Third time's a charm!

bigbeff

Wow. I hope your OH is feeling a bit better and sorts something soon. It's awful when people feel trapped. Hopefully he'll find what he is looking for - and if it means his head is in a better place, its worth it for that alone. Good luck

twiggy86

Thanks @bigbeff - its needed to happen for a long time but it's easy to stay where your comfortable, even if you know it's not right for whatever reason. 

twiggy86

Two pieces of good news this morning...

1) OH went off to work this morning! He has a day or two with someone and then another job for the rest of the weekend. And then starts something else helping out my brother next week! My brother is exceptionally busy in the short-term so doesn't want to take anyone on - so the flexibility suits both of them if OH just helps when he hasn't got other jobs on. 

2) I got a couple of commissions for crochet animals which will earn me an extra £30. One is something I've already made but haven't sold yet and so I just need to make one thing by 13 Sept! I also had another friend ask me about something which I must follow up with her! 

bigbeff

What is the link for your etsy shop? I'd love to take a look

twiggy86

Thanks @bigbeff - not sure I'm allowed to share links by my shop name is "PinkRabbitByAlison" (There is a story behind the name - but someone did point out to me that Playb0y is also a pink rabbit which is definitely not the vibe I was going for!!!) 

twiggy86

I had a good but frugal weekend I'm pleased to announce! Friday and Saturday were both quiet but Saturday I went out with some friends. 

I was driving so picked some of them up and they gave me £10 for petrol and one paid for my parking (although I did have to move my car later and then I paid). I was then bought numerous non-alcoholic drinks plus I shared some food with a friend and she paid. I then dropped some home and got given another £20. So in total I spent £10.05 but was out until gone 1 have a good dance! One of the girls commented on how she had never even considered going out sober but how much fun I looked like I was having! My trick to not feeling self-conscious is to try and not care what anyone thinks, but if anyone does stop to notice my dodgy dancing then they probably assume I'm drunk anyway! 

Not sure if I mentioned but I have a wedding to go to in Sept and most people have booked a hotel nearby (it's about 40-ish mins away). However I'm trying to evaluate the options so am trying to get a price for an 8 seater taxi and then see if anyone wants to do that instead. Mentioned it to one friend and she straight away said she'd rather do that if the price isn't silly - her hotel is £130 for one night and then would have to pay for parking on top! Alternative option is that I drive and then this same friend said she would happily give me petrol money if I chose to. But it is funny how people instantly try to talk me out of driving (both this friend and another), however I can still have fun whilst sober! At the moment its due to limited funds, but I have done it many times in the past and always had a good time! But that isn't to say I don't ever go out drinking and equally have fun (although I really can't handle hangovers!!!) 

Oh and I also spoke to the friend re the crochet thing she mentioned and she has confirmed that she does want it. Will probably charge her £10 for that when I have a chance to make it. (It's a couple of crochet pumpkins so not needed for a while yet!)

twiggy86

Mid-week check in!

I'm actually feeling pretty positive this week which is strange considering I have zero money and am living on my CC! I would have more money this month if I hadn't stretched myself so thin by paying off the TV - and obviously at that time, didn't appreciate what would happen re OH's work (or lack of!) However OH has been working this week and will hopefully make about £500. He has some things he needs to catch up - for example his phone is currently cut off - but he should be able to give me a good chunk. I will wait to see what he gives me before I make any decisions re what to do with it. 

Also re the wedding - after discussing the options with my friend, she agreed that it's silly for her to pay for a hotel so would share taxi/ give me petrol money. However the eventual outcome was that her OH is going to drive us - obviously I will give him some money but that would be cheaper than a taxi (the price for the taxi would have been £30pp based on 8 sharing). 

Another amazing result was re one of my birthday plans... I'd spoken to a friend about going to a climbing place and she said she was going to speak to her work as thought they got a discount. Anyway chased her about it on Saturday as she hadn't mentioned and she's booked and paid for it for me! I think it was about £15, so I really appreciate that. I have started doing a rough plan of what I think each of the bits will cost and working that in to my budget. Yes I probably shouldn't be so "extravagant" when I'm trying to pay off debt/recovering from an awful money month - but I am trying to be somewhat sensible but making a point to do things I want (like the climbing which I have wanted to do for years!). I fully appreciate you don't need to spend loads to make special memories!

twiggy86

Ooops - I've been a bit awol! I was off work last week and tend to post on here from my computer rather than my phone! 

So OH is working with my brother as his company are very busy and needed someone to help out. After some discussion, PH agreed to work for him for a month - which gives them both a bit of certainty and then they will re-assess. It's for set hours and set pay and whilst OH is still playing catch up with money, it has made such a change in him! Just the certainty and actually working hard, rather than hardly working as he was previously! He even did overtime yesterday! So think certainly feel like they're moving in the right direction. 

I however have spent a bit too much money! I went out with friends on Friday night which cost me more than I would have hoped - like the taxi back was more than I expected. I did have a great night though!!! I also went to a wool show yesterday with my mum and bought some bits, but we are calling these my birthday presents from OH - he gave me some of the money and will give me the rest on Friday. Another treat was that my best friend bought me lunch last week when I went to visit her - I really do have some kind friends!

I've got lots of other things lined up for the month but I've realised I need to be a bit cautious with the "it's my birthday" mindset! I feel like I've got more to report but my mind is blanking on me right now! 

twiggy86

Oh dear I feel like I'm all in a muddle with money! OH has given me some but then asked for bits and bobs back and it's left me all confused with my budgetting! That on top of the fact of spending too much at a wedding on Saturday - where I didn't realise quite how extortionate the drinks were until after the damage had been done!

However the pluses:

• I waxed my legs, dyed my hair and painted my own nails - so no expense (well other than the strips etc)
• We had a lift to and from the wedding - although I do need to give the driver some money 
• The wedding was beautiful and its a close friend so I don't begrudge spending money for her 

I have today updated my spreadsheet even though it was painful! I've also chatted with OH a bit - but feel like another conversation is in order to help ensure he understands that we are still playing catch up! 

bigbeff

You’ll get on top of it again, I’m sure. And sometimes you need to spend a bit with friends otherwise it would be boring! Keep up the good work.