Get a grip !

Skint_yet_Again

This is the problem MF when trying to make long term plans. It’s all “ifs”and “maybes”. In 3 years time who knows if I will still be made redundant. I hope so as I can’t see me being mentally able to continue this job much longer than that. I don’t know if I will find a buyer or something to buy. I don’t know if I will find another job. I don’t know if DS & his gf will still be together or still living with me. 

I do have some idea of pension and state pension now, but that could all change too. Who knows. 🤷‍♀️

MovingForwards

All you can do is come up with different plans to try and cover each potential situation. You'll have done the legwork and can pick which one when the time comes. 

Skint_yet_Again

Had a bottle of chilled mixed fruit cider left over from last weekend and calmed my brain, 🤪😴 with some cheese and biscuits and tomato chutney from a jar my house moving friend gave me yesterday, then had a snooze. I have to be careful that I don’t become obsessive over the future retirement plans! 

Checked food stores and I have left until shopping on Friday 

breakfasts
bacon 
eggs
bread rolls / sliced bread / toast 
marmite
tin mackerel 

lunch
3 packets curry noodles 
Chicken cup a soup 
egg mayo sandwich 
omelette 
jacket potato 


-fishcake and frozen chips & corn on the cob 
-faggots, leftover roast potatoes, parsnips and butternut squash from today & broccoli 
-roasted belly pork slices, half a courgette and remaining half peppers & last of the broccoli with micro rice. 

-pasta bake (pasta went mushy) with cheesy home made potato wedges (last bit of the cheese)

Skint_yet_Again

Feeling fed up so have ordered a kfc for delivery. 

Have spent 2 days trying to get VM to honour the price “retentions” offered me on the phone and it has now gone to official complaint 😕

We are now not being made redundant so I will have to rework all my figures to see if I can still retire in 3 years. 

MovingForwards

Did you have the gravy pot 😀

They're CS leaves a lot to be desired and I've never read so many complaints about them.

A lot can change in a few years and voluntary redundancy options may pop up. Good luck with the numbers.

Skint_yet_Again

Still feeling very unsettled. I am hoping that going over the figures at the weekend will show me a new “retirement” path as I sort of feel like my destination has gone. Sorry if that sounds a bit dramatic, just feel like the rug has been pulled from under my feet. Am trying to look on it as a positive. I’m not the only one with long term plans involving a redundancy package but I am pleased for my colleagues who did not want to be made redundant and didn’t want to lose their jobs. 

Shopping tomorrow. Today is using up leftovers. Breakfast will be bacon & eggs. Lunch will be mushy “pasta bake” from freezer with remaining frozen kidney beans added. Snack will be mini pork pie from freezer, last tiny cube of cheddar cheese & pickle. Dinner will be smoked haddock & cheddar cheese fish cake (aldee) & baked potato with butter & corn on the cob. 

That will leave a few frozen chips in the freezer and bread rolls and sliced bread. In the fridge I have some spreadable butter & jar of pickle (made by & gift from my house moving friend) and some instant curry noodles & cup a soup in my store cupboard. Don’t think I’ve ever run my stores as low as this before. Will stock up tomorrow. 

MovingForwards

You will bounce back and form plans, give it time to get over the news.
A less stressful job could extend your working years as could a change of environment.

Build your stores up a bit each time you go shopping, eventually aim to have 3 months food. While it wouldn't be anything exciting eg tomato pasta, veg chilli and rice, soups etc it takes some pressure off.

Skint_yet_Again

Finally we have a windy day! Will be getting up soon to walk the dog. If it is a dry morning I will put a load of jeans and jumpers to wash and hang out to dry. Still working from home. No date given to return to the office yet. 

Bank balance £343.38. I will move £300 into savings after payday. That leaves £43.48 for food shopping tomorrow. If the bill goes over that due to stocking up my stores I will cover the rest from February grocery budget.  

[Deleted User]

@Skint_yet_Again. Have you looked at this thread on the over 50s Savings Board?  It might help your early retirement concerns.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6228191/how-much-to-live-on

Skint_yet_Again

Hi Baron_Dale yes I have dipped in and out of the thread since it started and may have even posted on it in the past. It is very helpful to see people with realistic retirement plans and budgets. I just need to sit down with my figures again and see where having no redundancy money leaves me. Hopefully I will make a start over the weekend. 

Clothes mostly dried on the line yesterday and finished off on airers. It was a lovely afternoon, quite warm & felt like spring in the sunshine ☀️ Had another walk after work with the dog. 

Plans for today 
Walk the dog
Put £10 petrol in the car as empty light is on
Return jumper that doesn’t fit to mat Alan for refund 
Shopping at aldee
Collect meds on way home 
Start work at 12

Over the weekend I will also work out my budget for February