Dilemma, Dilemma, Dilemma

LadyWithAPlan

Well done on the consistent pension contributions! 

Think your holiday sounds perfect and be great for you all to enjoy Italian food and sunshine living a ‘normal ‘ life 
hope Oh gets all help he needs 

dawnybabes

We had a quick holiday whilst my DH was ill and at home.  I  purposely picked somewhere a quick flight away in case I needed to get back.  It did all of us some good to do something ‘normal’ 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Wednesday!

So today should be a working day but i'm having a day of annual leave. We were originally booked to go see the consultant for an update on partners treatment but this has moved to weekly appointments which irritatingly fall on one of my working days. Naturally I can't take time off each week so instead partner has been going to hospital with family and I join in the meeting on loudspeaker on the phone. The wonder of modern technology! It can't replace hugs though! New treatment is pretty full on, hard core and is meaning partner is now loosing his hair, lost a lot of weight and generally pretty tired. Next week is half term so the kids are back with me but OH is back in hospital for next round of chemo. 

Annual review at work didn't happen when it should have, we have one of those systems where you have to pre-fill in some answers to questions. I'd missed some of the questions so its been moved to next week. Note to self is to spend a bit of time on this at the weekend! 

I have generally been quite behind in generating a bit of side hustle income this year so far so trying to use some of today to have a bit of a come back. So have been busy on Prolific and catch up with some emails with surveys on. Tomorrow is monthly money review time so we will see what that throws up. I have been glad to have paid off the last of the planned monthly bills from January wage, not sure if I am the only one but it was a sigh of relief to know they are all sorted. 

I haven't yet started reviewing my pension pots but am committed to doing so. 

The cat went into the vet yesterday, he is absolutely fine but he went for a weight check and update of flea & worming. He's booked into for neuturing after half term. We bought him from a rescue centre so the costs of neuter and microchip has been covered already by the charity. 

Am feeling tired, so going to "treat" myself to an afternoon nap and catch up on my latest book. 

peb

No doubt you've considered if it's possible to change your working day....

Just hugs. 

Different chemos have different effects on people.  Hope this is as little as possible 🤗

Jessy103

Wishing OH all the best with his treatment x

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Thursday & hello payday! 

Things have been fairly quiet in the hive this week, its been a normal working week and partner has been recovering from 2nd cycle of the strong chemo at home. Touch wood - he's coped a bit better with it this time. We had a bit more of an understanding of what to expect etc. Next week is a big week though, all is happening at the same time. So OH has a significant birthday, he officially retires from work and has the first major part of the stem cell transplant. We go to another hospital in another city for harvesting of his stem cells. I'm taking two days off work, we have booked accomodation close to the hospital. The kittie cat is also going on holiday - he just doesn't realise it! He's off to a local cattery for the week. Bit apprehensive as this is all new to us but we know he will be safe and well looked after.

Today is a bit of a day to catch up with some jobs and get ready for next week which is going to be very tiring. After settling my OH in his stem cell situ, I then head to the city where my kids live and we have the weekend together.  Family are going to look after OH until I get back. I've booked us into a 'new to us' budget hotel in a different part of the city for a couple of nights and paid for breakfast. It was one of those deals where you pay for the adult and the kids eat free, don't normally do it but going for a bit of ease and a mini treat. The kids are looking forward to it, so thats something! I have nothing organised yet for OH for his birthday, I was going to decorate our lodgings for the week, buy him a cake and as a bit of a joke a carriage clock to celebrate his retirement! Sadly he will miss out on any fuss from work as he hasn't been there in person in months!

Money wise - its no big change, still worry a lot about our ongoing finances. Whilst we make good progress on mortgage payments, we are growing debt which does sit with me a bit too much at times. I did make a small balance transfer this week from each of my two credit cards to take a bit of pressure off and will of course be making some payments on them in addition in the next day or so for this month.

As I think I have said before, I have been quite slow to do surveys etc this year. I try to do £25 per month of surveying through Prolific to put in 'reno & refurb' pot. I started today off with £9.70ish in the pot and have so far managed to do some surveys to increase this to £17.27 with £1.66 pending. Wish me luck! I have rest of today and tomorrow to complete this mini challenge.

dawnybabes

Is he retiring at pension age or earlier for his health ? If you apply (and get PIP) you generally keep it when you hit retirement age but you can’t apply once you’ve passed RA - that’s attendance allowance.  I’d be applying asap as it might give you a bit of breathing space. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

dawnybabes said:

Is he retiring at pension age or earlier for his health ? If you apply (and get PIP) you generally keep it when you hit retirement age but you can’t apply once you’ve passed RA - that’s attendance allowance.  I’d be applying asap as it might give you a bit of breathing space. 

Hi @dawnybabes, he is retiring at his state pension age and ironically his sick note ran out just days before. I'll take a look at attendance allowance - thanks for this!. Its a frustrating one really because he would like to work a little job but he can't currently. 

dawnybabes

Def look into it - it’s not means tested and AA is either £72.65 or £108.55 each week 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunny (but chilly) Friday & the last day of February!

Its gone so quick!

So just for a bit of fun... started yesterday with £9.27 in Prolific and by EOP yesterday was on £20.42 with £1.66 pending...! No surveys so far today but will try my hardest to get to £25 by EOP today... wish me luck!