Help with commute or rent
Discussion
Hi all,
Ok, help with this please. I think I’m doing this the best way I can, but if anyone can see a better or cheaper way then please say.
I live in Glossop but work in Skipton, it’s a 110 mile round trip. I was travelling everyday, but as you can imagine it gets pretty old very fast. Weekdays it takes about 1hr 30min setting off at about 6.20am and getting to work at about 7.50am. Weekends are better as it’s very quiet and it’s usually 1hr 10mins. Coming back is roughly the same with me getting home at about 6.30pm -7.00pm depending on what time I get out of work.
Current car is 2007 Volvo S80, auto, diesel. Car is all payed for, so just usual tax, insurance and servicing etc Averages about mid 40s on that commute. I like to sit at 63mph to 65mph and just waft along so not so stressful.
But, after doing this for a while I was getting home tired and grumpy, eat sleep and repeat. I was also more worryingly getting very drowsy when driving home.
So, took the tough decision to rent an apartment a few miles away from work and stay there when I’m working and come home on my days off. The appartmet is £420 per month, I pay for my electric at about £20 a month and council tax at £102.
Yes it’s not ideal being away from home, but kids are nearly 21 and 17, and luckily my wife is very understanding and it’s kind of what we’re used to with me being away a lot for work.
I occasionally spend time out of the country, for instance last month the apartment was empty the whole month as I was away working. So, dead money sadly.
Any suggestions on what I could do differently or better. Changing jobs is a non starter, I have the best job in the world and enjoy it very much.
Cheers,
Ok, help with this please. I think I’m doing this the best way I can, but if anyone can see a better or cheaper way then please say.
I live in Glossop but work in Skipton, it’s a 110 mile round trip. I was travelling everyday, but as you can imagine it gets pretty old very fast. Weekdays it takes about 1hr 30min setting off at about 6.20am and getting to work at about 7.50am. Weekends are better as it’s very quiet and it’s usually 1hr 10mins. Coming back is roughly the same with me getting home at about 6.30pm -7.00pm depending on what time I get out of work.
Current car is 2007 Volvo S80, auto, diesel. Car is all payed for, so just usual tax, insurance and servicing etc Averages about mid 40s on that commute. I like to sit at 63mph to 65mph and just waft along so not so stressful.
But, after doing this for a while I was getting home tired and grumpy, eat sleep and repeat. I was also more worryingly getting very drowsy when driving home.
So, took the tough decision to rent an apartment a few miles away from work and stay there when I’m working and come home on my days off. The appartmet is £420 per month, I pay for my electric at about £20 a month and council tax at £102.
Yes it’s not ideal being away from home, but kids are nearly 21 and 17, and luckily my wife is very understanding and it’s kind of what we’re used to with me being away a lot for work.
I occasionally spend time out of the country, for instance last month the apartment was empty the whole month as I was away working. So, dead money sadly.
Any suggestions on what I could do differently or better. Changing jobs is a non starter, I have the best job in the world and enjoy it very much.
Cheers,
Hi Wooda,
Thanks for the reply. It’s something I would seriously consider. But, my wife has just started a new job and isn’t keen on the idea when I’ve mentioned it previously. Both kids still at home, one with a full time job and youngest starting A levels etc.
Certainly maybe in the longer term it needs a proper sit down and chat about it.
Thanks for the reply. It’s something I would seriously consider. But, my wife has just started a new job and isn’t keen on the idea when I’ve mentioned it previously. Both kids still at home, one with a full time job and youngest starting A levels etc.
Certainly maybe in the longer term it needs a proper sit down and chat about it.
Not sure about your situation but do you have to work so many days? Is a part time position available 3 days a week?
Are you able to cut back on outgoings in order to make a part time position doable? Suppose this depends on whether your children are still dependant on you financially.
Are you able to cut back on outgoings in order to make a part time position doable? Suppose this depends on whether your children are still dependant on you financially.
CinnamonFan said:
Not sure about your situation but do you have to work so many days? Is a part time position available 3 days a week?
Are you able to cut back on outgoings in order to make a part time position doable? Suppose this depends on whether your children are still dependant on you financially.
I started as part time doing about 10-15 days per month, but wasn’t paying the bills. So I went full time and do 22 days now. Are you able to cut back on outgoings in order to make a part time position doable? Suppose this depends on whether your children are still dependant on you financially.
Hookaduck said:
I started as part time doing about 10-15 days per month, but wasn’t paying the bills. So I went full time and do 22 days now.
https://www.gov.uk/flexible-workingThere is a right to be considered for flexible hours after a certain time spent with the employer; It may be good for you to consolidate some of the days into a longer block or similar, so you can take a long block at home rather than just a few days?
Find a podcast you enjoy and get a few audio books (Audible is brilliant for this). Makes long slow drives much more enjoyable.
Also work from home 1 day a week or try some more flexible working arrangements. I work away for the vast majority of my time and the only solution that works for the family orientated people is to stop over for 1 or 2 nights and do as many hours as possible, then either work reduced hours on the remaining days or work from home.
Also work from home 1 day a week or try some more flexible working arrangements. I work away for the vast majority of my time and the only solution that works for the family orientated people is to stop over for 1 or 2 nights and do as many hours as possible, then either work reduced hours on the remaining days or work from home.
