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

themadvix

My Sister was provided with cameras by the local authority/LA-linked charity (? I think) after an acrimonious split from her occasionally abusive partner. So in some circumstances they are available for single ladies in need!

Love that WattyDog was more put out that no one would play than by the shouting - so helpful 😉

LadyWithAPlan

@Watty1 all hail to the WattyDog  
Annoying re no actual conversation can be picked up though
I am sure police find it useful in crimes, of course it does mean we are all surveilled...

Currently just screwed it into my actual door with one nail (need to get drill for second hole) just in time for inspection. Was a bit worried  on door damage but its a v small screw. Will add second screw in later
Off shortly to pick up the 2 indoor cameras, may get a third. 
Just changing the sensitivity as its picking up my 2 neighbours in /out so...

@beanielou glad you feel safe.
I have never felt I needed one but for £80 annual subs and the cost was £104 for doorbell with chime and 2 cameras.. then at current start of this next step its a good idea.

LadyWithAPlan

Eating the most delicious food with  my slight hangover  after a great night out in London, saw lot of friends I had not seen for months - it was almost like a Xmas gathering as the club had been closed for a while. Everyone was a little fizzy - happy excited hugging properly enjoying all being together, all ages.

I had defrosted one of the excess dishes I had cooked for my xmas parties, (like a long cooked ethnic stew) and along with some roast veggies I threw in to utilise the oven being on. Every mouthful is a delight especially when its cold but bright outside.

Sitting here in my study window in a room flooded with winter sunshine, heating is on and warming nourishing food - today is a beautiful morning, I can feel my hangover disappearing with every bite. 
Also first time I have tested my oven since I realised one of the hobs is tripping the electric fuse. It worked fine. Will give the hob another clean but I have 3 other rings so no drama

I am surprised almost I am so happy given the flat situation but I am.  I chanted to make the right decision and to be happy I made the right decision and I am

 This is about standing up for my community and one lady who has already made  concrete plans to move back to her parents so is leaving, actually text us all that 'watching all us galvanise and support each other, making  huge efforts and pushing back'  has inspired her to be braver in life, to reach out for help in difficult situations and not shrink and just accept the imposed status quo.


aRG*S/Bli*k saga
I braved the cold mid winter to go to 2 separate Sains to pick up the video doorbell (there ) and the mini cameras (not there). So  had to pop out  again once I got a 'its there' notification. However instead they had delivered a giant heater instead which they told me to take and return. I refused of course  and demanded to see  Sains manager who handled the refund. He suggested I call them to reorder .. I complained re the cold and they refunded me the next day delivery  charges £4.95 so they got posted this morning ... waking me up at 8am.

I am liking the video doorbell (has one month free subs) and just working on its sensitivity. I added the one camera and  magically I am getting also 30 days free on the sub so my 30 days clock of free subs  re-started, so I will wait for 28 days before I add the second camera - hoping to get another 30 days sub free  then
I can just add a usb into the main monitor but that could be removed and I dont want any hassle on recordings.

Spending - in my attempt to pick up the cameras...

Grocery £59.12/£200
Sain £7.95 inc reduced Peanut butter
Co-op £3.05 (got £1 off in the app off my shopping)
Morries £20.68

Last night  £57.60 drinks for 2 rounds,,,,

CB £2.10 off the cameras so far via Airtime rewards and I ordered via TCB  to then  Arg*s despite having an acct with them  so should be a bit more to come 

Cheery_Daff

Glad you've got the cameras, but sorry you're in a situation where they're necessary! 

LadyWithAPlan

themadvix said:

My Sister was provided with cameras by the local authority/LA-linked charity (? I think) after an acrimonious split from her occasionally abusive partner. So in some circumstances they are available for single ladies in need!

Love that WattyDog was more put out that no one would play than by the shouting - so helpful 😉

thats good news at least! They are useful for security, just never thought I would feel the need for them here. 

LA Fires - so awful
Been in touch with  a few  friends who live out there - one got out ok with her husband and dog but lost everything  as the house burned down  was in Altadena. I knew the area so well.. They have lost all their memories as moved to LA from London a few years ago.
I also am thinking of all the pets and wild animals as well as so much greenery up there.. A favourite place where I would go hiking 'runyon canyon'  was scorched and was contained but the wildlife where has it all gone into hiding? ..

