Unsure whether to consolidate - please advise

zippygeorgeandben

Hello everyone - What happened to my September update?  Has it really been two months since I posted?  Goodness me!
Well it's the first of the month today and like the good boy I was when I first started this (extremely long thread) I'll give some more background.
So those of you who know, the relationship ended in July but now even more news.  I have been unhappy in my job for a few months now and I have made a big decision.  I am going to be handing my notice in next week, finishing my post at Christmas time.  I am going to move temporarily up to Chester and live with my sister.  This makes sense in lots of ways.
1)  My current flatmate is moving out in January so I would end up living on my own.
2) I would then be paying a minimum of an extra £1050 per month (and that isn't factoring bill rises)
3) I would be closer to family which is important to me, seeing my nephews grow up.
4) I would also be financially helping out my sister as well

I have applied for a job which on paper looks ideal, a 5 minute drive away from my sister's house but even if I'm not shortlisted for this role, I will be able to find something from January I know.  Again though, because of watching my financies over the past 5 years, I do not have to worry too much about my monies, as I do not actually have any outgoings at the moment which would greatly impact me financially.
Thanks for reading, will update signature in due course!

Dobbibill

Excellent update - being close to family is priceless. 

Financially what you are doing makes sense so good luck with everything. 

zippygeorgeandben

You're so nice and supportive Dobbibill and a credit to this community!
I forgot to say I put quite a lot of weight back on since January but in September started exercising and on Peloton again.  Means I'm not having any takeaways and I'm including coffees in this.  That was pricey each day.

Humdinger1

@zippygeorgeandben fab to hear your news! A big, positive change and it will allow you to grip the situation and move on from a difficult place, physically and mentally.   Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

enthusiasticsaver

I have not read your thread for a while but so pleased to see that you are doing so well with the saving.  Moving to be near family is a good idea and hopefully you will get a new job soon. 

zippygeorgeandben

Hey enthusasticsaver thanks for your comment, as well as my usual crew.
SO - October update - Well I didn't even get shortlisted for the job but I wasn't too disappointed actually.  I think I need to take time out for a couple of months; get some Winter sun or do something I would never normally get the chance to do in term time; the idea of going to the states for a bit intrigues me, take in some sport.
Finances haven't been too bad in October, still putting a couple of hundred per month into the HTB account which is looking 'chunky' now at over £6k.  It certainly looks chunky when I definitely know I'm moving out of London.

Verbatim

Hi Ben, Great to see things are going so well for you. Chester is a lovely city and I guess house prices will be a tad south of London properties! Have a great time travelling if that's what you decide to do.
Sorry I have neglected you for a while, I can't remember when I was last on here, probably summer sometime.

zippygeorgeandben

HELLO EVERYONE! Well well well... I really do have lots to update you on.  Ok here goes.
9th January 2023 - officially moved into Chester and Verbatim you are right; it is a lovely city.  I have been trying to get used to the much slower pace of life; difficult at times (1 bus an hour from the village!) however it has made me do lots of walking.  
Now the plan was to take a couple of months out from teaching and then perhaps find a permanent position from after the Easter holidays, maybe do a bit of supply here and there.
Obviously this is a financial board and to think back on post 1 of this humongous thread when I had ££££s of debt and no savings that I put myself (through hard work and determination) into a position where I am debt free, with approx £20k in savings.  This means that I do not have to worry at the moment about the essentials in life.
Now, with me still?
So... I moved to Chester on Jan 9th and I applied for a job which meant that I had to go back to London for an interview on the Saturday 19th January.  That interview went well, very well in fact. I was invited back for a second interview 2 weeks after that on the 2nd February.  They then phoned me on the 9th February to offer me the position!  The job does not start until August and those of you who know I'm in education will think that that is a strange start date, well it is actually a job as Assistant Headteacher in an International School in Alicante!
Soooooo... I'm in Chester for about 4 months.  Where does this leave me now?!
Exciting opportunities ahead.
Thanks for reading,
Ben

Dobbibill

Wow - thinking back to your first post, the journey (financial) that you've been on and now the literal journey (moving cities/overseas) that you are on is amazing and of course everything in between. Who could have predicted this!!!!
Huge congrats on getting the job - exciting times ahead for sure. 

Humdinger1

@zippygeorgeandben that is fab news! You deserve it and can enjoy it debt-free.   Many congratulations love Humdinger x