*sigh* this may take a while 20 December 2018 at 10:56PM edited 19 September 2020 at 8:55PM in Debt Free Diaries 1K replies 91.9K views

enthusiasticsaver

I should think being flexible will make you more attractive. Years ago I used a childminder for my two but mine would not do school holidays as her husband was a teacher. Similarly though she did not charge retainers when we were away on holiday or did not need her as one of us was on leave.

Igamogam

Flexibility - great especially for NHS workers which you will have experience of and an insight into.

Retainers - hated paying them as I am a teacher but when my 2 where in CC I had no option If I had my time again they wouldn't be in CC.....but that is another story!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Whenever I've childminded, I've always asked parents to pay in advance and I still charged for their holidays and sickness (but not mine). Retainers in school holidays for teachers always seem unfair... if they're not using the space, I can offer school holiday cover to others, so shouldn't end up out of pocket and if I was a teacher, I think I'd appreciate not paying them.
I'm registered to look after 3 under 5s, but would only ever have 2. Otherwise, how would I take them out? I'm assuming those that have 3 remain based at home, which doesn't appeal. I'd want to be able to take them to parks, library, NT etc.... not soft play though, my soul dies a little every time I step into one of those places!!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Updated signature... 1.75% paid this month.... not too bad.
Progress was dented by paying off some of the Christmas hangover (same again next month...) and having to pay my tax return.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Uneventful few days, we're still being pretty good with our spending.
We chickened out of dry February, oops! But we did 3 alcohol free days last week and aiming for 4 this week.
Weight loss plateau, mainly because I didn't really watch it, but didn't put any on, so still 4lb off since 1st Jan, which isn't bad.
I was looking through my payslips and my tax code is wrong, I think because I have 2 PAYE jobs and I'm SE too, it gets messed up sometimes. I'll wait until the end of the tax year to be certain and then look at claiming it back.

mark55man

ohshithowdidthathappen wrote: »

I'm registered to look after 3 under 5s, but would only ever have 2. Otherwise, how would I take them out? I'm assuming those that have 3 remain based at home, which doesn't appeal. I'd want to be able to take them to parks, library, NT etc.... not soft play though, my soul dies a little every time I step into one of those places!!

I agree you need one hand per child so unless you are physically gifted that's a limit of 2. I also agree about soft play areas - not my favorite memories of when they were little

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I’ve been a bit quiet on here, very busy in real life though...

Have got a bit of a moral dilemma.... I was pursuing the childminding idea and verbally agreed to contracts to fill the spaces I was offering. Now I’ve been offered that promotion at the hospitals that I applied for a few weeks back. Doh!

Husband and kids like the idea of the childminding as I’d be around all day, every day. Plus, I’d feel very bad letting the parents down...
Promotion would mean less working hours overall and it is considerably better paid than childminding.

Husband heard about his bonus, he’s getting £17k which is amazing, we’ve worked it out to be £10.2k after tax/NI. All of it will go straight into debt repayment... parents have said they don’t need paying back yet, so we’ll put it towards Christmas hangover and the remainder into virgin card. It’ll be in his February pay, so signature will look a bit less dreadful on 1st March when I update it

enthusiasticsaver

Wow fantastic news on bonus. That will make a massive difference. 25% paid off.

Difficult decision on the job dilemma. Only you can decide though as job satisfaction is important but you have to be able to make enough to live off financially. Yes your children and husband may like you at home more but giving up a well paid career is a big step and may have long term implications for you pension and income wise. You have to do what is right for you as well as your family.

Kittencat

Hi there. What do we call you? Ohshit?:rotfl:

You are doing great, keep positive!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Bit of a break in updating! Been busy working, sussing out job options etc...

My husband's bonus was a little less than we were expecting, or the amount he actually got after the tax man took his cut was anyway! Still, it worked out at £9.5k and we put it all into paying off debt apart from a few hundred that we needed to spend on getting the children some new clothes and shoes. I'll update my signature, but debt level now stands at £36220, which sounds a bit less scary

My other new year targets have been slightly less successful, I'm only averaging 2 days alcohol free a week, which I need to improve. I've only lost 5lbs to, whereas I should be up to more like 10 by now. Oops. I'm getting more active, especially now, with the nicer weather.