Category Archives: Financial Living

No Spending January 2024

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Posted by in Everyday living, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, planning 2024, Positive Habits, Weekly posts

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Check out my first video, check out my blogs from last year, No Spend January 2023 first video, Update on my No Spending January 2023 Update of my No Spend January video 2023 where I shared my Youtube videos and check out my first video for this year on Channel My way of living: https://youtu.be/0aQQooZ3O1U

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Last year it really made me look at where my money was going, and did a yearly budget which I have started to do this year, and it helped me manage my money effectively, and that bought me results. I spent time avoiding things like my bank account knowing that it could go down to zero and asked do I want this to be the rest of my life? Do I want die being in debt? If I want to go on a holiday, buy new clothes or notebooks and put money beside for my son, I needed to change my habits and so doing No Spend was so rewarding. I now check my bank account everyday and do a spending plan each week and month and just by making these changes in your life, like prioritizing on what is truly important to you, can grow your money for it to go further.

This year I decided to do No Spend because I want this year to be the end of debt and now setting in place a strategy by giving myself a monthly allowance to buy whatever I want and the same online, and this helps stop and save on many things and limited how much I wish to spend on the things I want and measure the need for an item, when using my allowances.

I have decided to pay off my credit card debt by August this year and this will be free up space to save and build my income. Rather than spending money on courses, I having been doing some that are free and complete the ones I have paid for and make my spending useful, by donating money or food each month to a foodbank, whenever I go to the newsagents use the change to donate to their charity box, and now I pay my son a pound for when he reads his book, so he can build his pocket money, and have him pay for the things he wants.

My son needs to learn about money and buying things for himself, and it has been very effective, as he is at the age to understand and I learned this from when I was a child. I the other day went through my stuff in my plastic draw unit in Wimbledon, as I travel and spend time in Epsom and Wimbledon each week, and found more notebooks still not used, and has stopped me from buying any more, and use what I have already got.

I am realising that I can save by shopping in my own wardrobe and room, and see that I have enough of what I need and its not about quantity but quality, and if its going to be beneficial to me in the long run.

To track my money I use a spreadsheet for myself on Excel and using it to see where my money is going towards and if I need to change my budget in some areas and cut down, like food shopping and perhaps being a bit too tight about it.

It has helped me to see what I enjoy, like meeting my mum for lunch, or going to a coffee shop and write and not stuck in doors, or going for a walk which is free exercise and buy a coffee whilst I enjoy a walk and can shop now without buying.

So, I challenge you to do No Spend January when it comes around again, and begin like I did at first have No Spend days and set a budget for each area of your life to invest in the things you love.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

New Cheat Sheet: 7 Things you can do in 10 minutes

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Posted by in Everyday living, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, planning 2024, Positive Habits, Printables, productivity, Weekly posts, Youtube videos

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Hello it is Monday again and beginning a new week and for me gets me pumped up to start the week on a good note and plan for the week ahead, and there are things you can do that don’t take too much time and if you don’t want to clean in one day or organize, then break it up and here are things you can do under ten minutes. This is from my own personal experience.

10-minute-tasksDownload

Things you use all the time make them assessable and easy reach for you, but not where if you have children they can get to if really young, and teach your children about cleaning and how to use the cleaning products you have and supervised.

So plan your week and on Mondays I like to go through my finances and plan my writing for the week and editing of books and vlogs and for film for my other channels, and this morning had to finish a form to send. I like to plan and go through what exercise I’d like to do each week and started meal planning again and making sure there is no waster and practice affordable living. Please check out my Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602

Here I talk about how I manage my finances. It is good to set the week up for success and build and grow as I introduce more good habits that help me stay productive and have good quiet breaks through the day and week.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Setting out goals for 2024

23 Saturday Dec 2023

Posted by in career building, Celebrating, Creating a vision, Dreams and ambitions, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, new year, Personal Development, planning 2024, Positive Habits, Weekly posts, Work, Yearly Reset

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I started to plan my goals for 2024 this week, and getting ready to kick start the new year, and see what I can accomplish. I have already set my financial goals, and now starting my Personal/Home goals, and then set work goals and then play.

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However set your goals that suit you, as everyone has different things going on in their lives so it isn’t one size fits all. I find some goals over lap, with other goals like Financial goals, example, Pay off debt could be in Financial and Personal/Home goals, along with fitness goals.

