Completely lost my way…

Amber1980

Hi @Another_UK_Emigrant
Wow that sounds great,have you found you have missed family and friends?

So originally we were thinking France,Normandy,the idea came about at the end of 2019 after watching Escape to the chateau!😂.
We did loads of research and went for a few days to view places,amazing what you get for the money, we were thinking a house with a couple of acres for animals and some gites to let for income and could have got that for about a hundred grand and been mortgage free as we have about two hundred grand equity in our house.
It was amazing but I just couldn’t see myself settling in France…
We then realised that Southern Ireland,Cork and Kerry would offer a similar life,slightly more expensive but still do-able,and I have some family in Ireland.
By this time we were realising that Brexit meant we would be limited to where we could move to but Ireland was fine because of the common travel agreement.
We ended up spending a year and a half researching and not being able to get out there because of COVID and eventually got there the end of last year.

The trip had some real ups and downs and I’m not sure I was able to get the best experience for various reasons, I could definitely see a great life there though. I’m not ruling it out still as of course now we are back in England it’s back to the same things that made us want to move in the first place even though I can appreciate I also have a great life here!Definately at a crossroads in life…..!!!!😀

Amber1980

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.
 I got the job I was going for!It’s part time which is perfect for now as I will keep my other part time job aswell.
Got a bit of an expensive week ahead as getting my hair done Friday and at a friends wedding Saturday so will be putting money in a card towards their honeymoon.
 I have borrowed a dress from a friend and as I don’t drink I won’t be paying for taxis or alcohol etc.
Really looking forward to it,it’s a big wedding and all my friends will be there.
Feeling quite in control of finances,got repayments all set up on direct debits,all debt should be paid off by the end of the year,will be tight financially but I can cope with that!
Met a friend for coffee earlier and walked there and back instead of taking the car,as fancied the exercise and saved about £4 on parking.
Evening on the sofa with the candles lit and catch up tv,perfect!!😊😊😊

jusferbrowsing

Well done on the new job... and well done on how you've handled the wedding too.

You're really rocking the MSE mindset 

Amber1980

@jusferbrowsing
Thank you very much!
I’m feeling good about everything at the moment,long may it last!🤞🏻🤞🏻

sunshine_raincloud

Just subscribed to your diary

Weddings can be so expensive- I have a couple this year to go to and already dreading how much it will end up costing me. 

Still it sounds like you're doing it the right way and will be so lovely for you to see all your friends so have a fantastic time! 

Amber1980

@sunshine_raincloud
yes we went through a stage about ten years ago of us and loads of our friends getting married around the same time,all the hen do’s and stag do’s,new outfits,and I drank at the time aswell,looking back I must have spent a fortune but I was earning a lot more then…
The wedding was really good and true to form now I’m a non drinker I snuck off and drove myself home at 9pm which suited me fine!
My friends all had hangovers the next day and were saying how much they had spent so it was yet another time when I was so thankful I gave up alcohol.
This was the first wedding I’d been to in years,was a great day xx

Amber1980

Hi everyone,haven’t updated in a few weeks,not a huge amount to report,like a lot of people definitely feeling a bit stressed by the news with Ukraine and closer to home the cost of living worries,but trying to remember I have a good life and to count my blessings.
Money has been as tight as I knew it would be as I’m working very limited hours until I start my new job at the end of March,it’s been such a strange couple of years financially, I needed to get control of my finances before but since I gave up my salon job during Covid then had the expense of Ireland where we were thinking of moving I have really not got back on my feet at all,now got the new part time job about to start to go along side my other work,alot of changes recently which I can struggle with but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I think because I feel unsettled I have been looking at houses in Ireland again even though I know it’s not the right time to do it I guess it’s nice to know it’s there as it would solve some problems ( while bringing it’s own other problems too).
Anyway, I must take it day by day and try to exercise a bit more to clear my head!
 I did a twenty minute workout in the spare room this morning and felt so much better I must do it every day,I’ve also been getting rid of things again and selling a few bits on vinted,definitely feel more in control when minimalist and organised.
Seeing friends over the weekend,for coffee,lunch and walks so will be nice,I hope everyone has a great weekend!
😊😊

Amber1980

Hi, I haven’t posted since March so thought I would update!
Have settled into my new job now,it took a while as I’m not great with change and it’s completely different to anything I’ve done before,but it’s turning out to be everything I’d hoped for,with plenty of extra days if I want them,so I have been working loads and will gradually cut back on my other job,it will be a bit of a juggle till October then I will be in a better routine.
Working every weekend is definitely a bit tricky sometimes, I always worked Saturday in my old job but this is every Sunday too and although I’m nowhere near as sociable as I used to be I am missing quite alot of family and friends events.
I have finally set up payments to every single one of my debts,totalling £600 a month,will all be gone in about a year,I’m determined to do it this time,so will just have to work hard and resist the spending urge,unfortunately I think I will always want nice things but have no choice in the matter as the debt payments come out the day after I get paid!
Absolutely boiling here today,my one day off until next Saturday (I booked a weekend off!),hope everyone is doing well and have a great weekend!
xx