Settling In and Austerity Measures

Before you ask: no, the curtains still aren't up.  Both Ponita and LX have kindly offered to help put up curtain poles. I'm still waiting for them to turn up. Given they are both far more practical than I, their help would be more than appreciated. But I tell myself, I have 2 degrees, all I have to do is follow the instructions and take my time. I can do this.

It's getting to the point where I begin to wonder whether it's safe to write a To Do List again. After writing one at the beginning of June, I didn't dare write anymore because it scared me so badly.

*deep breath*

I am in now. That's all that matters. It's a bit messy still. I've got bags and DIY bits everywhere. It gets tidy and then there's another job to do and it gets messy. And then, I want to eat, Boy wants to shower and it's messy with life and DIY. I'll get it done. It's getting in the way, because in the midst of this, I am aware that the move was part of  a Plan. Now that's been implemented it's time to kick off the rest of it. I'm not sure I'm ready for the rest of it with all these little, niggly jobs waiting, accusing me.

Of course my back has thrown a wobbly. Then I realised, with the current layout of my front room, I am pushed for floor space for my exercise DVDs. If I'm canny, I'll be able to manage the Davina workouts, but the Yogalates for my back is going to be a little more interesting. If I am to get back to Davina, my back must improve first. It's got the potential to be a vicious circle. Yes, I could do classes and drop in sessions in the city. But they cost money I don't have right now. I'll find a way to make it work.

Speaking of costing money. I'm on a massive spending cut. I've been shaving money off my day to day bills. In the most part, I've been successful. But now the bills for getting the flat ready for us and the house ready for tenants are trickling in. Money is like time in that the time I thought it would take to get everything ready...I had to multiply that by 2.5. I don't know how I could have done it by spending less. 

It doesn't matter. I'm in now. I have the money now. When I pay for everything, I won't have much in reserve. But at least I will have some reserve. Moving in here was definitely the right thing to do financially. The flat is much, much cheaper to run than the house. One of the things I will do in September is prepare a budget. I will wait till then, to get all the interim bills out of the way. I promised myself a pamper - get hair, nails and a facial. I will have the final part of that done next week.

I am learning to implement austerity measures. It occurs to me that I am a very, very lucky woman. I have a great foundation here. Yes, I've got the moving bills to pay, but I know if I am canny, I can still have a pretty good time, for not a lot of money. I think I am doing pretty well so far. It will be interesting to see how much more I can do. 

There are a couple of things I know are still left to purchase: Boy's bedroom curtains and rails, a new pair of jeans to replace the ones which are currently covered in paint. But apart from that, there isn't really anything I really need. Buying food and other things, I have made fast friends with Sainsbury's Basics range and I don't buy much meat any more. With more canny thinking, I am sure there are further savings to be made.

Right, I'm going to crack on. The plan is to get these jobs jobbed (as we say in Norfolk) and then work on stirring up some inspiration so I have something to write!