembered I HAVE had some processed sugar 🙁 I've been using up a tub of hot chocolate. All done now though, so onwards and upwards!

killerpeaty

What indoor exercise is it that you are not keeping up with? Maybe you could change the exercise so it's more fun? 

Personally, I hate exercise because I go from breathing to not being able to breathe at all in 30 seconds so I try not to do anything that prompts that reaction, like cycling slowly and short bursts of yoga.

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, excellent progress there SC, well done you! Good work on acting on health complaints too. So important and something I'm guilty of myself sometimes.. 

South_coast

Thanks both 😀 

KP - Indoor exercise at the moment is skipping (running and on the spot), sit ups (or crunches, not sure when one becomes the other) and (girlie) press ups. Nothing exactly strenuous, but I only ever seem to think about it after dinner - probably eating too much! I'd love either an exercise bike or treadmill, just can't think where I would store them 🙁

edinburgher

South_coast said:

Good lord, I've just done a survey on bowel movements 😮😳😮😳😮!!!

It's a 💩 job, but somebody has to do it 🤣

debtfreeoneday

I am as much as 1poll is driving me up the wall, the random surveys I’m getting and the fact they seem to be paying at a higher level are making it worthwhile. Hope the payout goes smoothly. Are you ditching it now?

South_coast

edinburgher said:

South_coast said:

Good lord, I've just done a survey on bowel movements 😮😳😮😳😮!!!

It's a 💩 job, but somebody has to do it 🤣

Love it Ed 🤣🤣🤣!

South_coast

debtfreeoneday said:

I am as much as 1poll is driving me up the wall, the random surveys I’m getting and the fact they seem to be paying at a higher level are making it worthwhile. Hope the payout goes smoothly. Are you ditching it now?

Yes, definitely. As soon as I get my paws on the cash I'm off!