Frugal Friends Fearlessly Facing February.

[needastrongoneagain]

Thought I'd start the new thread. Been ages since I started a thread!

Weight I'm the opposite to you I'm so short on annual leave I'm delighted when work allow me to take time unpaid

Happier The issue for me though is that when my children are sick and can't go to nursery, we still have to pay their fees. If I'm not getting paid on top of that, well frankly we can't afford that, as my wage basically just covers the fees anyway. So if this were to happen a lot I would genuinely have to give up work, which I really don't want to do.

Yes I get that alright but that's not your works problem, sorry I'm being blunt.
Force majuere leave is a thing in ROI does that exist for you?

Do you get any carers leave weight? I can't see why they wouldn't let you use annual leave? It's only you that would miss out. I couldn't have afforded to take unpaid leave either.

My dd was ill a lot when younger and I juggled carers leave and annual leave. There's been a few occasions where I got signed off sick with stress to care for her (when she's been seriously unwell in hospital.)

Do you think work are making you take it as unpaid to make a point? If so that's really shitty of them.

I guess for us, as a small business, unexpected absence causes more serious issues than if the organisation were large, as we just can't facilitate the jobs we've booked in. So we have to cancel the work, or get additional cover in at twice the cost of the employee. Most of our employees are almost never off, so we'd never ask them to take unpaid leave, but we've had to do in the past. I obviously don't know your absence history or how large a firm you work for@WeightoftheWorld, I'm just offering some form of explanation. That said, an informal discussion would be had to outline our concerns, which you at least deserve.

Bought some stuff from Lidl yesterday to use a £10 off voucher if I spent £40, it's mainly store cupboard stuff but hopefully will reduce spends next week.

£10 oat milk at amazon.

I think I said above that thankfully I can wfh if the dc are sick and can’t do school. But the rule usually if I can’t wfh is carers leave then annual leave then unpaid

are they saying you can’t take al because you’ve not given enough notice? Or not got sufficient left to take?

I think largely it depends on how often dc are sick and your working patterns. I think you’re right to argue it though.

an ex colleague of mine was pulled up for her “leave” patterns. She had 4 kids all nursery to primary school age. Her husband was self employed so she did the bulk of child related things including taking time when kids were sick.

generally it meant if one of her kids got a bug she’d be off for 3 weeks. As they’d all get it. Then she’d get it too. Not ideal.

Spends yesterday
€16.35 Dunnes on 4 boxes of cereal, two for home, two for childminders ds is eating a bowl of cereal every night now, he's 9 so it can't be the ravenous teen boy hunger yet or can it , mayonnaise (ds worked out which was best value with the offers) 6 pk of monster munch, 2 packs of cheap beef mince for animals.

€5 guides regular spend

This morning before getting out of bed €7.99 on Revolut card, want it for Canada rather than using my phone all the time.

Good morning everyone 😊
So sad about Paul O'Grady , he was only 67 💐
It's terrible weather here absolutely tipping down ☔🌨️
Spent a few Bob on the Amazon "sale" but nothing of any consequence, 6 X shower gels for 4.50 instead of 6 & St John Wort tablets for £10 instead of 13.
Also bought 4 Summer dresses for myself from George for 78 but they will see me. Through the season, just need the weather now to wear them 🙄
Hope everyone is ok and their DC are much better 💐

Have you been allowed to take A/l previously weight? I do feel for you on the no pay but still paying childcare.

that being said, we have a small amount of paid dependant leave followed by unpaid dependant leave. Due to the nature of our work, we can’t take annual leave as this is dictated by the school holidays.

Just bought some lovely
4 x 50cm X 50 cm cushion covers for £11 from IKEA , the sale is on not a lot in it but l got a few things.£40 total spend all stuff l needed .

Yes, they have let me take it as annual leave once before in similar circumstances.

They've said as Girlie said that it's because you have to give one month's notice. Which I understand, but this is an unforeseen circumstance, I don't understand why they'd force me to be out of pocket? Plus this affects staffing/workload in our team detrimentally overall as it means I'm off work more, as I still have my annual leave to take on top now. The workplace policy says annual leave can be considered to be used in circumstances where carers leave has been exhausted. I have tons of annual leave to use. Finally, I know of at least one recent case in my team where a colleague went on a last minute holiday abroad and didn't give anywhere near a month's notice. I have no issue with that at all, but cannot believe they're insisting I have to take unpaid leave when my manager recently approved that request for over a week's worth of annual leave with about one weeks notice, for a holiday! My manager is refusing to get involved at all and insisting HR have to deal with it - and ironically is moving to a role in the HR team...

Anyway, sorry for my ranting about this, I will stop now I promise, appreciate the sympathies from people!

Spends today £2 bus fare to work and £2 home. Migraine now, woke up at 6.15am and didn't get home til 6.15pm and DS was up loads in the night so hardly slept. Early night for me.

DS got a high temp again so probs take him to the GP tomorrow.

Disparities in policy applications sucks weight

Spent £35 in sainsburys on bits and bobs and £25 in The Range on a little greenhouse.

Work met me in the middle. Ish. They are £2k off what I wanted. So I’m happy. Quality of work life is very important and I have a good gig. Phew.

Great news @ememem84 Like you say work life balance is important and you’ve reached a compromise.

@WeightoftheWorld so sorry you’re going through this.

Payday on Friday, thank goodness. I think I’ve got about £22 in my account, and the bills account is currently standing at 56p! If that £22 is still there on Thursday night I will be transferring it over to savings.

im Going to try and do what I always do re payrise sand save the “increase” part.

need to do some dramatic saving to build up the reserves again

Great result em

Great news, em, good for you. And heartening for all those wondering whether negotiation is worth it!

DH's workplace going through discussions on performance related bonuses this year: nothing for those below senior grades, and the Board has announced that they will not be accepting any payment, if offered. So the spotlight is now on those senior staff about whom there has been no decision as yet. Not looking hopeful.

E.On wants to raise my DD, but I have money set aside to overpay next month, and our consumption should fall significantly. So I am saying Oi, E.On! NO!

Fantastic news em and no upheaval of moving jobs. Delighted for you.

I’m a firm believer in if you don’t ask you don’t get. there’s just a right way to go about it. I wasn’t aggressive or pushy. Just raised my concerned. Was honest etc.

a colleague has wined about it. Repeatedly. She brought in a spreadsheet re her outgoings to prove she needed more stuff. Work didn’t give a f.

Totally about the way you do it

Great news @ememem84, well done and a nice compromise.

Only food spends today, but these have shot up since DH home so need to review.

Rough menu plan.

Curry from last night/salmon
Aubergine parmigiana
Or aubergine curry with tamarind
Wild garlic pesto with pasta
Shepherds pie (veggie and meat)
Spring green veg risotto
Sweet potato and aubergine curry
Leek, mushroom and kale subji
Courgette and sweetcorn fritters,
Roast lamb for Easter.
Sweet potato, ginger and coconut stew

Washing machine still fucked. Tomorrow I’m off. So take kids to school. Drop bags an laundrette. Gym. Pick up clothes. Win.

Washing machine repair came while I was at work, no idea of cost but it's sorted anyhow.

£12 window cleaner and £13 dog walker.

Nice day at work, went out for lunch for two colleagues bdays, I'd made a gluten free bday cake which turned out well! Boss paid towards the lunch so only cost £7.50 each 😊