It's not a lot, but it's enough

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

Yesterday I was in London for the day with work. I went on my own on this occaision, which I really don't mind. I put my earphones in and listen to podcasts as I'm on my travels inbetween meetings. Managed to keep spends low and most will go on expenses anyway. I practically passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

My weekend, in contrast, was very relaxing, where I done very little apart from the usual weekend staples for me (yoga, gym, meal prep, football etc). Low spend too.

I've been to the gym this morning and I need to go to the hospital at lunch to get my 24 ECG monitor fitted to try and see if it's my ticker that's causing these dizzy spells. If I'm allowed, I'll go to the gym tonight but if not, it'll have to be a feet up night - doctors orders and all that.

DebtFreeMonkey

Oh, gosh. Hope they find whatever is causing these dizzy spells. I went through a bout when I was younger, to the point of passing out and they just said it was low blood pressure and to stand up slowly! That never worked, either! But I tend to (rarely) go to the docs and come out thinking how rubbish they are...

But I'm sure, since the hospital and whatnot is involved, they'll figure it out.

That sounds like a lovely weekend and I'm glad to hear you kept the costs low. I don't envy you for having to go to London, though. Too busy for me. Haha.

Anyways, hope you have a good day and a good rest of the week.

SpekySquarehead

Inspired by denialanderror and in trying to keep the diary on topic of being MSE, here are my review current financial concerns

1 – Emergency Fund
A broad term. Does this include if my boiler breaks at the flat I’m renting out? Or a flat tyre? Or should they be separate categories? I like Martin Lewis’ thinking of having minimum 3 months pay aside, but I’m miles (and years) off from doing that. But that train of thought is pertinent as my job security isn’t guaranteed. As part of a start up with an unpredictable owner, I could be booted out in 4 weeks. Not that I believe it’s likely to happen, but it could. And I’d be f*cked if it did.

2 – I don’t have many of the basics
Although they’re not mandatory, I don’t have many of the basic/standard/recommended services to hand such as landlord insurance, breakdown cover and contents insurance. They’d give me peace of mind to have and I’m sure they won’t cost an arm and a leg (especially breakdown, I know) but it’s an expense I think I can live without, for now. Also, of my direct debits, I’m stilling all of these monthly as opposed to annually, which of course is costing me more in interest. I don’t really have the £1000 to pay of car insurance in one go!

3 – Savings
For a deposit on a car when I hand mine back or, ideally, for another property so I don’t need to rent where I currently live in Manchester. I’m paying £750 a month in rent which pains me every month as I know I’m not getting any of that back! I’d be much more comfortable if that was going towards a mortgage but I’d need £10k - £20k for a deposit. Again, another ideal which seems decades away.

4 – The treats
I’ve only been on holidays with my family and they’ve paid for the accommodation, so I’ve only had to pay flights and spending money. Aside from this, I haven’t been spending heavily on luxuries. I’ve not been on holidays with my mates, I’ve not went to football games, I’ve not joined the gym I like, I’ve not joined a golf club, I’ve not bought myself clothes in years, I can’t really afford to go to a private physio (although I need to) and my flat lacks things. Not like a couch or a bed, but items to make it feel more like a home. Right now, I feel it looks quite student-ish. These sort of things would be lovely to do occasionally but I for sure cannot afford all three. Take that date I had last month. £150 odd it cost me. Now, I had the money in the bank, that’s not the problem, it’s the fact I am having to detract from other funds (Christmas, emergency fund etc).

When I was in debt, it truly felt like there was a big grey cloud hanging over me everywhere I went as a constant reminder. Whilst that depressing feeling is now gone, I still feel reserved, like I’m not quite living life. I’m not quite enjoying it to its fullest and contrary to the saying, I do believe more money would allow me to be happier, more secure and more comfortable. As a single man, I’m footing the bill for everything myself of course and I can’t help but think, if I had a Mrs and we lived together, we’d be splitting most of my expenses and all of a sudden, my disposable income would double, maybe triple!! Is this maths influencing my eagerness to find someone and potential rush into it, all for financial gain?! Madness.

I am savvy with my cash thanks to my financial troubles of yore, so I know how to survive on little to nothing but that would send me further down the path of unhappiness. So, in order of probability, here are my options of getting out this pickle

1 – Start earning commission in work
2 – Met the love of my life and move in together PRONTO!
3 – Win the lottery. But I don’t even buy a ticket.

Upon reflection, 2 and 3 should be swapped. :rotfl:

crazy_cat_lady

Speky - I know that you're young, free and single and that life is for living and it's important that you enjoy yourself. However I would really recommend having a good think about how you would cope if something happened at your Scotland home or something similar in terms of the basics. I always thought I could manage without pet insurance but when something goes wrong it gets so expensive. My naughty tortie - not insured and expenses over £4000 in the past 5 years. Tuxy - insured £99 excess and £1500 worth of treatment. For a £45 a year policy that has paid itself of lots of times over. I don't mean to be boring - I have the same thoughts about if I really need stuff or not, but worth a thought,.

SpekySquarehead

CCL - You're absolutely right. No question. And it does require thought. In fact, the recurring thought I have is "if I get 1 commission check, I'll take care of these things straight away". That's a big if, and one which hasn't paid me a penny in 12 months. I know, I know.


