Pay day

I got paid today.

I saved all of it save for £100.00 which I took out in cash.

The plan was to use this for shopping and other incidentals over the weekend and through the week. But I forgot it was a bankholiday, so it is not going to be enough depending on what we do.

Tomorrow night we could use some theatre vouchers we have to see a play for free. Before that we could go to the local wok fry place which does 2 courses for £7.00 before 7pm.

I will try and have a frugal weekend. I want my escape fund to grow.

Is any one else growing an escape fund?

Job security - or lack of...

There have been some developments at work lately.

I wont go into the details but suffice to say the changes have involved a business restructure. Although I have been at this gig for 7 months, I am a locum, self employed to all intents, the firm only have to give me one weeks notice to get rid of me.

Yesterday the firm made some noises about me joining them as a permanent employee. I am trying to weigh up the pros and cons. The pros are job security, certainty and no more worrying about what I will do when this gig ends. The downsides are a lot less money and the probability that I would have to work on cases in a very specialised employment field, I am not keen on doing this as I think it would decrease my marketability.

I also like getting paid weekly. Its great for cash flow and budgeting. I think I would hate to go back to monthly pay. Mmmm, I think I will try and put the decision off for as long as I can. I do know that I DO NOT want to go back to a long commute. I live in the city and this job is a 2 minute walk. Unless they give me an ultimatum, then I will have to think again!

Financial Independence

It is important to me to be financially independent.

I want to feel free and not obligated to an employer. Not obligated to do a certain job. Not obligated to earn a certain amount of money to support a certain lifestyle. Not obligated to keep up with the jones'. These days there is no such thing as job security. This is abundantly clear to me. I am reminded of this constantly on a daily basis as a result of my work. I am an employment lawyer. No such thing as a job for life any more with a company pension to retire on. You have to fund your own retirement.

I couldn't imagine working at an office job for the next 25 years, that's basically what my job is, an office job. Sometimes I feel trapped in a cage.

My husband and I have no debt. Our spending vices are foreign holidays.

Why do you want to be financially independent?

Escape the rat race

Hi

Welcome to my blog - Escape the 9 - 5!

As this is my first post I thought I would introduce myself and explain the theme of my blog.

I am a thirty something female living in Britain. I work in the legal profession. I work as a locum. I think the equivalent in the US is a contracts or temporary attorney.

I am married, have no children and don't want any.

Why do I want to escape the 9 - 5? Simply, I want to escape the rat race and retire or semi retire early. Work dictates so many rules about the way we have to live our lives. I want to be free of this.

I started this blog to chart my journey to financial independence and hopefully my escape of the 9 - 5. It would also be nice to meet some like minded individuals along the way!