A new chapter is ....... FINALLY HERE

pennywisepoundstupid

Morning all, can't sleep so lurking on the boards, been having a think about goals for september and what i want to achieve moving forward, Mental health and wellness is a priority I need to get myself back into a good place.

September goal-
HEALTH
Eat better, less snacking of chocolate and junk
Drink more water
Keep up my steps, i am pretty good at this with having the pooches to walk everyday but would like to keep track of how many.

MONEY
Try and stick to budget
10 NSD
Keep up with surveys, selling etc
List my frugal wins and keep to y promise of underconsumption (easier said than done)

Sarahwithlove

The job change sounds like it be a good move for you. Maybe in the higher paid months you could save the difference for the lower paid months so you have an average monthly wage effectively. 

pennywisepoundstupid

Sarahwithlove said:

The job change sounds like it be a good move for you. Maybe in the higher paid months you could save the difference for the lower paid months so you have an average monthly wage effectively. 

Hi, yes I was thinking the same thing, having a wages fund set aside in a savings account. xx

alipops1986

I've been reading along, and absolutely think you've made the correct decision regarding work. 
I left education almost 2 years ago now, I earnt a chunky salary as a Senior Leader but was entirely burnt out and my mental health wasn't good yet I was petrified of leaving into the unknown. Thankfully, I did. 
I'm now in such a better place wellbeing wise, and I'm using my skillset within another field outside of education - where you work the hours you're paid for and have flexibility for family etc. I now earn £20k less per year than I did in education, but the improvement to my wellbeing is worth so much more than that to me!

pennywisepoundstupid

alipops1986 said:

I've been reading along, and absolutely think you've made the correct decision regarding work. 
I left education almost 2 years ago now, I earnt a chunky salary as a Senior Leader but was entirely burnt out and my mental health wasn't good yet I was petrified of leaving into the unknown. Thankfully, I did. 
I'm now in such a better place wellbeing wise, and I'm using my skillset within another field outside of education - where you work the hours you're paid for and have flexibility for family etc. I now earn £20k less per year than I did in education, but the improvement to my wellbeing is worth so much more than that to me!

Thanks alipops, sadly i have heard your story from so many people in the profession, I have watched friends/colleagues burn out and break down. I'm so sorry you were also one of these people. I don't think that people really understand unless they work in education or have a close family member that does. 
I know once i get through the next few weeks (anxiety is sky high) i will get better and I will be in a good place. I just need to hang on in there.

Thankyou again for your kind words, they mean alot xx

pennywisepoundstupid

So did i mention, don't think i did that DD has got a puppy, she is totally gorgeous but a total terror. But it's something else to keep me occupied. This is DD dog so all cost covered by her, she had her first check up at the vets yesterday and i made DD join the petplan they have, so she pays monthly for vaccinations, worming, flea treatment etc.

SO on to money, went to small town this morning as i had parcels to post as i managed to sell another item overnight, just £4 but it all helps, had a parcel to pick up from the lockers and needed to do a small food shop. Left DH at home swearing at the laptop as he was trying to get tickets for the concert of the decade, didn't manage to get any, I've told him he is not paying stupid money for tickets and if some come up closer to the time next year for reasonable money then we will go.

Posted both parcel (postage paid for) and did a quick dash round Mr A, with a small trolley and a shopping list and it came to £64, yikes! There was no alcohol as we have a couple of bottles of wine and no meat for main dishes as i did a butchers shop a few weeks ago and still have quite a bit left. No washing powder or dishwasher tabs that bump the shopping up, just everyday stuff, fruit and veg, pasta milk etc. Just Crazy!
Filled car up with petrol on the way home £45 which should last a couple of weeks, petrol spends will go down once i finish at school.
Got home and postie had brought me a pack of dishwasher tabs to test, so thats a few pounds saved and also a £5 B00ths voucher, need to find my card as i seem to have DH card in my purse for some reason but can't remember where mine is and i need it to redeem voucher in store.

Checked sparks beauty offer and today's is 25% off haircare, won't use that one, going to wait until i have all the vouchers (2 more to go) and see if i can get some xmas presents with the discounts to save a few pennies, DD uses clinique stuff so i know i can use one of the vouchers against that. Will then order all at the same time and only have one trip into big town.

Frugal wins -
Sun is shining and washing is hung outside.
Parcelled 2 parcels using recycled packaging and the parcels i got today had decent packaging so have been squirrelled away. 
Free dishwasher tabs
£bay sale
£5 B00ths voucher.

