My SOA - any help much appreciated!

Jo_R_2

lynzpower wrote:

Great point Walnut Whipp, or could he ask for some of those cash pots they have around for those struggling to make ends meet ( crisis loans type things) Gotta be worth a go here!

Is there any way to suspend your pensions for a few months, to chuck the difference at the debt? Not always MSE, but DFW nonetheless

Do you need the loan insurance? Will it ever pay out (mine woudnt for pretty much anything!)

I persoanlly think veggie diets are cheaper than meat- based diets, get bags of pulses from your local asian shops- WAY cheaper. We are sprouting our own beansprouts at the mo- v healthy & easy to do- and cheap too!!

Good luck- off to work now, see you later!

Great points...

We ave been looking into a crisis loan/grant, and the forms want to know all my personal details which I have to admit kinda irks me but if we can then it would be worth it...

I enquired about suspending my pension contributions, and have decided not to. My contributions will be reduced according to my reduced salary, so I won't be paying out as much as I do currently during my period of leave, but my employer will continue to pay in the same amount as if I were continuing to be at work.

The loan insurance - I have looked this over and over, and feel it may be prudent to keep it. I suffered from postnatal depression after the birth of my first child and being prepared that this could realistically happen again, I don't want to be left high and dry on very little sick pay if I have to take further time off work after my maternity leave which I did last time. I can fulfil the conditions they require should this happen so I do want to keep it for the time being.

Good advice re: the veggie diet, I am planning to go and buy these massive bags of pulses! I am into sprouting beans as well - how much vitamin B there are in them you wouldn't believe! I think the expenses come in for us when buying certain 'staple' foods. We tend to go for wholemeal which works out slightly more expensive, we only use olive oil in cooking, as well as unhydrogenated margarine (this I have only ever found in health food shops and is significantly more expensive than margarine), and I won't buy the cheap fruit juices as concentrate is so harsh on yr body and it loses the beneficial nutrients (except vitamin C) - for example we buy not-from-concentrate pineapple juice as concentrated does not contain the beneficial enzymes, and the only other way you can get these is either fresh pineapple (not tinned) or through supplements. I feel so strongly about the quality of food we eat.

Having said that, the budget we worked out for this month (our first shopping budget!) was based on our average spend over the past couple of months and we shaved off £5 a week for starters. Last week which was our first week shopping on this budget, we saved £15 on our weekly shop, so obviously if we do that every week then that's £60 a month immediately saved!

I have been more frugal with stuff like vegemince, and been padding meals out with more veggies and beans and pulses to make large/extra portions. We have also been working to a meal planner, which I have learned from already this week! It's amazing to see that with shopping day tomorrow, we have used up practically all of the fresh stuff we got - yes the fridge and fruit bowl look bare but that's the point isn't it - to use everything, not go short and not to waste so I'm happy so far!

Thanks!

Jo_R_2

lynzpower wrote:

A CRB check will cost a tenner, really its not a big expense at all, and I personally wouldnt risk not having one, just for the peace of mind. Its likely to also bring in new business.

Yup boyfy has looked into this, thought he hasn't had one yet, he has been using model release forms and hasn't been alone with anyone he has been photographing. From what I gather as an individual getting clearance form an umbrella organisation, he would be looking in the range of £30-£50, still not much though as you say, though I don't know much more than that at the mo!

It is definitely something he needs, whether it be now or later on.

Thanks!