50 something man seeking to save to retire before 60!

ManofLeisure_2

LL, best wishes on your move - hope everything goes well for you. I should imagine you've reached that stage when you're just wanting to be settled.


CRV, my duties start on Thursday . I've been round to meet ''the girls'' and received clear instructions as to ''what to do''. Fortunately, they seem very friendly and so I've no worry on that score lol.
Glad to see you're settling into your new job. I was wondering whether joining a car share scheme might be an option - if only on an occasional basis. My brother used to do this and it worked out really well.
I think inviting an architect round to look at various possibilities is a good idea. These days most firms will agree to an initial visit which is free of charge - so you've nothing to lose in that respect:)



SukySue, I've also been having a good old clear out. In particular, the garage is an absolute mess and my wife has been nagging me about it for ages . I'm glad I did though as I managed to find a couple of tools that have been missing for ages.

crv1963

ManOfLeisure- Car share isn't really an option as I have to use it during the working day to go to different places, I have found somewhere to stay a couple of nights a week, which I am testing out in October. The cost of each night is only slightly higher than the cost of the fuel for the commute. Hopefully it'll work out.


Hens are fun, do you get to keep your friends eggs while you care for the hens? If so that might persuade your wife getting some is a good idea. Our first hens were a wedding gift.


LL- good luck with the move today.


SukySue- Looks like I'm doing some clearing out today, I've discovered that I can't get in the spare bedroom for "stuff".

ManofLeisure_2

[QUOTE=crv1963;74770208


Hens are fun, do you get to keep your friends eggs while you care for the hens? If so that might persuade your wife getting some is a good idea. Our first hens were a wedding gift.

[/QUOTE]
Yes, we do keep the eggs . I think my wife has been concerned about the hens welfare whilst we are away - but I've now compiled a list of volunteers for when the need arises . Additionally, once a week we care for my brother's twin grandsons (aged 4 and autistic) and I think they would benefit greatly by helping to care for the hens. They are a couple of super little lads - always a smile on their faces- but with so many developmental problems. In particular, they have absolutely no speech and severe co-ordination problems. However, they are extremely gentle and absolutely adore animals, so the hens would be of real interest to them. I'm even thinking of involving them in the process of building a hen house . Our own grandchildren would also be interested too.


Fingers crossed that the place you've found to stay proves to be suitable

crv1963

Going away takes a bit of planning, days out the odd overnight is okay as long as you leave enough food/ water out. Just hope Mr Fox doesn't visit if they aren't locked in their house. Although you can get a gadget that automatically opens and closes the door.


Hens really are good for people, children love being involved, I'd double the time allowed to build the run/ house and involve all the kids. Get them in their old clothes and helping to paint it would be great. We bought a wooden one new from the internet and I had to give it several coats of paint before use.


If you drive to collect your girls then seeing lots and I mean lots of hens in one go can be amazing for a child. Or in my case the 22 year old son- he had no idea what a place like Durham Hens was like or the things you can buy for them, his face was a picture! I did draw the line at a cockerel though.

sukysue

Well done Man of Leisure l am nagging my poor DH about his garage but there is no hope of getting him even starting!!
CRV hope the decluttering went well !
We walked down to the Goldcliff seawall 2 miles today and we really enjoyed it .The sun was shining and the wind was blowing a gale.... just lovely .

crv1963

Hi Everyone,


Spending- £5 on lunch over two days, was based at an office away from our Team base on one of the days as part of my induction to the new job. £5 on essentials milk/ bread/ salad for tea.


Saving- Feeling a bit demoralised that I haven't been able to start any of my plans this month, but haven't used the CC so a sort of saving.


Sorting- We're going to de-clutter the Conservatory today, looks like a couple of tip runs are going to be needed.


Other News- Have enjoyed work and even the commute, although a minimum 4 hours a day drive to and from won't be sustainable in the winter. Was discussing options for staying over 2 or 3 nights a week with Mrs CRV. Found somewhere via Airbnb for the cost of the daily fuel- no saving but then less wear and tear on the car and the driver!


Then was telling a worker I met in another Team about it and was offered the option of staying at their house, at a lower cost. They are going to work out how much this will be and we'll speak next week a bit more about it. They are struggling a bit financially after changing jobs, so were considering renting a room out, but with a child want someone who has been vetted - I fit the bill as it isn't full time living there and have Enhanced DBS as part of my job requirement. So fingers crossed.


Told workmates that I won't be going to the Christmas do. Although I'm quite sociable, I don't want a four hour round trip to sit drinking soft drinks watching everyone else get tipsy in the middle of December. So I volunteered to work nightshift that weekend, earning not spending is my plan.


There's a fair few extra shifts available at the moment, some at overtime rates, some at bank rates (an NHS system of paying staff a fixed rate to cover shifts) which although lower than my hourly rate in my fulltime job is not something to turn your nose up at if you get a shift that attracts enhanced hours- weekends and nights. I've booked a Sunday bank day shift this month at a base closer to my home (taking me to two so far this month) and said I'm available for a Monday overtime shift in October in my Team.


Son happy with his car, going to save for one for my other son.


Mrs CRV discussed reducing her hours once we've established how much I'll get monthly, so we can work out exactly how much I need to put into our "monthly pot" that covers our outgoings. I'm quite keen on the idea as well, it'll reduce her work related stress, make caring for our diabetic dog easier in terms of the timing of her insulin and feeds, as well as allowing us to spend more time together- me days, her nights means we sometimes can go for regular periods of time without actually seeing each other. Even if I then pick up extra shifts to make up the shortfall, we'll at least eat and have evenings together.


