Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Blows away the cobwebs...

I could do a long post but don't want to bore anyone. In a nutshell the last couple of months have been tremendously hard going -  the whole family trying to adjust to the bereavements this year, tradesmen going AWOL, money being spent left right and centre since lockdown eased, my Mum struggling more with her health/age and identifying major immoral (verging on fraudulent) practices by my employer which were effectively swept under the carpet - it's safe to say there's been lots occupying my time.

The headline news is that I am currently working my notice and will leave my job at the end of the month, I've struggled off and on with the job in the 2 years I've been there but flat out refuse to work in a manner that completely contradicts my morals and values. I also don't want to put any pressure on my Mum to help with childcare, as such there's no other job lined up and I'm not actively looking at this time, will continue to review this moving forward as I would like to go back to work but both DH and I agree that for now, it's more important to focus on family and well being while we're in a position to do so. We've had far too many 'life's too short' reminders this year, so for the first time in 25 years I won't have a job come September! Scary but it won't be forever and feels like the right thing to do.

We have continued to use the 0% credit card while building up savings to help cash flow the work on the house, have had some work completed this week (FINALLY!!!) so will be having bills coming in soon. So in all honesty, we are definitely not debt free at this moment in time but are debt neutral so will take that for now.

I've just cashed out £64 from TCB which has given me the kick up the bum to log back on here.

I've mentioned on here before that I often view September as feeling like a more natural new year than January, definitely feel that more than ever this year so time to regroup, refocus and see what the future holds. Living on 1 wage for the foreseeable future means it's time for us to be more mindful regarding spending and budgeting than we have been recently so it's time to knuckle down. 

Oops, this has ended up being a long post after all...

Hope everyone who reads along is okay, (((virtual hugs))) to those that need them xx

beanielou

Good to hear from.
Sounds like you are doing what is right for you & yours.

savingholmes

Sorry you feel you've had little choice to leave. Sometimes it is better to cut your losses. Hugs because I know this year has been hard. I hope things improve for you soon. When you are ready to return to the workplace - perhaps write a list of what you want in your ideal job. Then your brain will start to subconsciously look for you... Worked for me... several times...

DancingInTheRain

Thanks both and I really like that idea of writing a list of wants @savingholmes so I'll definitely do that when the time is right.

I found out today that I have achieved the professional qualification I've been working towards for the last 18 months or so, it's been a bit of a slog so I'm glad it's all completed now, especially with leaving the company soon. It's something up to date to add to my CV at least.

I'm looking at fresh approaches to budgeting (again!) so have been watching some tutorials online about getting the most out of YNAB and I think the penny has finally dropped as to how to make it work as effectively as so many people on here say. I've signed up for the 34 day free trial and am going to give it 1 last try (I think this is my 3rd or 4th attempt!)

Have assigned money for remaining bills/budgeted spends for the rest of this month and then lumped the rest of it in the category I created for house maintenance. No doubt I'll have many changes to make as I get used to it but it's a start and hopefully give me a fresh outlook/kick up the bum on budgeting more carefully after the last few months.

FootyFanDan

Sending hugs, this year especially last few months have been really tough for you. It must have been hard to take the choice to leave but well done for standing by your morals , I think it is a wise decision to do what is best for your family and yourself. 

beanielou

Well done 

DancingInTheRain

Thanks Dan & Beanie x

That's my last day at work done! I have some outstanding leave to use up so popped to the office today to hand in my laptop, mobile, etc and sent a farewell email to those I haven't seen due to restrictions. Despite the issues that have forced my hand I've managed to leave on good terms which I'm relieved about as I work and live in the kind of industry/area where you constantly see the same faces pop up in different organisations so best not to completely burn bridges, I thought it might stir some emotion when I handed in all my work related possessions and cleared my desk but nothing at all. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions in the lead up to handing my notice in but now I'm very much calm and collected about the whole thing so I guess I've already moved on mentally, time to focus on the future.

Once my final pay comes in next week I'll need to make arrangements to transfer my company pension contributions to my SIPP, no benefit to leaving it where it is. I've just set up a small monthly DD of £20 to my SIPP to ensure I'm still making some sort of contribution while not working. This will be topped up to £25 with tax relief and will go into an accumulation fund I have that has been performing well so hopefully will grow a little further.

Also been studying a few more YNAB tutorials tonight and genuinely feel I've got a good grasp of it, I can see why so many people rave about it. Had a few transactions to add to it today and it all looks to be working fine.

Need to pop out tomorrow to but some banners and balloons as DS2 is 3 on Friday (WHERE DOES THE TIME GO???). I always decorate the house for birthdays and usually reuse a number of banners I've bought over the years but can't find any of them, so annoying! Perhaps it's a sign I need to commence decluttering again...

savingholmes

Glad that you felt encouraged you'd made the right decision. I think when you have such little ones - time at home can be a good thing if it is what you want rather than feeling like you ought to... it certainly makes balancing all the demands easier

DancingInTheRain

Thanks @savingholmes you have such a good way of putting things into words, that's exactly how DH and I are feeling right now. I love how you write (Please ask for the link to her book if any of you reading this haven't already 📖 ❤️).

The pandemic and family losses have really highlighted to us how precious life is and how short childhood is & I feel really lucky that this option of being home with the children while they're so young is even an option. It certainly won't be forever and will involve a few sacrifices but, for the next few months at least, it's the right plan for our family.

FootyFanDan

DancingInTheRain said:

Thanks @savingholmes you have such a good way of putting things into words, that's exactly how DH and I are feeling right now. I love how you write (Please ask for the link to her book if any of you reading this haven't already 📖 ❤️).

The pandemic and family losses have really highlighted to us how precious life is and how short childhood is & I feel really lucky that this option of being home with the children while they're so young is even an option. It certainly won't be forever and will involve a few sacrifices but, for the next few months at least, it's the right plan for our family.

The fact you are doing this for your family means it is the right choice, I feel a little unbalanced in my life at the moment if I am being honest. I am extremely happy and lucky to have a job and have been promoted in my role but I feel like I don't have any work / life balance. It takes serious guts to make a decision like you have and I hope it works out for you