TallGirl's getting back on track diary

TallGirl

You definitely have to live and we certainly did nice holidays (mainly staying with family) but also got two bathrooms and a cloakroom done. We did have two inheritances that were used but mainly it was me getting a big payrise and I simply paid the excess into the mortgage but because I got a free company car (free private mileage (yes I did pay tax ) it felt like I had more money. Once we paid off the mortgage I got the garden done and a greenhouse but then one year ago I left the well paid job and took a huge paycut. I am not regretting it one bit I love what I do now and I have life which I didn't before but had I not been disciplined and paid off the mortgage those seven and half years in a job I ended up hating would have been wasted. You never know what's around the corner and being mortgage free now makes a huge difference.

I love my house and where I live it's only small three bedroom and a study but it's just as we want it and for two of us that's fine. We paid £85k for it in 1994 and it's worth £270k (new build so similar house sold across the road for that amount). We have extended £30k and put new bathrooms in £18k but other than that no major spends. Sometimes I would love a huge house but there are only two of us and the cats.

Anyway enough rambling a its Friday were going out for ONE drink after work and then next week manager and my training supervisor is on leave so I shall be busy oh yes.

bugslet

Ah that explains it! I didn't realise you were already MFW.

I've never been rich enough to have a serious plan and Mr Bugs inheritance, well lets say that it would just about pay off my mortgage, but I am in desperate need of work doing on the house, particularly the kitchen, which is single brick in places and freeeeezing in winter. In adddition, with work being my company, if the absolute worst came about, I could finish the company and have more than enough to clear everything and live for a few years.

I've never really wanted a big house, in fact the three bed semi where I am now sometimes feels too big! I do have an obsession with hats, which has been put on hold for the last three years whilst Mr Bugs was ill and now I feel itching to get blocking and trimming again:o, which pretty much takes up a room.

Anyway, it's your diary and I'm wittering about me. Have a good weekend.

TallGirl

Hi Bugslet do ramble on my diary please as I really miss the MFW discussion I think there is a balance between living your life in comfort and having some luxuries as well as pay of the mortgage/save has to be right. If you DH has been ill and you have had to put things on hold then ok but if things are better I would get that kitchen done. Our bathrooms were fine functioning if a bit dated (cream suite not avocado). However having them done means I love using them and it's for us I know it won't add value and I don't care I'm not moving and having a wet room rather than a cramped ensuite is perfect for me.

I think having a freezing kitchen must be costing money and it would add value to the house to get it fixed however make sure get what you want I found the material weren't actually the biggest cost was the labour so no point going for cheapest fixtures and fittings if it was not what I wanted as I'm the one using it. It was not done to add value.

Anyway Friday drinks were good and I drove home so total spend nothing as they bought the drinks. Camping trip planned in three weeks with all four of us (normally just the three go) I'm not sure how it will be as one of them in a semi diva and won't enjoy it I am 100% sure but she insist on coming. Oh well it's not worth worrying about.

Went to see my friend who has the ancient husband she hates her new job are being bullied by her training supervisor and nearly quit. Ok I know you should have to put up with bullying but if it's only for four weeks and your husband is out of work too then I think I would. She sorted it in the end and is staying. She got a job for the 999 call centre with the police so I think the culture is a bit of a chock to her too. Anyway she turned 35 two weeks ago and he will be 70 this year. It's just wrong isn't it I really thought he was 65. It also makes it more complicated that he now does some work for my DH and it's not going well. I wish he was working for him (it's wasn't my idea) as it could affect our friendship so far so good however, they are living in his one bedroom housing association retirement bungalow. It's horrid and dark and I do worry for her.

Today is lovely and sunny and I have no plans other then to watch Thomas Bjorn play the final round at Wentworth he tees off at 13.10 tickets to go and see him are £50 each plus £20 for grandstand tickets so even if we are only an hour away I shall not go.

Hope you are all enjoying the long weekend.

bugslet

Hi TG

Well I'm off to Jersey next week with some friends, yay:j. Not had a holiday since 2007, so I really really need one. When I get back, it will be house stuff - new fascias/gutters/soffits, bathroom refurb and the kitchen. Eeek! It all sounds very expensive before I've even got the quotes in.

Enjoy your camping. Though I don't believe people do enjoy camping on account of the lack of a large bathroom and room service:rotfl:. I'm no diva, but many years spent sleeping in the back of a van mostly in the UK, but round Europe as well, when I was driving for a living, means that if I have a night away, I like serious comfort.

Your poor friend - that sound a horrid situation all round. Mr Bugs was 23 years older and overall we were happy - he had a young head and I was older than my years. But 35 seems a lot of age gap. All I can say about bullying is give it back. I find people don't react forcefully on the whole and it's the only way. Bullies will only pick on people if they think they are week; I'm not suggesting your friend either screams and shouts at them or hits them, tempting though it may be. But next time, she needs to step into their personal space and in a 'hard' voice, explain to them that their behaviour is demeaning/bullying/threatening/whatev and they need to back right off. Bullies hate that. Living space sounds rubbish as well. Will she be allowed to keep the tenancy when he dies - well, he is likely to before her. When work isn't going well, you really want to go home to a nice sanctuary. I hope things get sorted for her.

