Facing reality

notpropaganda73

Congratulations on the promotion! That's such a boost especially at this time of year. I'm in a similar mindset with going into the office at the minute when it comes to saving on our own heating and electric - at the minute I am three days a week in the office but I'm considering going in Monday-Thursdays.

Sarahwithlove

notpropaganda73 said:

Congratulations on the promotion! That's such a boost especially at this time of year. I'm in a similar mindset with going into the office at the minute when it comes to saving on our own heating and electric - at the minute I am three days a week in the office but I'm considering going in Monday-Thursdays.

Whilst it's within walking distance I would recommend it, dont know about yours but ours is soooo warm. Makes me take a packed lunch as well so less likely to graze on other things I don't really need. Its also round the corner from my gym which I really want to start going back to again as really noticing a difference in my mood since I gave it up. I could shower there then as well and dry my hair etc 

DancingInTheRain

Good to see you back. Congratulations on the promotion and sounds like you've got some good plans for your future, keep posting x

Sarahwithlove

DancingInTheRain said:

Good to see you back. Congratulations on the promotion and sounds like you've got some good plans for your future, keep posting x

Thank you, I think it's going to be important for me to do so to keep on plan with my finances. Happy to say today is going to be a NSD and my first for the month. 

Sarahwithlove

Failed and got a takeaway yesterday so that wasn't the best money saving thing to do. But I got back on prol1fic and luckily had some good surveys to do. Almost at the £5 cash out with more pending. 
Started doing PADs and save the change to try get some extra saved up for card payments. 
Busy rest of week for me, off to Xmas Market for the day tomorrow, then WFH Thursday which will be last meal together for me and lodger. Then Friday its into head office to get my new work laptop so will need to get some petrol. At least I can claim the mileage back. Just shame has to be a Friday. 
Have a work Xmas meal next week and then a meal out on the Thursday evening. Luckily already paid for the work meal so just mid week one.  I've split my remaining grocery and spending money into a weekly amount and been keeping track in my diary what I spend from it and see how much is left. 

Next week I'm back in head office 3 days for training so going to probably need to use spare money that was fo4 credit card overpayment to top up petrol later in month and for parking. Again will be able to claim parking back and mileage but you have to have the money in first place to then get it the next month. But will keep track of the amount and make sure I put it back when payday comes round. 

Sarahwithlove

So blew my budget today for the week at Christmas market, had a lovely day but now have to be very careful going forward. I have started doing PAD's and putting it into a separate saver, once built up at end of month will pay off my credit card. I'm also doing STC as well into another account with better interest. The PAD's account is looking quite healthy at the moment as cashed out on prolif!c this morning and CC. Have completed some more surveys and have another cash out amount ready for tomorrow with some still pending. I'm just trying to remind myself that actually Christmas is really only one day. 

Sarahwithlove

Went to head office today so had to pay parking (£15.50) for the day and had to fill up on petrol. I can claim it back on expenses but wont get that until next month. I was late waking up and didnt want to get out of bed as was too cold, i'm going to have to adjust the heating timer to half hour earlier whilst i'm doing these early starts. Treated myself to a coffee and meal deal from t3sco as a result. Also picked up a fakeaway for dinner so that I didn't order an actual takeaway.

Today my housemate moved the bunnies out and got very emotional as think shes realised now she wont be living here anymore. Tomorrow she is coming to get her bed and the cat, i've been invited out for breakfast and been uming and ahing over whether to go but think I will if only so that i'm not here when she comes for the cat as I'm going to miss her so much. I feel like coming home to her not here will be better then watching her be taken. I've also been invited to the pub to watch the England game as well, not sure whether will go or not, again may be good idea to keep busy. I will have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow as very tired at the moment. Part of me feels like I should say no to both and save on petrol and spending as I have a lot coming up this month and not sure how I am going to make my money last. I suppose I best go have a play around with my figures and see if anything I can do. My prolific has gone quiet now after a busy few days. 

Sarahwithlove

Happy Saturday, I decided to go out for breakfast and then we ended up playing a game of mini golf, spent slightly more then intended so bailed on going out this evening. Instead got myself some yummy snacks and watched it at home in the warm. I spent more in T3sco then I had planned but still cheaper then drinks, taxi and food out. Also home for bed at a sensible time as I am getting old now and need to be in bed by 10! 

Quiet one for me tomorrow, lots of chores to do round the flat, will watch some football and maybe go help put up Christmas decorations in the afternoon/evening but that's still a bit up in the air atm. Only 5-10 min drive away though so not end of world if do go and will likely get a free meal from it. 

I'm back to head office Monday, Thursday and Friday next week so that's £15.50 a day parking to be paid, rip off, I filled my car up and moved some of the extra CC payment money to petrol pot as think I will likely have to fill up again before end of the month. Have my work Christmas meal on Wednesday which I have already paid for meal itself its just drink, will only have the one soft drink which my colleague who I am taking will more than likely offer to buy. Rest of the time will be water for me as hopefully then it will be a free meal.
Thursday going out for a meal with some family, hoping again it will be paid for as relative who I helped move into her new house offered to take us all out for helping. Have to wait and see I suppose, its quite a posh place so may end up having to be careful with what I order otherwise. I need a cheap week as I have a busy weekend planned and not enough money to do everything I want this month. I think I will be living out of my freezer and cupboards as a way of keeping food costs down when I'm not eating out. Why does everyone want to do something in December but not the rest of the time when we have more spare money?!

PAD are still happening into my saver (£1.96 today) and then save the change which goes into its own one. I have decided I am going to leave STC locked away until the full year is up and it resets itself to see how much it adds up. Already over £10 and its only been a week of doing it. PAD's will eventually go towards the CC or that's the plan if life doesn't keep getting in the way. 

Sarahwithlove

First of 3 days in head office today, so that was another £15.50 spent on parking and 52 miles claimed for. I put the parking on my 0% spends credit card and will clear it at end of month when I get the expenses from last month back. Not ideal situation but think its going to have to be that way as will use a lot of petrol and pay a lot of parking over the next few months that I cant really afford to just absorb. Especially in January when do 3 weeks of it. 

Todays PAD came from my ch@se cashback, treated myself to coffee and rock cake as well as it was needed. Not used to these early starts, up at 6am and out the door by 7. When I WFH my alarm goes off at 8 ha! Had an unexpected expense today as forgot the football tickets for Jan's FA cup game go on sale today so that was £21 that also went on 0% card. I'm hoping I will have enough left over at end of the month to pay it back or that I can sell some clothes and make the money back. That's my aim anyway.  

Quiet day tomorrow, hopefully NSD as have nothing planned after work and have enough food in to get me through.

mark55man

you are managing your expenses/cards the same way I do.  I find that you tend to get a bit more back then you spend on petrol unless your mileage rate is under 20-25p.  That extra is, in the long term, meant to support the extra depreciation and maintenance costs from doing the miles, but in the short term can boost your cashflow just when you are incurring extra costs (coffee and cake) from being at work.

There are perks and benefits to being in the office but I don't like 6am starts either especially when its baltic out there

good luck and enjoy commute/office as much as you can - a good time to chillax and listen to your playlists in the car - very therapeutic !