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TallGirl seeks new financial freedom & hope to loose a few pounds on the way.

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  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Morning well nearly afternoon just come back from town and shopping in Tesco.

    Got the Halifax sorted I think, had filled the form in wrong but they got DH signature and once we get his card we can ask for a cheque book for both of us. DH has also agreed we can use the joint Nationwide account for the holiday savings need to change the DD and sort that out but it makes sense.

    Found the Encore Cat food on offer in Tesco, 57p a can instead of 75p if you bought the single ones. The multipacks were much more so got 2 single cans and pick up the full display can which has 18 in it. At the till I did not notice the first two go through I did see the others go as 18 x 75p. Querried it and got it sorted at 57p a can. Just goes to show you need to check it doesn't it. Got £5 off £40 from last weeks voucher (which we had kept) and £5 off from the Daily Mail thingy. Now have £5 off £40 next week but we dont tend to shop in Tesco every week. Still it saved money on parking in town as we could walk up there.

    Done a load of washing and the dishwasher is on. Cooking two roast this Weekend so will have some nice leftovers. Need to go and see MIL in hospital I think she comes out on Wednesday.

    Still struggling a bit with the no gambling more or less broken even so not too bad but will try not to do anymore.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Zumba done and everything is prepped for Sunday Lunch

    Visited MIL in hospital she is coming out Wednesday and will then get carers 3 times a day. She cannot walk with her zimmer frame due to her shoulder so not great. She says FIL is worried about her coming home feeding her (well get meals on wheels) how will the carers get in (get a box with a code for the key (cost £40 too much money) and so it carries on. Will have a chat with him this afternoon and get him sorted. Its silly he worries so much when you can pay your way out of that sort of issues.

    Put my request on Rated People, fence is 8 panels and 7 posts, patio will be 10m x 4 m and the cover for the patio will be 3m x 4 m. Hopefully someone will get in touch and we can get some quotes. Really look forward to the fence being done hopefully next door will pay 1/2 they did before we moved in so fingers crossed need talk to them next time I see them.

    Looked at patio slabs anything up to £30 sq m but could make do with concrete. Knowing us it will be the expensive ones we want. As for the cover sent off for another brochure if we want a more solid structure a bit wary of getting that type of company out to quote if they are anything like your traditional double glazing company.

    Also ordered a clean and reseal of my drive for £95 on Groupon, had a quote a little while ago at over £150 so would save me doing it as its hard work and needs doing. Its red brick and looks green at the moment.

    Thats it need to get on with dinner before FIL come down. Hope you have a nice Sunday.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Happy Monday Morning Everyone

    Scales said 85.1 so a 400 gram loss :T nearly a lb been so bad this week does not make sense really.

    Alcohol 10/8 :eek: really bad but as I was away I can excuse it
    Gym 1/3 :eek: again bad but I have been away

    On the gambling front its gone a bit astray this weekend. I really really do want to stop and thought I had closed my accounts problem is I think they are only closed for 6 months then they write back to tempt you in. I have now sat down and added it all up since 1st Jan when I swore I would not do it any more and here is the list.

    Out Winnings
    GB Slots -£100.00 £1,280.00
    Jet Bingo -£148.00 £0.00
    Casino.com -£39.00 £500.00
    Bingo Cabin £20.00 £1,572.00
    RIVA21 -£50.00 £300.00
    Gameduell T-£150.00 £120.00
    Gameduell D -£50.00 £84.00
    S to play -£235.00 £0.00
    Harry -£43.00 ?
    Grand Casino-£10.00 £0.00

    So that is a total of £805 :eek: I have paid into 10 casino and bingo sites in just over a month but on the positive side I had won £3856 that is a total win of £3048 (Actually there are a couple of site still to pay out and I cannot remember how much I have won but its something like £100). Now that does not make it alright far from it as I should not have got back into it. I will now make sure all those accounts are closed once the money has been paid out.

    I will spend the extra winnings on something good like getting the patio done or the fence. We have already got 3 companies interested on Rated People so hopefully will speak to them today and get them out. Has to be done in daylight so not sure how to fit that in as I would like DH here too.

    Working from home today then got my appraisal with my manager tomorrow.

    Hope you all have a nice day take care.

    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Right busy week this week survived the Appraisal with my manager I think I am ok and she is nice. Spent 3 hours in a Costa Coffee meeting up and then yesterday I saw 2 clients in a Costa for 2 hours. That is a lot of coffee but good for my points.

    MIL should be home today at lunchtime it was supose to be yesterday but it didnt happen surprize surprize. Its her birthday tomorrow so DH has asked me to buy her a night dress. Not going to happen her can do it himself I will however do the research.

    We have now had 3 people out to quote and they all seem fine although I liked the middle guy the best. I stil havent spoken to next door will have to soon if I want to get a move on the project. Problem is now I see the rest of the garden I see the mess the ivy the work that needs doing every where else. Will have a go this weekend and get some stuff out its quite overgrown.

    Only got £10 left to lend on Zopa so that is good. No one has started paying back but that must be soon must'nt it.

