I am being upgraded from Mum to Nan - I need a plan!

Sarahwithlove

If you don't want to disclose the amount could you maybe explain that money is tight so you need help with the food expenses on the days he is there. 

Mum2Nan

@beanielou, there was no real outcome as such apart from agreeing on CT and the SPD.  I will bring up the food bill again tomorrow when he’s here but I don’t want BF to think I am being mean, tight or moaning because I’m not.  I think am going to take @sarahwithlove’s advice and say money is a bit tight at the moment.  I like that approach and it’s true.  I am still on a pay cut and still owe an awful lot of money.  I guess it would be easier to come clean but I’ve kept it a secret all this time and that’s the way I would prefer it to stay.  Perhaps I should just take the direct approach and ask him if he intends on contributing or may be I should just let it drop and stop making an issue out of it and suck it up and see what happens.  Decisions, decisions.

My week off is going very quickly now.  The fish tank was cleaned on Tuesday evening and the fish seem happy enough.

Yesterday, I was pottering about doing quite a few jobs including an inventory of my household items as the cupboard under the sink looked a mess again but it was a mess rather than over buying stuff.

DGS has run me ragged today.  We made it to the nature trail, then onto the Adventure Park, stopped off and had a small picnic I had prepared (thank god for my flask of coffee) and then the long walk back to the car.  I love the way DGS runs slightly ahead of me turns round, stops in front of me and puts his arms up for me to carry him but he’s so heavy now.  I had to make a bit of a game of it.  He refuses to sit in his buggy.  My only spends today has been an icecream and a hot chocolate for DGS and I don't begrudge spending that at all.

I’m on my third brew since I got home! 

Tomorrow morning I need to clean the insides of my windows as the window cleaner is due round on Saturday afternoon to clean the outsides.   For the first time in months, we are co-ordinated.  Never a dull moment here!  😊

Mum2Nan

The past week has gone by so quickly.  I have almost been back to work a week.  It was a welcome break but seems like a distant memory now.

I unexpectedly had an enjoyable day with DD and DGS on Friday.

BF suggested he cook dinner on Saturday evening which went down very well with me and it was rather yummy.  He cleared up as well.

Sunday drove over to my parents and had dinner there.   Despite my Dad’s protestations he is still struggling with his arthritis.  He tries to put on a brave face but it’s clear for all to see.   Going to speak to mum shortly to see if she has put in his repeat prescription for painkillers.  Am sure she will have.

It’s been and will continue to be a bit of a spendy week.

The window cleaner turned up on Saturday so had to pay him £10.

 I had a grumbling toothache Sunday evening and all day Monday.  I felt so miserable with it I eventually called the dentist Tuesday morning and have successfully secured an appointment for tomorrow morning.  It feels like part of my filling has fallen out so that will no doubt cost me a bit.  I have some money in my ‘health & beauty’ pot so that will cover the cost. 

I had a puncture on Monday afternoon so had to pay for a new tyre.  I had money in my car pot but now I’ve had to buy the tyre I’m not sure I will have enough to cover my annual car expenses in November so will have to cover the shortfall on my everyday spending CC and then dip into my emergency fund to pay it off if need be.  I will be more organised next year.

I went into the office yesterday.  Parking and daily train ticket was almost £30.   Lunch out with a couple of the girls was another £10.50.  I was also running low on vape juice so put in an order for that so another £9.99 spent there.

I’m still waiting to hear about my new role and when it will commence.

Mum2Nan

Almost another week has gone by since I last posted.  Time is sure running away with itself at the moment.  It’s been beautiful weather here but am reminded Autumn is on its way with the nights drawing in and dew on the grass and cars.

I left Mum & Dad's on Sunday and it was dark driving home.  Dad's arthritis is still causing him a lot of pain and it make me sad to see him that way.  He is still waiting for a scan.

This week has not been nearly so bad as last week’s spendy week which only increased further after the dentist last Friday.  I have another appointment for next Tuesday for another replacement filling.  Boo to that and an appointment with the hygienist on 29th.

Life is settling down well with BF being here regularly now.  I am certainly cooking, washing and cleaning a bit more but as I am WfH 4 days a week I don’t mind as long as I don’t feel I am being taken for granted which I’m not right now.  BF even transferred money into my account towards the food shopping and came home last night with a bottle of wine.

Today is now my usual ‘office’ day so almost £30 for train ticket and parking.  I need to find somewhere cheaper to park other than the train station.  It’s very convenient but expensive.  I was organised though and took lunch in with me.

I’ve booked next Monday off as I am needed for childcare.  I’m going to be in a very difficult position if I am asked to book a Wednesday off considering it’s the only day I go into the office at the moment but I guess it would save me nearly £30 😊

beanielou

Are you expected to go into the office once a week? 

Mum2Nan

beanielou said:

Are you expected to go into the office once a week? 

Hi @beanielou - no, not at the moment but I am enjoying going in one day a week for a change of scenery and to catch-up with colleagues.  I could change this to another day if I had to. 

I haven't done nearly so well this month with NSDs so will try harder next month.  TBF, I haven't spent any money in the last two days and my finances are breathing a sigh of relief! 

Shopping delivery turns up later and two items will not be delivered but I can probably do without those (although I am now questioning why I ordered them in the first place if I am now saying I can do without them!).

It's a beautiful but chilly morning here so I plan to tidy up my balcony boxes and spend a couple of hours doing some housework.  Am waiting for a call to confirm if I am needed for childcare for a couple of hours this afternoon, fingers crossed it's a yes!

Blackcats

Glad it's going well for you and BF.  Sorry about your dad's arthritis - it's hard watching family getting older.  Hopefully he'll be feeling a bit better next time you visit.  My elderly relative has arthritis but they often self medicate by reducing their medication and then wonder why they have a flare up 🙀. . 

It's interesting how going into the office just one day a week highlights the massive cost of being office based.  I think that it will never be the same again, people realise that squashing onto a packed train 5 days a week is not necessary and certainly not good for us.   I think we all just commuted out of habit without realising how awful it was.  Most of my colleagues are not choosing to go back to the office even though it is now open again.  

Mum2Nan

@blackcats – It’s horrible to see Dad in pain but he does now have his super strength pain killers so he looked much better when I drove over to seem them yesterday for dinner. 

It’s turning out to be quite expensive paying for daily travel.  Under normal circumstances, I would either have had an annual ticket or certainly a monthly one.   I would not have had parking charges either but don’t feel comfortable using the bus as it does get very busy.  I agree, I think the days of joining the rat race 5 days a week are over hopefully.  It’s not only the cost but the time saved too.  The thought of not having to stand on the train station waiting for a delayed train in the depths of winter 5 mornings a week will be a relief.

I switched my gas & electricity supplier yesterday.  My current one e-mailed to advise they were increasing my D / D by £39 from 1 November despite being in credit.  I’ve gone through Quidco so have £37.72 cashback tracked in my account.   Another 2 days (yesterday and today) of no money spent too.

This morning I found out my new role starts from 1 October which coincides with the reinstatement of pre-lockdown pay and lovely boss is my line manager.  Great news!

Baileys_Babe

Lots of good news there @Mum2Nan

maggiem

Very pleased to hear the good news Mum2Nan, must be such a relief.