*sigh* this may take a while

Isitdoable

Oh, I missed the whole name debacle!! Can't believe someone would be so petty!  And easily offended.....they wouldn't last long in my house!

Our food bill also went up massively during lockdown - partially because everyone was at home and eating all their meals there (dishwasher also on twice a day!), but I also felt myself panicking and over buying I think (not in a crazy 100 toilet rolls way, just in a lobbing stuff in the virtual trolley just in case kind of way).
I'm another that just can't get on board with Aldi or Lidl - I'd tried before lockdown.   I hate the way they throw food at you at the till, I get outraged by the way they rip off the brands by looking like them but not being them (I still can't believe thats allowed as surely its ripping off someone's copyright/image?), and I hate the fact I can't get proper baked beans and ketchup.  All first world problems I know, but I feel nice and comfortable at Sainsbury's, I know where everything is and I like it.  I realise that makes me a supermarket dream as they can do what they like to me and I'll still shop there!   I've just tried to get savvy with using offers and trying to meal plan more for cheaper dishes that feed everyone for a day or two!

In agreement with you on the masks.  I've been wearing one at work when I can't distance.  I always have a sore throat within half an hour of wearing one and I feel quite crappy by the end of the shift.  I think it must be the breathing in of your own carbon dioxide?

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Yes! I said to hubby, I wonder if you can overdose on your own CO2 emissions (probably not possible, but who knows?! )
Ha!  I agree with the shopping.... I'm probably just a grouch, but I don't like being rushed.  I love an online shop.  Will stick with the meal planning and once a week shop and hopefully the spend will come back to an ignorable (is that even a word?) level.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Two weeks off from the hospital (this week and next), although I've got exams next week so not exactly restful.  I've got a lot of content to cram in my head as there are 4 x 3 hour exams to sit.  A mix of physics, anatomy and pathology.  Yuk.  Still, once these exams are done, that's all the academic stuff finished for my training contract and I should be signed off by the end of the summer.
Still haven't decided whether to stick with this new modality or return to what I was doing before.... the pay difference is negligible (about £100pm) despite going up a band and the responsibility levels are quadrupled.  I'm going to give it 3 months once qualified and then decide... I might enjoy the extra kudos and challenge or I might crave the safe (but very boring) option.

Chrystal

Wishing you Good Luck with your exams. 

I definitely think the 'suck it and see' approach to the new job is the way to go.  You never know, you may love it! 

mark55man

I don't know your system but being in a higher pay grade normally offers more potential even if there is little or no pay rise the moment you switch

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Chrystal said:

Wishing you Good Luck with your exams. 

I definitely think the 'suck it and see' approach to the new job is the way to go.  You never know, you may love it! 

Thank you!  You never know....

mark88man said:

I don't know your system but being in a higher pay grade normally offers more potential even if there is little or no pay rise the moment you switch

Yes, maybe.  Not in the NHS, but outside definitely.  Either locuming or in industry (clinical specialist type roles).... once the little ones are older, I'll definitely be out of the NHS.  Have to be willing to work full time, then there's definitely scope for escape

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Another thought I've been having is qualifying as a teacher... my degree would get me on a PGCE course for Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Not convinced I wouldn't be jumping from the frying pan into the fire though.  And from the limited experience I have of teenagers, I don't like them much

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Have deleted the SOA from the start of this thread as is completely inaccurate now.  Had a little read through my earlier pages, goodness I do dither about work a lot, don't I?  18 months on and I still don't feel particularly settled.  I have made some decisions though...
I have decided to resign childminding registration as I'm no longer doing any and self employed childcare doesn't appeal now my children are all at school.  It costs £200+ a year to be registered and adhere to insurance regs etc.
I have also decided that I will be handing in my notice for my weekend shop job.  It's only 6 hours a week and comes with a lot of nice perks, but income wise it's only £180pm as I get taxed on the whole lot.  I can do one 6 hour shift per month at the hospital on a Saturday morning and earn what it takes me 4 supermarket shifts to earn. 
I need to accept that much as I prefer the shop work, it would only ever be a second job (I'd have to work 50 hours a week there to match my 22.5 hour per week hospital job) and there are more efficient ways to earn the money.  Both these roles served their purpose when kids were younger and childcare was astronomical, but from September childcare is £200pm for 3 days a week for 2 children (before/after school) which is very manageable.
In addition, I think it will help me not to have these other options to dither over.  If I can't childmind and I can't work in the shop due to resigning both, hopefully it'll make me focus more on my actual career and how to improve that so I'm happier in it.  If I still can't enjoy it, I'll have to make a bigger move but using my qualifications to hopefully still earn an ok wage.

Drawingaline

Sounds like a firm decision. And you can focus on what's important to you now. And no doubt someone will pick up that six hour shift and it will help their budget going forward 😁

mark55man

good planning

your SOA looks very similar to mine.  So some things I found helpful

* Presents - never really skimped on family presents, but definitely cut back on distant relatives and friends.  especially if you feel you always come of worse in the exchange.  You an OH are very comfortable but doesn't mean you have to lead from the front

* House insurance - looks a but pricey.  so unless you had some claims or have some specific challenges you should be able to do better.  I pay £300 a year this year down from £500 (renewal £700)

* With cars I don't know really, it does just feel like good money after bad to me, but I know many colleagues are happy to pay.  I suggest just try and make sure your OH doesn't go too wild at the next one "ie I absolutely want you to have a new car, but does it have to have all the extras - or could you go for a cheaper model, but get the sporty version (ie get an Astra not the insignia but bling it up).  You may just need to let this one go and your need for 7 seats may also limit your choices.

* I know you have a way to go on your mortgage, but I can't help feeling aggressive overpayment isn't quite the right answer.  I did up my standard payment when I remortgaged but that's as far as I'm going, when I get the final debts off my plate I will be looking for savings and S&S ISAs (although also as I am much older I have the option of pension contributions, which are more tax efficient).  This is the concept of mortgage neutral - seems more flexible (which may make ISA more of a thing as I am aiming to be done with it in 5 years and that is a tricky investment horizon)