Relationships - What's in a Name?

Rick has told me that the one thing he would change about me is my surname.

I still have my married surname, despite being separated for over 3 years. To be honest, I hadn't even given it much thought until he mentioned it.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

{Photography by me!}

I kept the name because I wanted to have the same surname as my kids. I guess I could have asked to double-barrell the kids current surname with my maiden name, but you need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility for this.

Then there's also the issue of my PhD which is also in my married name. I'm not sure that I could still use it if I changed my name? (Does anyone have any experience of this?).

My sister is now separated and very quickly she changed back to her maiden name (you don't have to wait until your divorce is final to revert back) - but there are no kids involved which makes it easier.

I set up a new bank account after the separation and my ex did ask me what name it was under - I think he thought I would have started using my maiden name. Aside from this it hasn't been mentioned. I do wonder what he thinks of it though and perhaps he would want me to change it. Perhaps his partner would want me to change it too because then if and when they get married there would be the two of us with the same surname which may make things complicated at the school or whatever.

My current thoughts are that I could drop my surname altogether like Prince and just be 'Sarah'. Would that work??!

I think one circumstance in which I would reconsider my surname would be if I were to get remarried. Even then I don't know what I would do because I would still like to have a link with the kids in some way.

{#ShareAdvent - Been putting this off}

Today's #ShareAdvent prompt is "been putting this off".

I've been putting off... dealing with my finances.

In January I had a plan of action to look at my budget and make a savings plan. By March I was doing quite well and I had put into place a few money saving exercises, like scrapping Sky TV and the Downshift Challenge.

But with the house move I've become disorganised and my finances are in a bit of a state again.

I've not been shopping online as I had planned...

Weekly meal planning hasn't been done for months now...

I've stopped running to work and I'm taking the car again... (in my defence, it's too dark now!)

It's time to get back on track. Especially with the expense of Christmas this month.

I will take the time to jot down my outgoings and work out what I can realistically save each month (if anything!). I've already managed to cut a number of my costs now that I'm in my new, smaller house. I will do the gardening myself, I will wash my windows myself, and I will clean myself (yes, I know, it's OTT but I used to have a cleaner). I'm also hopeful that my gas and electricity bills will drop and this month I'm going to sell my car and get something more economical.

I will stop putting this off and get on it. No more excuses. As of now, I vow to be more organised and savvy with my money.

{image source}