The last obstacale: it's the path.

DrCarrie

@Humdinger1 - Thanks for coming along I am good thank you. The work situation is quite a drawn-out tale and hasn't finished yet...

Well, it's been another interesting week at work. Unfortunately, my supervisor has had a big diagnosis and is going to need quite a lot of treatment so my boundary about stepping back if I don't get a new contract may have to be more flexible. I want her to know that her work will be covered and hopefully, we can make a plan about that next week. My Boss is away for 2.5 weeks. There has been some movement potentially on the promotion; basically, they have looked at my boss's job description, and then that can be cascaded, to the next level down. Anyway, I am not sure it will be until the end of August that I get my new JD. I feel a bit stuck with it now as myself and a colleague are going to have to take up some responsibility for my supervisor's work I really can't say not to that. 


In other news, I just looked at my Gas and Electric bills and I have reduced my usage by 35% on the gas relative to the same time frame last year, and 22% on the electric. I still need to work out if I should fix my price, I might move so I don't know if its a good idea. 

I am back on The Ninja Turtles Challenge and have 3 main foci: no bought coffees or lunches, no lottery tickets. These are of spending are the ones where I still fall down often. 

DrCarrie

I have been pretty good this month so far, nearly payday. 

I have done an overhaul of my budget, some of it was very out of date and it's all in line now. Friday will be the first time I get my London clinic allowance. On Thursday I have a meeting about the potential promotion. 

Going to ask for back pay too, if it all comes through. 

DrCarrie

Well, the meeting was not quite as expected. And the London Clinic allowance after Tax was not as expected (but I don't have my wage slip yet, so I may understand more when I get that. 

Still not got a salary and a job description to review, but it's inching further. I kind of just need to take it I think, my supervisor of several years is unwell and I am not prepared to not cover her while she is in treatment. I could say yes to it as an interim, and then go back to my BAU job which is less stressful and less money - but I could earn more. 

I have been literally stripping the budget today as I don't think I am going to get the salary I want. I am up to 35% of my salary going to debt /saving. It's a lot. I don't have much spending money at all. I mean I am saying that, but I have a really good salary and am very privileged in many ways. I have worked hard for it though and paid a lot of money on tuition fees too. 

Anyway, I opened a V1rg1n M account and put 1K in the saving and & £130 in the current account. Feels good. 

I am going to cancel my holiday, I can do other things and save over £1000 - that's a lot of money toward my goal. And my goal is to save 20K for a house deposit. Bold goal when I am still in debt (not paying interest). 

I think I am going to start working on Saturday, on a self-employed basis. I have told my manager's manager that if the salary is below what I would like it to be, I will need to earn that money by other means. 

WinterWarrior

Working Saturdays might feel less like work if it’s something a bit different to your weekday job. A change is sometimes as good as a rest. I hope you get the backdated allowance. 

DrCarrie

I'm far from done with the negotiations...but I have an offer of promotion and pay rise. It's disappointing financially. I have worked up a plan though.

Also, refund on gas and electricity! amazing. 

I have been looking at reducing the gas and electricity some more, thinking about a multicooker / remoska & pressure cooker. Save putting on the oven etc. Also looking at a heated clothes airer and heated blanket and throw. Investments? 

DrCarrie

No negotiations to be had - simply squashed. However, with hope, there will be a development plan with potential increments to move towards. 

Saving and paying off the last of this debt are the foci. The new job and new line mangees, are going to be the priority at work, and lots going to take a lot of time to adjust. Planning on revisiting the additional work in the new year. 

DrCarrie

So it has been very nearly 2 years (2 days off that), that I have been really focussing on my debt. I have paid £17, 263 off my total debt and now I am so close I can taste it. 

I have learned a huge amount about my spending habits and that I never had a plan for not being in debt and actually having money.

So now at 50, I think I may have cracked it. But there is still work to do, and I am working on that. But for the time being, I will be clearing the last of this debt to the tune of at least 38% of my salary a month and then that will be going on saving in the New year.

I am going to buy a home.

Humdinger1

Wonderful  @DrCarrie; they say experience is cheap at any price...I hope you are planning a budget-friendly celebration.   You deserve it! Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

DrCarrie

Just paid 1,470 off the debt - 2 more months and it will be gone. Best Christmas present I could give myself  

DrCarrie

I paid off 1,500 off the Credit Card. - I am now down to less than 1K. very exciting. All gone next month