No Money, thats No Good!

**Kat**_2

You have been doing amazingly. I really admire you for everything you did when your DW was out of work. You are an inspiration for anyone trying to make ends meet.

.NoMoney.

Morning all.

I hope everyone is well, just had a nice relaxing week off work to recharge my batteries. The one thing I hate about time off is my workload quadruples in size when I am not there, although on a positive note, it means plenty of OT to get it back into shape.

Going to have to dip into the savings that I hope to make this month in the next week or so. We have decided, that with my wife now working we will finally get our garden sorted. We have owned our house almost 4 years but haven't actually done anything in it (other than deweed it). So, we have decided what we are going to do (level it, as its current 3 split levels, turf it and relay new patio stones). We want it done before our eldests birthday in August, and a little expense will make it all worthwhile. Should be able to keep costs down as little as roped my 2 brothers into providing manual labour.

I have a job interview this week, which, if successful means I will be receiving a nice little payrise. It's for the role of manager of the department I currently work in.

On paper I am the strongest of the candidates being interviewed, and have the most experience (I have also been doing the job for the last 6-weeks since the old manager departed). However, there is a lot of if the face fits politics where I work, and the 2 other candidates have been friends with the guy doing the interviews for a considerable time. So, hoping not to be stiched up, but will give it my best go.

**Kat**_2

Good luck! I really hope you get the job - tell me about it "face fits" same everywhere I think!

ebayqueen_2

Wishing you all the best for the impending interview. You sound really positive and making plans for the garden too. Delighted for you.
God bless
E

.NoMoney.

Thanks guys, always nice to get reassuring comments.

I guess that I am throwing myself into things to keep my occupied, it also keeps me from spending money, but at the same time earns browny points from the other half.

The football season for me atleast has finished, so I have no games to go out and do on a Sunday morning until August, so, I usually get grumpy on a Sunday morning (withdrawal symptoms I guess) so by keeping the wife happy now means I get some leway going forward (well, thats the plan).

At the moment we haven't actually made alot of headway into our debt, I have saved a little amount so far this year, which I aim to add to (it will be significantly increased if I get my promotion). But, our calculations for the last month were a little out, as my wife was only partly paid for April's work due to being a new starter, so she is actually worse off that she was expecting. However, with her working such long shifts, she is usually too tired on her days off to go out (using the quiet time with the kids at school, child care to catch up at home).

As for my gardening skills, my wife wants a slightly raised aspect, and that involves building a wall (only 3 brick levels high) and I have stupidly (possibly) told her I could do it no problem. Now kind of regretting the bragging, as she wants me to prove her wrong!

.NoMoney.

Currently sitting at work counting down the minutes until 8pm and I can go home. It is a little surreal working on a Wednesday but things we will do for child care arrangements.

Not sure if I have confirmed this before, but due to childcare expenses here (and not wanting to waste money we don't have on nursery fees) I negotiated a contract change with my employer 18-months ago which means I condensed my 35 hours into 4 days and had Wednesday off to provide childcare (this was the only day my wife works that no-one could look after the little one). It means I work 12-hours on a Thursday and an additional hour on the other 3 to make it work.

However, with my wife having a new job, her inductions are all on Thursdays, so means I have had to swap the relevant Thursdays with my Wednesdays off, and for some reason, working 3 days in a row is a little odd.

Still, tomorrow is the big day, I get to pitch myself to the management in my question for promotion - heres hoping it all goes well!

pennywisepoundstupid

Good luck for today, hope you get the promotion.

**Kat**_2

Yes good luck - let us all know how it goes!

PS you have given me a brilliant idea with your hours as nursery really cripples us!

jwil

Hope today went well No Money

.NoMoney.

Thanks for the kind words all - unfortunately I don't think my interview went as well as I had hoped. I got the impression throughout from the questions being asked that a decision has already been made and they were going through the motions (I got this because none of the questions asked were based around what I would do to resolve issues that I had raised as issues within the department).

Still, what will be will be.

Kat - how have I helped with your childcare issues?