*sigh* this may take a while

Drawingaline

ohdearhowdidthathappen said:

Thanks DAL.  Yes, easy to go in and out of NHS at same level.... if you're qualified and have a pulse, they'll employ you
My issue is, I need to earn £1K a month, so how to do that on a much lower hourly rate... am I willing to work more hours for the same money and does childcare make it even affordable?  Ho hum.  Glad you've found something that fits with your family

I managed to earn 1k a month working school hours, at £9 an hour with most Wednesday afternoons off. Extra hours sometimes on an eve/sat morning, but not regularly. But s/e means no holiday pay, so needed a buffer for that, and no sick pay adds an element of stress. But after expenses I don't have to pay income tax. Luckily demand is high and while it's generally a dull job it's easy and I don't take it home with me or dwell on it. 

I won't deny that I miss the team and banter with co workers I had when working in pharmacy. And SOME of the customers 😂 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

This could be a big mistake, but we've decided to get a puppy. 
One of my best friends has a litter of silver labradors and has offered us one as a gift.  We've been friends for years (school friend) and I used to help her out loads with childcare when she was a single mum and couldn't afford nursery/childminder.  It's a really kind and generous offer, but we've had to consider the responsibility of a puppy carefully.  As OH will be working from home indefinitely and our children are older, we've decided we can manage and think he'll be a lovely addition to the family.
We collect him tomorrow, so I'm busy arranging vets/insurance/equipment.  
The children are very excited, I'm slightly trepidatious!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Money wise, we're plodding along.  Everything's allocated and saved for the month, we've got £260 surplus still for half term and puppy stuff, so looking good to stay in the black.
Out for dinner tonight, but I've got cash sat around for that.  It's hard to get rid of cash at the moment!  Pitfall of Monzo is not being able to pay cash into your account... well, you can, but it costs £1 so I avoid it  

ladyholly

Can I give you a little dog advice? First if your vet has a health scheme for vaccinations, flea treatments etc these are usually good vallue and well worth it. Secondly if your vet offers puppy classe they are a good idea as they start the socialisation process.It would be worth finding training classes (when the vet ones end) which preferably you all attend. These are not to train your puppy but to teach you how to train your puppy. He is going to be a good size and and if not well trained could be a menace to you and others. Finally if your husband is likely to return to the office at some point it would be worth getting him used to being left alone for short periods to start with but gradually increasing as he gets older. I can tell you that rescues are expecting an influx of dogs bought during lockdown who have seperation anxiety as their owners return to work. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted but we have 3 rescue dogs and have fostered dogs with behavioural issues in the past. What you do in the next few months will set the pattern for life. Good luck with your new companion and I wish you many happyand fun filled  years with him. (sorry if its a girl).

Drawingaline

We don't regret getting our incredibly expensive pedigree kittens! They are super tolerant with the younger two kids, and while hard work bring such love and fun into the house. I currently budget £150 a month for them. This is litter, food and insurance. And anything over goes into the vet excess.

savingholmes

Enjoy your dog. Crate training ours helped with it being ok when we were in work. 2 years on she still sometimes chooses it

ohdearhowdidthathappen

ladyholly said:

Can I give you a little dog advice? First if your vet has a health scheme for vaccinations, flea treatments etc these are usually good vallue and well worth it. Secondly if your vet offers puppy classe they are a good idea as they start the socialisation process.It would be worth finding training classes (when the vet ones end) which preferably you all attend. These are not to train your puppy but to teach you how to train your puppy. He is going to be a good size and and if not well trained could be a menace to you and others. Finally if your husband is likely to return to the office at some point it would be worth getting him used to being left alone for short periods to start with but gradually increasing as he gets older. I can tell you that rescues are expecting an influx of dogs bought during lockdown who have seperation anxiety as their owners return to work. Sorry if I am preaching to the converted but we have 3 rescue dogs and have fostered dogs with behavioural issues in the past. What you do in the next few months will set the pattern for life. Good luck with your new companion and I wish you many happyand fun filled  years with him. (sorry if its a girl).

Thank you! I'm open to all advice as we want to do this properly and not be one of those families that end up rehoming...
Yes, I've signed him up to the vet plan, it's £11pm and covers all flea, worm, vacc stuff.  I've found a local trainer that does puppy training in small groups, so we start the end of the month.  The trainer also owns a converted stables and the do doggy day care and dog walking, both of which could be options on days we're both at work longer term. 
My husband is planning on working in the same room as him, but taking work calls in a different room, that way he should get used to being left on his own for some periods.
On paper, we think we've got ourselves organised, it's the relentlessness of the puppy phase I'm not looking forward to.  However, if we train him well, we reckon we can give the dog a happy life and he'll be a good decision.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Drawingaline said:

We don't regret getting our incredibly expensive pedigree kittens! They are super tolerant with the younger two kids, and while hard work bring such love and fun into the house. I currently budget £150 a month for them. This is litter, food and insurance. And anything over goes into the vet excess.

Thanks
We've budgeted £100pm... 
£11pm vet plan
£14 insurance
£20 food
£55 for stuff we might not have thought of  
We've booked puppy classes, which were £100
We've spent about £150 on initial stuff such as crate, collar, harness, food bowls, toys, chews etc

ohdearhowdidthathappen

savingholmes said:

Enjoy your dog. Crate training ours helped with it being ok when we were in work. 2 years on she still sometimes chooses it

We have got him a crate, initially we're thinking of using it as a space for him to go when he wants to be left alone.  I have heard good things about crate training, I need to read up on it more.
I think when we eventually have days where we're both at work (maybe 1-2 days a week), we'd employ a dog walker for a mid day walk

ladyholly

You sound to be well on the way to be great owners. I found the teenage bit more difficult because that's when they start to challenge a bit. Puppies want to please,  like humans the slightly older ones want to argue. Just persist and it will pass. Crate training is a useful tool but keep the periodswith the door shut short to start with or it will become a prison. Have you got him or her yet.