Two conferences and a man

I've got a feeling. No, I'm not about to launch into that Black Eyed Peas song. That tonights gonna be a... bloody, hell. Back on track! That song has been in my head since the Gala Dinner at #DPCON13 last Thursday night.

What I am trying to say is I've got that feeling like there's a million different things going around in my head and I really don't know how to organise them all. So much has been going on over the last week and I'd love to report on it all but that would probably take a book to do the stories any justice.

My last post attempted to express my experience at Digital Parents Conference with three photos that illustrated how I felt throughout those amazing two days. Now I've got a word cloud for you. The words in the pretty coloured heart shape below are floating around in my head and I'm struggling to organise them into coherent sentences.

In the two days that followed DPCON13 I attended another conference: The Australian Virtual Assistants Conference. AVAC2013 was just as awesome as DPCON13. I learnt so much, met some really lovely people and was truly inspired by a wonderful group of women who are literally 'doing it for themselves' by working from home running their own businesses.

I am in the process of setting up my own Virtual Assistant business. I've registered a business name, got an ABN, a domain name, some web space and social media accounts set up. I'm going to take the process really slowly so I don't fizzle out again by jumping in too hard and too fast. There's been enough fizzle this year. I need more bang!

Now, speaking of bangs, that's the final thing I wanted to tell you about. Actually, he's more than a bang. I've been seeing someone very casually for three months. We've been on about a dozen dates during that time. There's been no rush and no pressure - awesome. I've really taken it easy with this one. You know what I mean; not too many texts, not coming across overly keen. I've played the game. Not that there should be a bloody game with dating but we all know there is. And I usually lose.

Over this time I've dated a few other guys and I know he has dated other women. I've been totally cool with that because I really didn't want to rush into anything. And there have been times over the last three months that I thought I didn't like him at all. I actually wrote this post, pleading for answers as to why I am still single, on the day after we spent a night together.

That was nearly two months and four dates ago and now I REALLY LIKE HIM! And I have a bad feeling that it is going to end in tears on my part. Last night I sent him a text (yes, I wimped out saying it face to face), after we spent all Saturday night and a lot of Sunday together, asking where he thought we were going with this. I made it clear I don't want a full on move-in-let's-get-married kind of relationship (yet), but I'm feeling icky at the thought of him with other women now. Basically I want us to be exclusive with one another.

I think after a very intimate three months of dating it is about the right time to ask for exclusivity. He returned my text with something along the lines of 'yes, we do need to talk about this' but I'm yet to get a call or a text.

What do you think? Am I being fair?

I feel like such a teenager asking you lovely ladies who read me but I'm going insane here. His silence is speaking volumes. Or is it? I'm imagining him spending the last 24 hours deliberating over his feelings for me. Going through every detail of what he knows about me and likes and doesn't like and coming to the conclusion that I'm too fat, too poor or weighed down with way too much baggage bulging with The Past.

But, men are simple folk, and I'd bet $100 he hasn't given me or my question a moment's thought. He doesn't even read my blog (which is why I'm writing this here)!

Crikey, I have no idea what to think or do about it. I'm useless when it comes to men. I just can't stop thinking about him! This part of dating sucks.

At least I do know that both DPCON13 and AVAC13 were awesome.

Can't wait for next year.


V.

Linking up with the #IBOT crew at Essentially Jess.

DPCON13: Before, during and after

If you didn't know already, I spent the last two days at the Digital Parents Conference here in Sydney. 

It was awesome.

Before the conference began

During the conference

After the conference

More on DPCON13 when my brain is working again.

Did you go? How are you feeling?

V.

Floggin my bloggin With Some Grace

Twas the night before #DPCON13

Twas the night before #DPCON and all through the house

A blogger was typing while choosing a blouse

Her bag was all packed with the utmost of care

With hopes that her bloggy friends would also be there

The kids were all sorted to spend time at daycare

While mummy cavorted with faded pink hair

Bloggers and brands, mamas and dads

Would soon be together with pens and their pads

Breakfast would be served at the earliest of times

And then would begin the learning at nine

Kindness and the blogosphere, adversity too

Nothing with us bloggers is ever taboo!

As the grumbling of tummies begins to be heard

Lunch at Curzon Castle would swiftly be served

I wonder what food they'll have for as there

I bet it'll be a delicious and scrumptious affair

The afternoon will continue with blog education

I hope there's no fight for the Belkin charge station

From products to writing and photos and vlogs

We'll all be exhausted like over worked dogs!

But fear not my blog pals and hear there's to be

Plenty of refreshments, I'm talking coffee and tea

Perked up by caffeine the next session will see

Us learning about possibly making money

This rhyme could go on but I'm starting to feel

Tired and worried I'm unorganised still

Excitement is burning inside of my brain

I really can't wait to see you all again

And bloggers I haven't met in real life yet

To me it will be such a pleasure I bet

To put faces to blogs and stories I've read

I'm the tall girl with pink streaks on my head

Please say hello if you see me, I can be a bit shy

But once I get started I promise I won't cry

Thank you Digital Parents for bringing us together

The next two days will be fab, no matter the weather!

V.

Are you going to the Digital Parents Conference tomorrow?

Excited, much?

Linking up with the #IBOT crew at Essentially Jess.

Spending danger zones: Identify and avoid

RAMS LOOSE CHANGE ROUND-UP competition entry

Money causes me a huge amount of anxiety. I never seem to have enough and when I do get some it disappears so quickly it leaves me breathless and waiting desperately for the next pay day.

I am probably the last person in the world that should offer money saving advice. Even though I set a budget to help my disastrous money management skills I still run out of money. Every. Single. Month.

To keep track of my finances I do the following:

• keep a money diary to see where my money goes
• maintain a budget spreadsheet that outlines all my income and outgoings and the dates they are expected to occur
• have all my bills paid by direct debit come out of a cash management account which is inaccessible from the ATM to ensure there is always money in the bank to pay for them
• avoid having any credit cards

The best tool I have to ensure my bills are paid is my Excel spreadsheet which tables all my expenses for the month and then calculates how much cash I have left per week for spending. That spending money then has to pay for petrol, groceries, toiletries, food, eating out, coffees, clothes, activities with Noo (eg going to the aquarium) and any other ad hoc spending. This is where I get into trouble because while I set a budget every month, I never stick to it.

Looking at all the data I have collected over the years I can see where my spending danger zones are. I've put together a little infographic below to show both you and me where I can curb my unnecessary spending and hopefully help me to stick to my budget.

I reckon if I follow these tips and become more conscious of my spending danger zones, by avoiding them where possible, I might have more success with sticking to my budget. It would be so wonderful not to have to hang out for pay day every month!

Hell, I might even get some savings started!

What are your spending danger zones? Do you stick to a budget?



V.


Disclaimer: This post is my entry into the "Rams loose change round-up" blogger competition for bloggers attending the Digital Parents Conference.