greent's mfw journey

greent

Thanks, Saving Glut

So in the last couple of days I've sold one thing (a freebie) on flebay and 2 bundles of DS3's clothes on fb00k (well, 1 is sstc, but it's to someone I know) - all OP'd to the mortgage, of course It's good to get rid of the items. I've got some other stuff to list too - but need to sort it into sets/ bundles first. I also sent off a small bundle of books to Ziff1t last week, so am waiting for the money for those too

I've picked some more pears today. There are still quite a few on the tree - some are teeny, so aren't worth doing anything with in reality and the rest are too high for me to reach now. I may make a small batch of chutney (for me, rather than to give away)- we have absolutely no chutney whatsoever at the mo :eek: and I do like it on veggie burgers and with cheese and biscuits

DS1 has started lectures (yesterday) and DD has now done 3 shifts at the SU. All seems to be going ok - yeay

Oooh - and I've finally resigned from invigilating at the 2nd school

apple_muncher

That resignation must feel good!

greent

I sent my resignation and then was scared I'd get phoned up by the Exams Officer!! - I almost unplugged the phone!

It's definitely the right decision. I really like the team (most of them! ) but I so much prefer the work at school number 1 - and we are treated as real adults with something to offer there, not like naughty children! Overall it will only mean I'm worse off per year by <£1000, as I didn't do much there at all (probably £250 max this tax year), preferring to work at school number 1

greent

So a huge bag of clothes was swapped for a £5 note at the school gate this afternoon - and duly OP'd of course! I have 2 boxes of various stuff (mainly boxed toys/ games) in my boot for CS and a pack of nighttime/ PJ pullups (open and missing 1) for a friend's 4yo. They were from DS3 years ago (like about 4-5 years!) - and were lurking in the back of a cupboard.

OH has had yet another extension to this contract - this takes him to mid Dec in effect as they have a compulsory Xmas break for contractors. No idea if they will want him back after Xmas as they will then go over the 2 years - and IR35 will come into play (although our accountant says if he is off from mid Dec - early Jan and has a brand new contract number/ paperwork it will be ok) Whatever the outcome - this was initially a 6 month contract which he absolutely hated and only stayed at initially as he hadn't had a contract for almost a year, and therefore we needed the money! Not a bad result - it's gone on much longer and after the initial 6 months his daily rate went up and he can officially work from home 2 days/ week. He also has the flexibility to wfh more than that if needed, but his old boss liked him being in the office (even though she and many others were based in a different office 300+ miles away and he could do exactly the same at home as away)

Right - cup of tea and more paperwork time, methinks.....

xx

jodles16

Great news on leaving the second job! Nothing better than the freedom it brings to not work somewhere that isnt great! Sounds like some great things going on for the whole family too!

Overpayment was awesome!

Jodles

brizzlegirl

Sounding great. Well done greent x

chumpy45

All sounding great for you GreenT. Congrats on leaving your second job. Life is definitely too short to stay somewhere that you don't enjoy x

Saving_Glut

I see you’re exchanging goods for cash in public places still! Good for you!

Excellent news on contract extension! What a great relief. It sounds his perseverance paid off.

I too am on the edge of the IR35, it’s time I looked into thevimplications!

greent

Thanks, one and all!

So we finally made a decision about half term - and have booked a week in Portugal. Instead of our usual detached-villa-with-private-pool (OH doesn't really like people...….) we've gone for a 2 bed apartment on a mini-complex (11 apartments in total) with a shared pool. Only a couple of £ cheaper per night than some 2 bed villas, tbh, but the apartment specs look fantastic - and there may even be other children there for DS2 & DS3 to talk to bonus! (DD and DS1 being at uni) OH booked the flights and we had outgoing with R1ann Air (not a fan - their prices start low but they charge for everything) and incoming with EazeeeJet. All looked good, so I sent off to book the apartment. A few hours later OH decided to check the flights booking and found that the Riann air one hadn't booked :eek: :eek: - so we were coming home, but hadn't got a flight out! Cue some frantic searching for an alternative (and annoyingly the Riann one kept coming up, even though their website was saying it was fully booked) - got one flying an hour later from same airport, but at a £££ cost. However, it did get all sorted - which is the main thing!! All other bits booked (insurance, car hire, car parking here) - just the Euros to sort now (will order later) Did realise when getting paperwork that our EHICs expired 3 weeks ago - so hurriedly re-ordered those. Fingers crossed they arrive (*should* do) but will take expired ones and relevant details from EHIC page about what to do if it's expired (can still use, just need extra details) if not. Phew! - not the most relaxing start!!

Probably not the most sensible option money-wise, booking a holiday, tbh - feel a bit skint at the mo. However, I think with some juggling it should all be ok.

My V*nguard ISA is not doing well - most of the time it seems to be worth less than what I put in!! It's fallen about 3% in value of invested funds Definitely a long-term plan! I'm debating also investing in another fund and splitting the payments between the 2, so at least it's more spread.

OH and I also need to pay our 'extra' tax bills at some point - combined it's around £2.2k!!I wish HMRC would just sort out the tax code for me, tbh.

I've got rid of quite a bit of 'stuff' recently - some sold (for next to nothing, but it all helps) and a lot donated (various places) - one day I will have that tidy house to which I aspire! :rotfl:

Suppose I'd better hang out the washing now.... it's not the warmest of days here, but it is dry and it should get dry/ thereabouts by early evening Heating is still off (although I suspect it will definitely be on straight after hols, if not before!) (Oh - and apartment has a wm, so will wash/ dry everything as much as poss over there before returning! )
xx

greent

SO the 3rd party we booked original flights through phoned OH today.... it looks like something went wrong at their end and we may get a refund of the difference paid between new flights and original ones...… fingers crossed!