Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

LadyWithAPlan

@South_coast it is amazing how spends  creep up even as we are watching it 
Your £20 per week extra savings sounds like a great attainable goal 

@Merlin's_Beard I think it’s hard to have a full on hard day and hard night life  
I pick each up alternately 
I am heading out to Europe this weekend and serious partying starts - staying with old friend for few days  and then off to probably the hardest drinking partying annual 2 weeks of my year   .. fun but i do also have meetings to do so hopefully it will be moderated to some degree 

@TallGirl the sewing sounds great - I have found with pattern cutting I need the teacher - the darts things I needed some clarity on the origami type folding on the blocks ..
they have cancelled todays course cos of train strikes annoyingly - so will have to redo class next term as about to miss 2 classes as abroad - back for one class then off abroad again for 3 weeks 

on Gym I have never felt so unfit and about to try all my serious glam dresses on for travel so there will be a wake up call - I weight approx the same but muscle mass is down and fat % up 

@savingholmes yes I will be compiling as of  today all invoices including April and pushing for interest charge 

Just sat on early train heading back to london as I am flying out Friday .. and been away from home since last Wednesday- listing my to do list so good to get me mentally  prepped - losing most tomorrow as at hairdressers in afternoon and it’s an hour travel each way (will go to Primarno on way back to get their glittery flip flops as they are cheap for travel and flip flops always get trashed 

Looked after my friends huge dog last week for a few days into the weekend (50kg and only a year old) too too cute - the monster just followed me around and cuddled me - if I was sat it had a head on my foot or a however it became clear even when I finally buy a flat being ready for a dog is still a huge lifestyle shift and I don’t have the time to properly look after it with my travel - I really want a dog but I am not prepared to do the major shifts required right now - 

then had a family 16th birthday this weekend - However her gcse start today - the day after her birthday so a  restrained family affair and she will have a big party after her exams are done but an amazing GF DF blueberry and lemon cake was made (not by me! ) Best decoration yet 

I had ordered some shoes she wanted £200 - (a family member going halves but prom shoes … expensive gift and I would not normally pay £100 for a kids birthday but 16th and ones she wanted) - got  10% off as new customer but then they turned out to be  too big despite standard sizing 

I have had to pay £1.95 for return plus we ordering the smaller size which I am convinced will be too small so a further £1.95 return 
So I will have to see if I can use a new email to get 10% off again 

a lot of hassle given I have a to do list longer than ever as this is my last 4 days before serious 6 weeks of travel starts broken only by a few days back in the uk 

I really need paying - my YNAB is yelling at me as we a week into May and I can’t budget as no money in since £1k in March beyond interest and cashback 
I have been asking /chasing everyday as my one big client is waiting for a big invoice at work to be paid - 
I chased the other one Friday 
I have moved cash from savings and allowing  my cc balance to build £2k nearly now - 
(Not paying interest as ensuring to pay balance ) 
but if I don’t get paid  this week I will have to move serious money around from my deposit 


I have to book some transatlantic flights, pay a supplier and organise accommodation for 10 days abroad 
so need cash and my cc limit is getting near 

So at least I am on train writing my to do list and getting full clarity on a very focused 3 days which also include 
hairdresser tomorrow - tomorrow is  largely a wash out 
shellac pedicure £30 cash but means my feet look fabulous in glittery flip flops (to be bought at primarni) 
seeing MWAP this eve - not seen him for a week and then won’t see him for 2 more weeks .

Premium bonds - no wins 
won last £25 in March and £50 in Jan on just over £16k 

My flight Friday is early afternoon 
so at least can properly pack early Friday morning but will need to leave mine by 10.30 am 

savingholmes

Good luck with the to do list. 

Frustrating on the outstanding invoices... 

skint_spice

Hope the money appears this week. The dog sounds adorable. 

DrCarrie

Hiya! Great to hear you are sewing, I did a lot of classes at Ray Stich. Love sewing - very mindful and satisfying.

