2016 - a year of change

lulabelle

thanks PSL - yes, I guess in some ways I wish I could've gone down a more agricultural route! The other thing I am massively interested in is psychology and I think child psychology. Sadly, where I live (which I'll now be staying cos of the boy and his family), I can't train to become a child psychologist as there just aren't the facilities. I think I just have to resign myself to the fact that my life will be spent doing something that doesn't really fulfil me work wise, and that I just have to try to find my fulfilment outside of work and view work as just a means to an end.

Team meeting at lunch so free lunch though would rather obviously do my own thing at lunchtime.

Things with house going slowly - we have mortgage appointment with bank tomorrow lunchtime so hoping our application will go straight through and we can book survey in. I just want to move into our new house now and though we always loved this place, we've kind of "checked out".

Boy has band practice tonight and I am hoping to run (famous last words!). Tea is plaice (from freezer) plus veg so all from stores though we need some more milk as the boy keeps going through it having porridge each morning, even though we bought normal cereal this week

lulabelle

Today was ok. Nearly threw toys out pram this morning when got in to yet another "admin" task from my line manager, preventing me once again from getting on with what I am employed for. Made me laugh though, someone in other office was moaning about how something had been laid out and demanding it be done differently, until I pointed out that this had been agreed by her predecessor and line manager and if she wanted to change it then fine, but we'd need to talk about it. She then backed down. So managed to hoof the rest of the task off to the actual admin person who should be dealing with it.

Meant I was able (for the large part) to get on with what I needed to which also means I feel like I've had a productive day.

Team meeting was free lunch so that was good.

Spent £10.77/2 on way home on toothpaste (2 for £4), pregnancy tests and an eyeshadow (though will take eyeshadow off joint expenses as that's obv mine not the boy's!

Dinner from stores tonight though the boy is out at band practice (means I get to watch what I want on the tv). Of course, I've not been for a run - I really do need to start going!!!

lulabelle

spoke too soon! got in this morning to another inane email from line manager saying it would be great if I could "lead" on the project!! Had to go back to clarify whether that meant he wanted me to actually do it, because if so, I need to tell the partner I can't do his work for another 2 weeks! Not heard back yet but the whole thing really is driving me mad!

Apparently he's calling me in the morning to tell me whether I've a rise/bonus. I suspect because I am a right royal pain in his !!! I've neither!

Had a funny day really - a girl in our office was telling me LOADS of gossip about the girl in the other office who I referred to in my last post - apparently she's poison. I just knew it!

Mortgage has been approved! Well, first stage anyway. HSBC lady said that it now just has to be formally approved by her manager then it's good to go. We fixed at a rate of 1.34% for 2 years which is great though means we are paying the early repayment fee which, on 13 april will be 2154. However, we worked out that by taking that rate and paying the fee, it actually saves us around £8,000 over the 2 years so is worth doing.

My work went and did a site visit to the property today so hoping that all went ok. Then just survey to go really and we are sorted!

Spent £1.45 today on some choc and crisps for the boy and I. He is in bed as he was up at 4 this morning being unable to sleep. I shall be following shortly!

So looking forward to a lovely quiet weekend. 7 working hours for me tomorrow then pilates tomorrow night, friday I am definitely going for a run and working on my book (also have to pick cat food up and some more valentines presents/card for the boy), fri night we are doing "big shop" and have decided on fish and chips for tea. Then we are not "out" all weekend - thank the lord!!

lulabelle

thursday - woo hoo - 7 hours of work between me and freedom!!!

wondering what stupidness I'll get in to from my line manager this morning - this really wasn't what I signed up for. Hoping it will change soon.

Bet I don't get any pay rise or bonus. Who could blame him really? I am constantly challenging what he asks me to do, but that's because he's trying to make me into an administrator. This week I was asked by a lawyer to get them a book to borrow from another firm. I'm no princess but I used to appear in the court of appeal - I think my skills could be better utilised elsewhere.

Anyway, appointment with bank at lunch to open joint account for mortgage/bills with the boy - currently he just gives me money each month for half the mortgage and some of the bills as sky is in his name, but think, given everything actually going to be in joint names, it would be easier to have a joint account for those things.

We are still keeping separate bank accounts for our "own" money as I wouldn't like to feel I couldn't buy a pair of shoes or something, and if he wants to buy a guitar or music stuff then I wouldn't want him feeling like his spending was being scrutinised. Then we have joint credit card we put our "going out" and food/house shopping on and then we both pay half of that each month.

