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

LadyWithAPlan

So had the meeting re someone’s behaviour … hmmm. Did not go well they were unwilling to see how their pointed exclusion  of others is hurtful . I did start well and having open dialogue but did lose my temper three times 
(!)  … Its all part of me fighting fires for others .. anger is good if used to fuel a fight to make the world better and so my anger /passion was not out of place or destructive 

I learnt as a child that showing anger was a bad thing and could hurt others so I have often not shown it - that bird has clearly flown in La Plans life - it’s all part of growing up - constructive use of anger and display of emotions (without harming oneself or others ) is not a bad thing but can move dialogue and actions forward. 

I had to draw a line (felt like Gandalf facing Balrog - 'Thou shalt not pass! ') and say I will not take disrespect and  unkindness to others no matter what. She bullies people - I had heard of this before but not seen it 

on the book I am reading I see that I have a tendency for flight (get super busy) or freeze (lose myself in books etc) but the book argues all 4 (inc fight and fawn) are useful tactics we should use as we need - as opposed to getting stuck in trauma responses and our stock patterns 
So whilst I was surprised I was so passionate (but very lucid and clear ) it was also a good thing to see - so I can thank the bully at least for that - chanting for her and everyone’s happiness 

My super busy week continues and I have realised the next projects coming up are next week (in my head March was miles away) so I will again be working over this weekend so cancelled seeing a friend tonight as got some Friday deadlines 

I am reminding myself of the money I am making whilst being so busy - this house is not going to buy itself 

popped to Morrie to get more food / and junk - I have a long long day today possibly into the night 

TallGirl

You deserve that junk! Well done for tackling that bully that's how they are allowed to continue with their bad behavior because no one stands up to them. 

LadyWithAPlan

Been v busy as I have recovered from last weeks crazy and refocused on this weeks work stuff 

Having worked so hard on Friday day (& til 2am Thursday night ) I took a 20 minute sleep then went out for one drink, really had to drag myself out, but as you always know when you pop up for just one drink, often that’s the best night. I ended up bumping into lots of friends and went to an amazing DJ birthday party where we danced the night away - music was fabulous / and then went to the opening of a club in the Kings Road which was not that fun, it was really very self impressed with itself (& 4 tequila shots were £90 (luckily not my round) and then ended up in another club in the VIP room and lots of free shots plus an uber home 
spent about £68  - either way a lot of fun was had after a few crazy weeks 


Saturday I was largely exhausted and Sunday I had to start to learn some work stuff but took a few hours out to help a friend declutter - she has finally realised she is verging on hoarder level and she had asked me to sort some leads out for her. She is definitely moving forward so whilst I am super busy I want to help where I can 
I did walk there and back - 45 mins each way - then popped to Waitr**e and picked up some YS - the Japanese coffee was also reduced to £3.75 per 250g so I got 3 (it’s white packaging with black and red & it’s lovely ) 

then Sunday eve I prepped for a side hustle Thursday eve - to do with international women’s day -  then Monday eve my friend who organised it popped round as we needed to test some equipment but we got a call just as he arrived that the venue itself  has had a leak and now the fire alarm system is messed up - so it looks like it’s cancelled ! 

Confirming this morning .. but I have so much on  it’s ok . 

I also had cancelled my Tues night side hustle as thought I needed the time to prep but it’s fine 
I cooked us both food and we had a nice catch up
I did a bit more work in case it does happen but I will use the work elsewhere. 

Yesterday and today is all  prepping the work needed to be learnt for Wed /Thursd 

I have paused my gym (takes 2.5 hrs out my day to get there /back and train ) but not actually done what I said which is daily 20 mins exercise at home .. eating too much junk again (I am slim but it’s taking the place of a meal or two  ) 
so I am declaring Lent a time for no sweets cakes biscuits and crisps - yes I am a Buddhist but 40 days of giving things up is a good thing and interestingly 900 bc the Buddha apparently meditated for 40 days under the bodhi tree - so 40 days has definite meaning in history 


Money I am waiting for a lot - from lots of people and I am pushing them all - some has a contracted due date that I know will be paid - others really not 

LadyWithAPlan

PREMIUM BOND WIN £50
Feb interest  tax free received £22.04 H2B + £4.11 cash isa 
income to be taxed £6.85