I see you are still the frugal superstar. 

LadyWithAPlan

Just popping in as I had 2 lovely DM's from KK and Pennys checking I was still here..

 I have been abroad for 2 plus  weeks at a full on thing so no time to post Lots of fun was had, and spending was not too bad  - I am recovering though!

I am just back but off again from Saturday for 3 weeks for work so my list of todo's is long.. and I would be worried but I am just plugging thru the list calmly - stressing does not help 

Only been paid a small amount of my invoices so am managing but chased again this morning 

Hse looking on hold though one sounds lovely but £100k over my own idea of what I want to pay - so I am definitely planning to get another contract on my return

I did make the gym today ! I am also eating well as I was in a place where the sun shines so lots of salad and healthy protein despite the alcohol intake.

dawnybabes

All sounds good 🤣🤣

savingholmes

Glad you are doing okay and that you chased the invoices. Well done on the gym too - it's easier to keep a body trim than it is to get it looking trim again when it's neglected... I've a long way to go!! 

Watty1

Really annoying you have not been paid in full but you are travelling and enjoying life so all good.  Slightly envious of a place where the sun shines I must admit.

TallGirl

Sounds like you are having a fab time working and away. Well done on the gym it is so easy not to go when you are busy. Good for chasing the invoices they sound so rubbish those companies hope you find another more reliable one soon. 

LadyWithAPlan

tx all! Glad you all popped in 

I managed to weight lift and a 25 min swim today ! It’s so much easier when you are on a roll / I walked/danced  so much when I was away 20-30k steps a day I am feeling fitter so I am capitalising on this positive streak 

had a 40 % off Hell fresh delivery today - so new codes for free boxes (last ones expired) was it Redo that wanted one? 

Got 4 x 2 meals which will keep me going til I leave - including the chermoula lamb rice dish I like so much but will add extra greens to them all as a side at least - HFresh definitely does not do enough greens 

 also headed to Iceland for the cauliflower rice which they had run out of but did spend £25 on frozen veg etc 
I am really continuing to eat super well - lots of greens and chicken etc - I have 6 lbs of fat to lose and the greens fill me up and are good for me  - I have not drank since a singular (free) cocktail Sunday and planning 4 weeks off 


bought a Vinted dress I have been eyeing for months ! £34.50 all in 
it’s the same designer as my fav evening gowns (plural) only a smart day dress - they fit my body type super well so hoping this works as well - should arrive this weekend 

Don’t buy quality goods like suitcases from TK maxx 
I tried and failed to take a faulty carry on back to TK maxx today  - zip is coming away due to bad stitching and it’s  within their 3 month faulty policy and I had the receipt but took to my local store as the returns clearly says take to ANY TK Maxx  store 
1st they said I had to take it to store I bought it at 
2nd after me showing them clearly their own return policy they said yes I could at their store BUt only an exchange or a gift card 
3rd they then got shirty that they did not understand that when it says a refund it does not only mean a refund on a gift card but a refund of money - that they can’t just add extra words  to their faulty goods policy 
4th I then shook my law knowledge at them (& my ability to find and educate them on their own returns policy)  
5th they told me to call customer service - it was after hours so closed as a way to get me out the shop 
6th I refused to move whilst calling - then  One admitted they knew customer service was closed 

7th I got the manager name as neither he nor his staff had ever bothered reading the returns policy on their website 
8th they then says I had to go back to the original  store so they could check on their video camera I had bought if ! (It’s my card ad I had receipt)  OR I found accept a gift card 
9th I left stating I would be making a complaint and now have to go buy a new one but never from TK maxx again.   
10th I will be calling customer service first thing 

Moral  of story is
dont shop for quality goods at TK maxx
keep both the receipt and the tag together for TK maxx stuff 
you only have 3 months to return faulty goods  - I am only 2 months in - and they can decide if it’s worn (my case isn’t )

Either way  I need  a new carry on by Monday and will not be buying it from there