Small steps lead to big changes...

jwil

Payday yesterday and I did the money shuffle.  Added to PBs, even though I'll likely be withdrawing most of them soon.  A nice win next week would be good!

Updated my spending spreadsheet which is a good habit I've got into and helps clarify where all the money is going, and also helps reassure me that my retirement plans are reasonable!  I've updated my pension figures and that is all on track as well.  After the summer I hope to increase my AVCs again slightly.   

With all the doom and gloom it's nice to know that if I can just stick it out a bit longer, there is an end in sight.  It will all depend on what my new job looks like though and whether I get the recognition that I need - i.e. if the new role reflects (and pays) what I am actually doing, not what my JD says.

jwil

Declutter update:

615. Key
616-621. SATs papers
622. Paperwork
623. PE bag
624. Bob the builder toy
625. Soft toy
626. Skittles set
627. Remote control car
628. Ride on car
629. Ride on dog
630. Book
631. Figure
632, Fairy wings
633-634. Soft toys
635. Doll
636. Action figure
637-639. Toys
640. Bath toy
641-642. Swim noodles
643. Ball
644. Bike
645. Scooter
646. Trampoline
647. Crate
648. Bike
649. Train
650. Model Kit
651. Lego set
652. Trailer
653. Model camper van
654. Model truck
655-656. Model kits
657. Socks
658. Model kit
659. Transporter
660-698. Clothing
699. Model kit
670. Playmobil figure
671. Paperwork
672. Suet balls
673. Train
674-675. Belts
676. Track
677-678. Clothing
679. Book set
680-699. Greetings cards
700. Scissors
701. Pillow
702-705. Lego sets
706-707. Model cars





Declutter totals: 
Magazines/papers: 30
Other: 614

Total: 707

Ebay listings: 59
Ebay parcels: 102

Survey/other earnings:
Amazon: £10
Paypal/cash: £272.55
Other vouchers:£0

jwil

I've had a quick sort through of little jwil's clothing while he was away, and I've got 2 bags to drop off at the clothing bank when we pick him up.  The rest I'll wash and then get him to sort through.  I've pulled out all his school uniform as well, will just keep what he needs for the next 3 weeks, and the rest will donate to school for the second hand uniform sales if little miss can't use it.

I want to do the airing cupboard as well before the end of school if I can.  The school gets the money if I use the bank on site, so it's a good fundraiser for them.

beanielou

Very exciting news about the bathroom. 

Poor wee little miss. Still missing the cat. 

doingitanyway

It is the little things, like taps, that we come into contact scores of times a day that matter. Enjoy your lovely taps 

I've just had a few days responsible for a little one, only one, but the logistics of her life feels like I've been running a military operation. Hats off to you!

jwil

beanielou said:

Very exciting news about the bathroom. 

Poor wee little miss. Still missing the cat. 

Thank you   She is, bless her.

doingitanyway said:

It is the little things, like taps, that we come into contact scores of times a day that matter. Enjoy your lovely taps 

I've just had a few days responsible for a little one, only one, but the logistics of her life feels like I've been running a military operation. Hats off to you!

Thank you   It is surprising how the little things can make a difference.  

Hope you enjoyed your time with the little one.  I thought it would get easier as they got older!

jwil

Two bags of clothing dropped at the school this morning.  Little jwil had a nice time but was ill overnight apparently.  I think he was just overwhelmed and anxious.  He's like me that he needs down time after lots of peopling.  Their activity day yesterday was very out of his comfort zone, but he took part in the activities and seemed to enjoy it.

We came home from getting him to find that our neighbours were out with a chainsaw cutting back their leylandii that backs onto our garden.  Much as I hate the hedge, they always do incredibly noisy stuff on the days where we want to have doors and windows open but even worse than that, the hedge was full of birds nests last week! 😡😡  I'm really hoping the babies have fledged as I didn't see the adults flitting around so much in the week. 

twopenny

The title of this thread appealed to me.

In my long lost youth my Grandmother (guardian) made me write down for a week, what I had spent. This was after I asked for more money.

I was incensed but it was the best thing she ever taught me.

I've used it since to work out where the money goes when I'm short.

My neighbours son has moved into her tiny, quiet and happy bungalow because he can't make ends meet enough to rent. He does no jobs on the house for her.

He works part time to claim benefits. He drives a huge vehicle and replacing tyres costs a lot and he doesn't just do the one, it's all if one is poor, he works 10mins walk away but drives there. First thing he did was have Fibre broadband installed in her house which she doesn't need so he can be on his computer all day indoors. He's produced a second child with the partner he left.  And it goes on like this.

My view, get a second job - or three. Reduce expenditure. Take the kids to the beach or the hills, again 10mins away. Buy a cool bag and multi pack of ice creams and pack a picnic. That's what my friends and I did when life got tough.

Why am I telling you this? Because it drives me nuts, he's making the surrounding neighbours irritated as they are retired and woken at 5am as he leaves with the noise and keeping his mother from the new life she was enjoying and I can't say it direct - so thank you.

jwil

twopenny said:

The title of this thread appealed to me.

In my long lost youth my Grandmother (guardian) made me write down for a week, what I had spent. This was after I asked for more money.

I was incensed but it was the best thing she ever taught me.

I've used it since to work out where the money goes when I'm short.

My neighbours son has moved into her tiny, quiet and happy bungalow because he can't make ends meet enough to rent. He does no jobs on the house for her.

He works part time to claim benefits. He drives a huge vehicle and replacing tyres costs a lot and he doesn't just do the one, it's all if one is poor, he works 10mins walk away but drives there. First thing he did was have Fibre broadband installed in her house which she doesn't need so he can be on his computer all day indoors. He's produced a second child with the partner he left.  And it goes on like this.

My view, get a second job - or three. Reduce expenditure. Take the kids to the beach or the hills, again 10mins away. Buy a cool bag and multi pack of ice creams and pack a picnic. That's what my friends and I did when life got tough.

Why am I telling you this? Because it drives me nuts, he's making the surrounding neighbours irritated as they are retired and woken at 5am as he leaves with the noise and keeping his mother from the new life she was enjoying and I can't say it direct - so thank you.

Thank you for stopping in  

I've found my spending diary very eye opening.  Most things are as I would expect, but sometimes I'm amazed at how much the little extras, particularly for school add up to.

Sorry to hear about your neighbours son.  It's such a shame when others are inconsiderate.  I don't mind occasional noise when people have a gathering or do some work on their house, but when it's regular and intrusive it's so frustrating.

jwil

Today's PAD - £2

Jan - £319
Feb - £135
Mar - £129
Apr - £114
May - £118
June - £93