It won't happen overnight. But if I do nothing it won't happen at all. (MFW diary 5761)

seventh88

Hi everyone,

I hope you're well and this week has been kind to you. Here's an update from me.

Challenges

1. I didn't get the job that I interviewed for. The feedback was that I was 'just pipped to the post', I was 'a very strong candidate' etc. This was encouraging, but also a little difficult to work with. I did ask questions like 'what specifically can I work on?' but was told 'nothing, you were great!'. This wasn't very helpful. I'm not gonna lie, I was  a wee bit winded for a couple of days, and went away to lick my wounds.

Successes

1. I have picked myself up. There are two positives, a) I got the interview in the first place and b) well they still said nice things! they encouraged me to apply again! So I am making a plan of what I can do over the next 12-18 months to gain more experience in that area, and I'm going to go out and do it! If anything, it's increased my motivation in the long run, because the disappointment has made me realise how much I would like this.

2. I've saved quite a bit this month and have been able to add £546 to my MFW fund this year, which has got me a lot closer to my target (I'm at £2062 out of £3000, which I'm really pleased with).
3. I have been challenging myself to NOT go to the shop and do 'top up shops'. No, you don't need the ice cream. No, you don't need 'something better for dinner'. There's plenty of things in the cupboard and the freezer, you've got more than enough fresh stuff. And I'm glad I've done this, because sometimes I think I just upgrade everything in my food shop, and then things are no longer a 'treat', they're just a general lifestyle choice. I want to value what I have and really enjoy it and appreciate it. So i'm working more towards that.

4. And I've done a few practical things this week, switch a couple of bank accounts, I'm in the process of moving my pension to a better provider etc. So all that is good too.

Next steps

1. You know what, I need to think about what I'm going to do to celebrate when I hit £3000 in my MFW challenge! I'm getting closer!
2. Continue to spend mindfully and joyfully, on things that bring me true value. Not on things that I sponatenously decide I 'need' at 5.30pm when I'm tired lol.

Thanks as always for your support and encouragement, it makes a huge difference.

seventh88

Hi everyone,

I hope that your month is going well so far.

Here's an update from me:

Challenges

1. I've spent a little more than planned in some of my budgetted areas...however, I've spent less than planned in others, so I've been able to re-jiggle a bit. I'll watch this next month.

2. Doing extra hours at work this month and last month has been a wee bit tiring, but i'm also glad (financially and personally) that I've done it

Successes
1. Moved pension to a better provider with lower fees
2. Opened new bank accounts to maximise interest
3. At the end of this month, I should be paid for the extra hours I did last month
4. I think I've done really quite well with cutting down the sponatenous extra food shops!! This has been a new thing for me to try and it's made me more creative with the food I already have at home, and more appreciative of it too.

5. I'm £938 away from reaching my MFW target for the year, which I'm amazed and chuffed with as we're only half way through the year. I estimate that I'll be able to reach it in the next 3-4 months, possibly 2-3 if I can put some of the money from my extra wages towards it. I'll then keep going each month, so that I'll surpass my target.

Question
When I reach my MFW target for this year, I want to mark it in some way, to celebrate - but obviously not spend loads of money. Can you give me ideas? What are some ways that you've celebrated financial milestones and achievements?

Thanks for all your ideas and support.

Working_Mum

seventh88 said:

Next steps

1. You know what, I need to think about what I'm going to do to celebrate when I hit £3000 in my MFW challenge! I'm getting closer!
2. Continue to spend mindfully and joyfully, on things that bring me true value. Not on things that I sponatenously decide I 'need' at 5.30pm when I'm tired lol.

Thanks as always for your support and encouragement, it makes a huge difference.

I think you are doing so very well seventh88 you should pat yourself on your back! What do you LIKE doing and WISH you had time to do but currently don't?? Maybe do some of that to celebrate hitting your target?? 

Or you could sign up for a class of some sort to give you a new skill and to help decompress with work etc. My friend has signed up for a 6 week taster pottery class and she is super excited! I laughed and said I reckon I know what I'll be getting for Christmas then

Celebrating your successes should definitely  form part of your overall plan - how that looks may not be a conventional glass of fizz but could include a day at the beach or a posh picnic in the middle of a forest walk or new bedding because you love your sleep! - so many way to celebrate that you will love.

Keep on going, you are doing so very well!

((WM))

seventh88

@Working_Mum Thank you so much for your kind words, encouragement and cheerleading. There are some great ideas there, and I love the idea of thinking about something that I specifically really like doing but don't often allow time for. Something that feels indulgent!! I will mull it over thank you and I hope all is well with you.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi @seventh88 how are things with you?

seventh88

Hi @StripeyTightsSpottySocks thanks for checking in. It's been a good couple of weeks financially, how have things been with you? I hope life is being kind to you.

You've prompted me to do an update, so here it is:

Challenges
1. Despite now having more money than I ever have in my life; I am also more afraid of losing it. When I think about my career and where to go next, I keep coming back to 'how would I survive?'. I know this is a normal (and essential!) question to ask yourself - but I don't want to let it rule me. I want to live with love in my heart, not fear. I'll work on it. 

Successes
1. I've been paid for the overtime I did, and will be able to (amazingly), make the last installment of my £3k target for mortgage overpayments for this year. I can't believe that I've achieved it and it's only June. I will keep going; anything extra is a huge bonus. 

2. I've been thinking about how best to celebrate this, and I loved @Working_Mum 's suggestion that it's something I really like doing and wish I had more time for, but don't always prioritise. I love time just to myself, to browse, walk, read, just chill out with no agenda - but I rarely make space for this. I've got a voucher for a hotel chain and I've decided I'll go somewhere local, but just enjoy the time to myself. The travel and food won't be that much, and whilst I won't be anywhere radically different, I know the headspace will be sheer bliss. 

Next steps

1. No further overtime this month, it's not available - but actually I'm quite ready for the break!
2. Celebration as above once I hit 3k!

Thank you
I can't believe that we're half way through the year; that I'll be able to hit my OPs target; that I'm keeping going with this diary; that I'm still in work; I still have a roof; I'm still here. 
This forum makes such a difference. Thank you for your support, encouragement, cheerleading, and solidarity. 

South_coast

Excellent work on the OP's, and I love the idea of the hotel break 😀 There's nothing life a bit of space from the everyday to get a recharge 

seventh88

Thanks @South_coast that’s my thinking too - just a chance to recharge. I’m really looking forward to it!

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Amazing on the overpayments and time to yourself to celebrate sounds perfect 

I’m good thank you - I have an appointment for my remortgage this week and preparing for this has got me thinking of a few things for the future.

seventh88

Good to hear you’re well. Those milestones like re-mortgaging always make us reflect on the next few years don’t they? Hope the appointment is fruitful for you