VelvetFreak is saving up to buy a house!

VelvetFreak

Thanks Cherry & Sashy, 

Cherry - I totally agree that it should be his job to audit her files, but unfortunately he doesn't even know how to work the computer program that we use. Ridiculous, I know. I don't mind doing it but I need his support 100% and I need to be appreciated. From what I can gather, I'll be the one doing the checking and he'll do the the discipline so I can't really be "blamed", I'm just doing what he tells me.

Sashy - The more I think about it, the more I don't want a new job. I just want The Annoying Coworker to mind her business and do her job properly. I think for me, getting a new job isn't really the answer. It may give me an opportunity to "learn" more but I think it would set me back in many ways as I would end up at the bottom of the pecking order again. At the place I interviewed on Monday, they have about 16 staff and approx. 10 of them do my type of job and I just know that I will be stuck being the young whippersnapper for years and years and I just don't want that. I have a lot of influence at my current workplace and I like it that way because I worked hard for it. At the interview they said that they like to see people "prove themselves" in the first few months and then they see where you fit in and assign tasks from there, and whilst I kind of understand what they mean, I already have "proved myself", I don't need to be doing that even more. That gave me a weird feeling about the whole place. Like you, my current job suits me. I know a lot of our clients from my old job as they cross over into this one, my boss is annoying yet totally predictable so I can deal with him. I can honestly see myself being here until my boss retires and closes the business or sells it.

Anyway, I still haven't heard from the recruiter so I might not need to be worrying about a new job at all. 

I am going to have yet another talk to my boss tomorrow (he was away today) and tell him that he needs to give The Annoying Coworker a formal warning NOW because I have found yet more mistakes today, I asked her to fix something and she only fixed half of it, and she blatantly lied to me about a document not existing when she herself had wrote the date and version of it on a form. She is a deadset moron.

killerpeaty

It's horrible when a manager expects you to manage for them. It puts you in a very comfortable position doesn't it.

If you're not feeling the new place, don't go for it. However, in my field at least, it seems fairly normal to have a probation period so try not to feel like you'll be proving yourself for a long time.

VelvetFreak

I've been pretty busy the last few days, Thursday was a really stressful day at work and when I went to the doctors' that afternoon, she told me to take Friday off, so I did. My boss assumes I have c0r0n@ virus because he is a moron I used my day off to drive a couple of hours to visit my friend on her farm and the fresh air and sunshine made me feel a bit better. 

I had a productive day today, my friend came over and helped me paint two new doors that I had installed when the bathroom renovation was being done. I just need to do one more coat on them tomorrow and they will get a friend to come over and take them off the hinges for me so I can do the other side at some point (they are sliding doors, so can only do one side at a time, way too heavy for me to lift myself or even with a friend). We also put some pictures up on the wall in a collage kind of style, my friend decided where everything should go as she's much more artistic than I am I must say, it looks very nice and it's really cheered me up

I'm trying to be more positive lately, so my positive thing for today is how much I love my little home. I've been focusing on decorating it more lately and I am loving it. Now that the weather is cooler I'm starting to feel more motivated to do things in the house and I'm really pleased about that

VelvetFreak

A Corona Virus update from The Land Down Under:

There is no toilet paper here either! I went to the shops on Sunday and it was quite chaotic, there were a few things that I couldn't get, not just because they weren't available but because there were lots of people in the way who would not move. I went again tonight to try and get a few more things that I needed but didn't have much luck. So many random things are out of stock. There was hardly any pasta left and I managed to grab the last jar of pasta sauce, no TP, tissues, paper towel, etc. and no beef mince So i will be having a vegetarian lasagne instead. I didn't pick up too many extra things but I did get some extra meat and some frozen vegetables just in case. I usually run a pretty tight ship with food and I don't ever have much in my pantry so I figured I should buy something to last me at least a week or so. I also stocked up on chocolate and tampons out of fear that those things will be the next to go

I'm not going to lie, I am starting to become concerned about this situation. Not about the virus itself but the potential collapse of society because people are deadset morons. I am worried about elderly and disabled people not being able to get what they need and having to go without. Which reminds me, I must text my neighbour tomorrow to make sure she's not running low on any necessities (she does drive but she seems to have some trouble getting around these days) and my other neighbours who are a bit younger but I don't think either of them drive so they might find it difficult having to make multiple grocery trips.

I'm not too concerned about my job as I am able to work from home if need be, and my work doesn't stop even if we cant see clients in person, can always do it via phone or video call. 

I am grateful that I have a secure warm home, plenty of food, a stable job and a good sized emergency fund. Stay safe and sensible x

Cherryfudge

Velvet, I wish there were more level-headed people like you! Keeping an eye open for neighbours is lovely. 

