Wow, things are a bit different

LondonLiz

Well, can't believe its been a month since I posted.  I've been reading other diaries and keep meaning to post too, but work’s been so busy and me so unproductive I often don’t log off until until after 7pm then end up blobbing on the sofa after dinner.  Weekends, well what with more blobbing, a bit of housework and an excessive amount of on-line socialising the month has gone really fast.  Into a routine now but certainly keen for some sort of easing up of lockdown to start.  I know I am in a minority but I like going into an office most days and living alone means I miss the social interaction and would prefer we can go back, in some way, sooner than later. 

It’s been very up & down really.  Some days feel fine and just glad I have a job – albeit temporary -  good health and friends & family who’ve not so far been affected badly or at all by the virus, and that we've had such a lovely spring. Other days I have a massive panic attack about the future, and go into a downwards spiral that sees the economy in serious recession, social distancing ruining our lives for years, me unemployed for ages & using up all the savings, running out of funds, not able to do up or sell my flat, no chance to go overseas to see my family, you name it, I’ve catastrophised it.  And in fact some it could really happen so the worry is not entirely misplaced. And off I go again. 

And on a more positive note, the running is improving, I’m up to at least 3x per week for 35 minutes without stopping, albeit with a lot of shuffling and wheezing going on.  Thank god, given the extra calories that are being consumed- have put on 2 kilos since lockdown started. Not sustainable - I can't wear stretchy leggings forever. Trying to reduce the cake, chocolate and alcohol intake though not doing a great job so far! And I’m looking forward to Bank holiday and a day off to do nothing much.

LondonLiz

Another big gap from posting.  I keep thinking about doing it, instead I live vicariously though other people’s diaries.  Main change is I now have an almost confirmed date of leaving current job at end of August, which gives quite a long handover with the new hire, and I can go earlier if I find another job that needs me to start sooner.   Annual leave payout will take care of most of September so I basically have until October to find a job before dipping in to savings.

I am off to my newly established ‘support bubble ‘ tonight for dinner and will stay the night  - with friends I’ve known for nearly 20 years now, in fact before they were a couple. It’s walking distance and weather has improved so no need to use public transport. I pushed the boat out and bought a bottle of cheap champagne (£16) to take with me and a pudding wine for £6.  It's 12 weeks that I’ve been living alone and not seen anyone in person other than trips to the supermarket & a few brief 2m distant meet ups in the park so I felt it deserved some celebration. 

Anyway I am going to try and post a bit more often.  It helps to reflect on life, universe and money.

enthusiasticsaver

Enjoy dinner with your support bubble dinner and wine. 

beanielou

Enjoy your evening

LondonLiz

Well I can’t tell you how weird it felt doing something normal on Saturday night.  And hugging people for the first time in over 3 months was odd. I’m not the most huggy person but even I was ready for some physical contact.  I could have saved on the champagne and taken a cheaper prosecco though.  My friends usually spend ages and lots of effort cooking for guests but this time they bought very posh chilled meals from a local high end independent shop and microwaved it all.  It was a very nice but fairly simple meal and would have been easy enough, not to mention much cheaper, to cook from scratch.  Who buys pre-mashed mash anyway?!

Boss confirmed today they want me to stay to end of August as a minimum so at least work is secure for a while yet.   New person starts in just over 3 weeks so I can start handing over my role –aka all the stuff I hate doing  - and concentrate on the projects and other stuff that never gets done when you’re constantly firefighting.  There are some jobs to apply for out there so if I find something in the meantime I can still give notice and leave sooner, so it’s a win/win really.  I just need to survive the next few weeks which are truly manic and have some stressful deadlines. Annual leave payout will take care of most of September so I basically have until October to find a job before dipping in to savings.  Really hoping I can take a short break in the UK for a week or so in September as I’ve not had a ‘real’ break since my extended trip to family over Xmas/Jan 2019, not counting 4.5 months of unemployment last summer, which hardly felt like a holiday and a few days over last Christmas.  With insecure employment and the virus still unpredictable it seems silly to plan anything abroad.  I still can’t go to see family as their borders are still  pretty much closed and no idea if/when that will improve– maybe next year.  It costs at least £2K for a 2-3week trip so it’s not done lightly either.

Money wise trying to be more MSE but food shopping is still over my ideal level, even taking into account savings in other areas.  I really must try harder. Would help the waistline too I suspect!

LondonLiz

Feeling a bit sorry for myself.  Yesterday the upstairs flat had a massive leak from their hot water cylinder.  I heard a loud tapping noise then realized it was running down the pipes and pouring into my cylinder cupboard.  Upstairs is under renovation and luckily there were plumbers doing some work there, so they managed to get it sorted out but by then it had got over my shower pump and all the flooring was wet. It had even leaked down into the flat below me so it was a lot of water.  So I've been running the fan heater into the cupboard and hoping the floorboards and MDF dries out OK. Was too sacred to have a shower this morning in case the pump is still damp but I guess I'll have to take the risk at some stage!

