Small steps lead to big changes...

jwil

WinterWarrior said:

Happy payday jwil. I hope you sleep better tonight.

I'm still not sleeping, it's rubbish.  I was up at 3am today! (Though that could probably be blamed on being out yesterday evening).

Humboldt said:

Hi @jwil I hope that you do not mind me dropping by to offer my personal thanks for your support. 

Having read your thread, I see someone who is currently doing an excellent job of navigating their way through stormy waters, with a firm hand on the tiller, and with a calmer sea on the horizon. 

Thanks for popping in @Humboldt, It's always lovely to have visitors.  It takes dedication to get through my pages of moaning.  But thank you for your kind words

jwil

Today's PAD - £2, yesterday £4 (small ebay sale)

Jan - £319
Feb - £135
Mar - £129
Apr - £114
May - £118
June - £93
July - £123
Aug - £118
Sep - £60
Oct - £113
Nov - £6

jwil

We had such a spendy day yesterday, I feel a bit 😱.  It will all be worth it in the end though, especially as DH is aiming to use ebay money to recoup some funds.

We met with friends in the morning and went bowling, then played in the arcades for a bit, then we all went to lunch.  After that DH and I went to get the paint for the bathroom so we can get on with that soon 😁.  We also went and bought two kids bikes as they've both outgrown their existing ones.  We will sell the old ones and they were secondhand anyway so we've had great value out of them.  We need to pick those up today.

I did go to the leaving do yesterday, and am very glad I did as it was good fun.  I got to see some people I haven't spoken to for ages, and also some ex colleagues as well.  I actually drank for the first time in years, but only a couple of drinks.

Today I've made little miss's year by booking us into a cat cafe that has recently opened over the border.  She is so pleased.

savingholmes

Hi Jwil

All caught up again. 

Sorry the work news wasn't what you'd hoped. It must be such a relief to know your figures at least and to have resolved what your payout would be if the worst happens after the consultation. I know you have a favourable AVC situation is there anyway to top that up more during this period to maximise your future tax free lump sum?

Well done on the PADs.

Well done to Little Miss on the swimming. 

Good your got your windscreen done. 

Sorry for your recent loss - but glad the funeral went well.

jwil

Today's PAD - £2, yesterday £2

Jan - £319
Feb - £135
Mar - £129
Apr - £114
May - £118
June - £93
July - £123
Aug - £118
Sep - £60
Oct - £113
Nov - £10

jwil

savingholmes said:

Hi Jwil

All caught up again. 

Sorry the work news wasn't what you'd hoped. It must be such a relief to know your figures at least and to have resolved what your payout would be if the worst happens after the consultation. I know you have a favourable AVC situation is there anyway to top that up more during this period to maximise your future tax free lump sum?

Well done on the PADs.

Well done to Little Miss on the swimming. 

Good your got your windscreen done. 

Sorry for your recent loss - but glad the funeral went well.

Thank you  

I've been thinking about AVCs, but I don't think I can add enough to make it worth it, and could probably do with the money more now seeing as I've mostly used my savings on the bathroom.  My current AVC balance is c£2k and I'm adding £125 a month, so with 5 months left (best case) it would likely be less than £1k added.  Better than a kick in the teeth, but not lifechanging.  I do want to see if and how the NI announcement changes things and might just nudge my payments up a little more seeing as the pay rise will be coming in soon.

savingholmes

It all helps. You'll be grateful it's there one day - but totally get that you want to restablish your core savings.

jwil

savingholmes said:

It all helps. You'll be grateful it's there one day - but totally get that you want to restablish your core savings.

Yes, it's a difficult choice.  If I knew I was definitely going, I'd probably up them more and use the savings because I could replenish them from my payout.  If I don't go though, I'd be left without an EF and I really don't want to be in that situation again.  I checked yesterday and there's no change due to the budget, so I might just up my payment to £150 and leave it at that.

jwil

Today's PAD - £6, yesterday £2

Jan - £319
Feb - £135
Mar - £129
Apr - £114
May - £118
June - £93
July - £123
Aug - £118
Sep - £60
Oct - £113
Nov - £18

jwil

Cashout on surveys means a slightly bigger pad today.

I'm still sleeping badly which is annoying.

I've got my consultation meeting tomorrow so really need to spend some time looking at things, seeing how I want to respond, and gathering my evidence.  I've still got a month to submit anything though, so tomorrow's not my last chance.