Haltamer said:
https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working
There is a right to be considered for flexible hours after a certain time spent with the employer; It may be good for you to consolidate some of the days into a longer block or similar, so you can take a long block at home rather than just a few days?
Thanks Haltamer,There is a right to be considered for flexible hours after a certain time spent with the employer; It may be good for you to consolidate some of the days into a longer block or similar, so you can take a long block at home rather than just a few days?
I don’t have a set working rota, every month is different depending on what I need to be doing at work that month. My manager does try his best to work it that I get days off together, but it’s not always possible due to the nature of what I/we do.
t.Can you not leave earlier and start earlier? Then finish earlier say 4.30pm? And then maybe your home at 6pm? If your long term and they are a good employer then they should be flexible.
Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
soupdragon1 said:
Could you rent out a room of the apartment? Should be a pretty easy sell, considering how little time you'll be in it.
Or even - look for a room rental yourself, instead of the apartment?
Or even - look for a room rental yourself, instead of the apartment?
Thanks, only a 1 bedroom. So not possible. I looked at all permutations when I was considering doing it, house share, room for rent, airbnb, b&b, caravan even sleeping in the car.
There are slightly cheaper property’s that I could rent in the £350-£400 range but no where near as nice as what I’ve got now, and I get my heating and water included. I thought that if I’m going to do it then I want to be as comfortable as possible and not holed up in a dingy flat above a kebab shop.
I am in a similar situation myself, albeit with a slightly longer commute at 150 mile round trip.
I have no intention of ever moving closer to work as I will not be here forever, but I have been making this commute since June / July time last year.
During the summer months it isn't so much of a chore travelling every day. I ride motorbikes and am lucky that my commute to work takes in the type of biking roads that people make an effort to ride on weekends etc .... So I look forward to the ride to and from work each day. Changing rear tyres every 5 weeks or so is a chore, but I can live with that expense for the enjoyment I get out of it.
Winter has been a different story though, 5.30 am starts and 7.30pm returning home has left me feeling much like yourself, pretty knackered all the time, little opportunity to get things done at home due to the constant work / eat / sleep / repeat cycle And when I do get time to myself all I really want to do is sit on my backside and do as little as possible.
Rather than committing to a monthly rental what I have been doing is breaking things up by staying in AirBnB's from time to time. It breaks the daily commute cycle and the cost of the BnB is roughly the same as what I would spend on fuel each week anyway so I'm not out of pocket that way.
The other thing I do is work my weekly hours from Monday through till Thursday giving me the Friday off and meaning I am only away from home for 3 nights when I do stay over, not sure if this could be an option for you too?
I have no intention of ever moving closer to work as I will not be here forever, but I have been making this commute since June / July time last year.
During the summer months it isn't so much of a chore travelling every day. I ride motorbikes and am lucky that my commute to work takes in the type of biking roads that people make an effort to ride on weekends etc .... So I look forward to the ride to and from work each day. Changing rear tyres every 5 weeks or so is a chore, but I can live with that expense for the enjoyment I get out of it.
Winter has been a different story though, 5.30 am starts and 7.30pm returning home has left me feeling much like yourself, pretty knackered all the time, little opportunity to get things done at home due to the constant work / eat / sleep / repeat cycle And when I do get time to myself all I really want to do is sit on my backside and do as little as possible.
Rather than committing to a monthly rental what I have been doing is breaking things up by staying in AirBnB's from time to time. It breaks the daily commute cycle and the cost of the BnB is roughly the same as what I would spend on fuel each week anyway so I'm not out of pocket that way.
The other thing I do is work my weekly hours from Monday through till Thursday giving me the Friday off and meaning I am only away from home for 3 nights when I do stay over, not sure if this could be an option for you too?
virtualm said:
Can you not leave earlier and start earlier? Then finish earlier say 4.30pm? And then maybe your home at 6pm? If your long term and they are a good employer then they should be flexible.
Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
Hey virtualm,Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
Good idea, but my working day isn’t flexible sadly. Start time is 8am, I/we have an hr to do morning setup, then I’m with guests from 9.00am until 4pm, we then have to finish the day off with cleaning and prep for the next day. We aim to finish at 5pm but if it’s been a busy day then it can be later, yet equally can occasionally be earlier on a quieter day.
virtualm said:
Can you not leave earlier and start earlier? Then finish earlier say 4.30pm? And then maybe your home at 6pm? If your long term and they are a good employer then they should be flexible.
Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
Hey virtualm,Pro's and con's of both, staying away less stress on you and no wear and tear on car / tyres etc, but do you have anything to do at night when away? As the nights are getting lighter it's much easier to drive. Other option is a cheap b&b and just break up some of the driving home every night.
Other option is airbnb shared house which should be cheaper and save you a bit.
Good idea, but my working day isn’t flexible sadly. Start time is 8am, I/we have an hr to do morning setup, then I’m with guests from 9.00am until 4pm, we then have to finish the day off with cleaning and prep for the next day. We aim to finish at 5pm but if it’s been a busy day then it can be later, yet equally can occasionally be earlier on a quieter day.
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