Flying solo

twiggy86

Definitely annoying as this is all money that could potentially be thrown at the debts at the end of the month! However, it's December which is always a busy month and it is much better to utilise my own money that have to rely on credit cards! I do of course have my £100 buffer in my account for this very reason!

I went to watch a premier league game last night with bf which was good fun! We had a burger and a pint there - just texted to ask what I owe him and he said it was £15, so will transfer that in a second. Tonight is a quiet night, although should probably pop and do a bit of food shopping. Speaking of food, I am slowly working my way through the snacks that were left over from the weekend - although I bought a tray bake cake into work today as there was loads left and bf won't eat it! Boss was very grateful as they have their "foster" son's birthday meal tonight and he has a couple of friends coming over, so it will definitely get eaten! 

Today's bits and bobs...

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Text bf, transfer what I owe and update spreadsheet 
• Work on crochet present at lunch 
• Small-ish food shop?
• Dinner from stores 

I feel like I don't have much to say and am very repetitive at the moment. However, I will continue to waffle as it definitely helps keep me on track! 

twiggy86

We didn't go food shopping last night but bf did grab something for dinner from the supermarket. So only spend yesterday was £6 that I transferred to him. Think we'll need to do a proper shop tonight though. It helps that now we know what we're doing between Christmas and New Year, so when we'll be around for and need food!

• Monday evening going to the panto
• Christmas Eve - unsure of plans yet 
• Christmas day - brunch at my brothers, then pick up bf's kids Christmas afternoon
• Boxing day - seeing his mum and maybe other family
• 27th visiting his sister then drop the kids home and drive to his dads (5-ish hours away) and stay there for a couple of nights. 

So doesn't look like we'll be home too much! 

I went to download a crochet pattern I've used before but it's now a whole £1.50! So when I got home I dug around in my printed patterns and managed to find it - will take it into work and scan it, so that I have an electronic copy. It's a little Christmas jumper as I always make one that matches the socks I make my mum so wanted to make her one - although at the moment she still only has one sock! Working from home today so will hopefully find time to finish bf daughter's rabbit and then I can move onto the second sock for mum. Haven't even started on my own Christmas socks, which is now unlikely! My other crafty plan today is to roll out some air dry clay and use some cookie cutters to cut out some festive shapes (already have the clay and the cutters) - then they should be dry by the weekend so the plan is for me and bf's daughter to paint them if we are at home with nothing to do. Although I think we may be visiting his sister and/or going ice skating, so may not have time but at least they'll be ready if we do want to paint them. 

Today's little list... 

• Update spreadsheet 
• Finish crochet rabbit 
• Make mini Christmas jumper 
• Lunch from stores
• Cut out clay shapes  
• Write shopping list 
• Food shop 
• Dinner from stores 

the_end_of_the_rainbow

twiggy86 said:

Definitely annoying as this is all money that could potentially be thrown at the debts at the end of the month! However, it's December which is always a busy month and it is much better to utilise my own money that have to rely on credit cards! I do of course have my £100 buffer in my account for this very reason!

I went to watch a premier league game last night with bf which was good fun! We had a burger and a pint there - just texted to ask what I owe him and he said it was £15, so will transfer that in a second. Tonight is a quiet night, although should probably pop and do a bit of food shopping. Speaking of food, I am slowly working my way through the snacks that were left over from the weekend - although I bought a tray bake cake into work today as there was loads left and bf won't eat it! Boss was very grateful as they have their "foster" son's birthday meal tonight and he has a couple of friends coming over, so it will definitely get eaten! 

Today's bits and bobs...

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Text bf, transfer what I owe and update spreadsheet 
• Work on crochet present at lunch 
• Small-ish food shop?
• Dinner from stores 

I feel like I don't have much to say and am very repetitive at the moment. However, I will continue to waffle as it definitely helps keep me on track! 

