50 something man seeking to save to retire before 60!

Savvy_Sue

crv1963 said:
I have to find alternative accommodation as my Landlady and her daughter are in "high risk" category so have been told to self isolate for 12 weeks, so I'll be ringing round next week for a hotel room. 

Good luck with that ... hope you are able to find somewhere. 

crv1963 said:

Hoping everyone here keeps well- usual mantra wash our hands, keep our distance and above all if you have to isolate keep busy and be kind.

And I'll add to that, Smile, and look for signs of spring ... 

Clowance

premier inn may still be open if thats any good. Keep safe everyone.

crv1963

Clowance said:

premier inn may still be open if thats any good. Keep safe everyone.

I've decided to try the hotels next week to see which ones are open, so thanks I will try premier inn. It will be odd having no rush hour on my way home after a night shift!

crv1963

Hi

I'm not having much luck with accommodation so a four hour drive in total daily looks on the cards. On the bright side due to not going shopping or taking Mum out anywhere I haven't touched this months fuel budget of £400 or spent much on treats such as cups of tea or lunch so the bank balance is much more robust than normal heading towards payday next week!

Hoping everyone is well- You're not stuck at home, you're safe at home. One word can change your attitude, one cough can change your life. Keep safe and busy! 

Clowance

I work for the NHS too crv1963, my hospital is trying to help those who need accommodation, if you ask at work perhaps? (that is, if you work at a hospital!) Or maybe put an appeal on next door for landlords for part time tenant?

Savvy_Sue

crv1963 said:

I'm not having much luck with accommodation so a four hour drive in total daily looks on the cards. 

I saw an email recently saying that hotels and b&bs were being asked to stay open to provide accommodation for keyworkers who needed it, and the very vulnerable. But agreed, maybe ask your employer if they know of anything?

crv1963

Savvy_Sue said:

crv1963 said:

I'm not having much luck with accommodation so a four hour drive in total daily looks on the cards. 

I saw an email recently saying that hotels and b&bs were being asked to stay open to provide accommodation for keyworkers who needed it, and the very vulnerable. But agreed, maybe ask your employer if they know of anything?

Luckily Savvy Sue I came across an article yesterday on FB from the local paper from the city I work in, it had an e-mail address for a chain of hotels offering Essential Workers accommodation in the city. I got in touch and have a room to use while I'm staying near work. It took them only a couple of hours to sort out.

Not only is it free of charge to me and the NHS when I checked in this morning after last nights shift they offered me breakfast and unlimited tea/ coffee. Just about to get ready for work now but as usual I had to quickly check the few sites I follow! We do have sensible instructions to follow- hand sanitizing on arrival and leaving, social distancing, strip own bed and towels, double bag and leave outside room, all foods eaten in own room etc. 

Another colleague is in a similar hotel as his family are safely tucked away for 12 weeks while he works so he stands in his garden and says hi to his wife and children then goes a couple of miles to where he's staying to sleep/ eat. I do believe that most people are basically kind and aware of others needs. At least for the time being I can drive home Tuesday after my run of shifts but he although he can see them daily, he cannot go home for at least the next 11 weeks.

Savvy_Sue

I am so pleased to hear that crv. Would worry about you with all that driving - and grateful to you and your colleagues for what they are doing. 

crv1963

Clowance said:

I work for the NHS too crv1963, my hospital is trying to help those who need accommodation, if you ask at work perhaps? (that is, if you work at a hospital!) Or maybe put an appeal on next door for landlords for part time tenant?

Sorry Clowance I missed this post. My hospital is unable to help, but as above posts I managed to get sorted. It looks like I'll be working through retirement, our Trust isn't cancelling leave per se but limiting it to one day per week as opposed to taking a week at a time. I have a week booked before my alleged retirement date of 30 April so have said just book me into whatever needs covering. My manager is expecting me to get an e-mail requesting that I delay retiring but to work through until this is all manageable although I've already agreed to retire and return immediately.

I don't actually mind which as apart from my beloved garden I can't go anywhere if retired and Mrs CRV cannot retire or drop her hours with the current situation so we're both (like everyone else) in limbo, awaiting decisions that are quite frankly and rightly at the bottom of others "to do lists".

It brought it home very firmly last night when working with the Police they appeared all dressed like Scene of Crime Officers, suited in white with masks and goggles. For a patient it must be terrifying, let alone an elderly confused one! On the bright side (always look on the bright side of life!) the roads in this busy tourist hotspot are a doddle at the moment, a journey that involves usually 30 minutes took me 10, with no speeding!

crv1963

Good morning everyone.

It seems odd reading back through the thread, all the planning and now the retirement is due soon the speed at which plans change! Now have the confirmation from my Trust that I am indeed retiring 30 April,

However this isn't really the time to go so I have confirmation that I am returning to work in the same Team on 2 May, then late last week I was asked if I would mind being seconded to another Team a further hours journey South. They have too many vacant posts to offer the service they have to deliver, have a number of recently qualified staff and want to draft in some experienced staff to help get it going safely. So I have agreed to go there for as long as needed and am told to expect to be there at least 6 months probably more.

On the upside in this crazy world we find ourselves with delayed retirements, return from retirement and rushing peoples qualifications through they are paying me mileage from my current base to my new base and are putting staff up in accommodation.

Spending- Has fallen through the floor- essentials and a couple of bits for the garden only.

Sorting- When at home simply the garden, I've cleared a patch for my veg and am building some raised beds. I have a huge amount of seedlings on the go and need to get them planted as soon as the danger of frost has gone.

Saving- The only thing to do at the moment! Going to open a SIPP at the end of May when my DB pension and wages start, increasing Mrs CRV SIPP savings to 80% of her take home pay. Hopefully we'll get to a position where we can simply retire when she hits 55 in two years, but we'll have to wait and see. At the moment we're offered all sorts of extra hours but to preserve our own health and sanity we're trying to limit extras to working no more than 60 hours a week.

Other News- Mum is coping with the lockdown really well, I keep delivering sacks of soil, compost and plants- my bulk buying at the start of the season seems to have had a good effect, if not in my garden as I envisaged but Mums garden is looking great! She has had a couple of on line shopping loads delivered and my niece and I drop fresh fruit/ milk/ bread and of course cat litter off. It seems weird staying at a distance from your own mother, but if that is the worst experience then I cannot complain.

Had to write off the loan we gave to youngest son, he's not heard anything since being furloughed and is hoping his employer survives the current situation. Oldest son also furloughed and isn't expecting to return to work until they lift all the restrictions as pubs/ restaurants will likely be the last thing to open.

Hoping everyone is staying safe and in good health. If you are at home or isolating, it will not last forever and who would ever imagine the Govt telling people sitting on your sofa is for the good of the Nation! Seriously though keep busy, exercise, eat healthy and enjoy your time, don't overthink the situation.