Smart Mart - Health, wealth and happiness

Smart_Mart

Is it just me or has summer arrived all of a sudden? Been to work (football) today and took my sweatshirt but didn't need it....:T

Team lost 1-0 today with a very late goal indeed which has left us still needing points to stay up this season. Hopefully they will come next week with a little more luck. Bought a Golden Gamble ticket (£1.00) and some snacks on the way back (£3.65) though some of that was biscuits on a BOGOF.

Only had one of the twins with me as the other had been invited to a football party. They're rarely separated and it's quite nice sometimes only having the one to look after, especially when we're going somewhere that I need to keep an eye on them at all times.

Tomorrow is the penultimate game of the boys' team's season and hopefully the quiz in the evening as well.

Smart_Mart

Boys drew their game yesterday 2-2 which means that they are the only team in the division to remain unbeaten against the champions....:T. Wasn't the easiest match to referee as the parents of the opposition were being abusive to myself and our coach - known locally as bad losers in fact.

The quiz last night was average to say the least - we ended up two points off runners-up spot which is a shame. Bought a round of drinks (£10.16) - such a nightmare not winning the tokens to get the free ones...:(. Stuck £25 of diesel in the car.

Today was golf day day. Did the morning courier job then straight down to the golf club for bacon butties and coffee before the main business of the day. Played averagely really and our team came 13th of 26 which reflected our performance. Bought a round (£9.55) and two photos (£8.00) although I will get half of that back from my playing partner.

Tomorrow is back to normal again with papers to deliver, websites to update and all after a good nights sleep.

Smart_Mart

I hadn't realised that it had been three days since I last updated, sorry!:o

Right, here goes with this week's exploits so far.

Tuesday - recovered from golf day by tripping to the recycling bank with old papers etc. Got a lot of paperwork sorted out then went off down on a scouting mission for the club. The team they're playing in the county cup final were playing half an hour from me so it seemed rude not to go down there being that I should be able to claim my expenses back. Supper there was £3.65, I stuck £25.00 of diesel in the car, it was £6.00 including a programme plus I paid my rent in the morning.

Wednesday - papers delivered in the morning so got two rounds delivered before the school run. Only one win to collect as the other one was in hospital having his cast removed from his fractured wrist. Doc says another 4-5 weeks break from football needed which will make almost ten weeks by the time he can play again...:(. Took them to their last match of the season which they won 4-1 to finish well.

Thursday - down to the football club today from 10.30am - 6.00pm after a dreadful night's sleep. The chap that employs me for my courier work is 99% certain that he'll have to lay me off next Friday which will mean that the job, the income and most importantly my car will all be gone next Friday, the day before my birthday.:( He came around this morning to explain his decision and has promised that after he confirms it with his business partner, he'll let me know as soon as possible.

The weekend is ahead. Off to London for the game on Saturday and we were planning to go to Bath Races on Sunday afternoon but may decide not to and pull the reins in instead. May also still go as a final hurrah though...:eek:

benbenandme

How much is that part of your income out of your total income?

Smart_Mart

benbenandme wrote: »

How much is that part of your income out of your total income?

Hi BB,

It varies each month depending on whether I do any extra ad-hoc work or not but in a standard month, it's £160 a month, about one-seventh of my income. The bonus is that the car comes with it and although that's only an "X" reg Focus estate, part of the deal is that he taxes it and fully maintains it.

The flip side of the whole thing is that I travel a lot with the football job. I have travelled this season to Millwall, Leyton Orient, Gillingham, Carlisle, Oxford, Exeter, Huddersfield, High Wycombe, Stockport, Charlton, Swindon, Southampton and Bournemouth and cadging a lift with others is rarely achievable as they start off 50 miles south of me.

Smart_Mart

Expensive day yesterday though I should get most of it back. My attitude to money is very lax at the moment and though I have a little more income than normal, I'm tending to spend a little too much.

Went to Brentford for football yesterday and spent £9.00 on lunch, £12.00 on tea, £3.00 on a programme and £31.00 on tickets, a total of £55 plus diesel which I'll fill in later on but should be about £20.00. Of this, I can claim back £40 in expenses plus I would have had to have bought the boys tickets anyway as the press box was full up yesterday so only £25 was "wasted" really. I joined the AA when I renewed my car insurance recently and they offer 20% off food bought at Moto service stations so my food was £5 cheaper than it might have been (he says, looking for excuses).

Today I'm saying "sod the expense again" and going to the races at Bath. Will be sensible with the stakes but won't see change of £15 to go in (kids are free) plus what I stake. I'm a genuinely sensible backer, I doubt I'll stake more than £40 all afternoon and there may be some to come back to me. I know what I'm doing is wrong but things are going to get worse before they get better and I'm having a last hurrah. Sorry.:(

Smart_Mart

Should also add that I've paid £40 off both the gas and the electric bills and settled up the e-Bay dispute too ahead of making a claim from the post office.

Smart_Mart

Well yesterday wasn't as good as I hoped but was better than it could have been.

Went racing, cost £17 for me to go in but free for the children, and lost £15 in total between the three of us over seven races. Had three winners in total, all picked by the boys....:mad::D

Went to the quiz last night (£7.07 plus a quid for entry) and lost yet again. Must be two months since we last won, maybe the brains are going after all.

Today, did the courier morning job (possibly for the last time ever) and have been sat in front of my PC ever since trying to get myself organised.

Smart_Mart

Pretty much a NSD today except for £10.00 on the gas card. Had to be done though.

Did the evening courier job tonight and have another morning one booked tomorrow. The boss asked if he could pick the key fob up tonight as he had to do the job in the morning so I thought it wouldn't hurt to offer to do it. Doubt he'll change his mind but there you go, I tried.

Tomorrow evening is my 77th football match of the season - this time it's only half an hour from home so I'm taking the boys. Hopefully I'll get a signal in there so I don't have to keep the boys waiting too long. It's the County Cup semi final so fingers crossed for a win.:T

Smart_Mart

Just a quick update now as I'm off to bed.

Went to football tonight, team lost 2-0 in a county cup tie, basically a reserve side with a few first teamers in it. Cost a fiver to get in and they let the boys in free so I had a budget then for a treat at half time (coffee and a bacon roll x 3) which set me back £5.55. Spent £15 on diesel on the way home and £7.10 on a mini shop earlier.

Had to trip down the post office earlier this morning and spent £2.76 on postage including sending the letter containing my DRO application form in it. Might be several weeks before they reply but at least it's off and running.