Evasive action! Stop the trench becoming a hole.

KeepOnKnitting

Yes, that's it! I've gained a dependant! Ugh. We're back to the idea that if I wanted someone sitting on my sofa drinking beer and spending my money, I'd have stayed married!

I'm deep-down really miffed, but I'm trying to be understanding because I know how hard it is when you have no money. Equally, there are things I pay for because I have a lodger (higher council tax, water, gas, electric, cleaner) that I wouldn't for just me so right now he is costing me money. 

I've been paid today, so that is good and I can do the shuffling on YNAB. Looking at the bills remaining for the month and if I don't get money from the lodger I am going to spend more than I earn this month. Finding that really stressful and the whole thing was meant to reduce my stress.

KeepOnKnitting

Home from work, and no sign of lodger paying his rent. My brain tells me this means he hasn't been paid this week and it's going to be next Friday, because I'd be so mortified by being late with my rent that I'd be watching my account for my pay to land so I could transfer my rent immediately.

However, my brain and my lodger's brain are not alike. I'd have paid a token payment, or borrowed from family, or some other gesture as soon as I could. So who knows? Maybe he has been, and maybe he hasn't. 

In the meantime, I've taken lunch 4 days this week and had it provided by work on day 5, so I'm counting that as 5/5 this week. I've got oven pizza from Aldi for tonight. I've got plans for nice things to do tomorrow, and hopefully it is going to be a nice bank holiday weekend.

KeepOnKnitting

I am planting seeds again this weekend, and looking at what can be planted now and what needs to wait for the new year. I thought I only had one variety I can plant today, so I was looking online at what else I might get. Found some seeds in the "plant now" section that I already have, but aren't marked to plant now on the packet. So actually, there are more seeds I can start now ready for next year and I don't need to buy any more seeds. Budget win!

Sarahwithlove

Sounds like you may need to be a bit stricter with your lodger. 

KeepOnKnitting

Have seen lodger and he has not yet been paid. Thinks boss will be back mid-next week. I suggested maybe when boss gets back he should pay him ASAP, and not wait until the usual Friday payday.

Nice evening out at the cinema last night, but a late night for me. I was yawning my head off on the way home.

Planning to put dirty clothes on today and build the compost bin I have been planning for years. Just need to wait a bit before I get out the large and noisy saw!

WinterWarrior

Could you explain to your lodger that you are paying more for services and he is causing you financial issues? He’s treating the situation like he is your child or incompetent spouse and it’s just not on. He really needs to beg or borrow from his own friends and family and not from you 😖

KeepOnKnitting

I decided to clear my little sofa loan sort of ahead of schedule. Last payment was due 20/9 and is already budgeted for on YNAB from my pay packet I received on Friday. I just moved payment forward from 20/9 to today. The money was sitting in my current account not earning interest, so it might as well be cleared off and then I feel like I've completed a thing. 

That leaves my tally, in order of how much they annoy me:
Student loan - £6,300 ish at 8% (this one makes me rage)
Balance transfer - £5,025 at 0% until about Dec 2025 (this just scares me)
Mortgage - £94,000 ish. Not too annoying, but I itch to overpay
Bathroom loan - £4,700 at 0%. Not very annoying at all, and no desire to overpay.

This month has really left me feeling like I am just treading water still. I almost want to sign up to an agency or staffing bank to do some overtime here and there, just to feel like I am making headway, but I also feel like full time work is enough for me right now. 

I shall tackle my emotions by going and achieving something non-financial.

Sarahwithlove

You need to look after yourself even if that means it's a slower journey to being debt free. Hopefully the lodger sorts himself out so it's one less stress for you. 

KeepOnKnitting

I'm pretty sure he is begging from family as well for food and cigarettes.

He's not technically causing me financial problems, just frustration.

Achievements today:
Went to supermarket and bought essentials and burgers for a treat for tonight
Replaced garage light fitting (had broken and wouldn't hold a bulb)
Took out old defunct fluorescent tube and fitting (because I was scared of breaking the tube one day)
Assembled new shelving unit for garage
Tidied garage
Quick swish in upstairs bathroom
Planted seeds I had soaked overnight
Put away all the washing I did yesterday

Now going to watch some TV and chill after showering off all the spider dust from the garage.

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hey @KeepOnKnitting I am sorry that the lodger is being pants, perhaps it is worth setting boundaries after this payment incident, that going forward this will not be tolerated? It is a lot to expect you to cover everything, and like you, I would be begging and borrowing money from family to cover. 

Loans etc looking great, it is so hard when the paying itch starts, working full time is more than enough, and as hard as it is, you are making great progress! Focusing on non financial seems like a great idea, looking after you is so important!