My second friend she so far (touch wood) has been ok so far - she took her jewellery out the safe and  sat in her lounge and waited to hear  re evacuation  - so scary - she is surrounded by beautiful trees... her brothers home burnt down  in Palisades but luckily he was moving so it was empty ..
A  few others  I know there are also ok but ....on @watty1 diary we are discussing GASDC (death cleaning) again. I have stopped decluttering but it does make you think about how easy it is to grab what you really thought was precious aside from your loved ones and pets (I would be carrying some art , jewellery, plus some precious pieces of clothing and my laptop!)
So I do want to keep on the decluttering - will start a daily routine again. I am of course chanting for them  all in LA and those brave firefighters  as well. Those flames are huge.

LadyWithAPlan

Had a great weekend actually / partied Friday (& gym) then lazy Sat then Sun I went to the gym, looked at a bike store, saw some amazing art exhibitions and we had a meeting with those of us doing the legal battle and others who are still considering it 
I bought a GF coffee /cake ( cake was a bit dry) then a round of drinks Sunday but spending not too bad 

today I started a new contract (for some odd days) so half day spent on msteams having prepared last week and a day tomorrow 

my main contract did pay me a small amount last Friday .. as they need me to do a large amount of work that they know I will save them £££££ or ££££££ .. I will have another conversation on invoices paid this week however I am now delaying the buying for a few months at least 
I am charging some decent interest which is a decent side hustle in itself  

what with the legal changes on renters rights lots of landlords I believe will be selling / sure others will be buying but at least there will be more on the market and I don’t think interest rates are going anyway really this year 

Classes 
one class finishes end the month so looking at 2 others to start but don’t want to overload myself so will decide .. 

i will apply for more jobs Wednesday as working tomorrow on teams so …

2024 review -2026 goals 
I finally feel ready to do that tonight as I had a busy weekend 

LadyWithAPlan

@Cheery_Daff I am probably over reacting but good to have footage.

LOVING my Bl*nk video doorbell and indoor camera. Only plugged in the one camera so far  as you get a months trial on subscription so I will wait til the current trial nearly runs out to get a further 30 free days on the second.
The video doorbell  is great, I get notified by my apple watch and my phone if someone is near the front door... and it records it.

All quiet on the western front on the flat  battles, they no doubt looking at their best legal response. I have a feeling they may wait to see all of us doing this route but lets see. I am calm and clear.

Savings 
TCB £23.91  - largely from my home insurance (think should have been more but its ok). This is going directly into my  TT Cash isa.
Small TT cash isa £3.79 interest
TT cash isa now at £1057.70

Mnzo 1p a day ... Challenge I have just joined this challenge just so I can be in for the EOY £10k prize. You have to start before the end of Jan to be eligilble - I have a basic free acct so I am not eligible  for the monthly drawers but it can go towards xmas next year  as its 1p day one, 2p day 2 so will get to £3.65 per  on day 365 etc

PennysIntoPounds

That sounds an interesting challenge LaPlan, how pathetic is it that I thought 'I'd like to do that' then realised how much it would stress me to put those small amounts aside! Could be maybe doable if it's a decent interest rate though, do you get any benefit from referring people? 

LadyWithAPlan

PennysIntoPounds said:

That sounds an interesting challenge LaPlan, how pathetic is it that I thought 'I'd like to do that' then realised how much it would stress me to put those small amounts aside! Could be maybe doable if it's a decent interest rate though, do you get any benefit from referring people? 

Actually there is no interest or monthly prize draw if you have the free acct  on the challenge - I do actually love my mzo acct especially for travelling as no charges and great fx rates abroad and brilliant app (u can get a physical card as well) but shows you instantly cost on £’s when travelling.

plus there is a normal mzo savings account which gets decent interest 3.6% and easy access 
I do have a referral code - we both get £10 each if you spend within x days .. I will pm you 

WelshmansDaughter

Why are you still doing work for people who haven’t paid you? It seems like they give you just enough when they want you to do work for them but have no intention of actually paying you whats owed.

apologies if this sounds rude, it is intended as a genuine question but its very early and my mental editor isnt awake yet