Live on £4000 for a Year, 2009 Challenge, part 1

whitewing

Skint chick,

I really liked my old job (that I was made redundant from) but I don't miss it, and because of the money I wouldn't have chosen to leave. I say go for the new job. Skills are much more transferable these days, so you could potentially go back to that as a career later on. It's not worth a job that makes you unhappy; it's hard enough having family etc and work when it's all going well!

lyndasharp

Skint chick, I agree with the above - go for the job you enjoy and makes you happy. I'm sure you won't regret it, but it sounds like if you do change your mind in a few months you old job will be there for you to return to.

I spent 4 hours driving back from Belton House to Swindon today, I must love my job otherwise I'd be mad to do this, when they don't count travelling time as working hours so I don't get any flexitime for it. Good news is I can claim about £260 for petrol when I've only spent £90 so far this month, my own travel included. My calculations are getting a bit messed up because of it though, so I've just left the petrol spends in my monthly total for now, but not included the B&B's and meals that i need to claim back.

I've had an odd response from TCB about a missing referral. I referred my bf, sent him the email from my account. He's signed up and has about £30 cashback in there now, but it wasn't showing under my referrals. TCB say they have tracked his referral as coming from someone else! Eek! Am quite concerned how they can manage to do that... hopefully they will give me an answer soon, I hope they haven't done something odd to my referral link!!!

xnatalie81x

Skintchick. I am in the same position. Take the new job, don't look back - i know i won't!

bails

Skint chick, I'm most definitely with the others - happiness has no price. If it helps, I had to leave my relatively well-paid job and have been on a low income for several years. It's made me reassess everything and I want a life balance back between work and home (which I didn't have before) which means time with OH and the kids if/when they come along. And just to reassure you further, by working hard to make my money stretch (as we all do on here) and making travel a priority (I adore it!) in the last 3 years I've been to Greece (twice), France, Holland, Morocco (3 times) and India. If I hadn't been so ill I would've travelled more/further too Anything is possible if you want it enough

candygirl

Skint Chick I'd go for the happiness versus the job every time.Although I am off sick at the moment and unable to work, I am happier even though I am ill
This site, and this challenge in particular, have helped me to survive on very little money, and i'm more likely to heal and get better this way:D
Anyway today I have been shopping with Mum and spent nothing at all:eek: :eek: :eek: I didn't see anything I wanted for once:D Still on target for this month:T

savingfortravel

Hi Everyone!
Great news!! OH has got a job, working as IT suport in schools around the area. He'll be on less than before but I'm not complaining and his hours may increase. He is so happy!!

Qype-Could someone tell me if I have completed enough reviews.
I've written 54-48 first and 6 second. How do I know if that's enough?

Hugs and Congrats to those who need them. Really looking forward to having a productive weekend.

SFT

sophiesmum_2

Hi frunchkins:D
Still feeling lousy, have even been to bed for a couple of hours earlier but up again now can't seem to get comfy anywhere, raging temp and lots of coughs and sneezes.Had a tenant forum here today and catered for the visitors OH helped out as was struggling a little with lack of energy.Had tea from left overs though so saved cooking again tonight;) Might be a sick day tomorrow at this rate although supposed to be cooking tea for oldies and will feel bad if I let them down.

General frugal aims for today;

• storecupboard meals
• reduce, reuse,recycle one item- leftover lunch used for tea tonight
• do something nice for me -snuggle on couch with my fleece
• do something nice for someone else-
• do one thing just for fun -
• fitter not fatter - nowt

Todays frugal meals;

• oj, HM yoghurt with tinned peaches and honey
• Toasted HM seeded bread with marmite
• HM shepherds pie, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, melon/grapes

Fruit and veg portions;
4 fruit, 0 pulses, 3 veggies,:D

Expenditure or additional income
No spend day





Remaining target cash for first 6 months food spends - £260.34 left from budget of £400 for first six months.

sophiesmum_2

savingfortravel wrote: »

Hi Everyone!
Great news!! OH has got a job, working as IT suport in schools around the area. He'll be on less than before but I'm not complaining and his hours may increase. He is so happy!!

Qype-Could someone tell me if I have completed enough reviews.
I've written 54-48 first and 6 second. How do I know if that's enough?

Hugs and Congrats to those who need them. Really looking forward to having a productive weekend.

SFT

48 first and 4 others should be enough - I got an e mail from qype saying I had met the quota - didn't come through right away though.:D

grandma247

skint chick be very careful of offers from old employers. My ds1 went back to his old employer because he kept pestering him to go back and he promised him more wages,overtime etc. NONE of it materialised and when the building soc. caused them big problems because of their mistakes they sold the house (just in time as it happened) and they moved in with us for a year. He got his job back (the one he had given up to go back to his old employer for) and although they are struggling still they would not change it. They may still have to move back in with us again but we are all taking it one day at a time. They know our door is always open.
You have to decide what you really want and try to plan for the worst while hoping for the best.
It may be you need to get emergency savings together and stockpile food just in case.
After the last recession when we lost our home I realised I was no longer afraid of what "might" happen. We just do what we can and the rest is out of our hands.

Brighton_belle

skint chick - you were beaming with happiness and relief the other day when you announced your decision not to return to your job. I think there in lies your true answer. Perhaps we can't live on 'what if's, as per, what if your OH lost his job. yes that will be a risk. So so will playing with your health and stress levels. And maybe if in a years time, you want your career back, surely the door wouldn't be shut for ever more based on a decision you take now? I think with more time and a more restful life, you will find the time to stretch your moeny so much further. If you have any chance to be a mum and spend time with your family/children, I would grab it with both hands, as that ultimately is what you long for.
As lovely as paying off your mortgage would be, so is having a life now.
But what ever you decide, we'll be here to support you in that decision.

Saving for travel: great news about OH job:T .

Current temp in our room is 18 degrees. I have 2 cardigans on and 2 pairs of socks and feel comfortable.
Best news of today is builders quote for replacing worktop number 2 and plastering wall in kitchen + outting in extra electrics, and it comes within my budget. I am sooo embarrassing happy about this:D . I think with budgeting from this challenge I can top up with cash from ebay sales £90, A&L 'changing account income' & quidco savings £150 and don't have to touch my emergency fund ISA:j . Can't believe I have achieved one of my first goals from doing this challenge. Thank you all so much.