South_coast

And working from home might be a blessing in disguise, as your boss can finally easily see what you do in a day as opposed to the annoying coworker! Even if he still doesn't, at least you wouldn't have to put up with her for a while!

VelvetFreak

Everything is feeling a bit strange at the moment. I really struggled to stay focused at work today and I was miserable because I forgot my cardigan and the office was freezing cold

I hate to sound paranoid, but I have taken some cash out of the bank for the sake of having a little bit available at home in case the banks go out. I typically never have cash in the house aside from a few coins in my money box, so I figured I should do something about that.

My spending budget is all out of whack because I have pretty much spent double on groceries this week due to having to buy a little bit extra as well as having to buy random stuff as I couldn't get my usual items. I am waiting on a refund for tickets to a musical that has now been cancelled, as well as a rebate for a Dr. appt that I paid for, so once those come in the budget will be looking a little healthier. I will top my car up with petrol tomorrow and get my prescription medication which will mean more out-of-whack spending, but it should then be offset by not spending much at all over the next few weeks as I can't go anywhere as everything is cancelled. 

I won't be going anywhere this weekend so I am going to try and spend my time at home productively so am making plans to get some painting done and to do some long overdue cleaning, organising and decluttering as well as planning the laundry renovation and getting it all prepped and ready to paint and install cabinets etc. I will try not to spend any extra money at this stage and just work with that I have. I have plenty of paint and tools that I can use so I shouldn't have to go out and buy anything.

I have done some cooking and food prep tonight so I at least have food to eat with minimal fuss over the next few days.

I guess the positive thing about this virus situation as it has allowed me to put the possible loan refinance on the backburner for now. I will not be worrying about anything like that until all of this blows over. Speaking of home loans, the RBA has reduced rates by 0.25% and mine was supposed to change yesterday but I have logged into online banking today and it has still not updated. Damn banks!

I am also holding off any kind of job hunting. I am thankful in a way because it's nice to have this feeling of relief that I don't need to make any life changes at the moment.

I have been spending on the credit card lately in order to get points but I think I might cancel it soon. It just makes things more complicated for my spreadsheet situation. I just need to cash in the rewards points first and then I will get rid of it. 

Random thoughts on my home and the Renovation Situation:

Because this place is so small, I've always felt like I've been living in limbo in a way because I know that I'll have to move at some point as this place only has one bedroom. And it has felt so small and ugly and unrenovated up until recently. There's a part of me that really dislikes living here but there are positives to being here too. My mortgage payment is very low so I am able to save lots of money for various things. There is very little maintenance and I don't need to mow lawns or do gardening or anything like that. Sometimes I regret buying this place but then I remember that if I were to buy a house I'd still be renting and saving up for a deposit.

 I really want to find a way to enjoy my home more and not have that I-just-want-to-buy-a-house-already feeling, because even though I will need to move eventually, this place is perfectly suitable for now and is honestly the best place I've ever lived. Even if I could afford a house right now, it would be silly to buy one because I wouldn't have time to do the maintenance on it or tend to gardens etc. I think getting things more organised and decluttering will help me to feel better about living in this place for a while. As well as decorating (although I must keep spending to a reasonable amount).

Other random notes:

• So far I have put $28.10 from Survey money into my investing app
• I found $20 note hidden in a book so I might invest that as well 
• I've been doing really well at making sure the house is clean every night before I got to bed 
• I have been getting better(ish) sleep so I'm pleased about that

greenbee

Think about your flat this way - if you can make it nice enough that you fall in love with it and enjoy living there, it's going to be a LOT easier to sell when you get to the point that you want and need to!

killerpeaty

I don't think you sound paranoid. Having a little cash is useful, it would come in handy if you need to send someone else to get your shopping.

What do you think will make you enjoy your home more?

VelvetFreak

Thanks Greenbee and killerpeaty. I know I will really like my home once the renovations are finished and I can organise and put things away properly. I can't wait to be able to spend a weekend just doing a little bit of cleaning and laundry and not be fussing over what needs painting and fixing I must stay focused and just get it done. 

I only have a few things left to do:
-Painting door and window trims
-Painting the laundry
-Installing new laundry cabinets/benchtop/sink/splashback
-Getting a new cabinet built for in the kitchen
-Maybe a new kitchen benchtop, and splashback (so that it matches with the laundry)
-Electrical stuff - power points, lights, ceiling fans
-Plumbing stuff - new sinks plumbed in

I often get frustrated by how much it's all costing, but I must remember that there's really not much left to go and I do have the money, I can afford it, this is what I wanted to do and I will love it when it's finished Compared to what I've already spent, this last little bit is not very much.