Trying not to get into more debt

Toonie

Thanks. My GP has referred me to rheumatology but the waiting list for that is quite long so I could be waiting a while. In the meantime I'm just trying to do whatever self care I can to reduce pain and take it easy after work (which means housework has taken a bit of a backseat but as long as the basics are still getting done then that is fine).

Pork chops and roasties planned for supper today as we didn't have a roast this weekend and have lots of spuds to use. I've made soup for my lunches for the week ahead (swede, carrot, and pearl barley). I'll also bake something today for DPs lunch as didn't get round to it over the weekend so today he had a chocolate biscuit bar (aldi own brand version of penguins which are quite tasty).

Spent a little unplanned money over the weekend as my watchstrap broke (currently held together with electrical tape until the new one arrives). I also bought a pair of slippers to take to work as they have wood floor everywhere and it's a bit cool and slippery. No more spends planned until Friday when I'll go to the fruit and veg market.

savingholmes

Once you're working more hours would a cleaner be an option?

Toonie

I had a look at that previously when I was injured and most cleaners in the area do a three hour or £45 minimum charge and my house takes about an hour to clean.

EssexHebridean

On the cleaner, depending what sort of jobs they are happy to do, remember you can add in things like cleaning insides of windows, detailed dusting of ornaments etc as well as the standard cleaning. I'd also expect more of a deep-clean from a paid cleaner for a three hour period. That sort of approach done every 6 weeks or couple of months even might enable you to just do a "swish & swipe" to clear round the rest of the time, saving you time (and time on your feet, which may be even more relevant!) 

savingholmes

When I was between cleaners - I have paid for 'deep cleans' on an adhoc basis - as EH says it makes a difference.

Toonie

Thanks, that is definitely something to consider in the future.

Unfortunately I've been let go from my position as the family have decided that they need a more flexible approach to childcare as the baby is going through a routine change and I've said I need a steady income and can't be at their beck and call (last week I only ended up working 6 hours instead of 15 and they wanted me to come over when it suited them as opposed to the hours we'd agreed).

Right now I'm feeling rather disheartened and have decided to spend the day making Christmas cards and making jewellery for my friends birthday present. Tomorrow I'll get my CV back out into the world of childcare and also look again at possible career changes.

savingholmes

Sorry to hear your news. Hope you find something good soon. Do you qualify for any of the bank switches? Could that bring some £ in for you?

Toonie

I'm not sure, I'll have a look. I imagine most of them have a minimum pay in requirement, but I'll investigate, thanks.

I'm going to spend the morning looking up jobs and then I'll inventory the cupboards and freezer. We're hosting FIL for Christmas this year so there are a couple of things I know we need to get in (including an extra Christmas pudding as we've just the one mini one for DP as I'm not fond of them). It would also be nice to get some mince pies in. I'll then do a meal plan up to Christmas and work out what we need to get from which shops.

savingholmes

Some of them want you to pay £1K in - but that could be the same £ moved in and out of the account a few times... so in practice you don't need such a big chunk at once.

Toonie

I'll see what I can do.

Today's money saving endeavour was making flatbreads for lunch as we'd run out of bread. DP had a tinned curry with his and I had a hard boiled egg and some salad. I've gone through the cupboards and freezer (the freezer was quick as it's quite empty) and worked out a shopping list for tomorrow to head to Aldi with. I've done a second shopping list for fresh things we'll want for over Christmas and I'm hoping they will be the only two shops we do in December (though I may pop to the market to get some fruit and veg the week after next).