Off out tonight with friends to a local brewery for a few drinks and they often have meal trucks (not dodgy burger vans) and do different theme nights, this month it is Thai food so looking forward to that.

alipops1986

pennywisepoundstupid said:

alipops1986 said:

I've been reading along, and absolutely think you've made the correct decision regarding work. 
I left education almost 2 years ago now, I earnt a chunky salary as a Senior Leader but was entirely burnt out and my mental health wasn't good yet I was petrified of leaving into the unknown. Thankfully, I did. 
I'm now in such a better place wellbeing wise, and I'm using my skillset within another field outside of education - where you work the hours you're paid for and have flexibility for family etc. I now earn £20k less per year than I did in education, but the improvement to my wellbeing is worth so much more than that to me!

Thanks alipops, sadly i have heard your story from so many people in the profession, I have watched friends/colleagues burn out and break down. I'm so sorry you were also one of these people. I don't think that people really understand unless they work in education or have a close family member that does. 
I know once i get through the next few weeks (anxiety is sky high) i will get better and I will be in a good place. I just need to hang on in there.

Thankyou again for your kind words, they mean alot xx

Ironically, my DH is a teacher and manages quite well. However, he is naturally a relaxed and chilled person - he does what he can and draws a line. Unfortunately, I'm quite a perfectionist so I struggled to accept the job would never actually be done. Also, on reflection, I took too many opportunities for progression - often the case as recruitment to senior positions is another recruitment issue, and I think that quick progress also led to the burn out. However, everything happens for a reason and 2 years on, I'm pleased at where I am now. I am far more present for my own children, who are in primary school etc. 

jwil

Well done on making the decision to move on.  Hope everything goes well, and hope your anxiety settles soon as well xx

debtfreewannabe321

Morning Penny, I have followed you over and read through your diary. I wish my mortgage were at the same level as yours - with a plan to pay off in a couple of years.

I left a stressful job in school Easter holidays. I couldn't take any more of it .....with my resignation....I heard that 6 (!!) teachers had also handed theirs in. Previous to that, 8 had left during my time there (only 2 years). I couldn't believe it. The ones that are left are either so laid back and don't care too much about the stress of it, or they'll probably be the next ones out. I need another job but this time I will be more choosy (that was THE only job going in my tiny town) and I will be putting my MH above all else so if it takes a while to find a good one so be it. DP makes enough money for us to live on anyway and he loves his job, and with the maintenance I get we are fine, but I want to save for holidays (long overdue) house renovations now we've moved and mortgage OPs. Money just doesn't seem to stretch very far these days does it. Bookmarked to cheer you along  

pennywisepoundstupid

debtfreewannabe321 said:

Morning Penny, I have followed you over and read through your diary. I wish my mortgage were at the same level as yours - with a plan to pay off in a couple of years.

I left a stressful job in school Easter holidays. I couldn't take any more of it .....with my resignation....I heard that 6 (!!) teachers had also handed theirs in. Previous to that, 8 had left during my time there (only 2 years). I couldn't believe it. The ones that are left are either so laid back and don't care too much about the stress of it, or they'll probably be the next ones out. I need another job but this time I will be more choosy (that was THE only job going in my tiny town) and I will be putting my MH above all else so if it takes a while to find a good one so be it. DP makes enough money for us to live on anyway and he loves his job, and with the maintenance I get we are fine, but I want to save for holidays (long overdue) house renovations now we've moved and mortgage OPs. Money just doesn't seem to stretch very far these days does it. Bookmarked to cheer you along  

Hi DFW, it is a nice feeling when you get the mortgage down, we are actually mortgage neutral and could pay it off now, but i refuse to pay the mortgage company an early payment fee especially as mortgage interest is so low.
We are also able to live off one income and also have a cottage we rent out that has no mortgage which is another source of income, I think its the fact i've always had my own money, it's silly really that i have got myself quite emotional about not bringing in a full time income and yet by being at home more we save money and i have time to do more,it has a benefit to my MH and my families, as a stressed out on the edge wife/mum is not good. When i told DS and DD they were both relieved as apparently they had both been talking about how worried they were for me  .
I agree about everything costing more and having to stretch it further, holidays are my weakness and i will go without lots of things, but travel and making memories feed my soul and bring me so much joy. xx