2014 Frugal Living Challenge

abby1234519

I need help.

So, I've been at my current job for 1 year almost. I earn 19k but am on the same payband as a junior manager because my role is one of quite a big responsibility, to put it concisely I manage installations in the South East, (below the Thames, from Southampton to Dover) and am responsible for 1 person in the office who is my administrator and then I manage teams of installers who all are down South. I enjoy my job, its very busy and the day goes oh so quickly.

Now, I had a call today from a recruiter I registered with before I got this job as they have an Account Manager position literally across the road from where I work on the industrial estate. Not actually looking to move jobs because I like my job and I'd only move if the pay was worth it, said this to the recruiter who asked if I would be interested in the AM role, salary is 25k.

Thats a 6k increase. Now, I would lose all my tax credits (I don't mean that as a negative really) and I think I would gain a little more income overall. As in the increase in income wouldn't really be that much more than drop in tax credits. Think it equates to £80 a month more.

Although I might be wrong and it actually might be that the increase negates the decrease and evens out. Jeeeeez is there even any point me going to this?!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Abbey123---


All I can say is...on the job front... sometimes the best price isn't always the best deal...


the way you wrote your post, it sounded as though you are happy and contented in your job..


Think long and hard before making any decisions, and don't let the higher wages sway you... I know that sounds stupid... but believe me... being happy in your work is also very important

Goldiegirl

Regarding work - you spend a lot of time there, so it's important to be happy. Do a lot of careful thinking about moving, if you are content where you are


Regarding the heating - we are still having it on in the morning and evening, but only for a couple of hours. Better than this time last year though, it was still freezing and when we were at home the heating was on.


Not an awful lot to report.


I've had three NSD's on the trot, so pleased with that.


Tomorrow will be a spending day though. Mr GG is having his car serviced. This car service is over and above the 'retirement budget' we have set ourselves, as we won't have two cars when we stop work.


Also, as it was my birthday on Saturday, I have to buy cakes for 60 people in the office. I know it'd be more money saving to make them myself..... but to be honest I just can't be bothered to spend hours baking for so many people! I'll buy various packs of small cakes, and try and make sure I get them on offers


I've spent most of the day working on eBay. My friend gave me a pile of things to eBay for her, so I've been photographing them and writing up descriptions. I'll get them listed over the next few weeks - we share the proceeds.


But after that, I think I'll have a few weeks off eBay, I'm going to need a break!

abby1234519

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Abbey123---


All I can say is...on the job front... sometimes the best price isn't always the best deal...


the way you wrote your post, it sounded as though you are happy and contented in your job..


Think long and hard before making any decisions, and don't let the higher wages sway you... I know that sounds stupid... but believe me... being happy in your work is also very important

I am happy in my work but also there are quite a lot of problems at my company. We are a loss making company so there probably isn't any chance of a pay rise tbh. One day maybe in years to come but not at the moment. We are only still in business as we used to make a profit and we have the potential to be good again. But We are owned by an american company who basically keeps us afloat. We are a huuuuuge company but its just difficult, I feel bad as we all want to work but we need to change our IT systems, everything for us to be efficient

EstherH

lhead123:

I don't see why using cheddar instead of Stilton shouldn't work in soup. I use cream cheese or cheese triangles with broccoli or cauliflower and that tastes great. Try it. HTH

Esther xxx

sparrer

Quite pleased with the way the last few days have gone, eaten the perishable food from the fridge so I didn't have to buy anything, managed to finish it before I came away yesterday.
Drove up to Yorks watching the meter, clocked an average of 48.8mpg. Very pleased, before I had the meter I drove like a maniac and was lucky to return 30/35 in my old car, and much as I miss it I do drive a lot more sensibly now.
The friend I'm staying with seldom turns her heating on as she's a single on a small wage. I don't want to abuse her heating and I thought I'd be freezing here but I'm sitting in a sunny window and am as warm as toast - even if I have got three layers of clothing on! Just dusted and swept through while she's at work so that helped raise the temperature.
Moving on to Blackpool tomorrow to spend the weekend in a hotel (got a reduced price for our cheek ). Visiting family on Sunday where dinner will be provided, one less meal to pay for. Bought pressies for the grandchildren from a cs, got chocs for DS, just need pick up some flowers for D-in-L so all in all a cheapish weekend.
DGD moved into my house to look after the pets, she gets free board and lodging and a £hankyou as she's saving kennel fees.

[Deleted User]

Heating still on for set times with us just now(morning and then again in the evening). I am going to look at cutting those times down today when I get home.

mrsinvisible

Heating is still on, an hour in the morning and an hour at night. Mainly for DGS1 getting up for school and bath time. Apart from that it is shiver, or wear an extra layer.
Got the leak in the porch fixed yesterday, cost me two crumpets a cup of coffee and 2 pork teacakes in a bag, (for his lunch) so is that NSD?
Washing has finished, will I risk putting it on the line in this wind?
If I don't post again its cos the wind has blown me into the next county!

Shortie

Lol mrsinvisible, I have visions now of you hanging onto your washing line whilst being blown horizontally in the air by the wind :rotfl::p I recon that classes as a NSD though - and how fabbly cheap was that repair??

Pay day for me today and I've treated myself to a burritto from somewhere near work (and a large bag of tortillas). I have just battled my way through 'burritto collapso' (ie the last 1 inch of the burritto) just as someone walked into our [STRIKE]cupboard [/STRIKE]office. That must have been an attractive sight for them

I've move the penultimate amount into the self assessment tax - just waiting for my bills account to be topped up with the monthly standing order so that I can move this month's council tax payment in there (as this month is also 'free' before we start the next year's payment scheme, IYSWIM). Then it'll be ready with my forecasted amount for my 2013-14 SA tax amount and I can breeeaaath... (and then hope I'm not way off with my forecast, lol)

Feeling super bouyant today

Tomorrow we have hosiptal with DS1 for another op. Planning to take a thermosflask with hot water for tea/coffee, soup in another thermos flask and cheese sarnies for lunch, and then just have to suss out breakfast. DS1 will get spoilt rotten food-wise by the nursing staff there - he always does, lol

SarahB1989_2

Having a triumphant moment - the credit card bill has arrived and there is nothing on it!! Going to keep it that way too, need it for the deposit on a hire car soon (they insist on CC for it) and then it'll be tucked away for emergencies.