Designing my new life

designingalife

Hi Folks
Not a huge amount happening a the moment, busy with babysitting and work last week and for most of next week.

Budget wise will be in overdraft for sure this month, pay day on Friday.

What I have noticed is changes in the way I think about things and evaluate what and how much I spend which I am feeling positive about. 

No viewings on house so far so just wait and see I guess on that one.

Have the prescription for the Dogs meds which I will order on Friday once paid it will be a big hit on budget as I will be getting 3 months supply but it is about half the cost. The saving has been put towards taking out a service plan for my car for services and MOTs over next 5 years (The term of the warranty period) So that is a major yearly expense organised.

TV gave up the ghost last night, it is an old one about 8 years I think however as we are in a townhouse we have a reception on ground floor and first floor so we still have a working set. Not planning on replacing at the moment as it is likely if we move we will only need one so will hang off for now.

I was supposed to be working all of Xmas and New Year but have been five couple of days off over Xmas so now working Xmas Even and Xmas day and the right through New year. Quite pleased to get the 2 extra days off but don’t mind working Xmas day as I need the cash to go towards the CC.

Credit Card balance has went up due to the balance transfer fee however the new DD for 165 which is 10% is due off on 23rd.

Work on Uni assignments is progressing well should have one complete and submitted in next day or two leaving 2 weeks for the second.

Trying to do some work on positivity, mindfulness etc and generally just making time for myself, so far going well.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend 

Stay Safe 

savingholmes

Just popping along to wish you good luck with your plans. Good to have a clear goal to work towards - helps keep things on track. Hope you sell at the right time and price for you and find the house of your dreams.

designingalife

Hi Folks
So ended up in the overdraft this month to the tune of £300 😥 not ideal but not entirely unexpected as £400 + bill for car, and 3 major family birthdays, plus some food shopping done for Xmas off that pay meant it was probably wishful thinking to end up differently. 

A review of bills revealed a surprising under spend on fuel 😀 but a scary overspend on groceries I.e nearly double !!!

We have this morning went through the freezer and have enough meals for 2 weeks, went to shops today and got other odds and ends we needed plus most of last minutes Xmas gifts, by end of week will have organised all spends for the month and should have a clear picture of where we are, having quiet Xmas and new year due to work/Covid so not expecting an expensive month compared to normal. 

Have a viewing on house for Wednesday so fingers crossed.

Have one Uni assignment submitted and one due Friday , have been running last 3 days so that’s good .... good for my mental health.

No much else to report just now hope everyone is well

stay safe

savingholmes

It can take a while to get the hang of budgeting - Christmas often throws a curve ball on top. Keep going. You'll get there

designingalife

savingholmes said:

It can take a while to get the hang of budgeting - Christmas often throws a curve ball on top. Keep going. You'll get there

Thanks savingholmes , have sat down tonight and allocated everything for Xmas and worked forward for the next 5 months, we have been addressing long term budgeting issues such as the Car Service , Dogs meds as we go so trying to build better habits.
Due to working Xmas there will be something extra to throw at the Debt in January however the real opportunity comes in April as I am paid 4 weekly and April is when I get the free pay which saves me a lot . Plan is to target getting rid off all the Debt by then , currently just over 4700 in total. It look doable with discipline and it gives a solid target to aim at. Step 1 Stay out of overdraft and make an overpayment to CC in excess of the increased DD. 😂

savingholmes

You get so much further when you plan. Sounds good

designingalife

Deary me .... 1st viewing of house today , estate agent fails to turn up on time, viewers do though luckily I had hung around , so end up showing them the whole house by time agent arrives , who tells me she was late from last appointment but the office had called me to let me know..... I was like err no ...... in 3 appointments with them they have yet to be on time 😡.
The agent who we should normally deal with had emailed to say the viewing had went well !! Well of course as I did it myself.
Okay rant over.........
The couple were very nice, seemed genuinely interested and have already sold but kinda got the vibe that although they had clearly thought about how they would live here I just don’t think it was quite for them. Still staying hopeful 🤞 

[Deleted User]

Just popping in to say hi and that I hope you get some positive results from your viewings and more viewings/an offer!  You sound like an angel doing babysitting so often, especially when it is a trip to get there.

designingalife

So the main news of the week is despite the chaotic viewing we got an offer on Friday, after a bit of to and fro we accepted an offer 😀 very happy. We are mindful that thing can and often do go wrong so not getting too ahead of ourselves, but given all the craziness in the world and in general I feel fortunate.

All Xmas presents wrapped and all food in although will be pretty low key, in addition to working through Xmas and New Year we will have the GKs an extra 3 days next week, an outbreak of Covid at the nursing home my DD works in means they have literally only a quarter of the normal staff so my DD is doing extra to help out so we will be minding the GKs.

Managed to get 4 runs in this week which is good I always feel the benefit afterwards.

Got the second Uni assignment in ahead of the deadline, if I’m honest a bit of a rush job so remains to be seen what marks I get 😂

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

savingholmes

Great news on the house offer. Enjoy your Gks