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

joedenise

Thank you.  I'l have a look at the free planner you mention to start with and maybe consider the paid for book at a later date.  Enjoy having a bit of down time again this morning.

apple_muncher

Enjoy your days off and going down lots of rabbit holes!

enthusiasticsaver

Sounds like you are doing really well with the saving pots and what I call (intelligent spending) rather than impulse.  I am like you in that I like sanctuary spaces to do things like read, play my piano and exercise (pilates rather than yoga).  These have to be clutter free.  As you say even if you cannot have a whole room to do your yoga or relax in having a corner with space for your mat and or a chair or even a space in your garden (especially when the weather is so good) could make a difference. 

Treadingonplaymobil

Wow, what a couple of days. Either my social distancing/hand washing leaves something to be desired, or I ate something dodgy, because I have been SO ill for the past day or so. Feeling much better today, but I haven't been that ill for years. No reassured in the least by family members reminding me constantly that stomach complaints can be an early covid symptom, but I feel so much better today that it seems highly unlikely.

Other than that little excitement, things rumble along here. I have decided to look into the government's self employment support this weekend - I've still been earning, but not nearly what I was before, so I need to see whether I'm eligible/whether the hoop jumping is going to be worthwhile. I really haven't been keeping up with what help is available, because I felt like because I was earning something I shouldn't be seeking support (and possibly that's the case? I'm not sure what the eligibility criteria is anyway), but I've realised that if something doesn't change I'm going to start ploughing through the buffer in my business account, and it will be gone before summer's over if that happens.

Two of the DC are the right school years to go back on 1st June, assuming that actually happens, with the epic ignoring of lockdown that seems to be going on now that restrictions have been loosened a bit and will presumably result in more infections. If they do go back it will make working so much more possible - I'm finding it next to impossible to achieve anything much at the moment.

My wardrobe planning continues to be fun - I won a couple of pieces on eBay this week which I have high hopes for, so I'm hoping to be less bored to tears by my wardrobe within the next few days.

Not a lot else going on, just wanted to check in and say hi, really!

joeyjimbles

HI Topm, hope you continue to shake of your tummy bug.
The eligibility for the Self Employed Support is straightforward and simple - you input your Tax Number, not the gateway access but your 10 digit tax reference found at the top of any request for your self-assessment or statement, and your NI number. It will then ask you whether you traded in each of the three periods and your top line figure for each, and then if you are eligible it will give you a date and time from which to claim ie. xth of May from xam. I was eligible so I don't know what happens if you are not, and my date to submit my claim is tomorrow so I'll report back on how that process goes. Hope that helps.

Treadingonplaymobil

Thanks joeyjimbles, that’s good to know. I’ll take a look this weekend.

I’m feeling 100% back to normal, thank goodness, so it looks like it was just a 24 hour bug.

I often find this (does anyone else) but after being ill and getting well again, I feel all reinvigorated and ready to tackle anything. It’s like the opposite of that ‘take it slow, get back into life steadily’ advice that one should really listen to after being ill! Obviously I’m not about to start marathon training or anything, but I definitely feel like I want to start sorting out life again.

My list hasn’t progressed much, but here’s my current plan:
1. Sort that yoga space.
2. Create a bit of a training plan for myself. I’m really enjoying lots of exercise at the moment (yoga, biking, running - slowly!) but I like to have a direction to move in, so I’m going to create myself some sort of 6 week plan. I’m also in the interesting position of being very near my ‘goal weight’ for the first time in YEARS, and still not being 100% happy with my body, so I have decided to combine an exercise plan with figuring out how to love what I’ve got (hello, post-3-children tummy), because objectively I’m not overweight or anything, and some of the ‘flaws’ in my body are just down to three children and being older than 20, not any extra weight. Something to work on.
3. Chase XH to sort the finances so we can divorce. He seems to think our childcare arrangement is a moveable feast, and I want things a little more set in stone. 

4. Investigate self employment support and apply.
5. Figure out how to work at least a little bit when I have the DCs - this might mean quicker-cook meals and more screen time, but now XH and I have gone back to our ‘official’ childcare schedule (70/30) I absolutely need to achieve a little more work while I have them. Hopefully this will only be an issue for a couple more weeks as two of the DC will go back to school, but yesterday’s R number news makes me wonder if that planned date will be postponed.
6. Review my budget - I feel like I could apply a little more intelligence to it, even though I’m not overspending at the moment. I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but the feeling of financial vulnerability of the separation last year was one of the most unexpectedly stressful/traumatic (strong word, but yes!) things I’ve experienced as an adult, and I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for my most stable possible future

Hope you all have lovely weekends ahead!

Savingtomove

HI TOPM

I agree that a June opening is unlikely with the current R number.  We are waiting to see what out nursery says but it is a very small building so I have no idea how they would do any form of social distancing!

Well done on your weight! Especially with everything going on.  I think getting your divorce sorted as soon as you can is a good plan.  I got divorced about 10 years ago and it was a very painful process but i felt massive relief once it was over and knowing where you are in terms of money, living and childcare would make a huge difference.

In terms of work I have just let me 3 year old have more screen time as its the only thing that works and I keep telling myself its not forever.  I have also been working most evenings which I wouldn't recommend but in small bursts its not too bad.
Glad your feeling better.
STM x

joeyjimbles

OK, have just done my submission and to say it took more than five minutes would be only because of the number of times I double-checked my gateway access code, password and then bank details.
So, you search for the form on gov.uk
enter your tax reference code and NI code as you did when you did the eligibility check which gave you the date and time from which to claim
enter your name, gateway access code and password
you get a confirmation screen with your entitlement amount and a process for if you wish to dispute the figure 
then enter the name, sort code and account number where you want the money paid, and an email and optional phone number
then agree to the declaration page
you get a confirmation code that you should save or print, you should get an email within 6 working days to say that the money is in your bank 

Much simpler than I was expecting. So if you have all the info together I don't think it will take you any longer than me. Good luck.

Treadingonplaymobil

Wow, OK applying for the grant was ridiculously easy. Almost felt like I'd 'cheated' because it was so straightforward! And the sum of money will absolutely cover my shortfall for this three month period. I feel a bit blown away TBH, don't think I'll believe it until it's in the bank. I've been feeling increasingly financially panicked, but feeling like I wouldn't be eligible because I'm still earning something, but it turns out that I'm still perfectly within my rights to apply. It's not a massive sum by any means, but it will mean not having to use up my business account buffer over the coming couple of months. Thanks for the encouragement joeyjimbles!

joeyjimbles

You're more than welcome. I was expecting it to be much more difficult too - glad it will help tide you over.