From debt to freedom...

savingholmes

The food sounds great. As does your sink planter

Sarahwithlove

6hrs is a long time without a break, surprised the change for accepted so easily. But at least it explains why my supervisor tells me off for not taking my 20 min lunch break all time 🙃 

dawnybabes

I used to have to enforce it as it’s unpaid so some of my staff didn’t ’want’ it when doing a 7 hour shift. 

Planter sounds fab, I keep looking at growing coriander as we get through so much of the stuff ! 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, SH, Dawneybabes, Lucielle and Sarahwithlove.

I’m really pleased with the repurposed Belfast sink and SO is happy to have some fresh herbs to cook with!!

Last week was a strange week. I ended up doing another 14 hour day straight after the 15 day.  It was a combination of getting in early to Job 1 and ending late at Job 2. It has however, prompted a discussion at home. Long story short DD3 and SO have persuaded me to cut back on my hours at Job 2. It will go quieter after the end of September anyway, and the shortfall will be balanced out as SO is chipping into the food budget. 

DS3 had his birthday last week, so only expenses over the weekend was paying for his birthday party.

Bluegreen143

I think that’s really sensible - I often marvel at the hours you work and wonder how you keep going. I’m glad your SO and DD are looking out for your wellbeing.

I think your DS3 is roughly ages with my DS (mine will be 9 on his next birthday in December?). I hope he had a brilliant party!

Cherryfudge

29 hours in 48 is a lot of work! I find taking on extra is addictive, particularly when the finances are tight, but I'm glad SO and your daughter persuaded you to reduce the hours.

Spendless

Im pleased to hear you're cutting back at job2. Ive long wondered how you manage to juggle everything and the impact it must have on you. 

savingholmes

Spendless said:

Im pleased to hear you're cutting back at job2. Ive long wondered how you manage to juggle everything and the impact it must have on you. 

Same from me. Glad you have help, support and encouragement.

Sarahwithlove

Good news about SO chipping in with food costs so that you can cut back on hours. Hopefully you get a better work and life balance. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Bluegreen143, Cherryfudge, Spendless, SH and Sarahwithlove.

Yes Bluegreen143, you are right. My DS is now 9.

Main expenses so far in September have been DS’s birthday party. I didn’t go for a whole class extravaganza ( too much like work!!), so he had a few friends to go to a local theme park. We had lunch there and I dropped them home. That came to £170.

Good news is that the electricity company have reduced my direct debit. I’m thankful for this as last year they doubled it, which resulted in me paying £400 a month for a while, until I ended up asking for reimbursement and getting some back. The new figure is £187 which seems much more reasonable.

The new hours at Job 2 start in October. I’ve spoken with my manager and emphasised that I enjoy the job, it’s just trying to sustain both jobs for the hours I’ve been doing is tricky. The manager has been understanding.