And today the washing machine won’t start, just clicks and beeps no matter what programme I put it on.  It is over 13 years old as was here when I moved in so probably not a huge surprise and at least I do have the money in savings but it's the organising and hassle factor that makes me stressed. The current one is integrated and I, worried getting it out and a new one in will mean dismantling some of the kitchen as the space is really tight and there is a baseboard to move too.  I just hope it wont be a big job or leave a mess behind needing repairs.  I am already comparison shopping for the right one (always takes me ages  to make any decision on buying important things) and then there is all the organising involved.   And at the moment anything needing people to come into your home is complicated of course.

I find this sort of thing really stressful at the best of times and right now, with my job imminently ending it’s even worse as I'm starting to panic about money a bit.  Plus of course I shall have to use the launderette in the meantime which is another hassle and cost.  I don't have enough sports clothes to last between bigger launderette washes so that is going to be pain.

So far, I've found its ridiculously hard to find a decently priced washer that doesn't take several hours for one standard wash - who would think 4-5 hours for one cottons load is acceptable?  Bizarre. Apparently it's due to EU rules on eco ratings and water use but I do find it weird longer cycles are considered better than a bit more water.

So not sure quite how to tackle it – I think I need the advice of a handyman to take a look at the kitchen before i get any new washer delivered – or do i just order one with the right measurements for the current space and see what the installers say?  I wish I was more practical with stuff like this.

LondonLiz

Well after the domestic dramas got some good news.   Getting a tax refund of £1200.  Have already applied for it online and HMRC says it should be in bank account in 5 days.  Bit annoyed as I actually queried the change in tax code last year and the help desk reassured me it was correct because of changing jobs mid-month.  Given savings rates are so low it would not have earned me much in an account but still, it's the principle, it's my money.  Anyway, at least I can cover the costs of replacing the washing machine and getting some other flat repairs done at the same time from that sum now.  If I can actually get around to organising a handyman and the w/m buying/installation - still in avoidance mode on that this week.

Getting a bit concerned about the job market, roles looking very scarce and literally hundreds applying if Linked In is to be believed.  Work are hinting they want me to stay on into September to work on some projects which would be good.  If I can step away from current job and just do specific tasks it will remove a big chunk of the role that I really dislike.  I don't mind doing boring stuff in return for being spared the emotionally draining parts and dealing with the more unpleasant people I can't avoid right now.  My replacement is less than a week in and already looking shocked at the sheer range and volume of work in the job - it is a bit mad really.  And I've been doing it without a fully functioning team, during the worst of Covid - at least now new staff member has started there is more support at lower level and he seems very keen and solid.  So it can only be easier for them once on their feet.

LondonLiz

I've got a job interview next week.  Online of course.  It's via an exec search agency so not getting too many hopes up, it means I'm on the long list and may very well not make it through to the client.  But I guess I have as a good a chance as any.

Tax refund is showing as a pending transaction in my account so hoping it will be there soon.  Will be very glad to get that back. 

Absolutely knackered after really busy work week, haven't finished work before 7.30 and one might was 9pm.  One more flat out day to go and thank goodness its te weekend.  Though I have a Zoom birthday party to attend Saturday night so that will be a late one too.  There are to be games and quizzes and themes. Oh well....at least I can drink and only make a twit of myself online.

LondonLiz

Am I the only one feeling like time is speeding up and the year is whizzing by again?  Maybe it's the easing of lockdown and being able to do some slightly more normal things like visit friends, as I did last weekend.  Had a lovely evening eating dinner in the garden and watching loads of cute robins and other little birds scoffing from the refilled bird feeder, whilst 2 opportunistic pigeons hung around underneath for the scraps. 

Work is getting a bit better as I transition the job over to my successor but its still really busy and not really allowing me time for new job hunting as am so tired & demotivated in the evenings and weekends.  Should hear back Friday if I make it through to a 2nd interview but am not hopeful as I think I fluffed the first one.

I have started getting online grocery deliveries which I am confident will save me money and also reduces the hassle factor a lot and the extra virus exposure in the supermarket.  Forensic accounting of spending since January is interesting.  Food & household shopping has hovered between £190  - £235 per month other than April when it shot up to £310. And I was sure I hadn't 'stockpiled' anything significant!  Though from  mid March - June of course includes eating at home for basically every meal and before that I was spending about £40 per month on lunches and snacks/coffees etc. Alcohol for home has stayed fairly consistent at £35-40 - increasing in the month the gin runs out.  Of course there was no social eating or drinking out in April/May and June was only £20 when I went to visit friends when we were first allowed.  No takeaways have been bought at all throughout lockdown and the cupboards are pretty full so I feel I'm not doing TOO badly even though I know for a single person I could get the food bill down.

ceremony

I hope the job interview goes well/went well!

Yes, the year does seem to be speeding up again. I guess that's because things are sort-of normal again in that most people seem to be back at work, even if we still can't enjoy all our usual leisure pursuits. It's nice saving money by being home more, but probably not sustainable to live like a hermit.