All change for 2025

jwil

Another lovely sunny day but so cold again!  It is nice in the sun though.  I'm definitely glad we did the car boot last week.  I'm sure DH will be off for a mooch there later.

I signed up to the BHF strength challenge for April and made the donation.

I peeled the potatoes for a roast later, and there were only a few left so did those as well to give me a couple of lunches this week.

I've done a bit of tidying, and updated the financials and my spending tracker this morning.  Another day of pottering planned.

Rhyddid2026

I love a day of pottering, although I should probably have been a little more productive today. I still have this evening though. 

jwil

rachmac3 said:

I love a day of pottering, although I should probably have been a little more productive today. I still have this evening though. 

I do too, though I'm not always very productive during them!

jwil

I got my watch yesterday evening.  Liking it so far, except it kept buzzing me to get up and move around every hour in the night!  I think I've figured out how to silence it.

jwil

PAD (Payment a Day)

Today's PAD - £2

Jan - £129
Feb - £63
Mar - £67

doingitanyway

Nice to come back here and see you still successfully PADding away.
Also glad you held onto your job as when I was last here in September it was under threat.Sunny but cold here too!

jwil

doingitanyway said:

Nice to come back here and see you still successfully PADding away.
Also glad you held onto your job as when I was last here in September it was under threat.Sunny but cold here too!

Oh, lovely to 'see' you again @doingitanyway I hope all is well with you.  It's been a tough few months, but I'm relieved I wasn't made redundant in the end.

jwil

PAD (Payment a Day)

Today's PAD - £2

Jan - £129
Feb - £63
Mar - £71

jwil

Work is tough at the moment, I think we are all feeling the loss of decades of knowledge quite significantly and it puts a lot more pressure on those of us that are left.  I must say I have had thoughts about I should have gone, but I know deep down, I am much better placed where I am for now at least until little miss is out of primary school.  I am also confident about my financial aims if I stay, whereas it's a big unknown out there otherwise, and suitable jobs that I've seen mostly involve a pay cut as I have no desire to be a manager or start commuting long distances.

There are still many positives though, I still (mostly) like what I do and the industry I'm in, and there's lots happening at the moment which makes life interesting if not challenging.  I've got a new project to get stuck into, and that's one I've been waiting to do for a few years now.

If I can stick it out, I should be able to 'retire' in 8 years time and that's a prize worth working towards.  In reality, I won't be able to take my pension (early) for at least 10 years, so would need enough savings to live on.  It's more realistic that I can leave this job and look for something part time to tide me over.  I've calculated what I'll get even allowing for reductions for taking my pension early so I'm confident.  If I can find part time work that I enjoy I may be able to hold off taking the pension reducing those early deductions.

savingholmes

Having a plan helps Jwil. I too have more interesting work again which helps a little. We are still in uncertainty territory but hopefully things will improve soon. 

In the meantime you have your family and any hobbies and interests to focus on. Have you thought about what you'd do with yourself if you 'early retired' - as developing that passion and interest now may make it more meaningful for you - and boost your chances of enjoying it when the time comes.