Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

Alchemilla

I can see it on a silk blouse.
Well done on the weightloss.

Blackcats

Well done on the weight loss.  Have you weighed out 8 pounds e.g. bags of flour, sugar etc.  you will be amazed how heavy it feels - and now you aren't carrying that around with you anymore. 

savingholmes

Thanks Alchemilla and Blackcats.

Currently waiting up for DD who has forgotten her key. Doubly irritating as I have an early start tomorrow.

I think I will open an FD reg saver 3.5% soon. It doesn't allow withdrawals for 12 months but if you don't pay in 300 one month can roll into another month 

savingholmes

I chased my regrade yesterday and it's been approved by everyone and should go through for July's pay. I'm due to get a lump sum of backpay and will have higher pay for a few months before it drop dramatically in October when I buy 10 days holiday over 6 months. I should get another increment in December though which should help offset the drop. Next year I'll buy the extra annual leave over 12 months so should see an improvement compared to my current take home pay.

I'm waiting to make a decision on AVCs until I know the outcome of my P1P. I want to feel I am making progress with the mortgage though - hence thinking of setting up a second regular saver (1.84% mortgage versus 3.5% regular saver). I'm currently cycling my existing EF into the NW one at 2.5% at £200 pcm. When I reach £1K (July pay period) - I may just keep it ticking over with a smaller monthly deposit and put that and any new £ into the higher interest earning account for now. I want to avoid fritter spending and temptation. The FD account doesn't allow withdrawals so that should help. I think the NW one allows 3. With the mortgage I'm very conscious that I may struggle to afford the interest rate rise if there is one at the end of 2026 - so a) I want to be used to paying / saving at a higher level and b) I want to have a lump sum ready to apply to it if needed to help bring it down or to help cushion any increased costs.

Yesterday despite healthy main meals I ate too much junk in the evening - so still need to sort that out if I want to make decent progress.

If I do get P1p - I want to use some towards sorting things in my garden to make it more usable and easier to maintain. Will keep you posted.

I'm debating what to do for a holiday this year. The cottage was nice but at the same time slightly weird. I wonder if I need something with more human contact. Having seen on @PiggyBankShaker that she went to a writers retreat. I'd be interested in exploring that option. If anyone has any recommendations please PM me.

try_harder

8 lbs is amazing .Well done .

girlatplay

A writers retreat or something along those lines sounds like a good idea.  That way you can go away yourself but you won't be completely on your own.  I'd be interested to hear about that.

savingholmes

Thanks @try_harder and GAP

Just applied for a rewards CC - sh'd get £22.50 in 2 months from £co plus any cashback from the card. May only use it for that specific shop / refuelling. (Paying off in full immediately after spend so don't build up balance but still get points.) I need to make more progress on finding items in my garage and shed to sell / let go of so I gradually clear the space. I even have bags of hardcore that Ex bought and never used... 

Feeling shattered this week. I have an early (for me) meeting tomorrow so it's not due to improve... This week feels super busy. Also have my hair appointment this Saturday. Debating whether or not to go to balance class but - also read an article today about how flexibility / strength / speed can be a predictor of longevity. I have a long way to go before I get out of the danger zone - and some of what they were measuring I've never been able to do due to dyspraxia. Interesting if challenging read though. At the class they are doing a new 'release' of moves - i.e. ultra challenging for me as they are changing what we do. It makes it harder for me to push past the mental barrier and go...

Had chicken noodles from the freezer for lunch. For tea had mackerel with salad. So reasonably okay SW wise...

Alchemilla

Good news on your regrading x

beanielou

Good news on the regrading 

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie and Alchemilla. Relieved it's finally sorted. Pay re-grade has been semi-promised for years and I would have been strongly tempted to leave if they hadn't resolved it this time. I did tell them that at the start of the year. My work do make adjustments for me though and I mostly WFH and I don't know whether I'd get the same allowances elsewhere.

For good or bad - I listened to my body and took the night off. Maybe I'll go tomorrow evening. I seem to be locked out of my fitness account so couldn't cancel the booking which was annoying. I have another early start for work in the morning. I finished a book I'd been listening to only to find there was a final book in the series! I have read it before - but got it in audio form this time to make it easier.

I bought some more marker pens - like the ones I used on the recent doodles. They came today. Also got a white t-shirt material cardigan so happy. Bought 3 recently - 2 white in different sizes and a blue one in a smaller size still. They sent the wrong size of that one and I didn't have the heart to return it. I haven't been on plan SW wise this evening. Will try again tomorrow. I really want to lose weight but food is my comfort crutch and I'm struggling to cut down on treats. Annoyingly I had to throw out a bag and half of salad from l1d1 as it had already gone off despite being in date. I did get £5 of free food from there this week with a voucher so I will forgive them. The grapes have been amazing.

I think I've been 'over-filling' my brain recently and not giving it enough processing time...  It may be why I feel so exhausted but who knows? I can't decide whether it's having SW as an extra on a Monday that made my life feel too full this week or whether it's because of the hangover from the family gathering etc at the weekend. It could equally be the aftermath of P1p interview still - which keeps replaying in my brain. I'm not sleeping well either. I need to find a tape measure and get some blackout blinds ordered for my bedroom - as although I have a blind and blackout lined curtains now it's not enough. I had too much time with too many people in a work related meeting this morning - and sadly I have 3 meetings tomorrow so that's looking quite challenging too. Most of the time I get left in peace to write business stuff etc...