I didn’t track my NSD’s in August but was trying to be careful of when and where I was spending. I had a week in Aviemore, which considering everything, didn’t cost me too much and I came in on budget according to my YNAB. I then had some days and nights out with friends, which, as always, tend to be more expensive than I would like.


Career
• Make a sale
This month marks a year I’ve been here and a year without a big sale. Personally my biggest drought, at a time when I could be doing without, too!
• Maintain performance journal
A good habit I have started and is something which I update every working day
• Write news articles for work every 2 months
I’m working on my 3rd article now. Well ahead of schedule on this.

Relationships
• Keep in touch with family and friends
A week in a log cabin with my immediate family was perfect. Then, in the few days following it, some days with my friends which was equally as enjoyable. Then had my cousins 30th which was also good fun.
• Meet new people
I didn’t do much socialising in Manchester due to my time (and spends in Scotland).

Self
• Cut down phone time
I’ve now got myself into a place where I don’t need to check my phone constantly, which was the aim of this particular game. I see my phone as just as important for podcasts/music
• Less sugar
I’ve been much better on eating healthy in August (Aviemore aside). Not sure if it’s an age thing but anything I eat seems to go straight to my waist. God, I sound like my mother!
• Read more (2/5)
Still on the 3rd book which has been gathering dust on my bed side. Will either finish soon, or take on holiday to finish. Even bought my next book too
• Meditate & Attend yoga frequently
Now going to yoga 3 times a week and sticking to that as much as I can. I do love it and all that it does for me. Especially motivating is the small improvements.
• Continue to learn Spanish
Duolingo have made some changes to the experiences which helps spur me on. So I’ll maintain this at lunch

So, I spent a lot of time in Scotland this month, which usually equates to money (petrol, birthdays, lunches, dinners, drinks etc). I’ve no plans to be back in Scotland in the month of September but I do have a nice little holiday to Spain. Accommodation is paid for by my DM and my return flights were £90. I’ve budgeted £200 spending money, most of which will go into the kitty for food/drinks. As it stands, I have 2 nights out planned in the month, one of which with a girl who was my estate agent and showed me the flat I am in now. So it helps that I’ve met her before. With my luck, I won’t be counting any chickens.

crazy_cat_lady

I am jealous of your time in Scotland Speky - I love it up there and haven't been for a couple of years...

SpekySquarehead

Ah it's so idyllic. Everyone seems to be so chilled, relaxed, friendly and welcoming - even though it can be full of tourists. Amazing scenery with equally as good food and drink, too. Shame it's soo far north but amazing that it's within the UK. I recommend it to everyone.


Good morning everyone,

Alarm went off this morning and I felt awake but was just incredibly comfy. Forced my lazy self out and went to the gym anyway. I should have my boxing class on tonight as I think it was shut for August, if not, then I'll nip back into the gym.

Yesterday I had yoga which had my usual teacher back from holiday which was great. Managed to do 'crab' for the first time since I was like 4 years old.

Plodding along at work. Plodding's not the right word, because I do genuinely enjoy it, just going through a barren spell of sales, which as a sales guy, is no use to anyone.

SpekySquarehead

Good morning everyone,

As I was on Monday, I felt shattered when the alarm went off and opted to go back to sleep instead of going to the gym. I do feel an element of guilt but I've got yoga at lunch and then I'll do a run later, so not all that bad. Not much else planned for this evening anyway, so I can take my time.

Yesterday I stayed late in work, only really because a potential customer asked me to call them at 6pm because they were driving, which I did and they didn't answer. Oh well, I got other bits and bobs done so not all too bad. Plus, goes to show the change in my mindset from 6 months ago when I'd usually still be in the office at 8pm or 9pm.

Without going into the long and complicated details, my work is about to go through a legal battle. I've been reassured it's business as normal, and will continue to be regardless of the outcome, but I'm not so sure. The owner of the business is a ruthless millionaire entrepreneur (think Alan Sugar-esk) and I fear he might close this small business if it's too much hassle or will cost him too much in courts. We've done nothing wrong at all, our client broke their end of the contract, but the whole thing doesn't fill me with confidence.

I also got a note from my mum to say my gran was taken into A&E with a sharp pain in her abdomen. After lots of tests, they're unsure but recon it might be an infection of some kind. The concern is that it was a similair infection which triggered her heart attack last year, so she's now staying at my mums under her watchful eye in the hope she improves.

Apart from all this, I'm fine.

joeyjimbles

Lots of positive vibes for your Gran, sounds like your Mum is on the ball and she's in the best place she could be surrounded by family.

And as for work - positivism for that too, nothing you can do but I bet its a drain.

SpekySquarehead

Thanks Joey. I'm pushing my naturally pessimistic thoughts to one side.

Morning everyone,

As promised, I visited the gym yesterday after work for an hour before joining some of my mates on the xbox at night. Oh, and squeezed in a quick call with my gran who was feeling slightly better than the previous day.

Went to the gym this morning and I've an appointment with the physio tonight at 6.30. I've paid £65 for this private appointment in the hope they can finally help my knee pain, so I'm really looking forward to it with my high expectations. Aside from that, I'll catch up with my gran for a bit again and that's about it.