Last push...............

Justonething

Hi everyone
Not quite sure where to put this but as I am going to be battening down the hatches on all fronts for a bit this seemed like a friendly spot to land. I have been lurking for a bit and really need the support to make me accountable to be able to make this last push into retirement which is only a few years off now. I would love to be able to retire earlier than SP age if possible, in fact I might have to.

I managed to get my mortgage paid off a few years ago along with all credit cards and a stupid car lease I was talked into, and all with the guidance of you lovely peeps on this forum during 2015/16. I was a member but didn't have a diary however followed all the advice and scoured the boards regularly so felt in a good position. However things have slipped on all fronts since then and although I am not in debt I am regularly spending my money. I have gone from being careful and frugal to careless and spendy – back to the way I was which annoys and frustrates me, had I continued in my frugal manner for the last 2 years I would be in a better position to stop working early.

I had a wake up call last month which really frightened me – I caused a car accident that although was not too serious it sooo could have been. Work which I used to love has become very stressful, and what with Bexit I might not even have a job next year which is a worry at my age. There’s a family issue that causes me endless sleepless night – not that I can do anything about it but doesn’t stop me ruminating in the early hours. On top of which I seem to be catching every cold and lurgy going, think I’m running on empty at the moment, indeed I know that I am running on empty and feel very down and lethargic. And on top of that Christmas is looming with 5 home grown grandkids plus 2 steps. I want to try over the weekend to pull together a plan to get back on track of my budget which hopefully will give me the oomph to tackle everything else.


So back to the budget…………….

Hard_Up_Hester

Good luck, I hope manage it.

bexster1975

Hello JOT

I'm sorry to hear things are getting on top of you. A few observations from an outsider.....

1) hurrah! You are MF! I'm sure you are aware there are hundreds of people on here attempting to achieve this life-changing goal :beer:

2) hurrah! You are debt free! There are even more people on here trying to achieve that life changing goal :beer::j

3) hurrah! You gave over half a dozen grandkids! ( not everyone's idea of a success I'll grant you, but very, very important. Christmas isn't quite the same without little ones around).

I'm sorry to hear about your car accident - but again, it clearly could have been lots worse.im also sorry to hear about an unpleasant family situation.

On a more practical note:

I would suggest a spending diary to see exactly where all your money goes. I appreciate at this time of year that might not be very representative, but you could note the items that are Christmas specific separately.

I'd ditch the guilt. So, you should have been more frugal the last two years. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed the money

It's a super-trendy term but do you make time for " self-care"? It's sounds like maybe not. Even a 20 minute walk outside can name a huge difference.

Is it worth planning a job contingency if you may lose your job after Brexit? To be fair leaving the EU looks like it may take a bit longer than 4 more months!

I hope things soon seem less overwhelming. I think you are probably in the exact right place here.

Bexster

Justonething

Hi Hard Up and thanks for the welcome
Bexter you are correct I do have much to be thankful for and I need to focus on the positive, which is strange as I am normally quite an upbeat positive person but seem to have been spiralling down a deep hole the past 6 months??
I do plan on getting my ducks in a row on the job front, I work for a European company and increased tariffs on our product coming into the UK could make it unviable unfortunately. We have Plan A & Plan B but Plan C is to move out of the UK market completely and as there are only 6 employees in the UK not much wiggle room, it’s the unknown I think that is so unsettling – but I am not alone on that front. And you are correct that I need some time to just step back and ‘smell the roses’ something that has slipped off my list of things To Do. It actually feels better just putting things down on paper so thanks.

nannywindow

Hi there
Just wanted to add my virtual support. On the Br*xit front maybe you would be able to take redundancy. Just a thought to add to the mix.

PipneyJane

Hi JOT

I would like to second what Bexter said. You have achieved a lot already, financially, even if you didn’t budget well over the last two years. Life is for living, not for watching everyone-else do so while it passes you by. Make sure that you include some money for experiences and enjoyment in your new budget, no matter how tight it is.

Justonething wrote: »

Hi Hard Up and
thanks for the welcome
Bexter you are correct I do have much to be thankful for and I need to focus on the positive, which is strange as I am normally quite an upbeat positive person but seem to have been spiralling down a deep hole the past 6 months??
I do plan on getting my ducks in a row on the job front, I work for a European company and increased tariffs on our product coming into the UK could make it unviable unfortunately. We have Plan A & Plan B but Plan C is to move out of the UK market completely and as there are only 6 employees in the UK not much wiggle room, it’s the unknown I think that is so unsettling – but I am not alone on that front. And you are correct that I need some time to just step back and ‘smell the roses’ something that has slipped off my list of things To Do. It actually feels better just putting things down on paper so thanks.