So, first of all I like to reflect on the previous year, before getting myself ready for the new year and putting a printable together to help you, and then start planning for the new year.

I use a notepad and OneNote, and set yearly goals and Quarterly goals, and separate them, and also do a vision board on Pinterest, and want to do one using Canva. I have already started on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/vision-board-2024/

I like to set goals for my son and things I’d like for him to do, like for example he has a bike for Christmas and want to take him to a cycle park, and get confident in riding his bike, and he wants to use a Tennis court to play tennis, and so, this I would like to put into home. Then there Play where I want to take him to different places on the train, and he actually wants to be a train. Yes we have had many discussions, about this and not sure, it is being heard as my son is very determined, and not getting that he does have wheels or several doors, but I am sure that he will grow out of thinking that he and ride on the train tracks, and can work on the trains.

Then there is work. So it could be, getting a pay rise and work more hours, or less, and have a side hustle, and want to build your career and profession. If you like me, write blogs and books, then it could be write a new book, or complete a book, or do some writing everyday and create it, into a book and get it published. I love creating stories and have many books that I have started, but not continued, and once one ideas comes into my head, so does another, and then it could, doing Voluntary work, or changing careers. It is all about how it makes you feel. If it excites you, then do it, and yes, you can get self doubt, but if it gives you a buzz, I say go for it.

If you’d like to check out my current books, then go to amazon, and look under my names, Carrie Challoner and Carrie Holmes.

So, lets enjoy the rest of 2023, and be ready for 2024.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Donating to others for Christmas and plans for 2024 to raise money for good causes

05 Tuesday Dec 2023

Posted by in Celebrating, Dreams and ambitions, Everyday living, Financial Living, Goal setting, health and wellbeing, Living, Love, new year, Personal Development, Positive Habits, Weekly posts

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Since a kid I have loved donating to others and when we had a fete on the housing estate I lived in Hammersmith, I would donate clothes for the jumble sale they had, and loved giving to good causes.

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

I would watch and donate to Children in Need and Comic Relief and now I want t help out in food banks and donate food and would like to do a monthly haul to give away to a local food bank, to feed families in the UK and the other countries and make a real difference.

Or donate money to them to help feed families and homes, that can’t afford groceries in supermarkets as the prices increase. How is somebody able to live when everything is going up and increasing.? More should be done.

Next year I am going to do walks again for Charity and raise money for good causes. I loved doing this and helps me get fit and grow myself, so why not join me. If you have tips on fundrsaising then please comment below, I love sharing knowledge to help give support and build a community that gives us all a boost to live our lives the best we can and make a difference.

I am gong to begin by buying food that someone can have for at Christmas and be able to buy a contribute in having a Christmas meal or things like Mince Pies and tinned vegetables and something that have long shelf life, and still celebrate, rather than just having whatever meal they have, to feed their family and donate things like Crackers and Puddings, and just making sure they can still enjoy the seasion, and buy a gift to donate for chilidren that may not have one, because of their parents not able to buy them a gift, and often the Supermarkets will have a Christmas appeal to help feed families, So check them out.

So, lets give and change the world and its poverty.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

November Newsletter 2023

22 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in Celebrating, Creating new traditions, Financial Living, Friendships and relationships, Monthly Newsletter, Monthly posts, Printables

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Yes it is that time now where I share my monthly newsletter of what is coming up and share tips on various things and this month is all about getting ready for Christmas.

november-newsletter-2023Download

So check it out and lets enjoy getting ready for some good family fun, and creating those wonderful memories.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Autumn Reset: The last three days for Autumn Reset 2023

28 Saturday Oct 2023

Posted by in Autumn Reset, Dreams and ambitions, Everyday living, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal care, Personal Development, Planning 2023, Positive Habits, productivity, Weekly posts, Yearly Reset

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So, three days left of my Autumn Reset, and I have happy with the progress I have made to get my next book completed, almost got the areas of my room done and tomorrow going to do my Sunday reset, to help me in these last days and I like what I have done so far, by sorting out my top shelf above my desk, sorted out my wardrobe and closet/cupboard I decluttered and just got my shoes to do.

I have filmed these areas and I hope they help you, and motivate you to have a reset, and if not Autumn then Winter and before Christmas, so you can celebrate without having so much to do, and have more time to celebrate.

