Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

MERFE

Thanks Mila, start Monday, bit scary as its been a couple of years now since I worked last, properly worked but its a new store so lots of people will be new. I've worked out after petrol and losing tax credits we should be about £160 a month better off, not a lot but enough to be worth it especially long term when I can increase hours or if I look for a new job and have recent work history it'll help. I'm really excited. It's really tight for me finishing and getting home in time for hubby to leave for work, that bit of stress I am not looking forward to again. In Kent I used to drive from work to his work where he would be with the youngest and take the youngest home so he could start, his start times changed which is why I had to leave asda, we only just managed them as it was. So I left as we could afford it, then the landlady wanted more rent. If we didn't have these debts we could have stayed. Time to focus on getting them gone.

Kitten868

Congrats on the job and that difference is so worth it! As well as the improved mental state it'll bring you're doing great. I don't know how you worked out your tax credits. Never makes any sense to me! Really happy for you xxx

MERFE

Thanks Kitten x I don't know the tax credits for certain it's just what entitled to works out. I thought it best to try and work out a rough budget so I don't go wasting all my wages, easy to blow out that first month but we have our holiday soon and loads of stuff to pay back too so I shouldn't be spending any really.

MERFE

You are right about it improving mental state too, especially over winter in a rural area is hard. It will be nice to have a routine, be busy, have adult friends that aren't so and so mum who you only know from the playground and working just makes you feel like you are contributing. My husband isn't bothered about me being a sahm, I think he likes it but it bothered me.

Kitten868

I think it has a massive effect. For me it's a catch 22 because I hate my job but I do think it keeps things ticking on and when I look at more hours I'm more likely to get it. And double great that you're doing it for you and not out of pressure. How are you doing now? 7/10ths of the way there? X

MERFE

Getting used to working now, it's just the right amount. Bit worried about how hubby will cope with the kids during the school holidays and get enough sleep but because I do 2 days have a day off then do the 3rd day he has a chance to catch up. I still don't 100% know what I am doing there just picking it up as I go, looking forward to staff discount.

I don't think I have paid enough off. I thought we would have done more by now but its going down so just going to keep paying it off, hopefully once I have a few pay days done it'll get easier.

Lawn mower has broke beyond repair so need to replace that but it'll have to wait till end of the month so the garden looks awful atm as everything is growing like crazy. We are starting to get bits from the allotment now though, courgettes, tomatoes and neverending strawberries. My bean plant has 1 bean big enough then a few tiny ones, I think he suffered in the late frost. Potatoes will be ready for earlies soon too. Corn is growing well and we have some parsnips growing well. Havent used even half the space down there so if we can get organised it could be great.

I've lost a stone in weight now, diets going so well, I am actually managing to stick to it. Hope for another half a stone before we go on holiday.

MERFE

Struggling to stick to the diet now, think I will have a break from it till we are back from holiday, not going crazy though cos I don't want to put the weight back on so sensible eating but joining all the family meals for now.

Getting close to having paid off £1000 now, (more really if I included the car repayments). It's taken a while, I know some people manage to pay that off each month but our budget was so tight whilst tax credits were cut, I think we did well to keep going with it all. I should get my first pay next week, I need to keep some back to cover the extra petrol for work but should be able to make some over payments this month and still have a nice summer break.

I am bothered by working evenings and not being around to take the kids to things, they missed the school disco this week and there is this great circus lesson thing on in the school holidays but its Tuesday afternoons about a 15 min drive away. Hubby talks about getting a second car but that really would defeat the point of me working so I am looking for another job, hopefully still pt but more 9-5 and closer to home. Apparently the school are looking for someone midday supervisors 4 days a week and someone for breakfast club twice a week but that drops 10 hours a week, but I can walk there and term time only. I think there may be more as well once I am in so might be worth applying.

MERFE

Stupid tax credits, just got a lump sum after doing the renewal last week, could have really done with that money when they had cut what they were paying me. Not spending it because we are going to have an overpayment so far this year from what I have had since april and then starting work so waiting till they have adjusted those figures then I can drip feed that extra in to my bank each month to soften the blow for a little while or keep it for emergency money, next time something breaks. My tax credits are paid into an old account so I transfer it out each month.

Got paid, been emergency taxed, know I will get it back and don't need it for anything so not stressing about it just going to make them aware at work so hopefully tax code can be sorted out for next month.

Really excited for next weeks holiday, summer is going to go so fast. Kids went out with a friend yesterday and we are taking the friend out Friday. Packing at the weekend.

MERFE

Had a great holiday, didn't spend all the spending money we budgeted for it so that can go towards days out over the summer with the kids instead. We got really lucky with the weather, it rained on the way over, was grey and showery on Tuesday then lovely the rest of the week. I got a little burnt on Friday so taking it easy till I am back to work on Monday.

Things are so much more positive for us now than they were around Christmas time, funny how things change.

MERFE

Just got bill through from EDF, getting a £200 refund and DD dropping to £24 a month (Which I don't think is enough, going to see if they will up it to £30 at least). We should have £300 left at the end of this month too. Need to get the brakes done on the car but hoping whatever is left means we can pay off the Barclaycard.

OH is saying he isn't happy here and wants to move back to Kent but the reasons we moved (extortionate rent) haven't changed. He would be on the same pay if he went back to his old job but better hours, it was a lovely job so I can see why he misses it. I have jobs I wish I never left too but have to move forward. The schools the kids go to here are much better, middle child has just applied to do his 11+ and if he passes and gets in (could pass and not get in, only the top 174 marks get a place) he'll be at a fantastic school.