Flying solo

twiggy86

Yep so I forgot all about budgeting after too many drinks!!! I haven't totaled up the damage yet though! However, the good news is that it all comes out of my personal spends, so I just don't have much left for the rest of the month! Oops! Yesterday was a write off and I didn't move much off the sofa for most of the day - I did go for a walk by the sea with my bestie though (definitely helped ease the hangover slightly!) At least I didn't spend any money yesterday! 

Today's list of bits and bobs include:

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Brave totaling up the damage from Saturday! 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Work on present at lunch (feel like I'm behind schedule with what I need to make this month!!!) 
• Call bar I was at on Saturday to see if my jacket is there! 
• Pop to shop for couple of bits (I should really make a meal plan for the week but not sure I fancy doing a proper shop after work!) 
• Dinner from stores 

PennysIntoPounds

Glad you had a proper good time out with your friends, you deserve it

twiggy86

Ooops - didn't mean to go awol for a fortnight! However, I have definitely been feeling out of sorts by not posting on here and also been a bit behind on keeping my spreadsheet updated! Right new resolve to stay on top of things! 

I have already fully updated my spreadsheet with all spends. Unfortunately my personal spends are over budget, so will need to look at some re-allocation and/or utilising my buffers... I mean this is exactly what the buffers are for but also I haven't touched them so far! 

I have had a very busy couple of weeks - all lovely things so enjoyed catching up with various friends! I have tried to keep my MSE mindset where possible, whilst also enjoying the moment - if that makes sense! I have also been... on a couple of dates! So we will see where this goes! 

So my goals for this week are:

• Post regularly on here 
• Update spreadsheet daily 
• Make March budget (including "topping up" any buffers)
• Start and make good progress on next crochet present 
• Order present for someone else

the_end_of_the_rainbow

Ooh, exciting to hear about the dates ❤️

twiggy86

Yes - dates are exciting! Been on 3 so far with another lined up for Friday! He's very nice! 

I realised that I think that part of the reason for my slight lack of motivation this month (as well as being distracted by this guy!) is that I don't feel like I've made much progress this month. And in some ways I haven't (i.e. I haven't saved much towards my misc savings this month) - but actually I have booked festival tickets and theatre tickets. So it's just that I have stretched my money in different ways - it's not that I've wasted it! Good realisation to have to keep me on track! 

Today's list of bits and bobs:

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Snap receipt 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Work on crochet present 
• Cancel and re-book smear test... wrong time of the month after waiting weeks! (Currently been on hold for 15 minutes!!!)
• Walk to shop to return something 
• Dinner from stores - fajita mix that I took out of the freezer 

twiggy86

Had an extremely positive day yesterday - no particular reason other than I decided it was going to be a great day and that seemed to work!!! 

Work is incredibly busy at the moment, partially as I dared to have two days off last week as holiday and then of course a million "urgent" things came in!!! However Friday was productive as my dad had ordered a skip (which he refused to let me pay for) and we cleared loads of left over building materials etc from the garden! Last night I popped into B&Q to look at tiles - the upstand bit behind the sink has perished so dad is going to put a row of tiles around as the rest of the kitchen is fine. So progress is still happening in the house... but no I have yet looked for a lodger! I'm really enjoying having the house to myself at the moment - but I know having a lodger will massively help shift the debt! Hmmm! 

Today's list of bits and bobs:

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Snap receipt 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Work on crochet present if I manage to have a lunch break! 
• Dinner from stores - homemade lasagne that my mum popped round!
  
• Pop round to a friend's for a catch up 

That's everything I can think of for now! 

Hazelnutty

Hey Twiggy it makes complete sense with everything that happened with your ex that you're enjoying having your space back. You've got a plan for the debts, you're organised and motivated so it's OK not to rush to get a lodger. Give yourself permission to nest and fully reclaim and reinhabit your home Then, if you still feel you need/want a lodger, go for it. Maybe if you shared your space too soon, it'd feel like too much of an intrusion and even with the welcome money coming in, it may not be worth it emotionally?

twiggy86

Thanks @Hazelnutty - I think I'll allow myself a few months of space and see how much progress I can make and then re-assess. I absolutely want this debt gone asap as its a reminder of the past, but this is the first time in my life that I've lived on my own! Thought I'd hate it but it actually is fine - plus I've been so busy that I enjoy the time I do have chilling out on my own! 

enthusiasticsaver

Are you paying interest on the credit cards?  I can understand you saving instead of paying them off if they are 0% but  if you are paying interest they are costing you a lot more.  I would focus more on repaying the cards as you do have an emergency fund.  

twiggy86

PAYDAY!!! 

So my personal "pot" was depleted I ended the month with over £100 left in the food pot so that covered the topping it back up, without having to touch this month's money! 

All money shuffling has now been completed! My "misc" savings now has more than £2k in there! Oooo how I wish I could use it to clear the smallest CC (and a chunk of the next one!). I managed to add nearly £300 to it last month, despite feeling like it wasn't a productive month - plus paid he £225 minimums off the CCs. So wasn't as bad as I thought!!! For this month, I again put £225 aside for CCs and transferred £300 to misc savings (plus various amounts to my other pots!)

So I am feeling productive and motivated!!!