Endurance Lends Itself To Enjoyment

sparklyfee

logie wrote: »

Morning all :wave:

Hope you all had a good weekend. We had a fairly quiet one. Saw my Mum on Saturday then yesterday DH did some DIY and I recovered after a couple of glasses of wine too many on Saturday night

Sorry to see that Ruth didn't make the top 5. Should be an excellent confidence booster for her to see what support she had though

Been a woman on a mission this morning doing jobs I've been putting off. Already oven cleaned and fridge sorted and cleaned. Just having a quick cuppa then it'll be on to taking up some curtains.




I've been there sparklyfee. It's notoriously difficult to get a flexible working contract of any use at my work. Even if you manage to get one approved it is reviewed after 6 months and they have been known to change their minds.
My work is shift work too. 12 hour nights and days and can be any day of the week. I worked 3 shifts a week after DS1 as that was the only way I would be allowed 2 specific days off. My flexi contract said I had Tuesday and Wednesday off each week. As DH was off at the weekends it meant we only needed nursery Mon, Thurs and Fri. When I applied I just said I would have better concentration and efficiency at work if I did not have to worry about the children.
After DS2 was born my sickness gave me an extended period off and I was lucky enough that my sister who is a nursery nurse (and hated her job) could afford to live on £600 a month. So she gave up her work and we pay her officially using a nanny company. Now DS1 is at school it costs a bit more than nursery/after school club but means we don't have to worry about holidays etc and it is very convenient.
In terms of going part time, I've just applied for this and explained that I need a better work/life balance and I feel exhausted. I had a meeting where I said I'm worried I will get ill or make mistakes at work if I continue full time. They have approved it but waiting until next off duty to implement so May time.

Glad you found a way through, it's so hard!! My OH works away and is also on shifts. We do days/nights/weekends. There is just no consistency and I don't want the kids to suffer.

sparklyfee

Mumto2monkeys wrote: »

Sparklefee

I can't help you in the sence of what you can and can't claim credit wise or guidance with employment law etc as I didn't receive any other than tax credit and family allowance but I can offer practical advice...
I gave up a full time job, one that I loved when my mat leave finished... This also had a really good pension.
It's was 6mnths back then, I was offer offered part time but on my employers terms which weren't the same as mine. In all fairness it was a truly difficult decision financially. But the best decision for my DD, I couldn't face leaving her with a complete stranger at 6 months and nursery fees would take most of what I would have earned. My parents weren't able to look after her.

I had a decent wage which we did miss but you learn to cope. I would say make a list of all the essential bills from the last 12 mths mortgage, utilities etc then prioritize any you can live without or swap to a cheaper deal and see if you can afford to live on one wage.
This thread is amazing so food wise that's not a problem. Wish I'd found it back then.

I used to save all DD clothes and each new season sell them on eBay or a car boot, the money I got for them helped buy the next lot...plan ahead if you do have a little spare cash then put it away for emergency or a treat every so often.

You will ultimately make the best decision for your family and your own circumstances and learn to deal with any issues this creates.
It's not easy to give up work but you get used to it and being a stay at home much is rich in experience and one I'm glad I was able to share with both my monkeys:)

Pension wise it will probably be frozen but for every complete year you are at home with your little one you will receive a complete year towards your state pension.

Hth:)

Thank you. Some great tips there. Like you said, food is now free :rotfl:so no probs there. Thanks elite!!

My job is dangerous too and now I'm a mum I just don't know if it's the right place to be. Maybe I need to look at office type jobs or mon-fri...something a bit less risky all round. It'll be a difficult decision but something I'll need to do for my family.

Tinyshoes

dipdap wrote: »

TS is yours the bathroom that's about 15 years overdue?

Yes it is. :rotfl:

Tinyshoes

auto.armadillo wrote: »

I've asked for a full explanation from L'Oreal on twitter as to why the comp appeared to be rigged along with a few others that noticed the weird voting xxx

Thanks. xx

OH has private messaged them on FB, not that it will make a difference to Ruth getting in top 5. As when voting was meant to have finished Ruth was 7th (9th now) although couple have gone in front of her overnight. But it is unfair on the others that have been pushed out. :mad:

Tinyshoes

Good job competition not on today Mr TS was down to his last pair of underpants. :rotfl:

springdreams

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

How about a book of budgeting tips :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Seriously do not like people that just spend what they want on anything. We know a few millionaires through our work, and they are all frugal, one had a right set to with his phone company because he spotted a £2 overcharge I do see one or two higher end company bags around, but I also see a lot of Primark bags in their houses

This is most likely the reason they are millionaires - every penny is a prisoner

dipdap

Tinyshoes wrote: »

Yes it is. :rotfl:

If I remember your bathroom was your wine stash room (and cereal until you had to chuck it all away)?
Where are you going to store everything now? :eek:
You've not got to cut back on important stash storage space have you? :eek:

xxlouisexx56

emmad5689 wrote: »

Hi all, haven't been about the last couple of days RL got in the way grrr, Tiny sorry I didn't see your message until this morning, where did Ruth finish?? I've read the last couple of pages but haven't got time to go right back would anyone mind telling me the radix glitch with a brush??

I am doing my sister a advent calendar for a countdown to her wedding, I need 10 small gifts in total and was wondering if any of you have any ideas, the last day I have written a letter for and I have a couple of ideas but thought you lovely lot would probably come up with ideas I won't have thought of if anyone cares to give me suggestions please x

What about a 'wedding day' Yankee candle? They can be expensive (I buy mine at the retail outlet) but it is a gorgeous fragrance x

http://www.boots.com/en/Yankee-Candle-Classic-Small-Jar-Wedding-Day-104g_1461240/

xxlouisexx56

I'd really like to take this moment to tell you all that I made my last payment today.

I AM OFFICIALLY DEBT FREE!!!!

LilacLillie

Tinyshoes wrote: »

Thanks. xx

OH has private messaged them on FB, not that it will make a difference to Ruth getting in top 5. As when voting was meant to have finished Ruth was 7th (9th now) although couple have gone in front of her overnight. But it is unfair on the others that have been pushed out. :mad:

Methinks they may have 'Known' the winner from the beginning the way the voting went in leaps and bounds then again at the end

LL