London Socialite Sees The Light

LondonGirl252

Ah yeah it's so worth it, they soon add up and it feels like free money!

Had a couple of small spends today, including lunch as I ran out of allowance but still gonna be way within budget.

Feeling nervous about the triathlon tomorrow, can't believe it has come around so quickly, luckily the weather is so nice the lake shouldn't be too cold!

Just wish I had practised more, haven't ever sat on this bike or swam in the wetsuit.... watch this space. Hopefully I won't be dragged out of Eton Dorney tomorrow in shame

seasideme

Where do you see cash counters that give out cash and not vouchers?

JustAboutThere

If you happen to have a Metro Bank near you, their cash counting machines are free to use (if that's what you're referring to):

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Discover-Metro-Bank/More-Convenient-Services/Magic-Money-Machine

LondonGirl - best of luck with the triathlon.

LondonGirl252

Thanks JustAboutThere!

I just had a delivery of flowers and a balloon to my desk from my friends I used to work with to wish me luck, they're so sweet!!!

I use the Metro bank counting machines, anyone can use it and totally free like JBT mentioned!

Some Sainsburys have cash counters too and you can choose cash over vouchers but they take 10% of your dosh!

seasideme

yeah I have a metro account but no bank since I've moved to the south coast. Think I will just go ask for some money bags and do it that way.

mark55man

10% is really steep, but better than having loose change around the house where the kids will normally manage to wangle 100% of it for bits and bobs

LondonGirl252

Happy Monday all!

So, Friday saw me complete in the Property Triathlon, it was much harder than I anticipated it but I completed it in 1hr 59m and 10secs which I was reasonably happy with. The swim was awful, all my technique went out the window, cycle was fine and run was HOT! It was 26 degrees where we were and it made it much harder. Was very pleased to cross the finish line. Overall as a team we have raised over £5,500 for charity.

Weekend was nice, just chilled with the fella. We went shopping and he bought some new summer clothes. Just as we walked out of the centre I commented on how restrained I had been and not bought anything, until we passed Ghost, and they had the most beautiful dress in the window, I tried it on and it was perfect, I have loads of weddings this summer so I have to admit to a £95 splurge. Eek.

However I have manaeged to move a few things around the budget and when I bank all my loose change, I actually only need to find an additional £40 so when I pass a bank today I will get some coin bags and bag it all up.

Other than that the weekend went OK money wise, I think i went a little over yesterday but can make that up this week. I shouldn't spend any money today or tomorrow so thats fine!

Hope you all had good weekends

LondonGirl252

Hello hello,

Well yesterday I got to the bank and picked up some change bags, bagged it all up last night and this morning banked £76 into my current account which pretty much covers the whole cost of that dress!

While I was there she noticed I was eligble to upgrade my current account to one which give 5% interest on balances up to £2,500 for a year, i need to pay in £1,000 a month which is fine. So now I need to do some money jiggling and move some of my savings over so that they get this higher interest rate.

I also received £5.46 in interest off one of my savings accounts, this one pays interest annually so its not much I guess but the account has been empty for the most of the year so hopefully this year I can earn a bit more!

So far, all this week has been under-spending days, so feeling good about this weeks budget and hope to have some left over at the end of the week.

baglady1

Hi Londongirl, welcome back. I enjoyed reading your diary immensely last year - you did so well & were so focused. Am tuning in again for regular updates.

LondonGirl252

Thanks for joining me again baglady

I've had some un-planned expenses come through today about £100 usually I'd take this from my buffer in the budget account but I had used that up and with me missing a months salary next month I won't be able to re-instate my buffer until end of august, might have to take it from savings. I need to re-jig my savings any way to get the most out of that 5% interest rate.

Work it ticking along OK, its nice not to be under pressure, I have one project left to finish which I'm getting my teeth into now so that hopefully it'll be finished next week then I really can wind down!

Going shopping tonight to help a friend find a dress for a summer ball she is going to, I will NOT be spending anything!

Tomorrow the boy will come over for the weekend, we have a reasonably quiet one planned, he knows I'm saving money so he's happy to be on the cheap. We're planning to head to regents park for a bit of a run and boxing sesh at some point. We are going to my friend's 30th birthday in Kent, I am driving to save money on trains and booze and am giving 2 others a lift so fuel cost will be cheaper too.

Its rainy in London today, what happened to the sun huh?!