Writing books can take a while, and make sure I some spend time with my son, so have to manage my time so I don’t stress, but take time away from the computer, to stop with burnout and moving from my desk helps the process and why I wanted to sort out room too, to have more time to write and not having so much stuff, but what I need and know I am gong to use.

This is my desk and I love how it looks, I do need to clean it which I am going to do tomorrow and still like to make changes to it, but I like that I don’t have too much on it and helps me write, having a nice clear space.

I was also trying to finish a course I enrolled in, and glad to be getting this done, as there are others I want to do, as there is still so much I want to learn and grow my writing and knowledge in helping people through my blogs, books and videos, along with face to face. As I want others lives to be happy and use the tools I have learned and learning so I can do that.

It still feels surreal that it is coming to the end of October and have to get my Christmas planned, along with birthdays, including my sons and so using my evenings like now at the weekend to catch up on tasks, being it has been half term, and spending time with family, and enjoying the week with my son and not sat in front of the computer all day long, and like going outdoors. This helps to clear my mind and boosts my energy.

I have realised I love food shopping and in big supermarkets, mainly Sainsbury’s, ASDA and M&S, because of what is on offer, and like planning my dinners, with some treats and when I need clothing essentials. This morning we took a trip to ASDA and bought some socks, and went to Sainsbury’s on Friday and bought cake mix as we made some cupcakes which I have filmed for my main Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal Along with items for dinner and I enjoy it.

So what have you discovered since you did a RESET? How has it made you feel if you have completed your tasks for it. You can leave a comment below.

I do have another video where I talk about how I manage my money and post every week, and hope they help you too, to manage your money: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Autumn Reset: Doing things I don’t like doing

04 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in Autumn Reset, Everyday living, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Planning 2023, Positive Habits, productivity, Weekly posts, Yearly Reset

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So there aren’t many things I don’t like doing, I find editing a real challenge and that is my books and videos and need to have more fun doing these things, which I am still trying to establish. I am not a fan of cleaning. I know some love it, but for me I’d rather watch paint dry, yet I still, because what I do like is that the long lasting result and feelings when it is done, is do it and it helps brighten up my feelings and going through a transition because now, after being a hoarder for so long, want to own less and be wiser on what I buy and working on my finances and getting this back in shape, has made a huge difference and exercising.

Doing a reset can really help, because it can help to get back on track and how I created my Autumn Reset and there are others do the same, and what helped me with mine, and want to encourage you to do the same, so you have a clearer mindset.

I don’t always like a routine as such now, but like being productive and making sure I prioritize and have family time and not being on my laptop all day and I enjoy the process of having a clear out and I enjoy having projects, because I like connecting with people and want to do more social events, to build more friendships and build myself, to grow.

Laziness used to be my biggest habit and would have days where I’d still be in my PJ’s and have lazy days but looking back to those days, doing this made me feel even more tired, and so changed this by focusing on preparing myself for each day, and not always setting the alarm. As a kid in the Autumn and Winter when it started to get cold and dark, wish I could hibernate like animals as getting up is still a struggle for me and this morning I did did go back to bed, but, then thought “No, get up” and I did.

Alarms used to piss my right off, and would get on my nerves and hated setting it, especially on my old phone, that would tell me how many hours I had to sleep and then would spend all night worrying about the time, and wanted to smash them. I never did, how much I was tempted, but just would be by worst enemy.

Then there was going to school. I never got used to routine of school and would never sleep on a Sunday night knowing I had school again, and wished we had a longer weekend. Looking back I would do a reset by making sure I did my homework, but would be done last minute and wished I never got started, and now I like education, and I think it is because I can more of less do it in my own time, and hated being forced to do it, on subjects I had no interest in.

Doing things the night before can help or for short bursts. Just now as I write this blog tidied the table in the living room and vacuumed the floor and will pretend to ignore the mess, but seeing the result by cleaning up, helps my wellbeing and gives good energy to get tasks done and completed.

It can be so easy procrastinate and sit watch TV all day and spending all day in bed, and every morning of the week I get that fatigue and think I will, once my son goes off to school, get some extra sleep, and so I? No, I will go out for the walk and as soon as my alarm goes off I get dressed and this helps me to not get back into bed, and start my day, seeing my son off to school and thankful to his dad, as he will help too and would miss it, if he didn’t, and so truly thankful for that.