I’m enjoying your thread - don’t worry about being repetitive - you’re doing great! 

twiggy86

Thank you @the_end_of_the_rainbow

Are you ready for the big news... I finished the crochet bunny!!! So in the past month I have finished a doll, two hats, a blanket, a bunny and one sock! However, it's started to look like my mum might actually get a pair for Christmas! I also made two little mini sweaters yesterday (i.e. tree decorations) - one for mum and one for me! I haven't however finished my own hat or started my socks, but that can wait until after Christmas! 

Working from home again today, so currently have a load of washing on that I will hang on the airer when it's finished. Still haven't done the food shop, so might pop out and do that at some point as well. I am going ice skating with bf, his kids, brother and his kids on Sunday - spoke to brother and he said for me to book the tickets and he'll pay me back. Now technically I don't have the money to pay for him, so will have to utilise one of my buffers/ misc savings or something - no issues about him paying me back, but it's having the money in the first place!!! 

I have netball tonight and bf has his work party so the plans is... drop be off at 6:30, netball 8-9, home for a shower and then pick bf up later! So I will no doubt be knackered tomorrow and it's typical that I'm in the office tomorrow (and bf is working from home but no doubt he will need a hungover lay-in!!!) 

So today's list...

• Load of washing on 30 degree cycle
• Take chicken breast out of freezer for me to have for dinner 
• Hang washing on airer
• Update spreadsheet 
• Lunch from stores 
• Pop to shop for a few bits 
• Snap receipt (and may have a couple lingering in my bag actually)#
• Park for free at netball
• Fit in crochet where possible!

Sarahwithlove

If i am buying tickets for more than just me I put it on my credit card as then I know I will definitely chase their share to clear it before interest charges. Not the best way but like you I don't have room in my budget to pay for others unless it's beginning of month or I take it from savings. But then I lose interest. It's whether you have the willpower for that. I tend to use my monzo one as you can set payments to 3 months 0% but still pay it off early when money comes in. 

twiggy86

Super tired today as was a late night after picking bf up from his Christmas party! Saved probably £30 in a taxi though and was very grateful so I don't mind. Last day in the office today and then working from home on Monday and then I'm done for Christmas! 

Bf got paid today so he paid me his half of January bills - has been shuffled aside and won't be considered until my budget day at the end of the month! I did decide to shuffle £75 from my grocery budget to my "fun money" though as had pretty much run out - two nights out and some football tickets have meant it's been an expensive month! I am going out for "drinks" with my netball team tonight, but think I will drive and so it should be a cheap night. Think we're visiting bf's sister tomorrow and then ice skating Sunday - so shouldn't spend too much other than the ticket for ice skating (£13). 

Today's little list... 

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Shuffle money! 
• Work on socks at lunch (I'm just past the heel!) 
• Dinner from stores 
• Drive tonight to meet friends 

Oh and I nearly forgot... yesterday I spoke to a recruiter about a role however she wouldn't put me forward for it! I have worked in my field for 14 years but am not "qualified" (although I went to uni in this area for 5 years) but it is a regulated area! Annoying as it was for a university and one of my current clients is a college and therefore I have absolutely the right experience, I just can't tick a box!!! However, bf works in recruitment (different industry) and is going to try finding some potential roles for me. I realised am concerned about the security of my current role as business has been very slow this year and bosses have made a couple of comments recently about how they are really trying to save money (i.e. not buying Christmas presents or a real Christmas tree etc). So it is possibly time I started looking for alternatives after nearly 9 years in my current job. 

PennysIntoPounds

Just catching up, congratulations on all your financial and emotional achievements this year. Frustrating about the job but good that it's prompted you to cast your net. Hope it all works out as it should for you 😊

MFWannabe

Do you know who the role is with? Are they advertising it themselves and you could apply directly? 

slm6002

I think experience counts for a lot.  You could have someone newly qualified but never actually done the work or someone with no piece of paper but years of experience doing the job.  I know which I would prefer.

Floss

MFWannabe said:

Do you know who the role is with? Are they advertising it themselves and you could apply directly? 

I agree, check out Indeed as they may have the job...