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Paid off the £31,000! BUT - still scrimping!

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  • milann
    milann Posts: 11,425 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Pleased to hear your company is taking care of you and suggesting you work at home. I’m ready to be at home if they decide to close schools but several staff I work with are dreading it. I’ve bought some salad seeds and intend to get out in the garden planting some tubs up and amuse myself doing crafts. I really don’t want to get into the habit of sitting in front of the tv and computer- I was a tad guilty of that when I was off sick with my arm......
    January spends - £587.58
  • Seasidegal58
    Seasidegal58 Posts: 6,032 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 17 March 2020 at 6:32PM
    @HairyHandofDartmoor -  mixed feelingS about working from home really.  The big pro is not getting up each morning at an unearthly time and the long commute.  Cons include missing the structure of work and the fact that it is lot easier to carry out my job at work at my desk with my two monitors, mouse and desk! I will be using a laptop now at home whilst working -  I don't even have a table at home – if I ever use my own laptop for any length of time I put it on the ironing board and use that as a desk!

    I think a routine from day one is in order – I'll get up about 8am, shower, dress, breakfast and start work for 9am.  I'm going to have an hour lunch break at 1pm and use this time as well to have a walk and pick up any shopping I may need.  Then knock off at 5pm!

    @milann – gardening is a good idea – at least you'll be in the fresh air – crafts are good as well.  You will at least feel that you are doing something worthwhile – I think it's all too easy to fall into the couch potato trap – I could be guilty of this big time!

    Today was very busy at work, although quiet again on the journey – another big COVID-19 comfort letter mail merge to send to clients and emails to those who do not receive postal copies.  Once I'm at home though things will have to be emailed.  I'm just hoping the firm's laptop will work once I'm working away from the office!

    I spoke to DSis this morning who sounded quite fraught - she works in the leisure industry and the business includes quite a few functions - especially weddings.  They have had a couple of cancellations in respect of family celebrations where there have been elderly relatives involved - this morning they have been bombarded with frantic brides ringing up about their big day - as at yesterday they were carrying on as usual, but with the Government's announcement on gatherings things aren't looking too good.......

    SCRIMPY MONEY THINGS
    I had a thought yesterday about money – I've drawn out a couple of hundred pounds to hide at home in case there are any problems electronic wise with banking etc. in the foreseeable future.  And funnily enough a colleague had problems this morning with the ATM........

    Finally Debt Free! - July 2016 🌟
    Finished Emergency Fund- £10,000 April 2017
    🌟
    RETIRED: MAY 2021!!!!😀🎆
    My diary: “Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!”
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 17 March 2020 at 6:39PM
    As someone who worked from home for 15 years I can confirm that a structured routine is very important. A specific work area would be useful too. Do you have anywhere at all you could put a desk for your laptop as you could become very uncomfortable over time?

    That's a good idea about drawing some cash out, I never even thought of that 😱.

    Was your train much emptier than usual?
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 95,755 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    You could maybe pick up a second hand desk?
    Good idea on the money.
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.

    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.
    ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
  • milann
    milann Posts: 11,425 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It must be devastating for people who’ve planned a wedding. Stressful at the best of times. Your poor dd having to cope with anxious brides.
    I’ve never worked from home - not really done in my line of work. But I do know how easy it is to fall into bad habits. I made myself leave the electric gadgets off until late afternoon last time I was off and felt much better for it.
    Good idea taking cash out 👍
    January spends - £587.58
  • Sun_Addict
    Sun_Addict Posts: 24,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    A couple of years ago I bought a mini desk on wheels from Argos, it was less than £30 I think. Coming in very handy at the moment now I’m WFH for the foreseeable future. 
    I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)
  • Sun_Addict
    Sun_Addict Posts: 24,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Another idea - dressing table from the charity shop would work.
    I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)
  • badmemory
    badmemory Posts: 9,760 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Personally I find my ironing board with fully adjustable height invaluable.  Whilst I normally use one of my 2 computers & one screen at my desk with typing chair which is more comfortable than any settee, I also have a laptop which I use on the ironing board.  I bought one that raised the highest so that it could be used standing up & is great for putting a jigsaw board on too.  This is much better for your back than doing a jigsaw on the table & having to lean over all the time.  It also makes me move more often!  When I am busy it also provides a low extension to my desk.

    Did I mention ironing?  Well I've no idea when I last used it for that - probably just after the new year!
  • Sun_Addict
    Sun_Addict Posts: 24,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I admit I’m missing having 3 screens. There is talk of letting us all have one extra screen for home use but it’s the costs involved with the sheer volume of us all. Some people gave bought their own.

    Laughing at you using your ironing board for anything but 😂
    I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 95,755 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    Why do you have three screens?
    Sorry to be dim.
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.

    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.
    ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
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