Fat, forty and financially f**ked

enthusiasticsaver

We gave our daughters the child benefit from about 13 for them to buy clothes, pay for trips to cinema etc with their friends. We paid for shoes, underwear and school uniform. They also had to save 50% of all school trips from their allowance as we called it. Taught them about budgeting and saving and those are really good life lessons. 

mothsinmywallet_2

Absolutely. I don't think any of us want our kids to end up in debt. It's a horrible feeling. 

mothsinmywallet_2

I seem to have had a tiny pay rise - I passed 5 years in this role at the beginning of the month and now qualify for more paid holiday and have hit the top of the pay band. Doesn't actually come in until tomorrow but I can see it sitting there, pending.

This month will be tight after all the fiddling around but really happy with how things are set up. Hopefully the extra pay will cover anything I have forgotten.

Off to visit a friend who is recovering from surgery at lunchtime then having a walk somewhere completely new with DD. 

Gradually booking a few things to look forward to - lunch out on Saturday with my closest friend (she's paying!), gigs on 5th and 28th November with DS1 - both good value and budgeted for.  Our area is tier 1 but the mayor has invented tier 1+ for some reason. Either way, the tickets are all fully refundable in case of further lockdown. 

mothsinmywallet_2

Just getting settled for today's uni lectures. I really hate doing it online and I am getting closer and closer to quitting the whole thing. 

Pay has gone in and money is all allocated. I think I may have slightly overstretched us in my enthusiasm to get this all sorted but I also forgot to allow for the two months with no council tax in my plans so I think it will even out perfectly. Just desperate for some progress.

I'm feeling a bit blue about long term career prospects today.  Won't ever earn much money doing my job, there's not really anywhere to go but I do love it and love the long holidays (even if they are mostly unpaid).  I know I can't take on any more hours etc as DH is so unwell and I need to keep the family going and we have the right balance for that at the moment. I think I'm just a bit !!!!!! off at all the noble self sacrifice I have to do. In sickness and in health...

peb

I didn't want to not comment.  Is the university course for you rather than career progression? If not, and I appreciate your life isn't simple, you need something that is for you.

Loving your job is a major asset as you will know and there aren't many jobs which will fit in with your needs.

Hopefully your blue moment will pass but hugs in the meantime

mothsinmywallet_2

Thank you, that's really kind. It was for me, with the bonus of career progression of sorts if I did further training afterwards.  The bit that was most 'for me' was the catching the train to uni and having a day a week totally away from everything. I did my degree with the OU so I have never had the experience of going for lectures etc. I was really enjoying it and then lockdown. We are now doing lecture online until at least January. 

mothsinmywallet_2

Having an internal debate about a purchase. Been thinking about it for weeks. It's £89 which I could probably do but I would have to jig money around a bit. But I think it would make a big difference to the family as a whole and certainly free up some space and mean we could tidy up some stuff that has been hanging around for ages. Would like to get it today because I reckon we may go into another lockdown on Monday. Yes, this exciting object is a desk. From ikea. My life has reached its zenith. 

peb

You are the only one who knows how feasible it is financially. Are there any on marketplace/gumtree?  Probably not as so many people are working from home.🙄

mothsinmywallet_2

There are. Having long debate with DD about it. Think it's not quite the right solution and would ultimately annoy me.

mothsinmywallet_2

So a slightly smaller one which fits the bill better came on gumtree an hour ago and we're off to pick it up now. £10. Result!