Until September this year, Graham was working at B & Q in the gardening/plants/seasonal section. He was working 12 hours per week over 2 days ie every Saturday and Sunday, as he has done for the last 14 years. This gave us our discretionary spending. When a new store manager started he decreed that everyone had to work on checkout. Graham explained that it was on record that his spinal problem meant that standing at the checkout for hours would be difficult. What did the manager do? He put him permanently on self scan checkouts which involved standing watching the customers scan their own purchases, watching for problems and challenging potential shoplifters 😟 Graham stuck it out for a few weekends but was in so much pain at the end of each day that he decided enough was enough and handed in his notice.
This has necessitated a major review of our finances. Luckily, we had just reached our savings goal which has taken the pressure off in a big way.
Frugal Re-jigs:
1) I've managed to fix our energy prices for a year with British Gas and this fix also gives us half price electricity on Sundays between 11am and 4pm when I can plan to do washing, tumble drying, dishwashing etc
2) I cancelled a couple of Direct Debits for things we can do without
3) Graham haggled with BT for a cheaper broadband deal knocking £7 per month off the new 2 Yr contract
4) Meal planning has taken centre stage again along with a stock check of food cupboards
I now have a clearer idea of how much we will have left after bills have been paid at the beginning of the month, and can re-set our discretionary spending. This will have to cover the cost of running the main car as well as any 'entertainment' expenditure.
Every bit of 'entertainment' expenditure, right down to cups of tea and car parking charges, is being written in a book which Gray calls 'Mum's secret book' despite the fact that it's A4 size and hard to hide! 😂🤣😂
More in my next post...
Angie x
Really good to see you back in blogland.
ReplyDeleteThe new manager at B&Q sounds like when I worked in libraries and a new - always young- librarian would come and want to change everything, never for the better.
Looking forward to more frugal tips
Thank you, Sue, and no, change isn't always for the better is it. He's upset a lot of people with his attitude to how management should be done 😕
DeleteLong time reader but first time to comment. So glad that you are back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment Liana, thank you!
DeleteLovely to see you blogging again Angie😻 I cannot understand why some people have an attitude like this😞 A reliable worker for 14 years, in my eyes is worth his or her weight in gold💛 Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. My thoughts exactly.
DeleteIt seems that some new managers have to come in and upset the applecart just to exert their authority. When I trained new charity shop managers one of the first things I taught them was to listen to staff and volunteers that had been in the role a long time BEFORE making drastic changes.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a good grip on your finances, I would expect nothing less from you. 😄 And yes a good book, whether secret or not, is a brilliant idea.
Exactly that, Sue, he just refuses to listen to anyone. His own son works there part time and says he's stubborn, which says it all.
DeleteMy secret book is the only way to track spending accurately! Graham wouldn't have the patience to do it!
Thank you for finding me again Sue 😊x
I couldn't miss you ... you hit me over the head with a comment!! ;-)
DeleteI couldn't resist letting you know, lovely lady 😂😘
DeleteSounds typical for B&Q management, hubby's son worked for them, they moved him every time he got to grips with the department, it was so frustrating for him, needless to say son moved jobs.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what is happening, Marlene, I think they will be losing more staff soon too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for finding me again 😊
Hello again good to read a post from you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs LH 😀
DeleteSo lovely to see you back blogging. It is comforting to have a financial safety net no matter how small. No one knows what this life will throw at us next. It will be B and Q’s loss. Health is wealth so definitely the right choice to leave.
ReplyDeleteThank you ,janipi, my thoughts exactly 😀
DeleteI'm sorry to read that your husband had to resign from his job due to new management not accommodating his medical conditions, but, at least it happened after you had reached your savings goal! It's very important to keep track of every penny when one is on a limited budget and writing it all down is the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Bless. My book has been invaluable and we had just reached our goal the week before the decision was made to resign. Fate, I guess....
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