2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Goldiegirl

Allie, just read your post

Sorry to hear how you are feeling at the present.

I'm not a brilliant sleeper myself - I tend to wake up every couple of hours. But when it's time to get up, I'm sound asleep.

I think it'll improve when I finally stop working. When I'm away on holiday, I sleep like a log all night.

I'm trying to keep to our plan of working for another 18 months or so. It'll put some more savings in the pot, and will be less time to wait until mr GG gets the rest of his pensions in Oct 2016. But I have a suspicion that, there'll be a tipping point, when I think that enough is enough, and stop a bit earlier. There's so much about my job that annoys me, and it's quite pressurised.

There becomes a point where quality of life is more important than the money. I hope you make a decision which will be right for you.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Goldie Girl. I appreciate your support. I hope you enjoy your retirement whenever it comes.

skintygerlinky

[Deleted User] wrote:

I love this post, it is really inspiring. Thanks for posting Skinty. I have been pretty lax recently with recording spends in my cash book - I need to get back to it right now!

I really must try and get into town and visit the card factory. I would like to bulk buy my birthday cards for the rest of the year so I am not running at the last minute.

The on-going saga of me not sleeping has finally beat me. I have signed myself off work this week with stress and I am seriously thinking I should just resign - we could probably afford to live off OHs wage as long as I put all my frugal skills into place. I need to have a long think about this. I have an appt with the doctor tomorrow so will have a chat with him and then see how I feel at the end of the week. OH is happy to support me whatever decision I make. One thing is for sure - I cannot cope as a full time teacher. I did ask for part time but have to wait until April/May for an answer which will probably be no. I am crying alot so I am going to distract myself by being on the forum more than I usually have time for and getting lots of inspiration and positive vibes and maybe taking some time to do some cooking and baking.

allie so sorry to hear you're going through a rough patch at the mo. For what it's worth, I can empathise what you are going through in that I was also, until recently, teaching full time!!

It is probably the most draining job I've ever had, which is a heartbreaking shame as the ACTUAL TEACHING was brilliant, but the hassle that came with it just wasn't!
Rather than go into it all here, feel free to send me a message any time/if you want xx

skintygerlinky

Afternoon Frugalites xx

Been swimming this morning which was lovely! And then somewhat defiantly sat in the gym cafe, drinking my OWN bottle of (re-fill!) water, eating my OWN homemade chunk of rocky road.
I swear I was staring at the staff with an expression that said 'come on then! Tell me to stop eating my own food!! Threaten to chuck me out!' but of course no one did. Instead they smiled as usual and said 'morning! How was your swim?'. This is because they are very nice and wouldn't dream of speaking to me like that. I, on the other hand am clearly an idiot hahahaaaaaaaaa!!

Had to buy couple of things today. I bank with the NatalieWest which dispenses £5 notes from the cash machine. So I spent £2 odd on shower gel, paper and yoghurt. All recorded in cash book.

So, here goes...plan! I want to try and have NSDs on Sun, Mon and Tuesdays where possible. However, if I can't manage that then I will have a very strict budget with a list of what I need. If there is any change then left over (like today) then £2 coins go into my £2 pot and loose change goes in the jar. The next day we start from scratch. £2 coins towards hols, loose change cashed in beginning of December towards Xmas.

At this stage, Every Penny Counts!!

Home now, leftover quiche and salad for dins, going to have an attempt at patas bravas later to go with some Linda Mac veggie cutlet thingy. Fingers x'd!

skintygerlinky

his_missus wrote: »

I hum that song eveytime I see your sig.:D

Hahahaa! Here you go, his missus - stuck in your head now!!

Have a listen, Frugalites - the lyrics are ace and quite funny!!

Plenty of 'fly' girls and boys on this forum :beer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkO9us2ZmGg

[Deleted User]

Wow, I haven't heard that song for years! Brought back some good memories:)

Frugalsod

[Deleted User] wrote:

I need to have a go at this. I have 500g mince in the freezer. I which I will plan to cook at the weekend. I will look to add some carrots and lentils to see if I can bulk it out. I would like to get maybe 12 portions for meals out of it - say 6 spag bol and 6 chilli. Is that too optimistic? How much lentils should I be adding?

I literally just fill the slow cooker. I do not have any recipe. I will simply add more tomatoes, kidney beans or lentils. You can also add any veg that you might have around that needs to be used. In my larger SC I can get around 16 meals. I usually ladle them into 350ml freezer containers, I use a jam funnel to help that process, then freeze them when cooled. That size is handy for a simple chilli on its own with bread or on top of rice or baked potato.

TM6

[Deleted User] wrote:

I love this post, it is really inspiring. Thanks for posting Skinty. I have been pretty lax recently with recording spends in my cash book - I need to get back to it right now!

I really must try and get into town and visit the card factory. I would like to bulk buy my birthday cards for the rest of the year so I am not running at the last minute.

The on-going saga of me not sleeping has finally beat me. I have signed myself off work this week with stress and I am seriously thinking I should just resign - we could probably afford to live off OHs wage as long as I put all my frugal skills into place. I need to have a long think about this. I have an appt with the doctor tomorrow so will have a chat with him and then see how I feel at the end of the week. OH is happy to support me whatever decision I make. One thing is for sure - I cannot cope as a full time teacher. I did ask for part time but have to wait until April/May for an answer which will probably be no. I am crying alot so I am going to distract myself by being on the forum more than I usually have time for and getting lots of inspiration and positive vibes and maybe taking some time to do some cooking and baking.

There is absolutely no need to resign for the time being.

You are permitted six months off work with full pay and stress is a very genuine illness. Take one day at a time and don't feel guilty about being off work. Getting better is all that matters.

You could ask to be referred to Occupational Health and remember that your school has a 'duty of care' towards you. Being off may strengthen your case for part time hours.

Sending you many hugs :grouphug:

his_missus

Allie - I agree with TM6. There is no point resigning now if you're going to worry about money/being extra frugal and stressing yourself out more. That is not going to help you recover.

Take the 6 months with full pay, accept all the help that is offered to you and see how you feel after that. Would you then be entitled to 6 months on half pay? (Sure I remember someone doing that when I worked in school and was diagnosed with stress)

If, the school won't offer you part time you can decide on what is best for you then. Now isn't the time to be making rash decisions. Take care xxxx

happybird71

[Deleted User] wrote:

The on-going saga of me not sleeping has finally beat me. I have signed myself off work this week with stress and I am seriously thinking I should just resign - we could probably afford to live off OHs wage as long as I put all my frugal skills into place. I need to have a long think about this. I have an appt with the doctor tomorrow so will have a chat with him and then see how I feel at the end of the week. OH is happy to support me whatever decision I make. One thing is for sure - I cannot cope as a full time teacher. I did ask for part time but have to wait until April/May for an answer which will probably be no. I am crying alot so I am going to distract myself by being on the forum more than I usually have time for and getting lots of inspiration and positive vibes and maybe taking some time to do some cooking and baking.

That makes me really sad. Do you feel supported in your school. Are you primary or secondary? I really hope things change soon for you. Too many teachers feel unsupported and consequently end up ill. Hugs x