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

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

Happy Friday and Happy November!

Not long after I posted on here yesterday, I got a call from my landlord. He's a really nice man and has been nothing but helpful and generous with me since I moved in. The topic was the renewal of my rental agreement, where I felt uncomfortable committing to 12 months given the small chance I could be moving elsewhere. I explained this to him and he understood. He agreed to lower the agreement to include a break clause after 3 months and he'll send me an email to say that even if I need out before then, 4 week notice is fine. So I'm happy with that.

I've not heard back on the 2 jobs I applied for. They've both now closed the listing, so I suspect to hear something soon but as time goes on, no news is bad news.

Now, I'm going to share a secret that only my best pal knows. I've applied for the Royal Army Reserves. I've always questioned whither pushing a pen all my life will truly satisfy me and as someone who has always kept fit and been in sports, a job that has an active element has been attractive. I thought the reserves is a good way for me to dip my toe in the water and see how I find it, as I can do it in my spare time. I've been invited to an open day type thing on Tuesday. We'll see.

Went on to have a semi productive day, including buying an Xmas gift for my gran and a Nando's with a colleague which was nice. Nipped to the gym and then had a call with my mum before jumping into bed.
Spends: Xmas gift £15, Milk £1.15, Snack 80p, Nandos, £12.65
Total: £29.60
NSD: Ended on 10. Poor show.

No gym this morning, so I'll go after work. I've got a catch up call with my gran later tonight which will be nice, as always. I've got a semi busy weekend, so I'm going to enjoy a relaxing evening tonight me thinks. Pea and bacon risotto for dinner.

Got paid yesterday and this morning I went through my accounts and YNAB. That's me now paid off my student loan, giving me £125 extra a month!!! Not that I'm now going to splurge it one something, it's being allocated across various pots - Xmas, stag do's, weddings, birthday gifts etc.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

SpekySquarehead

I had a weekend back in Glasgow, which can be a costly affair but not so much on this occasion. The roles then switched as I played host to my family in Manchester, which again, didn’t really cost too much. Aside from this, It was a standard month of spends, nothing untoward. I didn’t do well in terms of NSD’s but on the days I did spend, they were low spends, so my finances are looking ok now that I’m in November. Anyway, in terms of my resolutions here’s how I got on;

Career
• Make a sale
I had a couple of bites but nothing to write home about at this stage. Hence why during October I applied for 2 jobs.
• Maintain performance journal - DONE
A good habit I have started and is something which I update every working day
• Write news articles for work every 2 months
Didn’t do any writing in October given I am ahead of schedule, will need to resume.

Relationships
• Keep in touch with family and friends
2 weekends in a row with family was lovely and seeing friends is like I’ve never been away. Also started a weekly early Monday morning face time call with my Step-Bro in SK. Nice to ‘see’ him and chat.
• Meet new people
Not many social events in Manchester in October unfortunately

Self
• Cut down phone time - DONE
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.
• Less sugar
I relatively good month on this front. I feel I have a lot of momentum at the moment
• Read more (4/5)
Still plodding my way through my 5th book. Determined to get this finished by the end of the year. I should perhaps check to see how many pages are left and work out how many I should do each night.
• Meditate & Attend yoga frequently - DONE
Now going to yoga 3 times a week and sticking to that as much as I can.
• Continue to learn Spanish - DONE
Duolingo have made some changes to the experiences which helps spur me on. So I’ll maintain this every lunch

So, now in November. I’ve made progress on a lot of my resolutions but some of which are hard to quantify. A final push before the panic and mayhem of December. From a financial perspective, I’m sitting pretty. I’ve probably got the most in my account than I ever have in my life if the truth be told. This is purely thanks to YNAB as I’m essentially putting money away for events due in a few years times (Mums 60th, weddings, Christmas 2021 and even a holiday in 2026!). So it’s not really a true justification of my disposable income. I mean, if I bought a pair of trainers for £80 it would come at the expense of something else.

But, I’m looking forward to the month ahead. I’m feeling good, physically and mentally, which helps. I feel like I have some momentum coming from the end of November and I hope that is maintained.

SpekySquarehead

Good morning and happy Monday,

I had an enjoyable weekend which flew in quicker than usual. Aside from the usual things, I also managed to wangle a free ticket to the Manchester City game and I made my return to playing football on the Sunday (and scored!).
Spends: £3.80 - Tram, £8 - Pie, Bovril and chocolate at the game, £28 for weeks worth of shopping, £20 for a months worth of football, £37 for a new game
NSD: 2

Today, I've been to the gym but I seem to have tweaked my neck, so I've popped some ibuprofen and I'll give it a bit of a rest, perhaps skip yoga tonight too. Got a a white wash to put on tonight when I get home and not sure what the plan is for dinner, depends if yoga is on the cards or not.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Mx_Emmin

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

... I’m essentially putting money away for events due in a few years times (Mums 60th, weddings, Christmas 2021 and even a holiday in 2026!) ...

Christmas 2021?! What about Christmas 2020?

SpekySquarehead

Mx_Emmin wrote: »

Christmas 2021?! What about Christmas 2020?

Oh don't worry, I'm saving for that too.


Good morning everyone,

My neck feels slightly better than yesterday but the pain killers (co-codamol and naproxen) make me feel quite light headed and like my stomach is spinning. So much so I went to bed at 8pm last night and had a shocking night sleep, regularly waking up throughout the night.
Spends: £0
NSD 3

So, when my alarm went off at 5am for the gym, I was already wide awake so I got up, made breakfast and a coffee and went to the gym to do some stretching of my legs and sat on the bike for a bit, making sure I didn't aggravate my neck. Coincidentally, I've got the physio tonight for my knee, might ask him about my neck while I'm there, as long as he doesn't charge me another £47.50! Something light and easy for dinner tonight, bacon and eggs of some sort.

