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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you how I should spend my bonus?!

105 replies

Actuallyabitgreynow · 13/06/2021 12:54

Not a bragging post, I promise. Single mum barely scraping by, although in a middle management job in the civil service (extortionate monthly outgoings due to high rent and lots of debts taken out when STBXH kept being unemployed).

I joined my team last year on promotion but very soon after, the posts at the two grades higher than me became vacant. Whilst I never formally stepped into the role, I took on a lot of additional responsibility and have really driven the work forward. The two vacant posts have now been filled and I've been told by my manager that he has authorised a bonus (or "in year reward") for my hard work. Except he has now buggered off on annual leave for the next 3 weeks having not told me how much it will be 🤣 what an arsehole (lighthearted, obviously, I am extremely grateful!).

As I'm new to the team I've no idea of precedents in what these awards might be. I know in my previous role (in a different team but same department) I'd be looking at between £300-500 but they are all moderated independently by the business unit so it doesn't really matter what happened there.

FWIW I'm on £40k, the vacancies above me were £55k and £70k, and I spent six months taking on the additional responsibilities.

In a ideal world I'd love a grand 🤣 but that's unrealistic and a couple of hundred is most likely.

What shall I spend it on?! I've literally just got back from a mini-break with my boyfriend and am taking my son away next week, so no urgent news for a staycation. Maybe a tattoo?? Piercings? New clothes or some decent boots? HELP!

OP posts:
PortMerrionCentre · 13/06/2021 12:56

I’m civil service. Your “bonus” is likely to be a £25 voucher so I wouldn’t expect much

Blossomtoes · 13/06/2021 12:57

It would be boots for me but then I’m a bit of a shoeaholic!

IsAnybodyListening · 13/06/2021 12:59

Not very helpful advice here, but I just cracked up at this post because a week ago I got an unexpected £400 bonus, and i have just literally got of the phone to my DD at uni who has a rent and food shortfall. So guess what happened to my bonusSmile

Imapotato · 13/06/2021 13:00

I’ve been eyeing up a paddle board and weighing up if I can justify spend £250 on it. I’d probably buy that. 🤷‍♀️

3scape · 13/06/2021 13:00

Towards a nice meal or day out with your family?

BonnyEm · 13/06/2021 13:01

If you can't think of anything immediately. Don't let it burn a hole in your pocket. Put it in a savings account and use it when you've decided.

DrManhattan · 13/06/2021 13:01

Boring but pay off debts or put it away for a rainy day

BonnyEm · 13/06/2021 13:02

Plus, it's never a good idea to hypothetically 'spend' money before you've got it in hand. Especially when you don't even know how much (or little) it may be. Just wait.

Howshouldibehave · 13/06/2021 13:03

Boring but if I was barely scraping by, it would go in savings and I’d be relieved I had something in there for an emergency.

DiamondBright · 13/06/2021 13:03

I'm amazed that bonuses exist in the civil service, I work in the NHS and it's entirely unheard of, that said it sounds like you should have been paid to act up.

username0489 · 13/06/2021 13:07

I had some unexpected cash and bought a decent fan with it because it's really hot where I am right now.

I'm currently saving to furnish my living room, so I'd spend it on that.

If we were allowed to travel, I'd put it towards a trip.

denverRegina · 13/06/2021 13:08

You're grateful for what will turn out to be a £25 high street voucher when in actual fact you should've been paid for acting up.

Don't spend it just yet.

coogee · 13/06/2021 13:08

I’d put it towards my early retirement fund.

WorraLiberty · 13/06/2021 13:10

If you're barely scraping by, surely you'll stick it in the bank instead of asking strangers what you can spend it on?

Cloudhopping · 13/06/2021 13:18

I’ve never known anyone get a bonus in the civil service!

IronTeeth · 13/06/2021 13:19

Single mum barely scraping by savings

SmudgeButt · 13/06/2021 13:21

How ever much it is spend it on a treat if it's small. And on a treat and a "safety cushion" if it is larger.

I booked gardeners to use some of mine and also paid off a credit card bill.

LivingLaVidaCovid · 13/06/2021 13:25

A really really nice meal.

Somewhere like Core by Clare Smyth...

Thegoodandbadlife · 13/06/2021 13:27

Split it either 50/50 or 70/30 on savings and a treat for yourself

HollowTalk · 13/06/2021 13:28

I think you're going to get a jam doughnut.

HollowTalk · 13/06/2021 13:31

@IsAnybodyListening

Not very helpful advice here, but I just cracked up at this post because a week ago I got an unexpected £400 bonus, and i have just literally got of the phone to my DD at uni who has a rent and food shortfall. So guess what happened to my bonusSmile
I can't tell you how many times that sort of thing happened to me when my kids were at uni. I never told them about the money, either, but it always seemed to coincide with some disaster or other on their part.
amusedbush · 13/06/2021 13:31

I don't work in the civil service but in a university, where it's a similar pay structure. The maximum bonus is £500 per year, though a friend's boss went to the Big Wigs to authorise a £1000 bonus for exceptional performance. It was obliterated by tax so she saw a fraction of it.

I really wouldn't get excited yet.

TimeForTeaAndG · 13/06/2021 13:32

I would probably have applied for the higher up roles you were covering to get the better salary. I assume as you haven't mentioned applying and not getting,that you didn't apply.

But any extra bonus money coming in when skint, I would pay towards debts (can you consolidate so fewer places to pay?) before thinking of spending it.

I hope it is reasonable and not the £25 voucher.

CaptainHammer · 13/06/2021 13:33

Single mum barely scraping by but you’ve been on holiday, going on another and want to spend it on a tattoo?! 😬

eatitgood · 13/06/2021 13:35

Why on earth would you spend it on a tattoo?!