Delegate duties can make a difference, of things you don’t like doing. I no longer like clothes shopping. I get the buzz at first if I see items I like, but then quite quickly the momentum is gone, and hate shopping during the Christmas period, or Black Friday, and so avoid the shops at all costs, when this is going on, and so will plan ahead and getting tasks completed can help with that, because frees the time I have to get ready for Christmas and what to buy and not need to shop on the high street if I don’t have too.

So there are ways around it and focus on what we do like doing.

I would really like you to tell me, in the comments below of things you don’t like doing and tips you may have in getting them done. Your feedback is truly welcomed.

Many thanks for reading.

Carrie X

Autumn Reset: Being Committed to start new habits getting tasks done and finished

17 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in Autumn Reset, Dreams and ambitions, Everyday living, Financial Living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Planning 2023, Positive Habits, productivity, Weekly posts, Yearly Reset

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It is important to be committed to start new habits getting tasks done and finished for your own sanity as when I can’t finish a project I find it becomes a headache. Don’t get me wrong I love writing and creating books for example, but it is the editing that takes a lot of time, but for me I want my books to be relatable and connects with people, and so for me it is about putting in the time and effort, and making time to work on my book and other tasks I want to complete for this reset, and be ready for the next projects I want to do, come January.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

I want a room that is cleared of clutter and have more space, as it can cause me to feel claustrophobic and overwhelmed. So I now want to have less stuff, get rid of what no longer fits into my life and keep items that has a purpose, along with getting courses I have been doing completed, and manage my time so I get my Autumn reset done, and start a fresh for winter and I want you to join me, and please let me know at the end of it, of what you got done and how you found it. You can leave comments below, and I will be filming for it too on my main Youtube channel, Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes.

I will be adding my Autumn reset into my weekly vlogs, and I know this will help me in getting my life in shape, like my current book I am writing done, and know I need to make time to do that and commit to it, and give myself deadlines.

This means scheduling and working around family and seeing friends, and work together and have them do a reset too, and help one another through it. So meet friends to talk about it, and do it as a group thing, you don’t have to reset on your own and then celebrate, once you’ve completed tasks and then start a fresh onto the next projects/tasks you want to get done, and do weekly resets. Mine is always on a Sunday and go through my tasks I want to get done for the week, my finances, and planning what things I need to spend money on this week and plan for no spend days, getting my bag ready for the week and make sure I have a good amount of rest and making sure I commit my time and energy, to the things that really matter to me.

Just now being a Sunday I am writing this blog, I cleared a rucksack I no longer want, and clearing out my wardrobe and already feel better for doing that and each Sunday as I am in Epsom all week, will do this each Sunday, and feel good in letting stuff go, and don’t need so many bags.

Time yourself, to get my book edited I have been joining Double Down Days on Youtube, doing sprints working on my book and it really has helped me and doesn’t have to be on that day, which is the first Saturday of the month and is all day, but because I tend to go out and spend time with my son on Saturdays, do it in the week, when I have free time and you can use sprints to help other unfinished tasks and it makes it fun and I love a challenge and so check this out on Youtube and has made a different to getting tasks completed and will be continuing on.

Please remember its not to do more, but to do less and building your life so it is a lot happier and freer and following you dreams.

If you’d like to be notified of my blogs on this site then subscribe and please let me know if you like these blogs, and will help me make sure I write good relevant content that supports and helps you.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Life Coaching programme “Summer Project 2023” Is it good to cry/How to heal after trauma: Tips and Getting Support

23 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Boundaries, Everyday living, Financial Living, journal, Living, Love, Medical help, Personal care, Personal Development, Summer Project 2023, Weekly posts

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A good cry can do wonders, yet many say it is a sign of weakness which I do not believe. If you have had trauma in your life it can take a long time to heal, and everyone bodies way of grieving is personal to them, and the words that get me is when someone says “Cheer up”, because it is more than having a bad day, it can be the hardest thing we’ve ever faced.

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Trauma can happen at any time and really knock us off our feet, and so often a person needs space and given comfort and compassion, and support to help recover.

Find someone who will truly listen to you, without making judgement but will just take in what you are telling them and help you make sense of it. Also writing, this has always helped me and when my Dad was badly hurt and was in hospital for a while, it was spending time playing out with my friends, and was looked after by my grandparents and neighbours in the housing estate I used to live. I will always be grateful for that, because I remember feeling some confusing and tried to lower the trauma I was facing at that time, by playing out, it helped take my mind away with what was happening.