I also have a meeting with the recruitment team at the Royal Army after my physio appointment. It's an informal thing and an opportunity for me to find out a bit more, which is helpful as my knowledge is limited. I'll be home for 8ish and if anything like last night, shortly into bed afterwards.

A busy day ahead in work. Yesterday was the same and I love those days. Feel so productive and the time absolutely flies by.

Hope everyone has a good day.

joeyjimbles

Spaghetti Carbonara or egg fried rice?

SpekySquarehead

Good morning,

My neck was still giving me some pain yesterday, so I toke some of the strong pain killers which again made me feel unwell. Anyway, I powered through the day and went to physio. I 'enjoyed' half an hour of acupuncture and deep tissue massage from his elbow (!!!) and he then gave me some advice on my neck too. Rest up is the orders really.

I went from there, straight to my first interview with the Royal Army Reserves. So no time for dinner, thanks though Joey. It took me 45 mins to get there but I think that was a mix of rush hour and Guy Fawkes traffic. I was in for about an hour and it was just a fact finding thing. Why am I applying? What sore of role would I like? Any medical issues? Any family? I left with a booklet of things to read up on and I've to go back next week. I felt a sense of foreshadowing as I stood at the gates with lots of lout bangs, screeches, flashes, cracking from the fireworks. Funny that.

I'm going to see where it takes me. I have no expectations and my current job will remain my priority, so if The Reserves start to eat into that too much then I'll need to step away. I don't really see a downside but only upsides;
- Earn additional money
- Gives me something to do on some weekends
- It's a job I've always been curious about
- Keeps me fit
- Expand my learning

I'm not really looking forward to telling my mum and my gran. I know what their thoughts will be. They're naturally pessimistic, like me, so will probably assume I'll be dead in a couple of years!!
Spends; £47.50 - physio, £2.50 - M&S (milk for home and work)
NSD 3

No gym this morning. I might pop in after work but we'll see, as I'm planning on staying late in work. Not much else planned.

SpekySquarehead

Good morning,

I stayed late last night at work, till about 7.15, which gave me enough time to get home and make some dinner and I was on the couch for an hour before I went to bed.
Spends: £0
NSD 4

No gym this morning as I genuinely accidentally turned my alarm off instead of snoozing. I've brought my gym stuff with me so might nip in after work but I'm keen to get home, make my dinner, call my gran and get ready for the football. Neck is still giving me some pain, which seems to be worse in the morning. My mums asked me to order her somethings from Amazon, so I'll do that today whilst I'm out at lunch getting a hair cut. Busy little day ahead.

I also heard back from 1 of the jobs I got. An automated response saying no. No feedback and they closed the door on asking for anyway. As my step-dad says, NEXT!!!

SpekySquarehead

Happy Friday!

What did I do yesterday...I got my haircut at lunch then after work I filled up in petrol and bought a snack for the road back up to Glasgow, but I ate it watching the football. Was in bed for 10ish but had a poor sleep as my neck pain was waking me up.

I also had a phone call with the recruitment lady at The Reserves. I had tons of questions which she was more than happy to answer. All in all, I'm happy to proceed, although it appears I will have to ask for un-paid leave from my civvy job (only a few days) which for 2 reasons isn't ideal; 1 - it's not an easy conversation to have and 2 - the temporary reduction in pay. I need to seriously think about it.
Spends: £20 - haircut, £47 - petrol, £2 - snack
NSD 4

So, got up early to have breakfast and finish packing. Went to the gym but spent 45 minutes just doing stretches for my knee and neck, and it feels better already. Got to leave work sharp today to get up the road for dinner at 7 with my mates then a game of bowling afterwards - can't wait.

Need to organise a day with E.on to get my smart meter installed, that's on the to do list at some point. Although, come to think of it, I am going to do a comparison to see if I can save. I'm currently £52 fixed for gas and electric, is that good or bad for 1 person?

SpekySquarehead

Good morning,

I've returned from another lovely weekend back in Glasgow. Unfortunately I timed it the same weekend my Mum was away but I managed to fill my weekend seeing various friends and family. Wasn't too expensive either.

Told some of the family about the Army Reserves application. it was mostly met with enthusiasm but trepidation about my mums reaction when I tell her in a couple of weeks. By that point, I'll know more about what the role will entail - and if I'm interested, of course. My only 2 remaining issues now are my mum and grans reaction and getting additional time of my civvy job, which has to be my priority. Let's just see how it goes.
Spends: £40 - dinner with friends, £15 - bowling, £15 - lunch with different friend, £15 - dinner, £22 - weeks worth of shopping
NSD 4

Weekly FaceTime call with my Step-Bro in South Korea this morning at 5am, always nice to catch up. Can't remember if I said, but he's confirmed that he and his daughter are coming back in January, with his wife to follow a few months afterwards, once the paperwork has all been sorted. For a few reasons really but mostly to do with the way schools teach kids. In SK they operate like the military; long and arduous hours with lots of pressure. So a lovely late Christmas present for the rest of the family here. Selfish, I know.

I've got yoga tonight which I'm still just contemplating given my neck. It's better, don't get me wrong, but it's not 100%. My current plan is to go along and speak with the teacher before the class starts and ask for her advice. If she advises against, I'll maybe just go on the bike for a bit.

Have a great week everyone!