Flying solo

Sarahwithlove

I think it's a good idea to prioritise doing projects you want to do rather then feel like you have to do. Hopefully you'll enjoy it more then. 

twiggy86

Morning! Fairly productive evening that included bathing the dog and sorting out the two kitchen drawers. Didn't find anything interesting, but did declutter some rubbish and organise better! Also cooked a big lasagna (not homemade) so that did us both for dinner and I will have for lunch today and tomorrow. Oh and the belt is fine - I prefer the look of my old one but this one actually fits better. So saved myself that expense! 

Today's list includes... 

• Make lunch to take to work - including LO lasagna 
• Make £20 CC overpayment 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Message recruiter and possibly arrange a call 
• Finish making penguin at lunch 
• Sort out pj drawer 
• Dinner from stores 
• Crochet in front of the TV 

twiggy86

I didn't sort out the drawer but I did finish the penguin and I did have a chat with bf about next steps for starting the utility room project... outcome was to get a quote for a plumber! Both me and bf are busy tonight so won't see him until about 9:30, so I decided to spend time with him and will do a bit of sorting tonight in the time I have before I go to acro. I will take the penguin with me and I'm hoping that the recipient will pay for my class in return - I should just ask him to but I'm a wimp! 

Inspired by @foxandflowers this morning I have started the process of breaking down my spending from last year into categories! It's quite painstaking and slow but I've managed Jan-Apr so far before I lost momentum! I was impressed that it took until April before I had to create a "takeaway" category! There was "eating out" before this but I regret going out for dinner less than the (often) pure laziness that takeaways represent! 

Today's bits and pieces include...

• Take lunch to work - including LO lasagna 
• Start working on spending categories for 2024
• Update spreadsheet 
• Try to chat to recruiter 
• Sort out pj drawer 
• Take penguin to acro 
• "Dinner" from stores - probably just some toast! 

foxandflowers

@twiggy86 How fun that I have inspired you!  
April is very impressive - I think I managed about 3 days last January before I caved. 15 days so far and going strong though! I'm excited to see how your categories end up - I am doing essential vs non essential spends pie chart today - I don't know why but I find these things tremendously fun. 

twiggy86

Maybe if I had the capabilities to make charts/ graphs I might find it more interesting @foxandflowers!!! 

I found myself in the office alone for 30 minutes so I managed to give the recruiter a call - same issue as before so she won't put me forward for the role. Not too disappointed as I wasn't overly keen on the position as was fully remote - just frustrating that I have (pretty) perfect experience/ skills but don't tick a box! Did come across a role which is potentially very interesting (depending on the salary) but it was on some slightly odd job site and can't find details elsewhere or work out how to apply! Maybe it's not legit?! Will speak to bf later as he works in recruitment so the answer is probably very obvious to him!  

liselle

Maybe quote the price of the penguin as being about the cost of your class - hopefully they’ll then suggest that they pay for the class…..

twiggy86

I didn't do any type of sorting and nearly didn't go to acro last night as felt really shaky/ weak by the time I got home! However, I shoveled some toast in my face and decided to go to class with the view of leaving early if I didn't feel up to it (the shakiness had gone but felt really tired) - and it ended up being a great class so pleased I went! I (of course) didn't ask for any money and the recipient didn't offer, which is very annoying! I should have asked/ mentioned payment before I started making though, so lesson learned! By the time I got home it was 9:30 so that was pretty much it for the evening! Little win was picking up some rolls that were in the "community bread bin" at the community centre! 

This morning I decided to make a £65 CC payment, as it took the balance to a nice round £2,500! It also has the coincidental bonus of taking my total debt just under £8.5k!!! I have a further £135 allocated for CC payments but like to keep aside in case I overspend and also gives me progress throughout the month! I don't envisage that I'll need to utilise it else where, so my total payments for the month should be £450. 

Tonight is netball but my game isn't until 9:20!!! I tend to meet a friend at the pub before late games but she isn't playing tonight so that saves me spending! 

Today's bits and bobs...

• Make lunch to take to work - including free rolls 
• Pop some towels on a 30 degree quick wash 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Make CC payment 
• Complete spending breakdown for another couple of months of 2024 
• Work on socks at lunch 
• Continue checking for potential jobs 
• Dinner from stores - might root around as think there might be a tin of soup at the back of the cupboard and I'm trying to use up "languishing" foods! 
• Sort out pj drawer?! 
• Park for free at netball

twiggy86

I managed to sort out the drawer and a kitchen cupboard last night! Remembered as I got home that bf had taken pooch to work, meaning she wasn't there for me to walk (he gets home a bit later than me! So I used the time to crack on with some housework. Then when I went to make dinner I pulled a tin of soup out that was 4 years out of date, so decided to then pull out all the tins from the back and have a sort. I did find one soup in date, so I had that for my dinner and bf used up a chicken breast. Also did a load of washing on a quick wash and hung on the airer. 

I had to get petrol on my way to netball, so spent £63 from that pot. Have another £21 in there but will likely be able to roll that over to next month as don't think I'll need to fill up again this month. Also likely to have some left in my fitness pot, but will probably throw that at the debt at the end of the month as I generally "re-set" that pot. 

Weekend plans... bf has his kids this weekend and we generally have a takeaway dinner on a Friday but I'm not sure - he pays if we do. Then tomorrow we are visiting his sister as she has a new pooch! I think bf and his son may go to the gym on Saturday night together whilst I stay at home with his daughter (it will be after she goes to bed). Then Sunday bf and his son are doing go karting - that was my Christmas present to them both! Me and his daughter will go watch, maybe I'll buy us a drink but the main expense is already covered - I got a black Friday deal! Then I think me, bf and his son are go to the driving range after we drop his daughter back. Bf's son is 15 and so is at the age where he would rather spend time with his friends/ on his phone, and actually didn't end up coming over on his last scheduled weekend, so it feels like bf is really trying to prioritise making a bit more of their time together - daughter is 5 which means weekend's are often more "tailored" to her. 

Anyway, enough waffle, on to today... 

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Complete spending breakdown for a couple of months of 2024 
• Work on socks at lunch*
• Continue checking for potential jobs 
• Work on crochet project this evening 

* Probably won't get the socks finished this week and need to decide whether to get these done or move on to something else - I have a gift to make and get to Australia so need to allow enough time! 

twiggy86

I came across a painting workshop and sent to my friend (who previously did painting for mental health) - she wants to go so I've just booked us tickets(£10 each. So looking forward to that next month as will be nice to see her and fun to do! I also booked a ticket for my "stitch night" - was recently a free but event looks like she's doing a limited number of free tickets and then donations - I opted to pay £5 (which is what she charged in the past so seemed fair?) 

I have £16 leftover from the money I was given for Christmas, so I may "use" that - however I have taken my from my personal spends for now. Although if I used the Christmas money, it would mean it was all spent of workshops/ events - knitting workshop, acro weekend, painting evening and stitch night! Would seem very fitting as I love events and hobbies!!!

Sarahwithlove

I think it's a good use of the money and then your leftover spending money could always go on extra card payment if you still have it by end of month. Or you can let it roll over