Have a nice weekend and I'll see youwhen I get back.:)

gallygirl

What good advice :T (especially about the bathroom & room service :rotfl:). Have a great time .

TallGirl

Thanks Bugslet and GallyGirl not posted for ages so better do an update.

Not heard from my friend since Sunday and I think my FIL is going to terminate the husbands self employed contract with our family company this week which doesn't help. I didn't suggest he worked for us so I don't actually feel too bad it didnt work out I could have predicted that.

Camping yes it is rough and ready but I love bonfires and the friends I go with are very special. Done plenty of 5 star and yes it's nice but camping is nice too in a different way.

This week has been really good no problems at work and managed to get everything done I needed to do. Staff behaved themselves and the volunteers were stars as always. I nominated one for volunteer week he was so chuffed but he deserved it.

Went down and washed the windows at work Saturday they now sparkle and at least my manager won't come back to broken ones this time.

Did some golf practise with friend from work (the diva) and BIL and DH unfortunately DH had too much to drink before we went out not sure how it happened he didn't eat so that didnt help. After that he behaved himself. I didn't go to his dr app he didnt want me to know and she had booked him for a scan I will go for that definelty.

Anyway probably enough waffle from me might not be long out of bed.

TallGirl

Wow another week gone and a busy one whole Sunday ahead of me with no plans I do have a sore back so that doesn't help.

Work week ok but every busy with manager back at work also we will need to make some changes if we don't get more funding likely to impact me and my role. It's £30k we need to find so basically a lot of paid staff hours. Anyway it's my manager decision what plan she puts in place and the board then have to agree or disagree. Could mean part time hours for me and her not sure I really want that still long time until October.

Good night out Friday hungover Saturday 50th party for friend yesterday started at 4pm I lasted until 9pm. Nice though just can't party two days in a row.

BIL coming down this evening they are going back tomorrow. Working late Monday and Wednesday this week, PT Thursday if my back behaves. Signing up with friends for a six week programme hopefully starting ASAP.

Got my certificate in the post now officially MIMA Cert.

Tahlullah

Congratulations on the Money Adviser qualification. I now know who to ask for help if I get into financial bother.

Sorry to hear the issues at work are still ongoing. They never seem to be resolved do they? Hopefully, your manager will come up with a cunning plan that will bring in loads of money for the staff team to be able to do their jobs withour fear of reduced hours or redundancy.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Tx

TallGirl

Certificate framed will hang it in my study it symbolises the change I have made since February. When my old work first announced that we had to apply for our own jobs as they were changing them I almost straight away knew I wanted to leave and secondly decided to do the qualification as I couldn't in that job. I did apply to start in April 2013 but as I got a job so quickly I postponed to Jan 2014 so finishing it is kind of end of that process from being in a job I didn't really like with lots of perks. To this one which I do love but also changing as a person away from the I don't have any friends at work and I can't get close to anyone at work because I worked in isolation to being part of a term and getting three new close friends.

If someone had told me in February 2013 that this is how it would turn out I would have believed them about the job and certificate but not about the friends that's a bonus.

I know I don't talk much MFW in this diary but honestly that well paid job is the reason i am now mortgage free obviously as well as this board and e MFi3 challenge so I could just have lived the high life.

Anyway last day of doing someone else's job she is back Tuesday (doesn't work Mon) and I have survived. I have got out of working Saturday (must have done over 40 hours already this week) so only fair I think.

Doing a bit of golf practise this evening and friend from work is coming too. Lovely day as well.

xcarlyx

TallGirl wrote: »

Certificate framed will hang it in my study it symbolises the change I have made since February. When my old work first announced that we had to apply for our own jobs as they were changing them I almost straight away knew I wanted to leave and secondly decided to do the qualification as I couldn't in that job. I did apply to start in April 2013 but as I got a job so quickly I postponed to Jan 2014 so finishing it is kind of end of that process from being in a job I didn't really like with lots of perks. To this one which I do love but also changing as a person away from the I don't have any friends at work and I can't get close to anyone at work because I worked in isolation to being part of a term and getting three new close friends.

If someone had told me in February 2013 that this is how it would turn out I would have believed them about the job and certificate but not about the friends that's a bonus.

I know I don't talk much MFW in this diary but honestly that well paid job is the reason i am now mortgage free obviously as well as this board and e MFi3 challenge so I could just have lived the high life.

Anyway last day of doing someone else's job she is back Tuesday (doesn't work Mon) and I have survived. I have got out of working Saturday (must have done over 40 hours already this week) so only fair I think.

Doing a bit of golf practise this evening and friend from work is coming too. Lovely day as well.

Hope the weather is nice for Golf x