Let's get this sorted then!

Rhyddid2026

I haven't been sleeping well for the last week or so, so I'm very tired. I've had the hours but just not getting deep sleep so I wake up still tired. My watch is saying that I'm in a state of stress for most of the night. I've tried to nap today but couldn't manage that either, which is unheard of. I thought it was the job interview anxiety last week, but now I think it must be just the general hundred things I'm juggling, coupled with the time pressure of Christmas. Even though I usually rest to get the energy to do stuff I think right now I need to do stuff to clear it from my brain enough to rest properly. 
Eurgh! 
I should probably start with wrapping the presents that should have been posted 4 weeks ago😆

FootyFanDan

Congratulations on the job offer, and exciting times ahead and hopefully something you settle well into.

I hear you around sleep though, it seems irrespective of how much I sleep I still hate that alarm clock and still feel tired. I do find it very difficult to switch off too, although it has felt the last 4 months have been particularly hectic so hoping over xmas break I can find some time to chill.

Rhyddid2026

Actually @FootyFanDan I checked my watch and my sleep has been poor for longer than I realised. A few weeks at least. I have no idea why but I'd really like to get it sorted again.

I put my car in for a full service today. I was going to do it in January ready for the extra driving for the new job but they had a slot today. Me taking my car to the garage when there's nothing massively wrong is unheard of. Is this what being a grown up is like? Unfortunately as I also have an expensive dental appointment on Monday and it's December, I have had to pay for the service out of the emergency fund. Not quite an emergency but my car is 11 years old, with 111,000 miles on the clock, and I did almost blow up the engine last year so I felt a service was sensible. I'd really like to not have to spend my increased wages on a new car because this one died. At least not yet. I'll be driving up to 5h away soon so I do really need a reliable car, but this one seems ok for the moment. I'm not sure it'll last another year, but I said that last year after the black billowing smoke incident 😆

I had more blood taken this morning, my new favourite nurse got it first time again and filled 4 vials!! They only did 1 last time so I guess they're being thorough. I need a rest now though, I don't want any more blood taken for a couple of months.

Work have sent me a £25 amazon voucher so I can hopefully use that to get a few last minute gifts.

I still haven't wrapped any presents. I have finished rectifying the coving though, and finally finished repairing the hole around the boiler flue.

Rhyddid2026

The savings are going down rather quickly, I am toying with the idea of postponing the dentist until after payday. A decision will have to be made in the morning. 
No news on the new job, nothing in writing, no start date. Sleep is still crap. I have at least wrapped a few presents. 
To cheer myself up and get myself through the last 2 weeks of 2025 I am going to remind myself of some of my successes this year.

First milestone – got CC total under 20k

Second milestone – got 1st D overdraft down to 250

Third milestone – got CC total debt under 20k comfortably (with wiggle room) 

Fourth milestone – got loan down to under 10k

Fifth milestone – got TSB overdraft down to 0

Had a (very MSE) weekend away in Spain with friends as a reward

Sixth milestone -set up Emergency Fund

Seventh milestone - got Tesco CC to under 6k

Eighth milestone – paid off 10% of starting debt

Ninth milestone – got EF to £500

Tenth milestone – got Lloyds CC under 5k

11th milestone – paid off 15% of starting debt

12th milestone – got all 3 CCs under 70%

13th milestone – got total debt under 30k

14th milestone – got EF to £750

15th milestone – got total CC debt under 17k

I did briefly hit 16th milestone - get EF to £1,000 - but then December happened so we'll try that again in January. 

All in all, lots to be proud of. I'm certainly a lot better off than I was this time last year. 

Thanks to everyone that has liked, commented, cheered me on, answered questions, and generally supported me on this journey. I really couldn't have done it without you!

FootyFanDan

Sleep is something that is always fluctuating for me, and is something I also want to get an handle on. 

Seeing all those milestones and achievements written down must fill you with pride, you have made great strides. I know some months you are battling on what to prioritise but you are making each decision with a better focus on how it affects not only your current month but future months too. You should be proud of the steps made forward.

itsthelittlethings

One thing that has made a big difference for sleep for me is starting to keep my phone well away from my bed, I would say in a different room if possible except I live in a studio and only have one room.

Cara_

You should be proud of your achievements this year as you've done really well and will conitune to make progress during 2026.