From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless, Cherryfudge, Willowtree222 and dawnybabes.

Today I have had to just have an easy day. Did 3 evening shifts in a row, 2 of which were very busy and ended up being a straight 7 hours. Unfortunately we don’t get a break allocation, so tiring when I get 3 in a row!  I’ve been to church today, managed a tip run this afternoon and pottered around the garden deadheading where necessary and chopping back the brambles that creep in from the hedgerow. 

I’ve been trying to plan the coming week very carefully so that I get prep for the new term done but also to ensure I spend quality time with the children where possible. I’ve booked in a day with DD1 and a day with DD2, which I’m looking forward to.  Also plan to meet up with a couple of friends that I haven’t had chance to see for a while.

I think I’ve done all the uniform and school prep for the youngest DCs. The school shoe shop was done last week- and all other costs such as bus fares and childcare costs have been factored in for the first month.

The holidays end with my god-daughter’s wedding, so am looking forward to that too. I’m keeping costs minimal by using a dress in the wardrobe already and travelling there and back in a day rather than staying overnight anywhere.

SO has kindly helped me to build shelving in a fitted wardrobe so that I can actually put my clothes away. Since the ex took the chest of drawers we had, my clothes have been in a precarious pile on an old coffee table in the bedroom. Will be good to get more sorted!

savingholmes

Hi HSL - definitely get advice on the overpayment reclaim. It doesn't sound right from your description. How frustrating for you. 

Good news the divorce paperwork is finally behind you.

lucielle

I feel your pain regarding the long shifts, after having an exceedingly busy week. 

Enjoy the wedding and time with your children!
L

Spendless

Understand the no drawers to store clothes cos someone took them. We took DS to a furniture store last week for same reason! We still need to order him something though.

Im fairly sure i fetched up before its not legal to have you work more than 6 hours straight without a break. Appreciate you currently need the job though. Once upon a time the divorce seemed a long distance into the future. Now I think the same about job 2. In a few years time (and hopefully sooner) you'll be in a position to no longer have to do it. 

Glad youve got school costs sorted. Enjoy end of summer and the wedding.

Cherryfudge

I'm glad you've had an easier day. I hope you manage to have your various meet-ups to set you up for the coming term, and that the wedding is a wonderful day.

Sarahwithlove

4 hours is the most you can work without a break. 

Spendless

Sarahwithlove said:

4 hours is the most you can work without a break. 

That used to be the case years ago. My first job on a Saturday in the early/mid 80s the supervisors were very strict about this. It got changed to 6 hours.   https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/working-hours-and-rest-breaks/rest-breaks-at-work-overview/#:~:text=If you work for more than 4 hours and 30,at the beginning or end.

Rest breaks if you’re over 18

If you’re aged 18 or over, you’re entitled to:

• 11 hours rest between each working day

• 1 rest day in each working week - this could be averaged out over 2 weeks, so you'd be entitled to 2 days off in a fortnight

If you work for more than 6 hours a day, you’re entitled to an uninterrupted rest break of at least 20 minutes - for example a tea or lunch break. You must be allowed to take it during the day rather than at the beginning or end.

Your contract might say you’re entitled to more than these rest breaks, for example you might get an hour for a lunch break.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Sarahwithlove and Spendless. That’s really interesting reading about breaks. With Job 2, I’m officially  on the rota between 6 and 11. The problem occurs if we are busy or I get called in earlier. Unfortunately they don’t seem to make provision for that. Good to know what the legal
position is though.

Today has been my first day back at Job 1, followed by a 6 hour shift at Job 2, so a total of 15 and a half hours! I know I always find the first week
back of doing both jobs tough, but tonight was certainly one of those crazy shifts that never seems to finish!!

At the weekend I went to the wedding which was lovely. The venue was an historic building, which was awesome in itself, but I did delight in walking around the formal rose garden, which also had some rather lovely dahlias in it too! The building is close to
a river, so as dusk fell, a few groups of geese ( a gaggle?) flew over in a v shape, honking as they flew!
The food was amazing…ended up trying foods that I had never had before, so that was interesting! It felt like a haven of calm before the busyness of this week descended!!

I’ve had a couple of days with DD1 and DD2 respectively. I was glad of the chance to catch up with them.  Payday was last Friday so most direct debits have gone through. This month has 3 family birthdays in it, so some money has been spent on gifts. I did have £10 tip from Job 2, so
spent it on 5 herb plants from the local garden centre. When I was clearing the nettles, again, from
the rear garden, I decided it would make better sense to move a Belfast sink to the front garden so that it wouldn’t get swamped by nettles again and could be utilised more fully as a planter. Had quite a workout yesterday, dragging it round, but got it all
planted up. SO enjoys cooking with fresh herbs and has been asking for chives for a while, so managed to get it planted with chives, sage, oregano, thyme and tarragon. 

Cherryfudge

It all sounds really delightful apart from work! I hope you can wind down and rest tonight and tomorrow is easier.

lucielle

Love the herb planter. I’ve managed parsley this year!  

L