Prosperous soul in the making

savingholmes

Thanks MF. I think if it wasn't for the various lockdowns - definitely wouldn't have done / spent so much on the house - but might therefore have been closer to debt freedom. Trying to see it as investing in the house - and as money we will get back at some future point - as well as enjoying the fruit of our labours & spending in the interim. We've definitely saved money on fuel and eating out - but have replaced some of that with spending on the home!

I still can't get over today's windfall. It couldn't be better timed going into xmas and with various work stresses etc - it feels like it has taken the pressure off a little. Looking forward to it landing in our account. Work may give me extra vouchers compared to normal - and thinking of using them when they come to help DD buy a tablet she's after. She would use her savings, xmas gifts etc and we would potentially loan her the rest. For me that's good too as it converts vouchers I might have otherwise wasted into cash equivalent for me. She is now very excited and wondering how much it will cost in the after xmas sales.

jwil

Congratulations on the windfall - what a lovely surprise!

Blackcats

Really pleased that you got an unexpected windfall.  I'm looking forward to time off over Christmas too - I hope you take the opportunity to re-charge your batteries.  How about booking a couple of long weekends in January using your flexi-time?  It might be a nice way of getting through the long month after Christmas and then we will be well on our way to Spring 🥳

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil and Blackcats. I'm feeling really exhausted currently - went for another nap as soon as I finished work - on top of a nap last Friday during the day. I think if I get the chance to finish earlier for xmas I will just take that. Spoke to my boss about regrading again today - and she would support me - so I want to try and rewrite my job description before I finish in the hope I can finally get a multi-year promised regrade. If it comes through - I will ask to start higher up the band to reflect the length of time this has been on-going.

MovingForwards

That sounds very promising SH, can you do a little bit each day instead of trying to rewrite it in one go.
Hopefully you're breaking up soon and have a decent amount of time off to catch up on rest.

savingholmes

I have some deadlines I need to hit first - but then should be able to make a decent stab at it. I've literally been talking to my boss re regrading since 2017. 

DancingInTheRain

Lovely news about the windfall, pleased it will help take a bit of pressure off you. Hope you get to take an extended Christmas break, sounds like you're ready for some down time.
Good luck too with the regrading, it would certainly be well deserved x

savingholmes

Thanks for the encouragement Dancing. Well the money came through so sent £700 to EF. Paid £78.64 to target cc to get to exactly £4800. Bought DS 3 Xmas presents. Left rest in account for end of week bills. Get paid next Tuesday.

DS is due to repay £100 this week too. I will use that towards Xmas. Most still to sort but mainly doing £ to this year

savingholmes

Upped grocery spend a lot!!! this week for some drinks, treat food and other bits we want for xmas.  I had planned to - I just did it a week earlier than I would have without the windfall. Bought another present for DS - still within his budget. Still need to sort presents for my sis, M&D and 2 littlies. Hoping can sort all via Am**** but currently awaiting ideas. Payslip has come early this month - and with the home working tax reclaim - I am due to receive close to £50 more in my wages than normal. Still waiting on the work xmas vouchers - they are still working out the logistics of sending them to us. It all helps.

DS had a client who hadn't paid up who has finally sent the money (a month overdue). Another client is due to pay up tomorrow - and then I will get what he owes me. He is still owed his deposit back from his co-working space - another £275. Bless him. I think he's found it quite challenging. This is his first experience of people being slow to pay him. He in turn owes £80 to the dentist and plus more to other places. He's certainly starting to see why an EF would have been a big help!

MovingForwards

Plenty of time for the remaining gifts and finishing touches.
Take it work already have the vouchers and so can't get e-vouchers instead? Then email to work addresses.

Fingers crossed this is a quick lesson for DS and he will plan in advance, budget and not repeat the previous mishaps. Double check invoice payment terms and any late fees are included in his tenders, it may help people pay promptly.