£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

Treadingonplaymobil

Total nightmare with DH's work today - they basically admitted that they messed up with his pay rise, and it never should have been promised back in May. We've been waiting for this really, since it kept not happening. In theory it will still go ahead next month (ha. We've heard that before) and be back paid, but DH is so furious about it, and really not convinced that he's going to see it, and if it does come in, he can't see them approving six months of back pay. So looks like we'd best not rely on it, and treat it as a nice bonus if it comes. Which is a complete pain, as I'd been relying on it to clear the CC. Argh.

Have hit upon the genius idea of freeze and bake biscuits for clients (this sort of thing). I usually end up making a full batch of fresh biscuits for every client, which is lovely and everything as we eat the leftovers, but a bit excessive and expensive. Have been experimenting with making a batch of freezer cookies and just slicing off and cooking as many as I need for that day. Working well so far, one batch of biscuits did Sunday, today and will do Thursday, rather than making three lots of cookies.

Not a lot else to report today, spending remains semi-sensible and we're just limping on to the end of the month.

to do today
1. Clean house for client. Done.
2. Bake biscuits. Done.
3. Catch up on work list. Not done in any way.
4. Make courgette 'pasta' to have with leftover bolognese sauce tonight - my mum brought some monster courgettes with her. Not done, there was enough pasta.

to do this week
1. Launch website! Finally.
2. Spend a little time on smaller business - it has been SO neglected in recent weeks.
3. Redo SOA once DH has been paid (assuming pay rise finally comes in!).
4. Prep October's YNAB categories.
5. Start to plan advent calendars and Christmas presents so I can get a handle on spending.

to do this month
1. keep the total spend for the month below £3,500 (last month was miles better than the previous average £3,900, going to try to repeat the feat). More or less on track. Ish.
2. get my new website finished and launched (crosses fingers, toes and eyes).
3. just work as much as possible and make some money back to recover the enormous shortfall that faces us this month! Going better than expected, although still need more work in to actually clear the CC[/QUOTE]

helsbell

Sorry to hear what DH's work have said about his payrise TOPM, employers really can be infuriating. I never understand why people don't realise that those who are promised such things have bills to pay, just as they do. Does he have it in writing anywhere, such as performance management notes maybe?

Cherryfudge

I'm sorry to hear about the pay rise - I do hope they get their act together and pay next month, complete with back pay.

Those biscuits look just my sort of thing... oats and butter, what's not to love? Keeping a couple of batches in the freezer is a bit of genius. It should save you time and money, of course.

I believe there is such a thing as courgette cake, if you still need to use the courgette.

armchairexpert

Oh, that's just ridiculous. Either they promised it or they didn't, and if they're still saying there's a possibility of a backpay, it sounds like someone somewhere must have the discretion to approve that. Surely? I mean they must know if it's something they're allowed to do.

I don't know what your DH does, of course, but this is the sort of thing that always makes me want to start job hunting just to make a point.

Treadingonplaymobil

helsbell wrote: »

Sorry to hear what DH's work have said about his payrise TOPM, employers really can be infuriating. I never understand why people don't realise that those who are promised such things have bills to pay, just as they do. Does he have it in writing anywhere, such as performance management notes maybe?

armchairexpert wrote: »

Oh, that's just ridiculous. Either they promised it or they didn't, and if they're still saying there's a possibility of a backpay, it sounds like someone somewhere must have the discretion to approve that. Surely? I mean they must know if it's something they're allowed to do.

I don't know what your DH does, of course, but this is the sort of thing that always makes me want to start job hunting just to make a point.

It is enraging. I'm fairly sure there is something in writing, which makes me think he has some legal recourse if they suddenly turn round and say 'actually, we're not doing it', but as long as they keep saying they will do it, I'm not sure what he can do. He is well paid for the industry he is in (with good reason, he is good and he works for a big, successful company), but he would really struggle to replicate his salary elsewhere, otherwise I think he would be job hunting right now! Which is a shame, as he actually likes his job, it's just a management issue. Hopefully it will still happen and things will improve.

Cherryfudge wrote: »

I'm sorry to hear about the pay rise - I do hope they get their act together and pay next month, complete with back pay.

Those biscuits look just my sort of thing... oats and butter, what's not to love? Keeping a couple of batches in the freezer is a bit of genius. It should save you time and money, of course.

I believe there is such a thing as courgette cake, if you still need to use the courgette.

Oh courgette cake is an excellent idea - could probably make a couple and chop and freeze for snacks.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 33: day 4

Really not feeling these early mornings at the moment, but it's my only chance to get some exercise in, and I'm feeling like I really need it.

DH gets paid tomorrow (without pay rise, obv). It's nice that it's right near the end of the month - no chance to inadvertently spend it before the new month begins!

