"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

redofromstart wrote: »

Sounds very productive. HR often don't know the answers either though....

But HR are supposed to be checking with the pension provider as they apparently deal with our pensions (rather than payroll, as payroll are based in a different country)... I asked ages ago when I was sorting out the whole thing about them getting my pension contributions (and theirs) wrong and haven't heard back.

I'm fairly sure from looking at my payslip that I'm write about my pension being paid net rather than gross, but everyone seems to assume that all company pensions are paid via salary sacrifice (not something I've ever had as far as I can remember).

greenbee

teapot2 wrote: »

all sounds very productive and like you mostly had positive 'surprises' about savings and pension amounts :cool:

It does feel productive. I've got a much better idea of what money I have and where it is. Amounts for most things aren't exact, as they're based on last year's statements, but it has definitely been positive. Even if moving money out of cash and locking it away has felt a bit like spending it. I have to look in lots of different places to see it now, and I'm a bit nervous about locking so much of it away. However, I'm sure I can survive on what's left, and I've got diary entries for regular reviews, so I don't have to make decisions every month.

My cash savings are looking fairly empty at the moment, so maybe that will motivate me to start saving up again. I've got a list of what needs doing in the house besides the kitchen and major external landscaping, so I'll try to get some of that done from cashflow over the summer.

SC is on for chicken stock, and I'd better go to bed as I have a hair appointment tomorrow so will actually have to get up and leave the house in the morning!

greenbee

Hair appointment yesterday, so I have a new colour and a new cut. Also bought a dress on the way home - a new colour of one I already have and love.

Two batches of chicken stock made and portioned up. I just need to move them from the fridge to the freezer and mark the clearly as batch one and batch two, as the second batch is weaker. Meat stripped from chicken wings and added to the veg and some 'soup mix' with a stock cube to make a dull but filling soup. I keep forgetting that this soup mix is problematic as it has split peas in it which don't cook as fast as the rest of the ingredients. I think the sensible thing to do is to bin the rest of it rather than it taking up space.

I've braved the weather (which is still cold, windy and wet) to plant a dozen hellebores and 5 candelabra primulas, and stripped a large bucket of ivy from the hedge. I still have a lot to do in the garden and am feeling behind due to illness and the weather, but at least I've done something.

I'm now planning a well-deserved rest with my book. Next job is the electricity meter reading and seeing whether I can find a better deal to switch to.

greenbee

Soup is VERY bland, but will do for when I CBA with anything else.

Submitted my electricity meter reading yesterday and started to switch last night with the help of a friend who provided a referral code.

Lie in this morning reading my book, a bit of laundry, opening all the windows to get some fresh air in, and some gardening. I've been dealing with more ivy as it's sunny (although still quite windy and with occasional spots of rain). I'll get what I can done, but tomorrow I really do need to get on with the planting!

redofromstart

Could you add something to the soup? My default is chipotle chilli flakes still. I'd be binning the mix too, and probably the soup if its not enjoyable.

greenbee

Have binned the mix. Bin is now very very full after clearing out the garage. We emptied EVERYTHING out, as I found evidence of mice, cleaned it, moved stuff round, and tidied. Handyman took a van load of stuff to the tip, and my car is full of stuff for the CS.

There is now space in the garage for me to be able to paint the dining room furniture, so hopefully that will get done over the next few months.

Blinds are up, hearth is in, inhibitor is in central heating, first aid cabinet is up. There's a bit more work to be done on the utility room (3 more shelves, refinishing the worktops, tiling) but it's pretty much done. Hopefully the rest will be done on Friday so I can start to get back to normal soon.

greenbee

Filled the first aid cabinet, and put more stuff in the bin. Planted 4 shrubs, took a bedside table from the garage upstairs. It needs a good clean and then I can make a start on putting the last bedroom back together.

Didn't get to the CS today to drop off, but I have to stop off for fuel tomorrow morning, so I might manage to get rid of the stuff in the car on my way to work tomorrow. If not, it'll have to stay in the car for a couple of weeks as I've got a lot of travel on, and they're not open at weekends.

Karmacat

Greenbee, I really admire your energy levels! Astonishing, that you work so hard on the renovation and then fly off (literally!) to do such a responsible job. Hope the mice run away and find another home - you've done that at just the right time of year, I think

greenbee

Thanks KC - I'm shattered! Friend has picked up all my cardboard boxes, so that's more space in the garage. Cleaner will be here tomorrow, so I must remember to work out what I want her to do.

Haven't done any preparation for tomorrow's workshop, so have to hope it works out somehow.

About to eat, then go and recover in the bath as I'm incredibly creaky!

Next weekend will be laundry, packing, and hopefully getting the rest of the hedge sorted!

redofromstart

I love your recuperation and resting - says the hypocrite. Sounds like great progress.