Plans for the weekend- de-clutter the Conservatory- getting it cleared out so we can get in it, then when I get Mrs CRV her jukebox for Christmas it can go in there while we ponder a bit more about demolishing it and extending the lounge it's attached to. That way the lounge will become a lounge/ dining room/ sewing room. We have to keep it as a lounge for when the boys come to visit us/ have people call up to see us (not often but it does happen!).


Mrs CRV is busy buying singles from the 80s, to go with the several hundred we have kept from that time in our lives- neither of us have ever parted with any of our records! Going through our combined collections means we're bound to have several duplicates I'm sure.


My lawnmower still hasn't arrived, so the lawn now looks like a meadow, but the flower beds are weeded, just one forty foot border to go.


Well I'm off to have a cuppa then de-cluttering begins again!


CRV

crv1963

Hi my update-


Spending- Primarily fuel for the commute, did spend £2 on one days lunch, took sandwiches the other 2 days.


Saving- Not used the credit card, thinking carefully about options for saving. Got Mrs CRV to discuss pension!


Sorting- Conservatory cleared and now ready for Mrs CRV to use as a sewing room. Have made a start on the spare bedroom today- got to stop now as my ironing pile kept in there out of sight is about 4 foot high, and it is all neatly folded awaiting being ironed. Guess it's ironing a few hours later this evening to get a couple of feet knocked off it.


Other News- Lots to feed back!


Finished my induction and now "free to be let loose on the world" to quote my assessor, who coincidentally wasn't even born when I started my original nurse training. Lol, such is the world. Start proper "in the numbers" shifts tomorrow.


Think I'm sorted for somewhere to stay to avoid the daily commute- have agreed a price- less than the cost of the fuel, let her know I don't expect her to provide tea/ milk/ meal or wash my sheets and towels. Just want somewhere to sleep, no fuss, no one thinking they have to run around after me. I go to see the room Wednesday after work.


Worked a bank shift yesterday, so a bit extra in the pay at the end of October, have another booked for next Saturday so a bit more there too. Hopefully I'll work enough bank to get an extra weeks pay each month. I know on other threads it's about finding another source of income to boost savings/ pay down debt etc but working an extra shift doing something I know seems the most effective way for me to boost my income.


Payslip wasn't available on-line yesterday so will have to look tomorrow to see what I have in the bank on Friday, at least I'm not overdrawn.


Hens- the Collie has got in there twice so had to spend a few hours putting extra wire around them and securing it so she can't go under it- her preferred option. If she can get in so can Mr Fox. Not that they are bothered- still all laying and gifting a couple of dozen a week to the folk in the office.


Christmas off duty- have said I'll work any dayshifts over that two weeks, Mrs CRV is nights and so we'll have our Christmas on our first days off together, same with our New Year.


That's about it for now.


CRV


Stop being afraid of what can go wrong. Start being excited about what can go right!


Edit- to correct poor spelling.

crv1963

Hi

Trying to keep updating so that I can look back at a future date. Got paid last working day of the month, so was glad I didn't need to use the CCs at all. A small victory.

Spending: Had an expensive and tiring commute last month so have accepted the offer from a colleague in a different Team to rent a room on a nightly basis. Paid my share of the household monies. Bought a lunch (£2.50) and treated myself to a bottle of Tullibardine single malt from Sainsburys on special offer reduced from £45 to £30. Building up my collection of my occasional indulgence a single bottle can last me a year so buying one a month until retirement should see me with a lifetime supply!

Managing to keep indulgent spends down otherwise. Mrs CRV has bought me an early birthday present- a reconditioned laptop so I can stay in touch when I'm staying away and of course we can both use a computer at home at the same time. Even if her laptop is the one she bought me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Such is married life and I'm not complaining about it at all!

Have budgeted £100 per week- £60 fuel, £10 sundries such as food while away and £30 just if needed money.

Christmas shopping- £60 bought some presents for family on offer in local supermarket.

Saving: Overpaid CC1, minimum payment CC2. Still small beer but taking a drip, drip approach until I settle on what my outgoings actually are going to be.

Sorting: Started preparing for my professional re-registration, more time consuming than I expected. Home wise chipping away at the spare bedroom sorting but slow progress really.

Other News: Have been busy working! Had one shift booked for the weekend but ended up working Friday to Monday so worked 48 hours extra instead of the planned 12. Hopefully October pay should be a good one!

Dishwasher gone and died on us so that's one item that will need to come out of the pay. Car will be due MOT in November so just as well I've earned a bit extra. Mrs CRV car sailed through its' MOT last week with just new wiper blades.

Border Collie had her 3 month diabetic check up- we're managing well, but we do need to vary her insulin dose and keep a close eye on her generally as her numbers vary for no discernible reason. Roughly working out she probably costs us 3k pa or £250 pm to keep, but she is worth it.

Enjoying a rest day today but will clean the hens out before the rain comes.

That's all folks!

I don't feel like I'm getting older, it's more like my warranty has expired and my parts are wearing out!

sukysue

Sounds like a good month CRV , l am glad you are settling into your routine and sorting everything. I think it is a huge help for you to stay at a colleagues for a reasonable sum. Much better for you than the nightmare commutes! Keep up the good work Well Done m'dear!

Mnd

Made me smile about stocking up on the whiskey ..get you prioritis sorted.

I would suggest you might get through more than 1 bottle when you at home all the time.

Enjoying your blog

Mark