Thank goodness i got paid today. I think what i will do with my isa is basically close it out - put 200 into my bank account and use the remaining 400 on some of my credit cards.

And then I have to work on reducing my outgoings.

Or something.

What happened to me? I used to be so good with money.

So I have decided on another plan. I will work out how much money i have to spend, divide it by 4, and must not spend anymore than that.

posted by small 4:17 PM

So more on the belly dancing. I just went in tracky bottoms and a t-shirt and felt very under dressed! Everyone else was in a skirt and coins and tassels! Not that it bothered me, and i can dance whatever i'm wearing.

The session was two hours, which was quite a long time really, and i was glad that i had my bottle of water in the car, as i definately needed it! We learned a dance, in stages, which involved four people ina  square, lots of moves, and then eventually the whole class forming a long line and taking a bow!

posted by small 4:35 PM

So last night was Belly Dancing workshop. I have to say that i thought 15 quid was rather expensive, but apparently the usual class price is 3 pounds, which is much more affordable.

It was a fun class though, and again it was great to see Joolz. I hope that we will be able to start meeting up again, as we were such good friends.

I need to work harder at my finances. I am still spending too much. I am tracking everything in MSMoney, but it doesn't seem to stop me spending.

So what can i do? I think i need to think a lot harder about going to the super market. The last two weeks i have spent a lot at Tesco's on the way home, but this Friday i won't need to as i still have frozen meals, and frozen fish.

I have a few things that i could sell on amazon or ebay, but no-one has bought anything yet.

So i need to be stricter with myself. My credit card debts are the worst offenders - 135 quid every month for nothing. But at least I am chipping away at them. I keep thinking, i should put all the money which isn't assigned for paying my regular bills into a different account, and then at least i know that i only have that to live off. I also need to keep to a shopping budget.

Or maybe i should empty my isa, as it gives me less money than i have to pay in interest charges, and pay off some of my debt. THis is quite a big step for me.

I always used to be very good with money, but the last few months have seen me slide further and further into debt.

As Sunday is the start of a new month, i think i will start sorting out my money into another bank account from then. I have two full months of tracking my spending, so i know how much i need. I shoudl also have another go at MSMoneys budget planner. I did start it, but it came up with slightly odd figures (eg telephone bill only paid yearly)..

posted by small 11:33 AM

I am very fortunate! On Saturday a copy of lifescripts, from my amazon wishlist, was sent to me. I don't know who M is, but thank you! It was a very generous gift

Now all i have to do is use it!

posted by small 4:34 PM

In response to entries on my guestbook...

Yes i do remember the way out, i have some songs from the way out taped! Ian Wood still works at WM, I have heard him do the occassional news/sport bulletin. Paul Flower moved on some time ago.

Happy days!

Just been checking out how people get to my site. I noticed one was from google on Pityriasis Rosea. I forgot to write about that. It did go. It's been gone for some time. and no scars either. So i guess if anyone reads this and has it, it does go!

posted by small 4:15 PM

Saturday was so busy. I didn't go the gym as i knew i would not have time, but instead dropped my car off at 9am, and headed off to Worcester with Chris. I spent the whole day with there and zoomed bck to Brum in Adie's car. Just in time to pick up my own.

In the evening it was on to Auntie Jenny's hen night. It was so good to see Joolz and Mel, and bump into Joolz' friend Kate. I haven't seen her in 10 years. The four of us used to go clubbing together, and had good times.

It also made me realise how bad mum is. Aunty Sheila is older than mum, and a cancer survivor, but she looks younger than mum! It is amazing how wearing glam clothes, and a little makeup and not least a youthful attitude can make you seem younger.

Mum just goes on about how she is nearly 60, and that seems to be that. She talks about herself as an old lady etc etc

It's almost embarrassing, and very sad.

My parents are and were strange people. I want to be different, and make some close friends.

posted by small 3:40 PM

I have no idea how much i weight this week. I went to Boots on sunday and the scale step (the bit you stand on) appeared to be broken as it moved backwards and forwards! If i tipped on way it said i was 14 stone 4, and the other way 13 stone 9. I suspect that neither of those are correct! I told an employee, as having the step move could potentially mean someone falls off, and he gave me my money back and said he would put up an out of order sign.

posted by small 4:39 PM

Eating wise the last few days (Sunday and Monday) have not been good. But today i have been a little tiny bit better.

Weetabix for breakfast, jacket pot, tuna and beans for lunch. I've nibbled on some dried fruit, and now i'm going to eat some carrot.

It's better than the crips and chocolate i ate yesterday.

Spaking of yesterday, Balance was cancelled and a swiss ball class was put on instead. I was quite cross, as i love balance and enjoy the stretching and proper relaxation. But i got over that and went with the flow. I dislike squats (painful on my left knee as i go back up), and leaning on the ball (hard to breathe and makes me feel a bit sick!), but the sit ups were ok (easier on the neck), the obliques tough, but not painful (well not painful in the way my knee is anyway). So it was ok...just not great.#

I also need to watch my budget. I spent far too much during my week off. Fortunately i have enough food to last me the rest of this week, so i will only need 20 pounds for petrol. Saturday i'm going to be out all day with ou stuff, so i will need some water and some home made sandwiches. The saturday after i have another OU event and the saturday after it's auntie jenny's wedding! My big expense is servicing the car and taxing it. Both of which i have no choice about, as i know that the brake pads are very very worn.

I spend too much. I know.

Damn - just ate a twix.

posted by small 4:30 PM

It's been an eventful week off. Saturday I had several hours studying with Mel, going over tma03. Worth it, as i had made some very silly mistakes. I then drove to leicester and spent some time with grandma and grandpa and then drove to Rutland to see the Baebes. They were on top form, singing songs from all of their albums, plus some new ones.

It made for a very late day though, i didn't arrive home until midnight!

I have been to the gym (a lot), went to the chiropodist at Boots who said that no, my ingrowing toenails will never get better. This is in stark contrast to my mum's chiropodist who has never said that. The one at Boots said that I should think about getting my toenails operated on, as in the long run it will definately be cheaper, and will mean that i never have to have sore toes again! It is a lot of money (240 quid), but what she said made sense. I have lived with ingrowing toenails for years, and they aren't going to go away. I will prevent my nailbeds from ever getting infected again, surely a good thing. She even said i could try and ask my doctor and see if i could get it done on the NHS for free. I like this straight, truth talking.

Being off work is very dangerous. I now have a QVC membership card! I want to link to my purchase, but it doesn't seem to be on there anymore. I bought a TSV - a hammock! It's much larger than the one i have, and can easily take my weight (ps this is my treat for losing 0.5 stone!) and as it's made of material, rather than string, will be much more comfortable.

It's a pity that the weather is so bad. I am very busy for the rest of July, so I am hoping that August is lovely!

posted by small 4:39 PM