Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

greenbee

tmv - just because your friends don't drink isn't a reason for them not to understand that you might need one! You'll certainly need one by the time it's done. And don't put off the hoovering. I felt SO much better when I hoovered. And finally felt normal after the cleaner had been. Dust is still settling, and will probably continue to do so until just before the next round of work starts!

I certainly can't concentrate on work, which isn't ideal...

rtandon27

😆 I completely agree with greenbee - Vix have that drink - you will feel better for it!

beanielou

Passes drink of choice. 

rtandon27

Make it a double 😘

themadvix

🤣🤣 thanks ladies! To be fair, just getting away from it all and doing something completely different was enough this afternoon - not that I won’t be having a drink this evening!

 Think we’ve probably got away without needing to hoover today (I’ve yet to check properly) - they were mostly outside or in the airing cupboard (and they did take their shoes off - didn’t put plastic carpet protector down after I mentioned ginger cat’s love of eating it).

@Viking_mfw, a board game cafe is a good call, but we tend to just take our games to a pub quite often anyway, so not sure if it’s that different… I have seen a murder mystery thing advertised on Instagram - maybe very like an escape room… have been thinking of it for Christmas presents but maybe that would work for this.

 This afternoon’s entertainment was one of these: https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/. It was excellent - took us to new places and saw things we’d have missed otherwise, with a silly but seasonal ghosty theme. Not too repetitive and had to use our brains gently. Would highly recommend!

ladybird1106

We’re doing one of those treasure hunts tomorrow in our local town.
love 🐞

themadvix

ladybird1106 said:

We’re doing one of those treasure hunts tomorrow in our local town.
love 🐞

Ooh, enjoy!!

themadvix

@rtandon27 I have no issue with Prolific reporting tax - I think that’s part of wider tightening of tax reporting anyway, and I include it in my earnings (which vouchers should be too 😉). But I don’t understand this sudden (with no notice, unless I’ve missed something) desire to take my government issued ID and do what with it? I am awaiting a response from them. I really don’t want to lose them - it’s definitely well below my hourly rate, but it’s sometimes the distraction I need and/or can top up a little bit in quiet months. But equally I want satisfactory answers to what they’re going to do with my data. 

Really not sure what to do about LI - I use it for both my work (rarely) and for Cambridge (frequently)… sigh… 

themadvix

You’ll all be pleased to know (as you were so keen for me to imbibe!) that I’m enjoying a very generous vodka and orangina (the benefits of a French hypermarket trip!). It’s definitely helping, as is having the house to ourselves again. 

No hot water or heating currently (oil filled rad - bought for £5 on EBay 7+ years ago, such a bargain - is doing a sterling job though and it’s not cold).
Veggie sausage and mash is cooking and beans are soaking for tomorrow night’s dinner and chickpeas for lunch hummus - this is definitely helping me to feel more in control.

rtandon27

@themadvix - I have no problems reporting cash earned to the tax man, and I do, but it should not be forced or done rudely! When I had a job and a second job and a side hustle or two or three it was especially important to keep track.

With only one main job, the pitance I've been earning from what was supposed to be a bit of fun, was not enough to make the admin worth the while once they started being all big brotherish!  I much prefer the way bank and personal investments tell you upfront that they will send a report to the tax man, whereas Prolific suddenly imposed this with no notice after years of just leaving well enough alone!  Changing the goalposts is completely unacceptable!

In general, as I'm not self-employed, anything under 1000GPB is not taxed and with the exception of last year where I made an admin error with my savings accounts & pension contributions, I've never made this much in taxable amounts!  This year the tax man has adjusted my code to make this up!  My annual salary increase also unexpectedly tipped me into higher rate taxes so I was hit hard.  Will do better this year & shove as much as possible into my ISAs & pension before the next RR budget!

Now as to that vodka & Orangina - make it a double! - I'll be having a winter warmer as soon as my last e-mail goes out tonight!