Allow yourself to feel and if you need a bit of space then let people around you know and have that time to just feel and think, and when my son was born, which was early, at 31 weeks, I couldn’t see him for the first week as I had a viral infection, and it broke my heart, so took time to rest to recover, as it was a traumatic birth and so got as much rest as I could get, but even sitting some where like near a pond or the sea, if possible, it can help with being peaceful and calming, and can do wonders in dealing with your feelings.

If you feel you need medical help then talk to the doctor and don’t get fogged off, they are there to help you and can put you in touch with the Mental Health teams in your area, I was supported by Surrey Mental Health team and then the Merton Mental health team. They have many thing that they can help you with. like, putting you in contact with a Career Specialist, that they put me in contact with when I was ready to work outside again , and with my finances and free courses, in the fields I have been interested in, and there is a Recovery College which do free courses, and will continue to help you as you recover.

So, I hope these blogs are helping you and if you’d like to be updated when I post a blog on this site then press the Subscribe button on the top left of this site.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Life Coaching Programme “Summer Project 2023” Mind Management: How to recharge the mind and have peace

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in Autumn Reset, Everyday living, Financial Living, Friendships and relationships, Personal Development, Positive Habits, Summer Project 2023, Weekly posts

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Our thoughts can build up with having so much to think about, like making sure I have breakfast, and my son has his and going through my emails and running errands and not having enough rest.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When you get overwhelmed, it means you need to take some time for you to recharge your mind, by not using your mobile and switching it off or put on silent on some days, and have peace from the everyday stress, to reboot.

Having family time, playing games or watching a film or a nice meal together, chatting about our day and the challenges we had to faced and have all phones turned off and being present with one another.

No spend days. I did no spend January this year and it really has helped me manage my money and did videos on my main youtube channel documenting it (https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal) and I do no spend days and has helped me to have peace when it comes to money, as I have struggled and cutting down on items that aren’t important, and so I write my expenses and check my bank accounts, it helps recharge and not worrying about it all of the time, as it can play on your mind, and so manage your money can do wonders. I have another Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602)

Reading. Take yourself away from the chaos and read. I did this, this evening and helps my mind to switch off and made myself comfortable to read and unwind. When I travel I often like to listen to an audio book and just keeps the mind from worries that travel can bring, but helps me to sleep too, when reading.

Music. I love listening to music, but no longer listen to it at night on my phone as it would affect my sleep and so now my mobile is faraway as possible, but when I am writing I like to listen to music, and I have a playlist dedicated to my book I am writing, currently, and when travelling too, if I don’t listen to an audiobook, and my tastes vary and created different playlists, which I love doing and play music to help my mood and with concentration.

Have a homely day. This is where I will spend time at home and put on some comfy clothes on, do some laundry, reading, do a walk around my local park and not travelling, and just chilling catching up on TV or Youtube. Anything that helps me to slow down and take in what is around me and feel my whole body breath and relax, and retune. Many of us are so used to running around, having to get to somewhere to get to work, that it can cause us to crash and so have a day where you can relax and do whatever you want that can help you switch off and slow down.

Spend time in a different place. This week we went to Shepperton by train, and went to the Loch there and it was so nice, watching the boats come and go. If you are not able to go on holiday far far away, visiting places for the day can be just as good. Life can get boring and feel like all we see is the same shops, the same four walls and I watch a channel called With Wonder, and she does hikes and runs, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1YPvcxMTtdKz5ptonC3HZA You may wonder how hiking and running can help recharge the mind, but being someone who has run herself it can be the best thing for the body and mind, and just being somewhere new, is so therapeutic and me and my husband visited the South coast this year and I have filmed a vlog, so coming onto my main channel soon (https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal) and it was a good weekend, and so good to be somewhere different and want to visit more places by train or by car, and so can really help to recharge.

Social interaction. Summer time what is left of it, can be a great opportunity in recharging the mind, because it can be so relaxing to sit in a park, having a chat with some bubbly, and enjoying the sun, and each bring some food to share. In my local Park there always adults with children getting together. It can help children to, to socialise, in a safe place, with adults feeling relaxed, and not having to rush around, and discussing life.

So, I hope you have had a good summer. and enjoyed these blogs and soon it will be my next yearly programme Autumn Reset, but still got a some blogs to share for this Life Coaching programme, “Summer Project 2023” and thank you to those who have liked these blogs and I am definitely going to enjoy the last two weeks have of the summer holidays.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X