Tightening the belts for unpaid leave

astrocytic_kitten

Keeping my fingers crossed that the right house will come along very soon and blow you all away!

[Deleted User]

Started a post last week but was then distracted by the kids.  Spending has just not been cut to match my unpaid leave.  Only another 3 months then I start getting paid again (not a full month's pay for August but enough to cover my half of the rent and my half of the nursery fees) so am trying not to sweat it too much.

Still no joy house wise.  We loved the one friday but it is not going to work - can't say any more than that without it being potentially outing!  So search continues.  However, we had a lovely bank holiday weekend just focusing on the kids and nothing house related!!

Weather glorious today so am going to take DC2 out for a walk this arvo - timings have not worked out to do it this morning as he fell asleep on me for ages so watched last episode in S5 of This is Us - OMFG, was not expecting that ending at all!!

DH's birthday this week so I am taking him out for a boozy lunch.  Will pay out of my bonus.  We will take DC2 with us, and collect DC1 from nursery on foot so we can have some wine.  DH off Thurs-Weds inclusive so I suspect the next few days will be spendy.  But we are unlikely to be going away this year so effectively a "staycation"

Blackcats

Glad you enjoyed the bank holiday weekend - it sounds relaxing and fun. 

At least there are now some houses to view .... considerably increases the chances of finding the right one.  

[Deleted User]

Gah.  Been MIA for ages.  House situ still no change.  We viewed 3 last week - 1 not for us, 1 definitely wonderful, made an offer but they needed to secure a property on that day (and were only selling to secure that particular property) but didn't get it so they withdrew theirs from market, last one we loved (not as much as the second) but they want more than we are willing to offer.  So the search continues.  Agent has told us about one which is supposedly coming on in a couple of weeks which looks like it will work for us.  And on that one, we would have lots of headroom re bidding.  But they will only sell if they find something.  We are just sick of it all now, it's taking up far too much time and effort.

Spending is through the roof.  Not quite sure why really even though I record everything.  I've sort of given up.  New budget from Sunday so will try really hard from then.  I think we are drinking lots too.  Which is not helping on the mood or the spending!

So all in all, we are a pair of misery guts!!!

[Deleted User]

We are thinking, if we don't find anything by the end of the year, we are going to move away to the West Country.  There, we could live mortgage free in a nice house with land.  II can work remotely for same company and DH can do something else.  t makes financial sense, but we are not sure if it makes sense in other ways (i.e. away from family and friends).

New budget sunday but will be spendy before then as I'm out tonight with a friend, then we are getting a takeaway tomorrow (we were meant to be going out but forgot to book anywhere and everywhere we want to go now full - so at least the take out is cheaper) and we need to do the big shop.  So far, we have less social engagements next month, but it is DH's sister and BIL's 40ths (we have already bought BIL present out of this month's budget) and his mother's birthday and father's birthday too.

I'm bloody miserable and only have 12 weeks of mat leave left.  Don't want to go back to work!

Sarahwithlove

How far away would it put you from family? How often do you see them at the moment? Do they provide any childcare support etc? 

HampshireH

West Country sounds lovely. It's something we have considered as we could get so much more for our money - infact we could at least double the size of our current place for less than this one is worth.

With home based working seemingly becoming more the norm it's not so unrealistic a prospect. Family are the tie though

[Deleted User]

@Sarahwithlove - a plane ride away.  From Sept only 1 morning a week childcare but we would get free hours in UK so it wouldn't matter.  We only see MIL often because she has DC1 x 2 mornings a week at present.  Don't see DH's sisters or cousins much.  None of my family live here.  I'd be fine with it, but not sure about DH.  I mean, I'd miss my friends, but my closest friends don't have kids and never will, so the gap is widening.  With my other friends, all their husbands went to school together so my DH doesn't really fit into their "group" and so I might see them once every couple of months, but they all do stuff without me all the time.  So I don't think I'd really be missing out.  And I don't really have "friends" at work.

Sarahwithlove

Sounds like your DH is the one that would need convincing. Maybe look at potential job options. I.e if not mortgage could he do less hours to give him more benefits? 

Blackcats

Nice to catch up with your news.  Working from home opens up lots of lifestyle choices.  You could also rent in the West Country to test whether it is the right choice for you.  

You have made lots of progress since you started your diary so try to be kind to yourself.  Flat sold, house move, 2 very young children - you are doing ok. X