Facing reality

ryanm8655

Sarahwithlove said:

ryanm8655 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

Anyone else just feel shattered at the moment? Had a meeting today with big Big boss and they were going on about how grateful they are and how with winter coming they want to look at ways to make it possible for us to take longer breaks during the day etc. But referrals are up 30% on last year's and were 3 members of staff short, calendars are full for next 4 weeks with appointments and I'm lucky if I get long enough for a lunch break everyday and even when I do its 30 mins which most of it I spend sat at my desk. I'm so ready for the Xmas break I have to say. 

Completely with you on that. Working 12 hour days and even struggling to squeeze in time for a pee between meetings at times

I don’t mind it as the time goes by more quickly, though will be less fun when summer is here and I want to go outside...

Hahaha I had that today actually lol. Could hear my teams call going constantly lol. 
It just feels like it's been a really long and exhausting year that's been non stop. Not even like been able to have a break and get away or anything really. 

Completely agree with that too. The plus side is the lack of FOMO due to COVID but everyone needs a break from the stresses of everyday life and work. I can’t wait to go on holiday next year. Not even anything big, just a city break will do fine...

Sarahwithlove

ryanm8655 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

ryanm8655 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

Anyone else just feel shattered at the moment? Had a meeting today with big Big boss and they were going on about how grateful they are and how with winter coming they want to look at ways to make it possible for us to take longer breaks during the day etc. But referrals are up 30% on last year's and were 3 members of staff short, calendars are full for next 4 weeks with appointments and I'm lucky if I get long enough for a lunch break everyday and even when I do its 30 mins which most of it I spend sat at my desk. I'm so ready for the Xmas break I have to say. 

Completely with you on that. Working 12 hour days and even struggling to squeeze in time for a pee between meetings at times

I don’t mind it as the time goes by more quickly, though will be less fun when summer is here and I want to go outside...

Hahaha I had that today actually lol. Could hear my teams call going constantly lol. 
It just feels like it's been a really long and exhausting year that's been non stop. Not even like been able to have a break and get away or anything really. 

Completely agree with that too. The plus side is the lack of FOMO due to COVID but everyone needs a break from the stresses of everyday life and work. I can’t wait to go on holiday next year. Not even anything big, just a city break will do fine...

Yes true although I do have some friends who went away over summer and things which was probably the time I should have looked into doing the same myself. I'd just like a weekend away somewhere to get a break from life and a change of scenary.

alt80

@Sarahwithlove though I'd check your diary as you've written helpful posts on mine. 

Hoping to visit parents in Greece next year cheap hol lol and son gets to see grandparents too win win. Managed to get away this summer but it wasn't the same as before covid didn't really enjoy it much tbh. 

Lockdown 2.0 finding it really hard so not the only now fwiw.

Sarahwithlove

alt80 said:

@Sarahwithlove though I'd check your diary as you've written helpful posts on mine. 

Hoping to visit parents in Greece next year cheap hol lol and son gets to see grandparents too win win. Managed to get away this summer but it wasn't the same as before covid didn't really enjoy it much tbh. 

Lockdown 2.0 finding it really hard so not the only now fwiw.

Ive been waiting all year to get the go ahead to be able to go to Germany and see my brother and my niece and nephew but hadn't been able to happen yet. It's been over a year now which I'm finding really hard as they are both under 5 so at that age where they just keep changing. We video call alot but it's not the same. Be glad when it's all over but I can't see that being any time soon 

alt80

Don’t love the video calling either tbh. Only way my son can have a relationship with grandparents so not knocking it tbf we used FaceTime before this all kicked off.

Sarahwithlove

alt80 said:

Don’t love the video calling either tbh. Only way my son can have a relationship with grandparents so not knocking it tbf we used FaceTime before this all kicked off.

Yeh I'm not a huge fan but at least they get to see my face rather than just hear my voice. When they at that age I think that's important especially where I'm not getting to see them often. Usually I would go see them twice a year and sometimes my brother would come over here with them as well 

Sarahwithlove

So I'd like to know people's thoughts on paying off credit cards vs saving in a sinking Fund. 
So I have about £500 a month spare after paying my bills and my general spending money.
Option 1) Most things are now paid up for the year and if they aren't then I have a 1k emergency fund and obviously 500 spare a month. So I could put it all towards the card and clear them as soon as possible and just pay for anything that might occur between now and then. I.e one birthday in Feb which have a set limit of £25, ynab in March which is about £60 and home insurance June £80. Only thing would be my car if that needed any work doing. But again I could pay that from the £500 spare each month and just do min payments that month. So my thinking is that I put it aside until end of month in case anything comes up unexpectedly and pay minimums on cards to make sure paid. Then if no unexpected expenses then pay it all off the cards. Then once cards are gone that 500 can then all be put towards the sinking Fund which means more than enough will be in there in time for October when car needs mot and insurance again. Hopefully nothing major goes wrong and still have the 1k emergency fund during this time. If something did happen then would postpone card payments until back up to the 1k again.
Or option 2) split it 50-50. Only downside is this would mean repayment to cards all of next year most probably.
Option 3) put it all to sinking Fund until its at 3k then focus on cards. It would mean I would have my cards for all of next year and possibly into start of year after.

Im sort of leaning towards option 1 as I would always have my 1k emergency fund left over and any spare from categories at end of each month could go into the sinking fund for the smaller one off payments I have coming up in first half of the year. I'm also doing save the change at the moment and rounding up payments for food shop and spends money and this money along with my £5 bank rewards each month could also go towards sinking Fund. It's not gonna be massive amounts but would also help towards those smaller costs. I just really want these cards gone, they feel bit like a massive weight on my shoulders. I know in a dire emergency my dad would loan me some money if needed. I hope I'd never need to do this and would only use it if was big expense like needed a new car or boiler. Hopefully neither is required anytime soon.
Let me know your thoughts. 

Sarahwithlove

So been on YNAB and done the budget and pending nothing major happening and allowing £200 for new tyres on car I could have both cards cleared by May 2021 based on £500 a month being paid off. Anything left extra leftover could go into the sinking Fund. There is likely to be a little excess as budget is based on current wages and this month we get our new pay rise and back pay and then hopefully from month after will know what my exact new wages will be. Worked out on mse calculator that be about an extra £20 a month this combined with my save the change which for this month so far is at £9 already and my £5 reward and if can get back to £5 a month on prolific would give me about £40 a month in sinking Fund to see to the upcoming planned expenses in first half of the year. Then after May that £500 a month would be free to go all into sinking Fund. 

Sarahwithlove

I've also spoke to my dad and he's said once I have £5k in savings he will allow me to start increasing my monthly repayments to him. It does mean that my official debt free date will sadly be a way off but I think I will just have to be happy with being debt neutral for now. 

Sarahwithlove

Just been doing more calculations and based on me still managing my £500 a month repayments I could be debt neutral in Jan 2022. This has made me determined to try and find another £500 somewhere else to bring it to end of next year. So that means surveys, receipt apps, ebay and fbook selling for me over next 12 months. It's nice to have something to aim for.