Flying solo

twiggy86

Few little things on my radar for the coming week...

• Analyse 2024 spending summaries 
• Apply for 1 job 
• Prepare for interview! 
• Start crochet merman 
• Sort out 3 small areas around the house 
• Try arrange for quote for utility/ toilet 

twiggy86

Not a great start to the day as bf had a call to say his mum has had a major stroke. Given that he is already dealing with a terminal diagnosis with his dad, he really is dealing with a lot. I asked if he wanted me around today to which he responded "it's not necessary" - and I said I didn't ask if was necessary but want he wanted. However, I think he needed space to process and deal with running around to the hospital etc so I have come into the office. Thankfully she was already in hospital for her chest so she was found quickly. 

But on to money things... I decided to send the remaining £50 that I had set aside for CC payments to the CC (otherwise it may help me justify overspending). So total payment for this month has been £485, leaving me with £8,320 - meaning that I should be in next "thousand bracket" next month! I have a small amount (roughly £75 I think) left in a few pots, that will either cover any further spending before payday on Friday or be thrown at the debt once my wages come in. 

Not quite sure what this evening will look like - the plan was to do a little shop, dinner and chill. But we will have to see what happens.  

Today's list should look like... 

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Make CC payment 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Start crochet project at lunch 
• Find one small area to sort out - possibly one of my beside drawers 
• Pop to shop
• Snap receipt 
• Dinner from stores 

dawnybabes

Hopefully as she was already in hospital they’ve managed to ‘clot bust’ - time is important here. Poor DH - I bet he’s on the ceiling with it all. 

twiggy86

Just realised that I haven't posted today. 

It's still all quite up in the air re bf's mum, but whatever the outcome it will be life changing. So it's very sad and stressful for them. I was meant to be going to a learn to knit workshop tonight, but I'll just feel guilty/ distracted worrying about bf and feeling like I should be at home so I've decided not to go. Hopefully I will be able to transfer to a different class but if I have to pay again then I don't mind. I told bf that it was cancelled due to the instructor being poorly - as I didn't want to make him feel guilty. He may of course not want/ need me around, but I'd rather be "too much" than not around at the moment. 

So I think we are going to do a bit of a food shop tonight when I get back - I was going to eat out, so at least I've saved money there! I had the dentist and hygeinist before work this morning but had money in a sinking fund for that - thankfully nothing needed and just to go again in a further 6 months. 

I don't really feel like I have anything to put in a daily list today, other than the usuals. So I will leave it there today! 

dawnybabes

Good luck today x 

twiggy86

Interview went really!!! It was more of a general chat, so he actually did most of the talking but was very interesting and definitely something I'm interested in! I didn't realise at the time but bf was sat on the stairs listening and he told me about 20 times how proud he was of me and how well I did!!! He's in recruitment so understands these things better than me so I'll take his word for it! I got invited for the second stage, which is an online assessment for me to complete - well the guy was giving me a fair few tips on what to do, which is obviously very positive! 

Today is also payday!!! I was able to "scrape up" about £17 left over in a couple of pots, but as I like nice, whole number I sent £15 to the CC. Meaning my total debt payments for the month was £500. Current balances are:

MBNA CC - £2,315
Natwest CC - £5,990
TOTAL - £8,305

I did spend £110 in January on tickets to 3 different events out of personal spends, so obviously would have been able to send more to debts if it wasn't for that - I don't begrudge these purchases those as I don't see it as "frivolous" necessarily (such as buying meal deals, bottles of pop etc)! I also still haven't been able to account for that extra £50 in the account that holds my various sinking funds - all my other accounts were correct so doesn't look like I updated the spreadsheet but forgot to shuffle money around, so who knows!!! I think I'm simply going to allocate it against one of the pots (rather than send to CC) in case the error does become apparent in the future. 

twiggy86

Don;t have any firm plans this weekend. We have bf's daughter (son had plans so has opted not to come - 15 year old!) so will predominantly be entertaining her! Think we may meet bf's sister at the beach for a walk one of the mornings and plan to visit his mum after we've dropped his daughter back on Sunday. I need to think if there's a time over the weekend for me to do the assessment around that - it's a two hour assessment that I can do when I choose, but I need to give them the slot in advance. 

We had a plumber come round this morning for the work that needs doing on the utility area - should be sending over a quote this afternoon for us to consider. I currently have £700 set aside for "house stuff/ DIY", but bf has said that we need to go halves and doesn't have any savings set aside at the moment. But for now it is more about understanding what is involved and costs. It's turning an area in the middle of the house (i.e. doesn't have an external wall to run waste pipes straight out of) so it's not straight forward. 

On to today's bits and pieces...

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Complete money shuffles
• Make CC payment
• Email interviewer as follow-up and re next steps 
• Load of washing on 30 degree quick cycle 
• Dinner from stores
• Hang washing on airer
• Sort out one small area around the house 

Moneywhizz

Just wondering if you would be better paying for home improvements yourself since the house is yours and your boyfriend has his own house to look after. Of course it is fair that he contributes to normal bills but it is probably best to keep house expenses separate as you have not joined finances and it could be seen as him having some rights to your equity he has made contributions to the upkeep/improvements of the house. Just something to consider. Sounds like you are doing well with the interview situation. 

twiggy86

Morning all! 

I did the second part of the interview process on Saturday, which was an online assessment that I had to complete. I'm not convinced I did very well though - the task was literally something I do every day and technically should have been easy, but nerves took hold of me and made me second guess every decision. But now I just have to wait to hear back and see if it's as bad as I thought. 

Overall a fairly quiet weekend, although did go for a walk down the beach yesterday for a few hours which was nice to enjoy the sunshine! We also booked pooch's operation for next month - had to pay half (£150) upfront, but we have both been putting aside for it so had that covered. Feeling a bit "flat" this morning- probably a combination of not feeling like I did myself justice on the assessment and also bf is a bit off (completely understandable given his current stress!). But hoping a can reset and get off to a good start to the week!

Today's bits and pieces...

• Make lunch to take to work 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Claim small amount from TCB 
• Start on merman!!! 
• Pop to shop on way home for a couple of bits 
• Snap receipt 
• Dinner from stores 

Sarahwithlove

Hopefully you did better than you think in the assessment and if not it's all good experience for you. 

I have to agree that it may be best for you to pay for any home improvements as it's your property. Hopefully you stay together a long time as he seems like a keeper but you just never know. I wouldn't want you left having to try and find money to pay him back in future.