Only freedom will do

edinburgher

Simile - similar!

Goldiegirl

I did the thing where I bought extra holiday. It was just a weeks additional holiday (5 days), and it took me up to 32 days annual leave.


It wasn't looked on as a negative. I was at a point in my life where I'd been working full time since leaving school. I didn't want to go part time, as it would affect my DB pension, so I opted for this to get a little more time for myself. Time was more valuable to me than money.


Some people wanted more money, so they 'sold back' their holiday, to earn more and have less time off, so it all balanced out in the end.


I did it for about 7 years - until redundancy, in fact.


If you have the chance to do this, and can afford the hit on the money, I'd say go for it, especially while your daughter is young, it'd give you more chance to spend time with her.


I was always careful not to take too much of my holiday in peak season, but it did give me the chance for some long haul out of season holidays which I couldn't have done otherwise.

Pushkin

I echo Goldiegirl - if you can afford the financial hit and don't love the job then time with family is much more precious.

We have a similar scheme at work - can sell holiday days down to 20 or buy additional up to 40. I've built up gradually but have 40 days a year which is wonderful. It is expensive but for me it allows me to have the standard time off and have additional time to cover half terms things like that.

Karmacat

Dear me ... shows you how long ago I left salaried employment. I'm glad things have moved on! Go for it, Ed

edinburgher

Plasterers finished today, I am so skint, £1,100 down :eek:

Apparently I might have to skim a few roughish bits after the first coat of paint? Does that sound fairly normal when they've replastered half your house? They did say that they can come back if it's beyond me, but surely it's not too bad to tidy up some little bits?

They basically said that it was because they had to apply some fairly deep plaster to the more damaged parts...

I hope it isn't the plaster hell that it was when I left today

Knit_Witch

edinburgher wrote: »

Plasterers finished today, I am so skint, £1,100 down :eek:

Apparently I might have to skim a few roughish bits after the first coat of paint? Does that sound fairly normal when they've replastered half your house? They did say that they can come back if it's beyond me, but surely it's not too bad to tidy up some little bits?

They basically said that it was because they had to apply some fairly deep plaster to the more damaged parts...

I hope it isn't the plaster hell that it was when I left today

No it doesn't sound right! the bits we have had done are as smooth as anything!

edinburgher

The guy was going round skimming and tidying before he left, we're talking little nicks and dings. Did you have half your house done? It's a hell of a lot of plaster. Also, did you have artex removed?

His logic (which I didn't entirely agree with) was that a professional decorator would fix these things as part of the service, he was highlighting them as he knew were painting ourselves. The guy has been pretty reliable so far, doubt I'll find too much, but will stick up for myself if so...

edinburgher

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound confrontational, long day!

Knit_Witch

about a quarter of the house done here, and no artex but he did have to get rid of woodchip off the walls and ceiling!

With one bit when it has dried a little there was a crack forming and he came back and sorted that

in_need_of_direction

I've a house built in 1916 that has had major re plastering after damp issues. Always a good finish that was paint ready.