A Ditherer's Diary (again)

GeorgianaCavendish

Is there a particular reason that she wants to / has to do the later shift? Maybe when she sees the amount that cabs will take out of her pay she might change her mind. 

Thinking back to one of my first jobs around that age where they convinced me to do a late shift, I wish I had felt able to stand up for myself a bit more and push for different shifts. 

GeorgianaCavendish

PS. there was something on the MSE homepage last week about Uber fares increasing 25% in London - so if a cab is the best solution then the local firm might be a better bet (especially if it is a regular booking)

GeorgianaCavendish

Last thought from me! If girlfriend is under 18, there may be restrictions on her working past 10pm anyway : https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience 

Naomim

Thank you GC. So far her shifts have finished at either 6 or 10pm.

This week has been very busy at work I've been into the new office once (and got lost on the way home!) and I've managed to actually read a book. The new Trisha Ashley. She brings a book out for every Christmas and Iove them. The books and Starbucks eggnog lattes herald the start of the season for me.

I've had to rejig the budget yet again. BG have put my payments up to £140 a month and I realised my MOT is due on 19th Dec.

I've decided not to renew my CICM membership as I'm not currently studying so the £94 in the pot is transferring to the depleted car maintenance pot to hopefully cover the MOT. 

The Starling account needs opening and I'll be putting £300 a month by travel.

Unfortunately this all means my cc payments have to drop by £200. I tried to change my MBNA & Halifax payments but you now can't do it online, it has to be by phone. Such a pain.  

jokono

I still have an unused First Direct savings account open because I never feel like calling to close it. I'm switching my Nationwide account and will be left with another unused savings there, will have to call both at some time. I'll try to do it this year 😅

Travel costs are crazy. I'm thinking of changing my job but at the moment I work mostly from home so travelis negligible, I'd need a chunky pay rise to offset commuting if I were to work in an office. 

Naomim

I can only assume it's to check if people are in financial hardship. When I called, I reduced my DD by £10 so the person was asking me if everything was alright. 

Naomim

Morning all,

Sunday I went out with some work colleagues from my old team and two who have had babies during lockdown. We went to Dirty Martini's in Covent Garden.  Covent Garden and Leicester Square were rammed! Uncomfortably so.  I had a lovely afternoon but don't want to rush up town again if I can help it. I do want to go to the large Primark in Oxford Street for some Christmas bits so might try and get up there really early one Saturday.

I was in the office again yesterday. Tried a more direct (but busy) route and it was easier.  I'm just not looking forward to it when things are back to normal. If anyone has ever travelled on the Waterloo & City line during commuter hours you will know my pain. At least I didn't get lost on the way home! It still took me an hour and half 😢 The office employs a full time cleaner during the office hours to keep the touchpoint area's lovely and clean. I was chatting to her yesterday and she is from Columbia. She has labelled the cupboards in the kitchen in English and Spanish so I'm going to take a picture for 12yo as she's started Spanish at school this term.

Had a go at the 16yo yesterday. Woke up boiling and my bedroom radiator is down low. Turns out he'd whacked the thermo up to 25deg when he went to bed and the heating was on all night 😫  I was so cross.  It wouldn't be so bad but he sleeps with the window open all year as he likes the fresh air.

There are still some things I need to crack on a do so making a short list here.

• Change Halifax minimum payment    done
• Book in MOT for car
• Open Starling Account for travel costs  done - waiting for the card to arrive

I'm sure there was something else but it's escaping me at the moment.

Payday tomorrow, can't wait as have slipped into the overdraft and need to get that sorted as soon as possible.

Hope you are all doing ok and keeping safe and well.

Naomim

EssexHebridean

The Drain has always been one of the grimmest lines to travel on in rush hour IMO. It's ages since I was last on the tube though - I don't need to use public transport for the commute thankfully, and we've not been going into London much outside workdays. MrEH is on the Central Line a couple of days a week and he says it has been busier but not as much so as previously - he's tall too so he's just been standing to try to stay above the germs!  

I'd have been fuming at 16yo too! Threaten to superglue his window shut if he does it again....

Naomim

In pre-covid times it could take half an hour just to get onto the WC line so I used to take a much more scenic and longer route on the district line from Wimbledon to Monument then walk.  Now the office has moved I can't really do that.

Teenagers really are a pain in the a**e!  At least he knows now so it shouldn't happen again. Otherwise I'm taking the thermo to bed with me as it's a hive one and can be moved.

Naomim

Starling bank card has arrived so I've transferred £300 to cover travel costs for MrM and I although I think we'll all be back to working from home fully again soon.  Knowing MrM's employers they'll take it as a suggestion unless it's made mandatory. I need to register the card on the TFL site in case any refunds are required. 

I popped to Sainsbury's today and bought a turkey crown and gammon joint incase we're locked back down for Christmas. 😬 If it doesn't get used for Christmas it will save for Easter.

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend and not been blown away by the storm!

Naomim