The Final Furlong

beanielou

I love tuna & sweetcorn with mayo mixed in to the pasta  x

savingholmes

Glad you had a nice trip out. Sorry you got a stomach upset along the way. The sun has come out here too. Glad you mentioned pensions as I had intended to go a see a pension person today and had forgotten. Going to rush out now...

Dottles1

Good morning all and thanks for dropping by Seaside Gal, Beanie and Savingholmes.  Beanie, you can have my tuna pasta next time as I'll happily pass   I wish I'd looked into pensions at a much earlier age, I'll be fine as  I have always joined the pension scheme wherever I've worked and have been lucky enough to be in a couple of good ones, but there is one that I could have supplemented if I'd been savvy.  Back in the day (and what Foxgloves would call the spendy years) retirement seemed so far away and I had better(?) things to spend my money on or so I thought.  I am grateful for what I have however, and I'm giving myself credit for a least joining schemes as back then there was not much advice around.
Well I am back at work and hit the ground running with things being dropped on me right left and centre (no change there).  One of the managers stopped by yesterday to ask me if I couldn't just stay on to cover x and y classes as it would be "easy".   I barely too a breath before replying "not a chance".  What he means is that it would be easy for him as he knows that I will get the job done including al the admin tasks that go with it and he doesn't have all the c**p to sort out.  The interesting thing is that I have had lots of interest in private work over the last few weeks.  It's as if it's all been waiting for me to make that decision so I'm not worried about getting the work I need to get by.

Tomorrow is pay day so I will be setting next month's budgets and balancing the books.  I'm hopeful that my extra hours have gone through and so I should be waving bye bye to CC3.  I'm looking forward to it as  it seems ages since last budget day and sorting the numbers always makes me feel more in control.
Off to get a shower as I have a tutorial booked for 8.30 this morning.
Have a good day whatever you are doing,
Dottles x

maggiem

Morming Dottles, lurker here. I had to smile at your comment regarding pensions. I am very very grateful  I have always been in jobs, mainly local government, where pension contributions were not a choice. My first salaried job had a pension that some time later I transferred into local government, mainly because I did not want little bits of pension from different providers. I also never thought I had the choice to stop paying pension contributions as had I thought I could do that I may have at a time when we were very broke. As I said, I am grateful every month when the payments arrive. 

I haven't decided yet whether to do some private work but will think about that in the summer. Good to hear you will have opportunity for private work, especially as the amount of work you do is in your control. Hope to hear you have managed to get rid of CC3, that will feel like an achievement.

Seasidegal58

Re pensions - I remember when i was in my early twenties I started the job that began the basis for my final salary scheme which will fund the majority of my income when I retire next year. At the job interview the Personnel Manager ( it wasn't called HR then!) ran through the perks of the job - excellent pension, free private medical care and a good bonus paid twice yearly if the firm did well.   I remember I smiled politely when she mentioned the pension (retirement seemed a life time away then!), but got very excited about the bonus!  Fast forward all these years to now and am I thankful for my final salary scheme!

Excellent news on the private work!😀

Dottles1

Welcome Maggiem it's good to read your comments.  Oh the arrogance of youth when we think we are invincible and will live forever, it makes me smile. I have daughters of 46 and 39 and will be nudging them to keep look into their pensions while they have plenty of time to invest as who knows what the state pension will be by then.  My son however, has always worked in jobs that are well catered for and has plans to retire early.
Yes Seasidegal, the pensions bit was always the boring bit for me at interviews, I was more interested in the more immediate benefits of the job.  I note from your signature  that you won't be far behind me.  It's exciting isn't it?
I have some private work this morning, and then will need to do some admin for work this afternoon to keep my head above water.  I'm determined not to get overwhelmed this semester  as I want to enjoy my final courses.  It is also budget day so I'm going to make  a start shortly.  I may well be back later.
Have a good day all
Dottles x

savingholmes

It's great that your private work is picking up. My first real job also had a DB pension scheme - if I can transfer it - that will help fund our early retirement / financial independence dream. Like you we plan to do some work on the side.

Dottles1

Savingholmes, I suspect that you are more savvy about pension schemes than I have been.  It's good that you have a plan in place before you need it.
Yesterday was a bit hit and miss with showers and blustery winds.  by evening, the wind had picked up considerably and I lay in bed listening to it bashing everything in it's way.  Happily, it seems to have blown itself out this morning and I can even see a bit of sunshine peeping through the blinds.
I was most industrious yesterday and by 9.30 had completed a long list of tasks then came home and vacuumed the car (I know, I shocked me too) followed by the house and then a walk with Tilly.  I don't know what it is but my energy levels seem to have increased lately but I'm not complaining.  I picked friend P up in the afternoon, to indulge in my Christmas present from DD1 of afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco in a small market town near us.  DGS then took us from my house to the venue to save on taxi fares.  It was delicious and we indulged in several glasses of fizz, most enjoyable and got a taxi home which P insisted on buying as I paid for the extra drinks.  I later went to see GD4 to catch up on her tales of her school trip to London.  
Today I have invited DGS and his partner to lunch.  He is working away now and only home every 2 weeks so I don't often get the chance to catch up with him so it will be good to spend some time together.
I managed to gt most of my budgeting sorted on Friday and have moved money to grocery, petrol and spending cards.  CC3 is now paid off and I have some left to sort between savings pots, I just need to figure out what will go where, but it is all safely put aside and I'll probably look at that this evening.  
I'm off now to check what I need for lunch today.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone
Dottles x

Sun_Addict

Sounds like you're having a lovely weekend, very productive too  You're energy levels might be picking up now we're heading towards Spring (not that you'd think so with the weather lately though).

Dottles1

I think you may be right about that Sun Addict, as the evenings become lighter I'm more likely to "do" things, be more active and get more fresh air so probably sleep better.  
lunch on Sunday was fab.  I made (another) curry but this time used pa***ak's madras sauce.  I usually make my own but this was very tasty.  With the addition of boiled rice, small naans and sweet potato wedges followed by a lemon cheesecake we were all stuffed.  I really enjoy spending time with family that is not for any other purpose than being together.
Yesterday was all about getting jobs done.  Friend P's husband came round and put up a curtain pole and repaired a hinge on the dresser door.  We then moved a cupboard from my bedroom into the garage followed by some more decluttering.  P fancies doing a car boot sale when the weather improves, I'm up for that.
I'm back at work today, my late finish (9pm) so won't go in until 12.30.  I have spent a couple of hours last night and again this morning marking to keep on top of things.  I'm determined not to get so stressed this semester as I want to go out feeling good about the job.  That said I have worked out the weeks left util I finish  -  20 including this week and the college holidays !!  It will be here before I know it.
Looking at the time, I'd better shake a tail feather and take Tilly out before I set off.
I hope your day is fruitful.
Dottles x