Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 4

bails

Thank you so much SFT and Nyk, for giving me some alternative perspectives on the situation :kisses3:I've had another chat with OH briefly as he didn't quite understand the implications - for those of you who know the teaching pay scale, I was due to go through theshhold the summer I got ill and if there are no opportunities to do this in an independent school then if I stay for 4 years I'll be 8 years behind my salary, which is quite a lot of money each year, as I would at least be on UPS2 with 2SEN. I'm not looking at any other jobs at present SFT; the direct comparison between job satisfaction and the cottage was real food for thought. Of course Nyk is right too that bricks and mortar don't make a home... The other concern I have is that there is an annual bonus scheme as part of the salary - this would of course up my pay (although I don't know by how much) but would also increase the pressure I felt to perform well to earn the extra cash. Don't get me wrong, I'm a very dedicated person and work hard; I just think extra pressure is not what I need. If the salary wasn't too much lower then I could attempt to 'ignore' the bonus money and if I got it, it would be an unexpected gain, but I'm not sure I could do that It also has knock-on effects for things like maternity as I would only receive a percentage of the base salary. I'm making this sound like it's all about money, and of course it's far from that, but it helps to go over this aspect in my mind and with you, so thanks x

Nyk, we have a futon too; what do you find uncomfortable, sitting on it? You could make another thin mattress which wouldn't affect folding and unfolding it, and would give extra comfort?

I can't see the pup pics Natalie...

ETA: I'm looking for a free online translation tool from English to Tibetan and English to Nepali but am drawing a blank. Does anyone have any useful suggestions and also any idea where I could put a request for this on MSE, as I just don't 'get' it, still

xnatalie81x

i hope these one work!

She had 6 yesterday start 7 am first born 8am and then all done by 12pm - she has been amazing with them and we have been able to leave her to it! Amazing as she is only 2 and her first ever litter!

Mliz

Hi Nyk & all, can I join this challenge for 2010 as I'm determined to get shot of my debts this year. I've been lurking for a long time and have made some inroads but I do realise that I spend money on total tat. hopefully following this challenge will cut back on the waste. Many thanks

PS - pups are gorgeous

Frugaldom

Welcome Robbm, I'll get your name onto the new list asap

XNatalieX, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw, I wanna puppy! LOL I don't even know what breed they are, Staffies? Boxers?

Bails, I got the futon in the Arg0s sale about 7 years ago and it's been great, it's really heavy and the pine frame looks good, but it is so uncomfortable that if anyone comes to visit, we end up sitting at the kitchen table. I'd rather have somewhere comfy to sit watching TV or whatever, so am looking to pad it out a bit. I'm searching cut to measure foam companies just now as this seeem so much cheaper than getting rid of the futon and replacing it with a couch. Prices are varying to quite a degree, I've put the exact same sizes & foam density into 8 different sites so far and the prices range from £59 to £93 inc P&P. I thought 3" foam beneath the original mattress/cushion and then the throw over the top of it would make it much more comfy and warm. My search continues but I'll keep you posted on progress.

FrankieM

Have been cooking up a bit of a storm this morning.
Made the base for lasagne. Cooked up some cooking bacon that was looking a bit funny and put it in the freezer. Made some french onion soup. Don't think there is much else to use up but also looking through the freezer for meals for December. I have started doing at least one veggie meal a week and have been thinking about doing one soup and bread meal too.
Yesterday DH bought a beef rump roast and sliced it up into steaks. The roast cost £6 and I know that the last piece of steak I bought cost me £4 and we got about 3 times that amount. It seems to be a cheaper way of doing it.

natalie the pups are gorgeous

nyk whats the metre reading thing you do? It sounds like something I would find useful. Our gas & electric is £175 a month, most of it being electric. £30 of that is a server for DH's work but I could still do with saving a bit of money there!

xnatalie81x

nykmedia - you are a dog expert lol - mum is pure staff (although miniature think 1yr old puppy) and dad is 3/4 staff 1/4 boxer i want the brown one as it has a boxer face but it is a girl - black one is a boy tho and gawj too - wouldn't keep any really but being born on sons 2nd b'day means a pressie for him lol.

It was completely unplanned so selling them cheaply to cover all extra costs (worming, food, extra heating!, my doula and midwifery services lol) but it is seriously the best thing ever - better than having my own as less painful lol

bails

Pups are gorgeous Natalie, I'm also not sure what breed they are but was heading towards Staffie too? I wish I could've had my dog from a pup (especially as she spent the first 5 months of her life in the Home ) but she's GORGEOUS and I love her to bits (get to see her on Skype, which I love, try talking to her but she's freaked out )

I'd like to persuade my OH to have a soup and bread night Frankie but he thinks he doesn't like soup - I say 'thinks' as he LOVES my mum's mushroom soup recipe and also enjoys spinach soup, tomato soup etc etc...:rolleyes:

ETA: I did write this before I saw Natalie's post lol! Why can't you keep a girl? A stray had 4 kittens (1 died sadly) in our attic last year, and we ended up keeping one kitten and the mother. I would've kept them all if OH had let me (we have a animal veto in place now :rotfl:) and had a lovely time looking after them for the first 3 months of their life til they were rehomed. I'm hoping to do some more work for the Home in the future, kitten fostering and puppies too if my dog is cool with it

savingfortravel

Having a good rest today. Staying in my pyjamas and watching rubbish TV and wading though Sneaky ways to save pennys thread.
Luckily Mr SFT doesn't work on a Monday so he's looking after me. His MS this morning has been collecting more firewood from my sister's (her MS neighbour chopped up a wooden crate for us) and picking up some free milk (using a coupon) from S*insburys. He also bought some treats for my birthday meal on Thursday. Want to be all better for that.
Now he's in the kitchen cooking the remainder of our windfall apples.

Nyk or anyone else-I've noticed that we're getting mould around window sills from condensation. Is there anything we can do about this?

Bails-Glad you've talked to OH.

Nat-Gorgeous Pups. Well done on seeing them safely into the world. Nice to see you back on the thread.

Thanks

SFT

FrankieM

DH has just put the pizza that I was going to cook for dinner in the oven for lunch...aahhhhh!

xnatalie81x

Been advised mum and daughter don't do too well together??? Will google it more later! Will be another £16 mth in doggie insurance and food etc but sale of other 5 should pay for the costs for a few yrs lol. Have a doggie fund to set up he he