To ask you how I should spend my bonus?!

[Actuallyabitgreynow]

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!

If there is nothing immediately that springs to mind that you definitely want or need I would put it into savings for when you do need it.

I bought a shark hoover with last years bonus

This years was a bigger one so I got my living room redecorated and got new stuff to match…. Left some aside for all new Xmas decs for new colour scheme.

I can’t really make sense of your post. You are apparently a single mum scraping by but you are wondering whether to spend a paltry bonus on a tattoo or piercings. If you really are just scraping by then it would make most sense to use it to simply top up the day to day funds.

@Actuallyabitgreynow never ask MN how to spend your hard earned money! You could have eleventy billion pounds in the bank, and you’d still be labelled irresponsible because you don’t want to spend it on bills just this once, damn it 🤣

I’d say if it’s under £500, spend a bit on your son, a bit on your BF, and the rest on you.

Not my area i am afraid but I would look on your government gateway see if this months wages have been added and work backwards from there as it will say how much your getting paid. Do you know the payroll cut off date? If its passed there maybe a chance its online x

In am civil service. Get thank you of £20 shopping vouchers, also had £200 thank you through wages so taxed, hubby got £600 through wages so taxed, son got £60 vouchers. It depends on which branch of the civil service you are in, your grade and what/if the senior mangers decide you deserve. You hav3 to be nominated by someone doesn’t have to be someone senior in grade to you. . Also read the guidance on bonuses as there are only so many you can get a year. Sorry nothing is simple in the civil service 😳

whatever you get spend it on something that makes you feel good, be that a treat for yourself and children or paying a bill that’s stressing you.

When I got a bonus I treated myself to a kenwood mixer with a few of the extra add ons. I've used it once or twice a week for the last 4 years. It was the kind of thing that was too expensive as a household item to persuade DH to go halves but he loves it as much as I do now. Ignoring our laptops, it's easily the most useful gadget in the house.

£40k is an excellent salary. I’d put it in the bank for Christmas in your situation.

@Riddlemedee thank you for the info, apologies but I should have mentioned I have been in the civil service 10 years so am familiar with the processes, have been in this same department for most of that but recently moved teams/branch however you want to call it so under a different Director General so I don't know what their standard bonus would be in this team :)

OK I've clearly caused some offence by claiming to be scraping by, none was intended but I do think its all relative. This time last year I was living in a 3 bed house with two incomes, now living in a 2 bed flat that costs 50% more than my house did, only one income and zero maintenance from ex. When I say scraping by, I mean we can pay all of our outgoings with a bit left over for a few softplay sessions, a trip to kids club cinema with a mcdonalds after, and for my kid to have new shoes when he needs them. What we don't have is enough left over for me to treat myself to luxuries.

@ConsuelaHammock absolutely, I've been extremely lucky to get to this point in my career. Also kicking myself for being so reckless with money in my 20s that now even though I'm earning a great salary I'm not able to enjoy it thoroughly but you live and learn!

I think I'm definitely leaving towards Christmas savings

It really is likely to be maximum £150, and less with tax.

So maybe decent haircut and pedicure, something just for you.

I've just been told I have an unexpected £6.1k bonus headed my way. Once the govt takes half, I've no idea what to spend it on! A new sofa and something nice for the baby probably.

Get a takeaway then get rid of your debts. If you have to ask for a way to spend it then you need nothing. Save any remaining until something comes up that you actually need.

barely scraping by

Bloody hell. If I was in your position i would save it!

I'd give to the poor and needy

In my department in year awards for similar grades have tended to be between 500 and 1k - although that was before the latest funding cuts due to the aid budget cutbacks. You may want to look into responsibility allowances in future if you take on additional responsibilities - in my department they can be as high as 10% of base salary, but tend to be time limited (e.g. 6 months unless there is a very compelling reason to extend)

@Cloudhopping I’ve never known anyone get a bonus in the civil service! really? Dh gets £500 annually is that not standard?

If it's been authorised for June pay, do you use SOP as your HR program? If so you can look it up and check

@Hallyup6 that is especially good reasoning and you are absolutely right. Thank you!

@Cloudhopping I've received an annual performance bonus every year that I've been in the CS, its really not unusual. Used to be a few thousand at the end of the performance year for "top achievers". My department has scrapped those a couple of years ago and now do in-year rewards of a smaller amount but at any time throughout the year, and you can get more than one.

Ooh, so pleased that you're getting recognised for your effort - that's great.

And you are very organised to be able to allocate it to something worthwhile.

I hope it's at least £200.

What do you like or need?

A robovac?
Hair?
Car valet?
Airbnb break?
Cinema pass?
Wine club?
Window box plants?
New mirror / lamp?

Please come back to this post and update at the end of the month!!!

Save it. Go to the money advice pages.

Poss keep £100 towards a day out/lovely supper.

I’d pay it off my debt

If under £100 Go for new bedding, nothing cheers me up as much as seeing a room you spend so much time in with crisp sheets and fluffy pillows.
Your son can get a great set for under £20.

[quote Actuallyabitgreynow]@Riddlemedee thank you for the info, apologies but I should have mentioned I have been in the civil service 10 years so am familiar with the processes, have been in this same department for most of that but recently moved teams/branch however you want to call it so under a different Director General so I don't know what their standard bonus would be in this team :)

OK I've clearly caused some offence by claiming to be scraping by, none was intended but I do think its all relative. This time last year I was living in a 3 bed house with two incomes, now living in a 2 bed flat that costs 50% more than my house did, only one income and zero maintenance from ex. When I say scraping by, I mean we can pay all of our outgoings with a bit left over for a few softplay sessions, a trip to kids club cinema with a mcdonalds after, and for my kid to have new shoes when he needs them. What we don't have is enough left over for me to treat myself to luxuries.[/quote]
I apologise if my reply gave the impression I was offended by your post in some way, that isn’t the case. I wish you congrats on your bonus and good luck with whatever you decide to do with it.

Add it to my S&S ISA, boring but after compound interest future me will thank past me.