A Year in the Life of...

savingholmes

Great progress. Clearing the debt step by step

girlatplay

savingholmes wrote: »

Great progress. Clearing the debt step by step

It just feels like it's going so slowly at the moment.



Sharpish finish from work today. I'm still about 15 hours up in flexi. I work 4 hours a day so this is almost 4 days' worth. I have the flexi day confirmed next week so that takes away one and I can carry forward two so just got to get rid of 3 hours. I'm trying so hard to go in at 9 and finish early. I'm not quite as busy as I was the first week back so it's coming down very slowly.

Financially:
- second cc bill came in this morning so that's now paid (£8.99 - I use it to pay for Netflix each month just to keep the card open as it's a Clarity card so I can use it with no charges when I go abroad).
- two more small surveys done so hopefully they will be confirmed soon. That will take me to just under the £5 pay out mark. Hopefully I'll pick up another survey later today.
- decided to put the dining table I have on FB marketplace. Had some interest but the first person has changed their mind and I'm waiting for the second one to get back to me. Hopefully they will collect and then I can use that money for groceries.

girlatplay

That's another weekend over. At least the sun is shining here today so that keeps my spirits up. It turned out to be a bit of an exhausting weekend but I tried to keep my stress levels low and that seemed to work.

I picked up the two Flip It books from the library today so I'll start them tomorrow as got too much on this afternoon.

I've been let down a number of times over the sale of this dining table but I think I've finally sold it. The person is supposed to be coming tonight between 6 and 6.30pm. The message from this person was different from the others so hopefully this is the one.

I bought just over £13 worth of groceries today. Not got the money to put in the cc account right now but if the table goes tonight I'll put that in to cover, if not it will be covered on payday. Still limping along to Friday.

Financially:
- third (and final) cc bill came in on Saturday - £230 (this is the one I use for all my spends. It's an Amex so very occasionally I have to use one of the others).
- still waiting for the surveys to be approved so still sitting under the £5 mark. Picked up another survey today which alone will take me over £5 when it clears. Fingers crossed for today and I'll put it to the groceries.
- I paid across £10 each to each of the Christmas 2020 savings account and the ordinary savings account. I had a further £20 but that had to go towards the cc bill.

I'm just tidying up the accounts ready for Friday.

beanielou

Hope that the table is picked up tonight

girlatplay

beanielou wrote: »

Hope that the table is picked up tonight

They turned up for the table! Hooray!! I got £50 That is what I asked for. Some of the others had offered £40 and I had accepted their offer but then they didn't turn up. Sooooo happy. I can cover groceries for the rest of the week and there will likely be some left

I'm looking at the money though and wishing I could put it aside.

beanielou

Can you try to hang on to half the money?

girlatplay

beanielou wrote: »

Can you try to hang on to half the money?

Yes, most likely. I've put £30 in my purse and tucked £20 away in a drawer already. I was going to pay the £30 into the bank tomorrow but I think I'll do what you've suggested and just pay in £25 then add the £5 to the drawer money. I'm not one for having cash but a couple of months back I thought I'd start putting a bit away each month. It lasted one month before I needed the money but at least the thought was there.

Thank you for the encouragement

Sarahwithlove

Isn't it great when you get some unexpected funds? I'm planning on having a sort out this weekend to see what I can sell. Anything is better than nothing.

savingholmes

Great news on the budgeting and the table. I really must start selling stuff.

girlatplay

Sarahwithlove wrote: »

Isn't it great when you get some unexpected funds? I'm planning on having a sort out this weekend to see what I can sell. Anything is better than nothing.

Absolutely! I was going to give it to charity like I do with all my stuff because I don't really like selling but I had a mini meltdown a few days ago about how skint I am and out of desperation I put it on the FB selling site. I did like the table but it was time for it to go.

savingholmes wrote: »

Great news on the budgeting and the table. I really must start selling stuff.

I'm really pleased it has sold. I don't like selling stuff though, I find it difficult with the amount of people who say they'll take it then ghost me. I just needed the cash this time.



I paid £20 into the bank which will cover the £14 spend yesterday with £6 left for incidentals until Friday. I am meeting a friend in the afternoon tomorrow for coffee. We're going to the supermarket cafe so it will be less than £5 for 2 coffees. The other £5 I will put with the £20 in my drawer until further notice. I have leftovers from last night's tea for tonight. I have ingredients for tea for LMG and myself for tomorrow night's tea. Thursday, I'm not sure what is happening yet as I might be seeing boyfriend and it's his turn to make tea but I might not see him (we don't always make firm plans). I have ingredients for myself and LMG so either way we should make it to Friday without dipping more money.

Had a mental health learning session at work today. A lot of things that were discussed have been discussed here and in other diaries here. I managed to get the Flip It book into the discussion too

Financially:
- I did a survey this morning for 15p. That has been approved already so my survey account is up to £4.07. Typically the larger amounts have not been approved yet so I'm still under the payout mark.
- £20 from table paid into bank. £14 moved to cc account to cover yesterday's grocery shop. £6 left for incidentals to Friday.