On my journey for financial freedom.

Allikat86

Hi @janb5 - yes, it’s sort of an NHS/police etc type of discount card. I am a nurse in a specialist role. It’s £5 - I think it’s valid for 2 years, but I could be wrong. It’s paid for itself several times over even though I’m not a big shopper as I needed to buy a washing machine not long after I bought it!

enthusiasticsaver

Glad you enjoyed your weekend away. 

Allikat86

Thanks @enthusiasticsaver! 

I’ve organised and paid for our entertainment for our mini UK break next month. Need to book the dog into kennels for a couple of days. If my parents can have our dog after that for a few days then I’m considering adding a bit of time on so that we can maybe spend a couple of days in S Wales as well. I haven’t had any annual leave since April and I’m on my knees, to be honest! 

I had a £15 voucher for Fat Face so I bought myself a dress and necklace in the sale last night, which cost about £20. It’s rare that I buy anything for myself and I still feel guilty whenever I do it! Budget is still fine this week though.

I should get a cash out of £11.55 from Prolific today which will go into the Xmas pot. I have another £28.04 confirmed ready to request cash out for too, which I’ll either put into the Xmas pot or the holiday funds pot.

Allikat86

Last night I developed a raging sore throat and temperature after niggling for a few days. I feel so light headed and exhausted! Did a lateral flow test which was negative. I have spots on my tonsils and it feels like when I’ve had tonsillitis before. I’ve called in sick for the first time in almost a year (bar a day off a couple of months ago). I dropped the kids off to school, popped into the village quickly for some fresh bread and steak in case I fancy eating later. No other spends planned for today. 

Allikat86

It’ll be a no spends day today. 

I’m at home as I have a day of online lectures for my post grad. I’m technically off sick but will listen in. Still feel quite under the weather, but usually perk up pretty quickly once I’ve had a day or two of high temps with throat stuff. Going to try to get out for a quick walk with the dog later to keep myself moving.

I have a date lined up on Saturday. I dated him last summer for a few weeks, but there was a lot going on with his extended family so we dropped it. He got back in touch after a few months and I was polite but not very engaging to be honest! I was also seeing someone at the time, which I ended not long after. The guy from before messaged again a couple of weeks ago to apologise and explain things a little more fully. I have a lot of respect for him making himself vulnerable and doing that. It was a real apology as well - not a nod to it. We met up for coffee last weekend, now dinner this weekend. Just need to let it pan out super slowly. Last time it was all mad chemistry, though I was artificially trying to slow it down - we recognised it when we went for coffee and talked about just moving slowly this time, if we carry on seeing each other. Slow and consistent is key for me. Difficult when you want to climb someone like a tree, ha! 

I’m not dating otherwise right now as life is really busy with post grad etc. If this fizzles then I’ll likely wait until after this finishes at the end of the year to date again.

I also had some wonderful news yesterday - I had a changing cluster of moles on my back and had a pretty big excision a couple of weeks ago. All benign!

beanielou

Hope all goes well

Allikat86

Thanks @beanielou!

I’m having spending guilt. I cracked my Thermos earlier when putting some stuff away, so I’ve just bought a new one from Amazon. To be fair, I do use it the Thermos at least once a week when out for longer walks... I have offset it by using some of the money that I earned from Prolific this week. I’m actually still well within budget for this week even without doing that, so I’ll replace it if I don’t get any unexpected spends. I also bought a little bag for my son to take his kit to his new dance classes. I still find it strange that I get guilt four years after separating from my financially abusive ex husband. I only ever get it now when I buy stuff for myself - not for the kids or anyone else. These scars run deep...

Prolific cash was in the Xmas fund so I’m also feeling guilt about that, which is ridiculous really as I’ve earned over double the amount spent on Prolific this week...

Although I’ve sent cash to ex husband via solicitors for transfer of equity, I’m still waiting for the paperwork with Land Registry and mortgage company - I think there have been some delays on my solicitor’s side. Just want it done now so that I can change the locks, order new carpet and order a new bed for my daughter - can’t do the latter until the carpet in place, really! She has the smallest room (which she chose) and it’s freshly decorated, so I promised that I’d get her a loft bed with a desk underneath. She is absolutely desperate for it and she’s been such a star. I’m really looking forward to sorting it for her. 

Allikat86

Today won’t be a no spends day as it’s our weekly sweets/treat day, but it’ll only be a couple of ££. I need to get some top up milk/bread too.

Still feeling rough with my throat infection, but starting to feel better. I fought the guilt and called in sick today. Hopefully if I really rest again today then I’ll pick up properly for next week. I’m spinning so many plates right now that I need to just have a breather for a minute and let my body recover! Staffing levels are really low right now so I feel bad about it, but I also have another five months before I finish my PG Dip and work need me to pass it so that I can officially start my new role... so I need to be kind to myself.

beanielou

Listen to your body & indeed be kind to yourself 

Allikat86

@beanielou I’m really glad that I took the day off yesterday actually - feel much better for the extra day - still have a sore throat but not spiking temps like before. Hope that you have a good weekend planned!

We are going to the beach with friends this afternoon. I’m just about to pack a lunch for us. I am pretty sure that I won’t be able to find a quiet spot to park as the weather is totally beautiful today, so I’ll need to pay for parking, which I can’t bring myself to get upset about as it’ll be lovely to hang out with our friends and cheaper than lunch somewhere! I have my date later this evening - he’s picking me up and we’re taking a chippy and flask to the beach.