Not the Right Time...

Hi there, I hope you are all well despite this disappointment of a "summer" so far.  Although officially summer doesn't start till about 21st June I suppose but, nevertheless, it still feels like Autumn to me!  I've got a big fleecy cardigan on and the halogen heater is on/off as well!  Still, what can you do?

Thanks for the comments on the job front.  I decided not to apply for it in the end.  And here's why:

I have job hopped so much in search of happiness, over the last 4/5 years and finally, I feel happy in the role I am currently in.  When it came down to it, the thought of having to go through all the long formal application, a grilling interview and then, should I be selected, start all over again in less than a year of starting my current job, made me feel a bit queasy.  When I asked myself what I really wanted, the answer was, simply to enjoy this role a bit longer and really make the best of it and not go for another job just because it was there.  Sure it would have been a bit more money but truth is, I don't care about that.  It's financially tough at times but the bills are getting paid and we're getting by. 

What matters to me right now is getting to Sunday nights and not wanting to kill myself because I hated the job I was going to the next day.  It matters to me that I am really getting to grips now with the role and implementing the new knowledge and hopefully really helping people on the other end of the phone.  I simply want to have that stability for a while.

I have been in enough jobs to know that it hardly ever stays like that (forever) and one day I will realise I am coming to the end of the 'honeymoon period' in the job and I'll need another challenge.  And that's fine.  I'll deal with that when it happens and if there is another opportunity within the department I shall go for it.  But that's then and this is now.  I feel happy with my decision and it felt right for me.  My Line Manager may be disappointed with me but hey ho.  He'll get over it I'm sure!

So there you go that's that.

In other news, happily I paid off the balance to a holiday we have planned for late Summer down to Cornwall which hubby and I have been saving for since last July!  So the holiday is bought and paid for, now we are just saving for some spending money and the petrol to drive down there and back (and around and about should we decide to venture further than the beach & cottage garden!).  This has given me a boost as I have something to look forward to now.  I don't think we'll have another holiday again for a couple of years at least so, I'm really hoping for fine weather when we're there.

Our fourth Approved Foods order is due tomorrow.  I'm so grateful I heard about the site from Frugal Queen's blog, I know I have said that before, but I truly am.  This time I've saved a fortune on cereal bars and dairy free desserts which are packed lunch staples in this household.  I check most days to see what they have especially by way of breakfast cereals and it is hit & miss but I generally can use a number of things they have on offer. 

I popped to Aldi today for the usual weekly shop for fresh fruit & veg and some other usual weekly bits and was delighted to see that they had some Earl Grey tea in for 99p a box!  So a box went in the trolley and I had one when I got home...and was satisfied with it.  If you like Earl Grey, I'd say give it a go.  It may need a little longer in the cup or pot than some of the labelled brands but for 99p, you'd be crazy not to try it.

I also popped into a charity shop earlier and found a fabulous quality striped top with the modern twist 'batwing' effect (I hope you know what I mean otherwise it just sounds horrendous) and a ribbed/tight finish right at the bottom where it sits on the top of your hips.  Versatile to go with jeans or work trousers so I was pleased with that.  I would post up a photo but it's in the wash as I type!  I also got an electric blue plain t-shirt for hubby which he really liked.  He can never have enough t-shirts/tops as he's a master of the spilled curry or pasta sauce which refuse to come out no matter what I do, so spending top dollar on clothes for him, even if I was minted, would be pretty stupid.

Something else I decided to try last weekend (Jubbly weekend) was start using bicarbonate of soda after cleaning my teeth normally, for whitening.  I can't even entertain the idea of spending £4+ on whitening toothpastes now so I just heap a little onto my toothbrush when there is still some toothpaste left on it, and clean for about another minute, no more than that.  It tastes foul however it does the trick and no mistake!  A large pot from Tesco cost me 99p and it'll last for AGES.  I'm chuffed with that.  My teeth feel so clean and although they're hardly Hollywood white (you'd need bleaching kits for that!) they are clean, bright and healthy looking. 

Well not too much else to report from here....I am out tonight...being treated to a film at the cinema so I am looking forward to that.  All I have to do is drive there which I am happy to do!  I can't remember the last time I went out on a Tuesday night so it'll be appreciated.  I've cut right back on money for 'going out'.  I won't say I never go out as that would be a blatant lie but, it's barely anything these days.  I have made a plan for the next 6 months or so and if I stick to it, I should be overdraft free within that time and will have put some savings away.  I know some people would say "Why save if you are overdrawn?" but I do because:

a)  If something crops up I don't want to go deeper into my overdraft
b)  My overdraft is completely free/no interest up to a certain point so it's not costing me anything to save if that makes sense.

Wish me luck, I have to say I need all the encouragement I can get to stick to the plan!  I do like to be a little social and see my friends & family but not a lot is free is it, so some money always ends up getting spent.  And I can get carried away with the moment at times, I'm the first to admit it.  More education (or even some!) is required for the whole country on how not to be a hermit and not run up debts in the process I think!

OK that really is it so I shall bid you adieu for now.  Thanks for reading!  And feel free to add your comments on what you do to be social, for free or very little money.  I'd love to read them.

xxx