Debt free and staying that way while I re-evaluate life and keep blood sugar levels down

Humdinger1

Thanks @enthusiasticsaver! Will do; I am.  In other news, my client meeting went well. I am still deffo on the roster and the slow work rate reflects what's going on in the market.  Many external consultants have come off the roster and employees too so am taking that as a win though sad for those affected.  They have put my rate up so that when the work returns (and they are convinced it will) that will be good news.  In the meantime, I've been thinking about what I can do to boost money in.  The fascinating but low paid work might be looking for investment so I might be able to help there and raise my pay, possibly.  I've thought about what else I want to do besides work and as I want to exercise daily and not get stressed don't want to do extended work travel or work with anyone toxic or even confirmed confusion merchants.  Money is important but not the most important thing. 

I do hope this diary isn't coming across as smug; having suffered from burnout more than once as a result of the delusions that also underpinned running up debt, I want to implement the lessons they contained.  Thanks everyone who reads and comments. 

Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

doingitanyway

Really pleased you have a diary now. 
Your posts have already led to decision changes for me, starting with PBs...been dithering for ages.
Your diary has no hint of smugness and I have a low smugness threshold 

Humdinger1 said:

 I've thought about what else I want to do besides work and as I want to exercise daily and not get stressed don't want to do extended work travel or work with anyone toxic or even confirmed confusion merchants.  Money is important but not the most important thing. 

I couldn't agree with the above more.
Have a positive week

jwil

It's not smug at all!  It's always nice to see people's journeys from struggling and/or debt and making new habits, learning lessons and taking new paths.  There's always something to learn or use as inspiration.

Humdinger1

Thank you @doingitanyway I appreciate your input! One thing I've been pondering on this morning is the need to put some money aside especially for when DD comes home from uni.  Besides the fact that it's her b'day in Jan, there's also the odd meal out; days out; and generally fancier food. I do have savings and think if for her long weekends here I budget £100 a time and transfer back what's not spent that is at least a benchmark though possibly on the high side.  Longer hols will need a different calculation.  There is also money spent on petrol there and back; and I do pay for a week's groceries for her when she goes back.  Sometimes my DH, her stepfather pays for petrol and groceries, sometimes her father does.  I've had a chat with her about us being more careful at the moment but we're not in crisis. Love Humdinger xx 

Humdinger1

Thanks @jwil; your diary encouraged me to take the plunge. Xx

CL21

No, definitely not smug at all. I love to read diaries where I can learn from past mistakes but also realise that I’m not alone in making them! 

Blackcats

Definitely not smug - open and honest about good choices and the lessons learned in being able to make those choices.

sorry I'm a bit late but well done on reversing diabetes.

Humdinger1

So, the deed is done and PB money back in my account.   I've got an account with S*nt*nd*r that I think is only for existing customers with a 2.72% interest rate on any amount up to an improbably huge limit, exceeding the 85k protected if anything goes wrong with the bank.  The balance in there is now £7,750 and it is higher interest than any other account because it's earned on the whole balance immediately.  There are higher rates available but the amount you can pay in monthly is limited so overall interest is lower. 

The small salary paid by DH's company has gone into my current account so I'm going to make a list of what the store-cupboard needs to bring it back up to fighting weight.  Friends used to tease me (very lovingly) pre-pandemic and call it the invasion cupboard but at one point, I was apparently the only person in a 50-mile radius with a spare tin of tomatoes to give away. Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

foxgloves

@Humdinger1 - I had the sister-cupboard to the one you describe! I stocked up because of my deep cynicism about Brexit & was able to call on these stocks when supply chains had that first wobble just pre-pandemic. I too now have gaps & am starting to think about restocking. I've always kept a good supply, even back in the Spendy Era. A couple of friends used to look in my cupboards & say "When the balloon goes up, we're heading here!"
F

Humdinger1

Ha ha! I grew up in the Midlands @foxgloves; maybe it's not such a southern thing?  Of course, now I've cashed on all my PBs, I've won £25.  That's still only 1% though