    Spendingwise not been too bad had a £10 Dominos pizza last night (part of their weeks offers) got a large one and it was OK but not fantastic but will have some for lunch so not had bad pricewise as it was on offer.

    Loving my nailvarnish lasting a lot longer with the top and base coat so happy with that spend.

    New Kipling bag is also working as a work bag so all good. Will update when I know about the quotes but can help me decide on who to go with so far we have:

    Young Owen who works with his mate very nice but not that talkative or had many ideas.
    Middle Aged Pete who will be expensive but I really like his ideas
    Dave and Co (not sure of the others name) came in the dark and kept texting me last night about slabs etc. Wanted to send qoute via text.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 10 February 2012 at 10:38AM
    Help total Job Dilemma

    This is just horrible I had my appraisal with my manager on Tuesday saying I was happier in the role but that I felt I could not move upwards but that I did not mind. She was asking me questions as if she knew I really did not want the sales type job I am in and would prefer to go back to debt advice.

    Fast forward yesterday there is a job 10 miles from here, doing the exact same job I did at the Local Authority before I left for the private company I am with now. The salery is the same as I had at the LA but its £10,000 less than I am on now and there is now car/free petrol/broadband etc.

    The best thing is my new line manager would be my very good friend who I used to work with at the LA.

    This is so scary its like its 90% my dream job (100% would be the line managers job as I suspect it paid a good deal more).

    I really dont know what to do so please excuse me when I make a list of pros and cons.

    • Its taking a step back going back to what I used to do
    • Its working for a type of organisation I have not worked with before so therefore a challenge.
    • Its a huge cut in salery and no benefits
    • Well I have no mortgage and I only need a cheap car as I would not be travelling that far.
    • You would have to get out every morning to go to work
    • Yes but its an easy route not much traffic (office is 2min from DH job)
    • You would not have the freedom you have now to go off to Cornwall visit friends staying in hotels etc.
    • Well would miss that buts its regular 35 hours per week and I think they have flexi. I would be home every night in my own bed.
    • Could you really work for your friend when you both used to be at the same level.
    • I think I could I respect him a lot always have been he has been doing this a lot longer than me. I did apply for a job at my company but did not get it. I was so devastated when he left my old job it almost pushed me to leave.
    • Could you go back to front line advising clients.
    • I did use to love it but also like policy work I know my friend does a lot of policy in his role so perhaps he will share some of that with me.
    • Would you have a chance of getting it you didnt even get an interview last time.
      Well on the job specification I can tick every single box apart from up to date knowledge of one area of advice as I have been off the front line for 6 years. I as that area is currently undergoing huge changes I dont think it would be hard to catch up. Also last time they recruited for a similar job my friend did the recruitment not that would help it could make it worse.
    Well that is a starter for one, I am having lunch with my friend on Friday so will have a look at the application over the weekend I think I would regret it I dont apply. Its just that £10k is such a drop but the real benefits to me that would outweigh the money would be:

    Working 9 to 5 in an office with proper work mates (I already know 1 member of the team plus the manager).
    Back to what I love doing helping people and advising them not selling a service.

    Well there are other cons such as the buzz of working for a dynamic private company but this organisation is actually a business too so may help. In actual fact when they last recruited they did not take someone from a voluntary organisation (they had 100's of applicants) as they felt the transition would be hard as they are so much more commerical so surely that would count in my favour.

    The job is permanent so that is a big plus and the salery is good for that type of job very good in todays climate. I dont think I would miss that many people from my current job and although I get to see a lot of people from around the country who I might miss I would still see them at our annual conference incl my current workmates.

    Oh I wish that job had not come up although is such a temptation. Money is not eveything is it and if my friend leave I could nap his job or at least there will be other opportunities as its a large organisation and in my pressent post I cannot go anywhere.

    Got a text yesterday from my hairdresser (only been once via Groupon) and she was offered 1/2 haircuts today so thought why not need one. Also need to buy MIL a present for when we go around there later. Its her birthday today and at least she is home from hospital.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 12 February 2012 at 4:57PM
    Right quotes are in and I am more confused now than before we started its so difficult.

    Our neighbours a bit strapped for cash so were not that keen to go ahead with the fence but I said we would get the quotes in.

    Anyway there are 3 so far



    1. Owen works with his business partner and seemed really nice.
    • Fence £ not quite right needs to be for concrete posts and gravel boards so may be more. £1587.65
    • Patio £2812 thats for limestone and 43 sqm which is larger than we need.
    2. Peter very nice too proper landscape gardener really took to him
    • Fence £1311 but we would be taking all the panels down to the tip ourselves a large job really.
    • Patio £3460 for sandstone slabs at £20 sqm.
    3. Dave & Paul work at the moment but want to start their own bussiness. Came in the dark but have just been back again.



