Flying solo

twiggy86

Writing a little list of things I should do this month...

• Sort out balance transfer
• Fix energy tariff and consider direct debit amount 
• Haggle broadband cost
• Consider if I can cancel TV licence - never watch live TV but need to check the rules! 
• Start thinking about any Christmas crochet gifts I want to make 

Sarahwithlove

Its good bf got a counter offer. Sometimes it's better the devil you know especially in jobs where commission is involved. 

Is there any news on your potential job? Did you send your CV? 

twiggy86

@Sarahwithlove - I've been thinking about it! I feel incredibly loyal to my current employers, but have been finding the work unfulfilling this year. I think because it's been quiet and hasn't been challenging me enough. Anyway last night I did some work on my CV and will finish it tonight and send to the company, although I'm not convinced it's the role for me as I'm concerned that it is 100% remote. Nothing is guaranteed and there is no harm sending it over though I guess! 

Sarahwithlove

You have nothing to lose by sending it over. I personally love being remote, we have a team chat on teams and I often call my colleagues on teams for help rather than use the chat so I get some interaction that way. It's very convenient for parcels, animals, appointments etc. Also kitchen is just in the next room, can make endless cups of tea and coffee. I also do things like put laundry on etc. I also think if you keep active socially the rest of the time it can work. During summer months I used to go for a walk after work to give me that break from my working day and clear my head. 

twiggy86

Thanks for your input @Sarahwithlove. I would definitely need to ensure I have some level of human interaction! I currently do my hobbies at least two nights a week and sometimes my social life is very busy and other times it's quiet! It's funny as bf will be working from home a couple of days a week under his new set up which will probably help us "balance" a bit better, as sometimes he just wants to switch off and I'm a bit of an excitable puppy that needs attention!  So if he is at home on his own, then he's less likely to have filled his "social quota"! 

Sarahwithlove

Ha possibly. My friend and her bf both work from home but in different rooms. So they have an unwritten rule that they will leave each other to work during the day and even have separate lunch times. Then they find they have more to talk about and happier to see each other in the evenings. But it's about finding the best balance for you. What's more important a job that's more fulfilling or social interaction? Like you say you're doing your CV so you can always apply for a job that's more hybrid working like your bfs. For me 1 day a week commute is more than enough 😆

twiggy86

Productive day so far...

Uploaded my payslips for the balance transfer. However waiting for the application to all be approved at the moment. Provided it's all ok, I will be shifting £6,250 from MBNA to Natwest - this covers the amount I have been paying 3.9% interest on and the amount that had just finished being 0%. However it will leave approx £2,800 which is interest free until next August - this will be the priority after I have cleared HSBC and Virgin. 

I just looked into broadband deals and it looks like I can save myself over £11 per month! Bf is a bit of a gamer and so appreciates the current broadband speeds and so I wouldn't want to make it worse. However, there is currently a deal available to me with the same provider but with increased speeds for £11 less a month. I will chat with bf later to check I'm not missing anything! 

Also, a sale completed on Vinted so should be receiving the whopping £3.50 today! 

twiggy86

Further update... just fixed my energy tariff as wasn't sure if the options would increase after the price cap increases tomorrow! It means my direct debit increases to £111 for the "next month" (not sure if that means tomorrow's payment will be that amount or the £107 that it was meant to be) and then increases to £122 from then on. 

Another job ticked off my list! 

Sarahwithlove

Fingers crossed the balance transfer all goes OK! 

twiggy86

Thanks @Sarahwithlove - still waiting to hear re the balance transfer!

I did however switch the broadband to the new deal, so get a better speed for £11.69 less a month! I was also discussing the home insurance with bf this morning - was so nice when he said "can I have a look" as he used to work in insurance so has a better understanding of these things! He played around with the quote (e.g. lowering the excess etc) but we have stuck with the renewal. He will pay me half at the end of the month - I have the full amount saved anyway and he wasn't expecting it this month! Once that's paid for I will have an excess of £55 left over from my insurances pot - think I will reset it back to zero and use the excess as a CC overpayment. Then when bf pays his half I will probably throw that at the debts too.

We were also discussing pet insurance/ self-insure for the new pooch. We plan on taking her for a "mot" this month so will see what the vet says and then make a decision (i.e. if he picks up any issues). I will start looking into insurance though - given that she's a 3 year old rescue who has had puppies and we don't know her history (and not entirely sure on her breed!), I'm not sure how much that impacts on the premium. We will also need to have her spade - not sure if insurance would cover this. 

Received the £3.50 from Vinted - have put aside for now until I get to the next £5, as I seem to like paying in nice round numbers!!! 

The other thing to note (as this is turning into a long post!) is something bf said this morning. His dad is unfortunately terminally ill and so bf will be receiving inheritance at some point in the next year or so. We were talking about my debt (as I was telling him I'll soon be sub £10k) and he said he will clear it when he gets his inheritance! It's the second time he's said it - and the second time I've said that it's my mess to clear up. Just wow! It's not something I expect of him, especially given that we've only been together for 6 months, but I cannot believe the difference in money attitudes between him and ex. No bf is not "great" with money and does live "month to month" - but he is responsible/ understands the cost of running a house and is generous. 

Anyway, enough waffling... on to today's list:

• Look into home insurance 
• Take leftover pasta to work for lunch 
• Update spreadsheet - although yesterday was a NSD! 
• Charge phone at work 
• Work on crochet present at lunch 
• Consider re-activating etsy listings for some crochet animals - have gifted some which were previously listed on there, so need to double check what I still have
• Make shopping list 
• Shop to list 
• Snap receipt 
• Dinner from stores