Prosperous & Creative Soul Year 4

beanielou

jwil said:

Glad your accommodation costs are being covered.  Also good that work is being reasonable.

From me too. 

Merlin's_Beard

Glad you're getting the phased return you need.

CCW007

Good news about the phased return, take it easy.

I've been reading but haven't posted yet that I'm sorry for your loss.

Watty1

The phased return is indeed good news.

TallGirl

Glad your work is understanding take it easy do not rush into anything give yourself time. Also well done on the decluttering keep at it and you’ll get there in the end. 

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie, Jwil, CCW, Watty, TG, Merlin

Apparently there's no pool at the Air place which is a blow - but may be an opportunity to swim at the parent's house.

I have done some art over the weekend. 

Well I've just learned more about AI as part of CPD and updated my learning logs so I can hopefully avoid having to sit an exam. I've got the points I need for this year in the nick of time as it renews in 2 days.

I've been doing some decluttering in advance of sis coming - as some areas I don't want her to touch. I've even done a little hoovering. So there has already been a benefit from her plan to visit!! I need to do more before she comes as the bedroom she is due to sleep in is a dumping ground. I checked my space in the garage - and most of the cubes in a 8 cube unit are empty - so I have storage - I'm just not using it particularly well. Hopefully she can help me review my furniture and we can decide together how best to maximise the space. I need to move a wooden chest a family member made into the garage. That would then free up space in my art area for more relevant things.

I spoke to family members for over 90 mins today - mostly about DS's plans. I'm due to go to a family do a week on Saturday now that I'd thought was cancelled where DS will introduce his partner to the wider family. Then early October I'll host a mini event here for a smaller group of family and also have some time to myself with DS and just his partner. Then early November have a pre-xmas / emigration do with my whole family - but possibly book a meal out elsewhere - and then just come back here for drinks and desert as part of a timed invite - rather than have the whole day here. Then go up and see them at least one more time before they leave the country. Feels very real. Pleased for him but... 

doingitanyway

Freeing up art space is good. It is taking me time to understand my space to see how the house best works for me. I am then arranging it accordingly. You are the second diary I've read that mentions the C word. Scary for me...

savingholmes

I've updated my money today - and I'm now at 23.7% of my mortgage neutral via pension target which feels amazing.

I also learned that I am due to get backpay to April in September which is great timing. I may use that towards the wider family event in November. Hopefully, as long as work don't restructure before then - I would get a further pay increment - the last in the scale - at Xmas.

The pay increases may then mean I can bump up my AVCs slightly. I asked Ai whether I could 'retire' at 60 but the answer seems to be only if I keep P1p. Otherwise I need to majorly cut my spending and be lucky with the stock market. 

When I come back from DS's wedding - I need to buckle down budget wise and prioritise better, not least so I can set aside money to go and see him. Ideally I also want to bump up my AVCs another £100 a month so I can escape my day job earlier and pursue art and writing. I also need to progress my business idea but the priority right now is to declutter - which will support that goal, my art and my mental health. Right best get off the computer again and do a bit!!

KajiKita

Good news on the mortgage neutral %age 😊 Great timing on the back pay and 🤞🤞🤞 for the pay increment increase ….

I need to do some serious buckling down and getting strict with myself too, if I really want to get into OPs and topping my savings back up after finishing the paths - Mr KK is running away with the budget again! 😉😂

KK

jwil

Sounds like you have lots to look forward to over the next few months, even if it's hard with people emigrating.  The decluttering should really help with the mental load.  Good luck with it!