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

milann

Hope you’re ok SSG. 

Seasidegal58

Thanks all!😀👋 

@HairyHandofDartmoor - re. my replacement when I retire, the boss has now spoken to our team head about this and what his requirements will be, so the team head is supposed to be sorting out things.  I told the boss he should keep involved otherwise it may get left – he said that if he hasn't heard anything back by the end of the month he will chase things.  So it's really up to him now to keep on top of it……. 

I have posted off my DBS forms to the provider and will check in a few days to make sure they have received them. 

@enthusiasticsaver - fingers crossed for holidays again!  I'm not really looking at going abroad this year, but would obviously like to visit DD and perhaps have some UK trips!  I do hope your Canadian trip goes ahead. 

I had some worrying news as one of my BFs is down with Covid.  She is 74 and has been scrupulously careful since the start of the virus – hardly going out and sanitising everything.  She reckons she caught it from the blood surgery when she had to have a test recently.  I'm calling her tonight to see how she is as she's been feeling quite rough. 

Another BF has just bought a puppy – it's a Malkie (I think that's what she said it is) which is apparently a cross Maltese Terrier/Yorkshire Terrier.  She sent me a photo – it's really cute but cost £2,000!  I said that's a lot of cash for such a little dog! 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 

One thing that has come to light when working out what income I will need when retired is that I may have enough coming in from my final salary and State pension so that I won't need to draw anything down from the workplace pension for a bit.  I'll need more confirmation on final figures but it may mean moving the workplace into a more growth vehicle on retirement. 

Re. the workplace pension, HR contacted me to say that our Benefits portal had charged me too much for my medical insurance for this year so I'm being reimbursed with £1,200!  I'm putting it straight into the pension as I won't get taxed on it and will also get the tax enhancement.   

I've also got to find somewhere to put the tax free cash I'm drawing out from the final salary scheme.  I've already mentioned that I'll be looking to sell my present flat to buy a two-bedroom flat and the tax free cash will enable me to do this as a cash buyer, but I don't really want to start this until we're out of this Covid mess, which could stretch into the summer.

 Nothing else bought lately that hasn't already been budgeted for. 

Sun_Addict

Great to hear from you. At least you know you’ve got an adequate pension to look forward to. Good news about the refund too. I hope your friend gets better soon. 

milann

Hope your friend feels better soon. It really is an awful virus - my sil is still suffering and that’s since before  Christmas.
I’m pleased your pension is looking good. You’ve really made me think I need to sort things so we’ve earmarked Thursday afternoon to start looking into it seriously. Dh will be at home to be my technical advisor. It’s ridiculous what a state I get myself in with all the pass words etc 🙄😏😳I’ve been hiding my head in the sand for way too long. Whilst there’s both myself and dh - I’ll be fine but should I end up on my own - well that is a different story which needs a different ending.

doingitanyway

Great to hear your pension future sounds secure. That must be a relief.
Yay to the unexpected refund

Seasidegal58

Thanks everyone. 

My friend feels a little better today after an horrendous night - she said she honestly thought she wouldn't have cared if she died. At one point she was seeing white lights. She woke after a bit drenched in sweat. She said the awful taste in her mouth has subsided somewhat but still no taste or smell.  Her son is buying her some vitamin tonic and lucozade today as she's not eating much at all - just some cereal. At least her breathing has improved. 

And some really sad news in work today - one of the women I sometimes went for a drink with has lost her husband yesterday through covid. He apparently was taken into hospital recently but passed away yesterday. He was only in his 40s with no underlying health conditions.  This is first death from covid of someone I 'know'.  I feel so sad for her and very upset. 

Nothing much else to report as work has been busy and I've not been out. Quite a dull and depressing day weather wise too.  NSD today. 

beanielou

So very sad about your friends husband~~ & how sobering.

Seasidegal58

Thanks beanie. 

milann

That’s such sad news - 40 is no age. How can people say this virus is not real 😡😡
Your friend sounds as if she is having a tough time too. 

Look after yourself 👍  At least this rubbish weather and staying in is giving us NSDs - a little silver lining. 

Seasidegal58

I know. Months ago when all this started I did feel a little sceptical at first and whether it was more of a type of flu and scaremongering involved. But over time my mind has certainly changed about it.  And it seems to be so worse with this new strain.  My ray of positivity is that the vaccine roll out has started and hopefully things will start to get back to normal over the next months. 

You're right about saving money though. I was looking at my YNAB account earlier and I won't need to replenish my hair and nails categories for next month as I haven't been able to get these done since Boris announced the latest lockdown!  Same for eating/drinking out, theatre/concerts and all forms of travel costs!