    Did quote by text initially with hardly any detials then today kept saying when we changed a few things we can just add that on.
    • Fence £970
    • Patio £940 but we supply the slabs ourselves so that would add £600 = £1570
    We really like some slabs that are £50 sqm (of course we like the most expensive ones).
    Like these: thumb-228000.jpg
    I have now asked a company that did a post of the DIY board on MSE saying each bay should be £110 to £130 so see what they come back with. I don't really trust No.3 but dont want to pay more than we have too.

    Hopefully we will make a decision soon.

    In other news my sister is not keen on us all going to spend a week in a Summer house so looks like DH and I will now just go over for 1 week in July and spend it at their house and then a bit at my mums. That's fine means we can go away for a week somewhere hot as well.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 13 February 2012 at 8:02AM
    Weekly update:
    Weight 84.4 300g lost not great but a loss.
    Drinks 10/8
    Gym 2/3

    Not amazing but still will do.

    Working from home today tons of stuff to do.

    Jobs for this weeks:
    Group on photo book
    Group on boiler service to be book
    Email cousin about party in Sep
    Get last quote for the fence
    Job application
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • Hi TG

    I'm afraid I can't offer any words of wisdom re the job situation but I guess the one thing I would say is that being in the 'what if I had' postion can be an uncomfortable place to be and that with so many things going for it I think if you didn't at least apply then you would regret it and always wonder what if

    I've seen several 'lifers' leave my company in the last couple of years and not one of them has looked back and only wondered why they didn't do it sooner.

    I know we quite rightly only get snippets on here - and I hope you don't mind me saying this - but it sometimes seems that the times you are discontent in your job outweigh the times when you are happy and discontent?

    Your plans for the garden sound lovely, I don't envy you the making the decison of who to go with for the work, have they been able to give you any recommendations from other customers or actually show you other gardens they have done, are you able to visit any as it might help your decision as it won't be a cheap job

    PS Sending you virtual gambling support, I know it can't be easy and I suspect that the fact that you are showing such a profit makes it even harder to stop

    Regards
    ATT
    MFW Start Date 1.4.08. Updated 23.1.18. MFW date 1.8.18
    Original Mortgage o/s £187,643 / £71,904 (-115,739)
    Repay o/s £92,661 / now £55,900 (-36,761)
    Int Only o/s £94,982, now £16,004 (-78,978)
    Total daily interest £1 [a) £0.77 b)£0.23
    Total OP's:2018 target £TBC YTD £1,995
  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thanks abouttimetoo I have come a bit closer to a job decision today as I met the guy I would be working for who is also a friend. The job is basically 70% benefit advice and only 30% debt advice and I to be honest would have liked it the other way around but still. He has had loads of interest in the job and from people he knows well and used to work with. There are 3 of them on the panel and it will be entirely fair actually they are only going to interview people who have worked or work in social housing to cut down on the numbers. The salery is better than I thought you get a £1000 a year car allowance plus mileage and the salery goes up a £1000 after 6 months so that makes it a £8000 pay cut as well as no company car, no free phone, no bonus etc etc. AM I MAD.

    I am in quite a good place to apply really because my area is now much smaller I have lost London I am actually happier in this job than I have been a while. The new job is a step back but its a new area (although they really want someone with current benefit knowledge which I might have to fudge a bit :/.

    I am going to apply hopefully get the interview stage and then decide otherwise it will drive me mad thinking about it.

    Got the last fence qoute in £80 cheaper than the guy we want to do the patio as well so I think he is getting it. Need to speak to neighbours and show them qoutes but I think they are away for the wekeend. Typical really.

    I now want more work done so will try to draw up and plan and then see what it looks like. If they pay 1/2 fence that gives me more to play with. Actually the sensible MSE would not spend £4000 on their garden in case they need to buy a new car. Never mind the only reason I can conside this job is because I am mortgage free.

    Final but of update fitted the personal alarm for my mother in law yesterday and she had to use it today as she slid of her chair. Thank goodness we did or she would have been on the floor for a while. They had to get the paramedics out to lift her up as FIL cannot do it himself. She is really not that big but obviously incapable of doing anything to get up herself.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

  • TallGirl
    TallGirl Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Had a really ncie evening with next door had 3 or maybe 4 largers and as a result could not face Zumba this morning. Rubbish really but worth it for seeing our friends.

    Done loads for work in the garden taken 8 bags of rubbish to the tip all Ivy and soil so it looks so much better. Made a decision that we want a larger bed on the left and side and then it can be edged so make it easier to cut the grass no need for the strimmer. We also want a deck down the botton in the corner that does not get used now but that means the apple tree will have to go. The guys came out to look at it again and they will now quote again. DH says as long as its not above £5k we will go for it. I am hoping a lot less and hopefully next door will pay for 1/2 fence. They are away at the moment so cannot show them the prices. It think its going to look so nice cannot wait for them to get started.

    Not done a lot else this weekend still thinking about the job but I am getting more and more certain this one is not for me I think one higher up but it is a foot in the door so will apply and see what happens. A bit of experience of interviews would not go amiss that is if I make it that far.

    Cooked the slow roast pork in the oven need to add the veg so we can eat about 7pm the house smells devine.
    Save £12k in 25 No 49
    PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K  
    Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
    New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest

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