2014 Frugal Living Challenge

patentgirl

happybird71 wrote: »

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

Hugs from me too hope things improve I don't sleep well either if you don't get enough sleep everything just seems ten times worse I know that feeling too! Hope the school support you.

miss_empty_piggy

skintygerlinky wrote: »

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

I agree 100%. I'm a FT teacher and it is so hard. Most days I get in, make tea (usually marking whilst doing this) and can often work until midnight. It grieves me when people say teachers have it easy, they've no idea. I used to be PT and this helped give me quality time with my children but we couldn't afford the drop in money so unfortunately had no choice but to be FT. Most teachers love their jobs but it really is extremely draining. It's definitely time to think about yourself and have some time off to see how you feel. You could try to not spend your wages for a month or so to see how you would manage financially and also emotionally which will help you make an informed decision rather than one just based on how you're feeling right now. Good luck Allie x

abby1234519

[Deleted User] wrote:

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

I want to retire and I'm only 24!

miss_empty_piggy

I love this thread so much, being able to share our highs and lows really helps in these difficult times.

Today I received a letter from gas company to say they're increasing my dd from £133 to £196 per month! I couldn't believe it. Shocked to say the least. I have bought x4 sensor lights for £3.48 from Mr L and placed them strategically around the house. They're ace. I also bought some plug in night lights from Wilkos (about same price) for DDs bedrooms. DD1 keeps her lights on all night despite me asking her not to but she is happy with the new light. It claims to use 30 pence per year. I also bought x100 tea lights for £2 and have them in lanterns around the house so no need to switch the lights on at all. I've got the slow cooker on making tomorrow's tea, never ever use the tumble drier, washer is on short cool washes. I bought some micro fibre cloths too -how brill are they? I also bought two more bread loaf tins so that I can bake 4 loaves rather than 2 at once. I also doubled up in the bread maker for the dough. It nearly came out if the top but still managed to get four loaves from one dough cycle. Not sure what else I can do but am really trying hard to cut down usage. Any other suggestions would be great fully received. Feel like telling them to cut me off for a couple of months so the kids (and other half) would appreciate it more and use it more frugally x

[Deleted User]

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I am going to see the Doctor tomorrow and go from there. I will be asking for him to sign me off for at least a few other weeks.

I had a good chat with my mum earlier tonight and she was full of good advice (she was a teacher too!). I am going to use the rest of the week to relax, get outside in nature which always helps.

abby1234519

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

I love this thread so much, being able to share our highs and lows really helps in these difficult times.

Today I received a letter from gas company to say they're increasing my dd from £133 to £196 per month! I couldn't believe it. Shocked to say the least. I have bought x4 sensor lights for £3.48 from Mr L and placed them strategically around the house. They're ace. I also bought some plug in night lights from Wilkos (about same price) for DDs bedrooms. DD1 keeps her lights on all night despite me asking her not to but she is happy with the new light. It claims to use 30 pence per year. I also bought x100 tea lights for £2 and have them in lanterns around the house so no need to switch the lights on at all. I've got the slow cooker on making tomorrow's tea, never ever use the tumble drier, washer is on short cool washes. I bought some micro fibre cloths too -how brill are they? I also bought two more bread loaf tins so that I can bake 4 loaves rather than 2 at once. I also doubled up in the bread maker for the dough. It nearly came out if the top but still managed to get four loaves from one dough cycle. Not sure what else I can do but am really trying hard to cut down usage. Any other suggestions would be great fully received. Feel like telling them to cut me off for a couple of months so the kids (and other half) would appreciate it more and use it more frugally x

That can't be right surely? I have my DD set at £90. I probably am optimistic however I think it should be higher...I am taking regular readings and I will up it on my next one if I need to. But we only have central heating downstairs not upstairs and I don't have the heating on that often. Electricity consumption must be high though, the plugs upstairs probably leak electricity, tv upstairs is plugged in/youview on standby. Downstairs TV is a 50 inch, don't know if that means it uses a lot? I was thinking of getting timers. Or just turning the circuit breakers off!!!!

abby1234519

[Deleted User] wrote:

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I am going to see the Doctor tomorrow and go from there. I will be asking for him to sign me off for at least a few other weeks.

I had a good chat with my mum earlier tonight and she was full of good advice (she was a teacher too!). I am going to use the rest of the week to relax, get outside in nature which always helps.

If you'd be happier not working and you can afford to....I wish I was in that position. I often find I get anxious about work and sometimes when if I get ill I swear I am iller because I don't want to go back if that makes sense. I have propanolol to combat the anxiety which actually really helps because its the physical symptoms I can't hack. I love my job weirdly, but I get wound up thinking what haven't I done, have I done anything wrong. I used to not want to be at home with my son, preferred work but now I would rather be a stay at home mum. Alas we can't afford it and the debt payments mean I need to stay in work. OH only earns 15k I earn more so its just not feasible.

MallyGirl

Are you with npower as they have got some serious internal problems with their new billing system? I submit monthly readings as my DD amounts were varying crazily with each bill - lowest £105 and highest £380 PCM! Dual fuel.
I went on today and the forecast figures for 2014 are total rubbish - 4 x last year's actual usage some months when they know I have just swapped a 15 yr old boiler for a condensing one. I got them to drop the DD again from £205 to £180 based on the last 7 months readings. I will still be in credit I think by July's bill but not as much. Dispute their figures.

miss_empty_piggy

I think I will thanks. I like (or rather don't like) the way they say "we're upping it, you don't have to do anything." No nothing, just pay without question please. It really gets my goat. I left them last time because they did that and stupidly went back. It's BGas. X

abby1234519

MallyGirl wrote: »

Are you with npower as they have got some serious internal problems with their new billing system? I submit monthly readings as my DD amounts were varying crazily with each bill - lowest £105 and highest £380 PCM! Dual fuel.
I went on today and the forecast figures for 2014 are total rubbish - 4 x last year's actual usage some months when they know I have just swapped a 15 yr old boiler for a condensing one. I got them to drop the DD again from £205 to £180 based on the last 7 months readings. I will still be in credit I think by July's bill but not as much. Dispute their figures.

Npower forecast that I will use:

2949 kwh in elec
10086 kwh in gas in 2014

I do take regular meter readings so I'd have assumed this was accurate but then again I am relying on them!