Van Sipp  Down £1033.82 in Feb AND downa further £1,066.06 in the first 5 days of March (Trump tariffs/Ukraine etc) 

My main S&S isa down £561.51 in Feb and  down £666.48 first 5 day of March


YNAB LOVE
This is where YNAB works so well for me - as I can see exactly where I am spending and on what and how my categories /pots are looking 

I have £2k of a job travel expenses to be paid which is now 7 weeks after so past the cc bill 
plus hardly anyone paid me in Feb - they all having cash flow issues or payment not due to mid month 

Due to having decent savings I would before YNAB just spend as normal but YNAB shows me to the penny how much  I am eating into my savings when there is a delay in payment. So I feel  in March as the month begins how YNAB poor I am today and looking at my Feb spend it is really down from previous months .


I am glad its Thursday and the end of a  !!!! busy period.  Got a few 'not urgent but important' things to do this evening and tomorrow - some of which were not urgent but as I have been pushing down the line  they need doing now.
A friend is opening a cool place tonight but I honestly need to circle the wagons and refocus. I am away this weekend at a relative and dont really want to drink tonight.


2 days (nearly ) into Lent and had no crisps, cakes, biscuits sweets - go me  - or no alcohol though I am allowing myself a drink on special occasions. I have upped the beans, greens again  so replacing harib* with organic spinach...
The no complaining part of my 40 days - hmmm I have critiscised myself but so far not doing too badly.
I also am planning to add in 7.5 hours sleep a night so if I have to get up early (unless I am out doing something fabulous) -  I thus have to go to bed earlier, too many late nights despite early mornings. I dont mind a late night if I am out but I can stay up too late working, reading or watching instead of getting to bed earlier and getting up earlier to train.


FRUGAL
I have to be in an office today so took a thermos of lentil soup, a  thermos of proper expresso coffee and grilled a steak before I left home - wrapped in foil. So I didnt have to buy any coffees or lunch out.
I did catch the bus (tube was more expensive) but in theory I could have walked 45 mins there but the cooking edged into my walking time plus wanted to arrive fresh., I however did walk back and as we are all being paid a flat rate for daily travel  I will be saving the difference

PennysIntoPounds

Well done on the PB win, and the other day to day wins

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

LadyWithAPlan

Thanks Pennies  

I can see trains have gone up again.. about 3% on the normal train I take as I have headed out of London to the countryside for the weekend. I really have had a terrible reaction to the cats here, I am normally not so bad but my eyes then face have swollen up.  Not sure quite why its  so bad this time as I am normally here a lot with these cats and dogs, however after first night here woke up with huge hives on my eyelids etc.. Today its more my whole face... I am taking anti-histamines but so annoying 

nice bday celebrating weekend and good to have a bit of a rest 

seeing my mum today for lunch or a coffee before heading back to london 
my to do list for work is long but I have the time to get it sorted this week 

LadyWithAPlan

Back in London and I spent last 1.5 days on a new potential side hustle - had to put a lot of forms and prices together... now its just fingers crossed. I got it in 5 mins before the 11:59 pm deadline 

I am very aware I am very busy but  I am  stopping to taking the time to congratulate myself on achieving things or finishing things, rather than just jump on my next todo...

Woke up this morning with my face still sore and swollen from the allergies - I am now away from the cat but my face taking a few days to recover but it is much better tonight. Had a side hustle work this eve and then came back to finish the job deadine.

I did buy a fr  corn fed chicken  from Al** when I passed it last night on my way home and cooked in my halogen, it was delicious with lots frozen veg and also white kidney beans  cooked in some of the chicken fat 
Just under £12 but it will last me for 4 meals plus soup stock and some bits.

KajiKita

The reaction to the cats sounds grim - I’m glad it is calming down now! 

Excellent that it is going so well with the side hustles 😊

Whats happening with the payments from the long term client? 

KK

Suffolk_lass

Apparently I am allergic to cats. We have always had them. My old doctor suggested it is better to live exposed to the thing that aggravates you, as your body will manage the reaction (helped by antihistamine) - she did recommend we stop having long-haired cats though, and stick with short-haired. I wheeze when we get back from holiday and my skin itches, but Stealth cat stays!

savingholmes

Good luck with the allergies. 

How is the flat situation?