I completely understand what is worrying you on the job front. You say there is a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for Brexit,with Plan C being closing your office; what about a Plan D? I.e. that, if the job relocates to the European mainland, you could follow and work there for a few years? Depending on where you live in the UK and where the new office is, it is perfectly feasible to commute backwards and forwards on a weekly basis, spending the weekdays there and the weekends at home. It would be an adventure and enable you to stay working in a job you’ve loved. (A good employer would even offer subsidised housing and travel.)

With Plan C in mind, there are loads of questions to ask yourself, in order to prepare for the worst case scenario. Do you have an emergency fund? General advice is to save up the equivalent of 6 months of living expenses for your emergency fund - how long would that take you? If you are made redundant, how little could you live on and job hunt, etc? (NB: Job Seekers Allowance is a derisory £76 a week. That’s not a lot.)

Also consider the skills can you take with you from this job to another. I work a lot with spreadsheets so, at every job I do, I create an email of useful formulae I’ve learned on the latest job, which I email to myself before I leave. Start rewriting your CV now. It’s easier to figure out what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis when you’re currently doing it. Would your current employer give you CV Writing Support or any retraining courses before you leave? Those are things to ask for/suggest are built into Plan C.

Apologies for rambling. Hope the above is helpful.

- Pip

Justonething

Nannywind and PJ thank you so much for your support and thoughts. Wow your comments have really made me sit up and think instead of ruminating and running in circles. Yes I would get redundancy if I stay and it turns out that way, and this would happen quickly once the decision is made I reckon. Must find out the company policy.
Relocating to the EU mainland – not sure about that for various reasons but I am going to leave that simmering away in the background so it’s not discounted. CV will be dug out and dusted down, I am working away from home next week for three days so 2 nights in a hotel can be put to good use, it’s a while since I looked at it. Also EF saving has begun, maybe not the best time with Christmas fast approaching but what better time to hone my frugal skills than spending my money on tat. I actually feel more motivated and upbeat today than I have in a while, thanks so much

Katiehound

My suggestion isn't of the practical money saving variety but one that might help you to lift the spirit and see the wood for the trees!

I'm sure you have read of it before- a gratitude diary.
At the end of the end just spend a few moments (and I mean that- not a dissertation!!) to jot down three good things that have happened each day. Go to bed on a positive note.
It can be as simple as phoned a friend, the sun shone....

If you getting every bug going try to eat loads of fruit & veg. and enough sleep. Wash you hands frequently or wear gloves when holding door handles etc in shops- things that people handle are prime places for germs to lurk!

Don't forget to be nice to yourself!

Good luck

Justonething

Thank you Katiehound, wise words and often the type of things we forget about in the daily hustle.
Managed a lie in, leisurely breakfast and spent a grand Sunday with my son and his family which lifted my spirits quite a bit, nothing like the enthusiasm and demanding vocals of a 1 year old to remind me of my priorities and how fortunate I am. One of their children is autistic and I am always so impressed with the way they cope with this challenge. Their house is always happy and welcoming, I haven’t seen them for a while as I have been on that hamster wheel of work so this needs to change. I also managed to get out for 2 decent walks over the weekend which has lifted my mood a bit and I know I need to do more of this.
This evening I tackled the food cupboards and fridge/freezer so have an idea now of what to budget for the month and have made a meal plan. I’ve also looked at all the opportunities of eating at work and when staying away from home in hotels so am planning a frugal food budget this month. I will use up everything I can in the house and only buy essentials, should be interesting.
I am tired tonight but a good tired so hopeful for a good night’s sleep for once, seems ages since I had one – not much to ask you would think. I’m off to have a peaceful soak and light some candles before the demands of the looming working week rain on my parade………

Justonething

Damn, I’ve been locked out of the Forum which is a huge pain by a message that says ‘your IP address has been banned by the administrator’. No idea why but I clicked on a link in a post and it seems to have triggered something. Means I cannot log on at home, I’ll need to google and see if I can sort it out.
On a positive note I am feeling in a much better place mentally and emotionally for two reasons –

• writing things down in the diary is keeping me focused and accountable and reading other diaries and boards is giving me loads of ideas and making me realise how much I actually have.
• I’m actively tackling the stress and trying to fit in a bit of me time – easier said than done and a work in progress but the week before last I had bad headaches every single day of the week and a very sore, tight neck and I haven’t had one for 4 days now.

So MSE wise I have had 4 NSDs and the plan is to have as many as I can this month and I can see this becoming a bit of a challenge and I like those! Still trying to get the balance right with all this budgeting between careful/frugal and being a tightwad - how do others manage to navigate that I wonder?