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.

doingitanyway

As you say, lots to be proud of in 2025 

Sarahwithlove

Well done on a successful 2025 and the new job 

Rhyddid2026

I had a brief low moment last night when I worked out that my CC debt free date is still the same as it was at the start of the year. But then I reminded myself that I have cleared £900 of overdraft and overpaid my loan by about £300. I'll be focussing on the CC balance from the start of 2026. 
Why are we so primed to notice the stuff we've not done well at? It's a real effort to keep the good stuff in mind.