We are also sorting out our wills and leaving everything to each other - even though he has nieces and nephews he said the other day that if anything happened to him, he wouldn't want to think I would struggle. I'm exactly the same.

Hoping this is the man I marry - I think it will be as we have plans to start a family but no sign of a sparkler yet!

System

Perhaps when you have moved in to your new place and have started trying for a little one a sparkler is on the cards! The fact you are both leaving everything to each other/buying a new home/ starting a family speaks volumes on its own!

Can’t wait for an update to find out if you got a pay rise or bonus, I’m in a similar situation where my skillset is not being utilised and instead I’m doing mundane administration that is such a waste of my qualifications… I’m starting to reach a point where I am going to refuse work as a colleague of mine does it and he’s getting ahead even though he’s less qualified and a bit of an idiot!

Great rate on your new mortgage so well worth locking that in. So pleased to hear all systems are go!

lulabelle

thanks Sauce!

So, pay rise of a measly £500 but at least a rise which I rarely got at all in my old place. After tax etc only works out about an extra £25 a month but better than nothing I suppose!

Bonus was £1500 which isn't bad I suppose when I don't (other than phoning in once a month on a fri which only started last month anyway) do any extra hours really beyond my contractual. Plus it is pro-rated down to reflect a 4 day week and fact I haven't done a full year (as only started mid-may). So whilst I'd obv have liked more (who wouldn't) it wasn't bad and I didn't have a bonus at my last firm apart from the first year I was there. After tax etc doesn't boil down to much but will stash it away anyway.

Had a big chat with him re admin too and now that looks to be sorted. They haven't got an almost FT assistant to replace the lady who left (as apparently they don't have budget) but they do have a paralegal who is going to do one day a week doing all that sort of stuff. So that's progress.

Spent £3.70 on a baguette at lunch as the boy had forgotten to get any food out freezer for lunch. Just bought milk on way home so £1. Was supposed to be at pilates tonight but have really sore throat and just not in the mood so am going to have a nice hot bath instead. Food from stores tonight - cassoulet - which boy made at weekend. Don't really like it but its "free".

Hoping sore throat gone by morning as want to run and got to get cats food tomorrow so that will be £30/2 but will last him 6 or so weeks. Must try to work on book tomorrow and also read the book I'm reading. I really ought to make it a resolution to read a book a month in 2017 - though I am behind as not done even 1 yet!

Got to try to rein in the spending until monday 20th (when we get paid) as would like to have some left over this month to put into emergency fund. I honestly worry about money all the time. When I think how I used to be, I know in reality I don't need to worry but I think when you have been in serious debt in your life previously, you just can't help but worry, even when you're comfortable

lulabelle

sauceoclock wrote: »

Can’t wait for an update to find out if you got a pay rise or bonus, I’m in a similar situation where my skillset is not being utilised and instead I’m doing mundane administration that is such a waste of my qualifications… I’m starting to reach a point where I am going to refuse work as a colleague of mine does it and he’s getting ahead even though he’s less qualified and a bit of an idiot!

I really feel for you Sauce - it sucks when you feel like you are not being utilised properly and makes you not want to work hard at all! Don't let them take advantage for too long x

Mara_uk7

lulabelle wrote: »

oh, and another thing: 530pm today was exactly 1 year since I left my stressful job. Absolutely no regrets!!!!

Congratulations ! Its 5 months since I left my CEO post after twenty years, the last two very stressful. Like you, I had to go as my health was suffering and I dnt do sick leave ! Im now training to be a tour guide and LOVING it. Will be self employed and work the hours that suit me ! I have no regrets either ! Go Us ! Be happy ��:beer:

lulabelle

Mara_uk7 wrote: »

Congratulations ! Its 5 months since I left my CEO post after twenty years, the last two very stressful. Like you, I had to go as my health was suffering and I dnt do sick leave ! Im now training to be a tour guide and LOVING it. Will be self employed and work the hours that suit me ! I have no regrets either ! Go Us ! Be happy ��:beer:

WOW! That is AWESOME!! Well, done!!! It's so hard to make the move hey, but once you do - best thing you ever did!!! x

Poor_Single_lady

Good news on the bonus. Your post this morning made me smile too. I read your posts on the way to work or sometimes at my desk if early start.

To be devils advocate he is unlikely to ask you in the middle of a house move! And he might be waiting till you have moved or maybe he is waiting for a special moment. But either way you sound like you have a lot of love on your house and that totally comes through in your posts (if you don't mind me saying).

It's interesting that you have come out the other side and still get concerns over money. I hope to be the same. xx