London Socialite Sees The Light

LondonGirl252

Another 2 non-tube journeys logged! I walked from work to dinner with my friend last night (which was a lovely evening) and I walked in this morning. I will also either run or walk back tonight... OH has suggested dinner out tonight when I get off the train so depends, if we do that then I will just walk.


Really chuffed I have now saved over £50 by avoiding the tube! As well as feeling better and fitter and avoiding the miserable commute!


This weekend I am riding tomorrow (and hopefully getting that refund!), then we have an appointment with TSB to set up a joint current and savings account - they're offering 5% interest at the moment, Sunday, no plans so hoping to relax, maybe we will go for a walk somewhere!


What do you guys have planned?


LG x

LondonGirl252

Pleased to say I have now re-instated my pension contributions at work, it's only 1% contribution each from me and work but better than nothing. Next time I get a raise I will significantly increase my contributions.


Next job is to get the pension adviser we work with to help me merge all of my pensions from old jobs into one place

mark55man

If all your pensions are money purchase then you just need to focus on keeping the cost of transfer to a minimum. If any are defined benefit/final salary (prob unlikely) be careful.


Also completely agree trying to start off making pension payments early to maximise time in the market and the power of compounding


Also - don't be too conservative in your pension selection funds - really have plenty of time to overcome any issues. monthly contributions are great when things are falling/down - you get way more investment for your money in months when they are cheap

Brightspark87

Massive thumbs up for the pensions!! Well done. 1% is much better than nothing. Plus you will be getting the employer contribution etc.

with the consolidation - hopefully the pension adviser will help but if not give me a shout always happy to help x

LondonGirl252

Thanks for the advise Mark and Bright Spark! I will wait to hear back from the pension guy and see what he says! Would like to get it all sorted though.


Had an OK weekend, some good bits some not so good...


Friday night I met M after work on the local high street we had a couple of drinks some great food and a lovely walk home. Was so night to have a date night, made me realise how important it is that we do this regularly as at home we just veg on the couch or do house work and don't really speak.


Saturday morning I went riding, it didn't begin well as they didn't warn me the horse I was riding can be a bit territorial in his stable, I did all the right things which I do all the time and approached gently and calmy and tried to pat his neck but he was having none of it and the ears went back, head raised and so I got one of the stables girls to help me with him as he is a big horse! She said I should have been warned to get help as he has a habit of biting people in his stable... great. Anyway got on and he was a lovely horse to ride so I decided we could be friends after all. We had a different instructor this week so I was hoping it would be a nicer experience but it wasn't really there were too many in the group for the size of the arena and it was frustrating being on such a big horse who needs space when ponies would cut us up and I would have to stop whatever we were doing and he and I would then be off our stride and struggle on the exercise so then the teacher moaned at me like I was about 12 years old in pony club!


I just don't think a group lesson is what I am looking for right now, I want to enjoy being outdoors just riding, one on one lessons are occasionally good to avoid bad habits and to improve but hacking is my passion. Anyway, they were fine about the refund and from looking at the available balance on my credit card this morning it looks like that is going through OK.


So I didn't leave the stables feeling particularly happy and then we were due to attend our appointment with TSB to open our joint accounts...


I explained to her that we needed a joint account for household bills and wanted to keep our own separate current accounts as they were and we also wated to open the monthly saver which also has the 5% interest rate.


She said that if we went through the MSE website to apply we would be eligible for a £125 bonus, I said when I had tried to apply online it advised that I was not able to for a joint account and needed to come into branch hence the reason for us being there.


She said as long as we went through MSE it would work, and I re-iterated my point as I really wanted to be sure because I didn't want to have to go back in again (this branch really isn't in a nice town) and she assured us it would be fine.


So we go home having had a wasted trip and I log online to MSE, sure enough "to open a joint account you must go into a branch" ARGH


So I call up the branch and explain and she goes to check, then apologises that we were told the wrong information, she said if I open it in my name then I can add M on at a later date and still get the bonus.


So I go to do this and she told us wrong about the bonus as well.... you only get it if you switch your current account to them which I made it clear I did not want to do! So the whole thing was a complete waste of time and we still don't have a current account, I was not happy!


Complained via their twitter page and actually the response on there was much more apologetic and helpful, she advised we can call up and do it over the phone so we will try that tonight.


Yesterday we just drove to the local shopping centre and bought a few bits then chilled out in the evening. The online shop arrived for this week and I planned meals and ordered the shop for next week.


I have one tube journey to add to the total for walking in this morning, was so nice and sunny, am looking forward to the run home!


I updated YNAB with the refund from the stables so this month is now ending really well £ wise, I have nearly £200 in an emergency fund building up and have let myself increase my clothing budget as I'm desperate for some new flat boots for winter.


This week is looking reasonably quiet which is good, M is working Friday night so I am meeting the girls for dinner and that's about it!


LG x

lulabelle

arghhhh i just posted a reply then the internet booted me out!!!

i really hate it when you read or are told something, go to do it, someone disagrees with you and then you are right and have to inconvenience yourself to reap the benefit (or not in your case)

i really think i need to go and live in an isolated house on a hill with loads of dogs, cats and horses so i don't have to deal with people!!!! mind you, I am a right miserable git!!!!

LondonGirl252

lulabelle wrote: »

arghhhh i just posted a reply then the internet booted me out!!!

i really hate it when you read or are told something, go to do it, someone disagrees with you and then you are right and have to inconvenience yourself to reap the benefit (or not in your case)

i really think i need to go and live in an isolated house on a hill with loads of dogs, cats and horses so i don't have to deal with people!!!! mind you, I am a right miserable git!!!!

Oh I hate when that happens!!!!


I know, that's what was so frustrating about it, I knew deep down we should have just done it there and then but £125 would have been a nice treat!


I'll join you, I am exactly the same I would be perfectly happy that way!

LondonGirl252

Another 2 tube trips banked - I ran (ish) last night and walked this morning.


The reason I ran-ish last night is because I started to get some pain down the inside of my shin, I'm not sure if it's shin splints or just calf tightness so I took it easy but this morning I can feel it again so i'll get some Ice gel to apply at lunch and I may need to rest them a bit even though I reeeeeally don't want to!


I am really enjoying cooking up all these different recipes I pick out each week, sunday was a coconut chicken curry which created 3 lots of leftovers so I have some for lunch today, last night was paprika chicken kebabs with tztziki which was delish and that gave us leftovers which will be tomorrows lunch. Tonight we have a fruity rice salad! Not doubt that will also end up being lunch one day too!


LG x

LondonGirl252

Another 2 tube trips banked! Run was better last night, could still feel soreness in my shins but as I improved my technique it helped. Tonight I am meeting a friend for dinner so I need to get the tube to meet her but think a night off will do my legs good!


Last nights fruity rice salad was v nice, it went really well with the leftover tzatziki from the other night! Today's lunch is the left over chicken kebabs and tzatziki, I bought a bean salad on my way in to add to it and bulk it out a bit.


I have already checked out the menu for the bar tonight, its a well known chain and their pad thai is nice and under 500 kcals so I will be enjoying that guilt free!


LG x

lulabelle

where are you getting your healthy eating recipes from LG? The boy and I are trying to eat healthily now (well, during the week at least) and need some inspiration!