A day of batch cooking today, plus (of course!) 89,000 work things to do. So much 'background' work going on at the minute that doesn't directly earn me money, but I'm really hoping I start to feel the benefits in the next month or so.

to do today
1. bake sourdough.
2. bake flapjacks.
3. make quiche.
4. make courgette cake.
5. chase client re booking confirmation.
6. post some returns from online work clothes shopping.
7. clear some of the million item work list.

to do this week
1. Launch website! Finally.
2. Spend a little time on smaller business - it has been SO neglected in recent weeks.
3. Redo SOA once DH has been paid (assuming pay rise finally comes in!).
4. Prep October's YNAB categories.
5. Start to plan advent calendars and Christmas presents so I can get a handle on spending.

to do this month
1. keep the total spend for the month below £3,500 (last month was miles better than the previous average £3,900, going to try to repeat the feat). More or less on track. Ish.
2. get my new website finished and launched (crosses fingers, toes and eyes).
3. just work as much as possible and make some money back to recover the enormous shortfall that faces us this month! Going better than expected, although still need more work in to actually clear the CC

crunch_time

Hi TOPM

Just stopping by to say how much I'm enjoying reading your diary. I subscribed a while back and then struggled for a while to catch up with anyone's diaries let alone start reading new ones but I made the effort and am glad I did!

I'm about to quit my horrendous teaching job and start my own business in the new year so I am encouraged to read about how you work from home and juggle it with motherhood and debt busting.

You have made such fantastic progress so far well done! I'm cheering you on to the finish line!!

Crunchy xx

Treadingonplaymobil

crunch_time wrote: »

Hi TOPM

Just stopping by to say how much I'm enjoying reading your diary. I subscribed a while back and then struggled for a while to catch up with anyone's diaries let alone start reading new ones but I made the effort and am glad I did!

I'm about to quit my horrendous teaching job and start my own business in the new year so I am encouraged to read about how you work from home and juggle it with motherhood and debt busting.

You have made such fantastic progress so far well done! I'm cheering you on to the finish line!!

Crunchy xx

That's lovely to read, thank you . Good luck with your new business!

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 33: day 5

Morning! Is it nearly the weekend yet? Really feeling it this week, and we're visiting friends on the weekend so I know I'll stop working properly for a couple of days.

Did loads of cooking yesterday - plum and ginger cake for my mum to take home as a thankyou for the childcare (and all the home grown produce, she brought absolutely tons of plums, apples, beans and pears), flapjacks, quiche and sourdough. Ran out of time for courgette cake but going to look for a gluten free recipe to make and take to friends on the weekend.

DH got paid today, so we can start to look forward to next month. Pleased to report that once I have invoiced for September's work I will actually have enough to meet all my October business outgoings and 'salary'. I'm going to throw what's left and everything I earn in Oct at getting November's expenses and salary in place before I overpay the credit card at all, as I am determined not to touch it again now we've got through this sticky patch, and I don't want to overpay and then need to turn to it again.

I have my last client of the week today, going to bake my freezer cookies soon ready for them. And then come contract work to finish before I can consider myself sort-of done for the week. Still have a huge backlog of things to catch up on, which I am trying to avoid thinking about. Really quite stressed!

to do today
1. bake freezer cookies.
2. finish contract work for the month.
3. enormous to do list of doom.

to do this week
1. Launch website! Finally.
2. Spend a little time on smaller business - it has been SO neglected in recent weeks.
3. Redo SOA once DH has been paid (assuming pay rise finally comes in!).
4. Prep October's YNAB categories.
5. Start to plan advent calendars and Christmas presents so I can get a handle on spending.

to do this month
1. keep the total spend for the month below £3,500 (last month was miles better than the previous average £3,900, going to try to repeat the feat). More or less on track. Ish.
2. get my new website finished and launched (crosses fingers, toes and eyes).
3. just work as much as possible and make some money back to recover the enormous shortfall that faces us this month! Going better than expected, although still need more work in to actually clear the CC

Suffolk_lass

Re your freezer biscuits, I have made twinks hobnobs and frozen them in the pre-cooked golf balls (on a baking tray) then popped them in a plastic bag so I can get them out as I need them. Also shortbread - I make a roll and cut it into 2/3 (depending how big the biscuits are that I'm making) so I just get the roll out and defrost it enough to slice then bake - the recipe recommends chilling them so they taste more buttery anyway. I'm making both today ready for the great MacMillan Coffee Morning tomorrow - in two minds whether to chill or freeze and cook tomorrow morning!

I love it when the ironing fairy comes to stay here. Sadly My Mum hasn't been this year after three big health things. I have pared back what needs ironing by using my gnu rail, tumble dryer and easy-care cotton in combination - so just bedding now (nothing like crisp white cotton to sleep on)