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

crazy_cat_lady

I know exactly what you mean about big spends Speky (I have my new windows to pay for next week). I try and comfort myself with the fact that I keep a far closer eye on money than I used to, and I plan my spending etc.

CP2016

I also get the big spends after spending a few days in Bath with my family... dearie me, they might as well have just taken my purse and cleaned me out as soon as I got off the train. Good holiday though and it was budgeted for.

I get what you say about FIFA - we have our entertainment budgets and we spend them as we choose. I find that £/per hour almost any video game will come out as one of the cheapest ways to entertain ourselves. We meet up with friends in game anyway so it's not as if it's a solitary pursuit either.

SpekySquarehead

Morning all,

Louby - My YNAB was also way out this morning. I just manually adjust the budgets to reflect what it actually looks like, then no need to start again
CCL - I couldn't agree more.
CP - Yeah for me, as a casual gamer, when you look at £ per hour, it's well worth it for me.

Alas, the TV stand did not arrive. A mixup at the depot, so I've been promised next Saturday. I've waited since May for it, so what's an extra week? Couldn't be arsed complaining about it.

I didn't do too much else with my weekend, which was nice. Meals all planned and ingredients bought for the week ahead. Keen on keeping costs low as I disappear on holiday in 3 weeks for a cheap one to south of Spain - can't wait.

Anyway, must dash. Have a good week everyone.

SpekySquarehead

Start of a new month signals an update on my yearly goals;

Career
Goal: Achieve my bonus targets in work
Update: Goal posts have changed and what I am going to focus on is changing, so my targets will change too. Need to schedule a catch up with my boss this month

Goal: Build a stronger network of clients
Update: Very much on going. I’ve 2 events this month which I’ll see some of my clients so I’ll do my best then.

Goal: Attend at least 1 new training course
Goal has been canned due to work requirements changing.



Relationships
Goal: Spend more 1-2-1 time with my gran
Update: Very much loving this. Continue to see her at least once a week and we have many ‘date nights’ to just enjoy each other’s company

Goal: Visit my Dad at least 6 times - DONE
Update: I’m on track to see him more than this actually. Can consider this done!

Goal: Organise social events with my cousins
Update: We had a Come Dine With Me night a few weeks ago and we’ve got another planned next month. Smashed it.

Goal: See my friends children more often
Update: Funnily enough, it’s their birthday today, so I’ll need to nip out and get them something. They’ve got some family health problems which means they don’t often have evenings free.



Self
Goal: Start learning Spanish (again) - DONE

Goal: Live on a ketogenic diet
Update: I go on holiday in 3 weeks so I’m super healthy just now. Although it may be hard to maintain, it’s given me life lessons I won’t forget.

Goal: Buy a house/flat - DONE

Goal: Save an emergency fund of £1k
Update: With so many outgoings including saving for events in the future, it’s hard to put money away into savings. This will only get easier as time passed by and these events come and go.

Goal: Read 10 books (1 out of 10 so far)
Update: I intend to go through 3 or 4 books on holiday, which will make up for the poor showing so far.

Goal: Eat out less
Update: No plans for this month do anything like this, so savings to be made.

Only 2 months left in the year!! Where has the time gone. Determined to get a strong finish to the year and complete as much as possible.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

SpekySquarehead

It's Monday morning.

I had a pleasant weekend. Spending was average. I've found a pattern in that my big weekly shop at the weekend is never enough. I mean food wise it's fine, but for example I need to buy deodorant and I'm getting low on some of the things which last a few weeks like diluting juice etc. I suppose I should be more organised.

I need to visit Asda today to get money back from a something (long and boring story) so I'll buy some odds and ends then. So I shouldn't have to spend until next Sunday. We'll see.

Been to the gym this morning and I've 7-a-side football tonight.

Flat is spick and span. Even glossed my windowsills at the weekend.

I've decided I need to be more productive. Not sure how, but I'll think of something.

Have a nice week everyone!

louby40

Speky I know what you mean about being more productive.

I have about 20 minutes of free time in a morning before I head out of the door. I try and make myself hoover, clean a bathroom or sort some washing out during that time but what I tend to actually do is make myself another brew and sit down with my iPad and look on Facebook, here etc etc

I’m rubbish! Lol

SpekySquarehead

Hahaha, you and me both Louby!

Yesterday evening for example, I came home, put a washing on, made my dinner, shaved and by the time I'd done that it was 7.15. I had 45 mins before GBBO started but I mainly footered about (is that a Scottish word?)

Tonight, despite the best intentions, probably won't be much different. I've got 7-a-side, no doubt in the rain but aside from that, not much.

Very pleased with myself and my Christmas planning, only a few things to get for some kids and I'm waiting for Thorntons to do a deal, as they usually do. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

SpekySquarehead

It's Friday!

It's also date night with my gran which I look forward to every month. Not sure what's on the menu right enough.

Tomorrow I was meant to go to my brothers but he's double booked himself and he's dropped me, fair enough. So I can either opt for a quiet night in (save cash) or join many of my friends who are going out for one of their birthday (spending cash).

I think it'll be the former.

Right, neeeeeeed to get a coffee in my belly. Have nice weekend everyone.

SpekySquarehead

My weekends are slowly becoming the same each week. Relaxed and spent with family.

I kept costs down to a minimum by saying no to a night out with friends. Although done a big food shop which will hold me for the week.

Not much planned for the week ahead actually. Already looking forward to Saturday which is when I get a haircut and do a bit of shopping.

It looks like this storm is slowly creeping in. Dark skies over Glasgow already. As they say in Game of Thrones - winter is coming...

SpekySquarehead

I seemed to miss my 1 year anniversary of being debt free! Woohoo!

I'm now in the position of trying to grow my savings, but it's difficult with so many outgoings (bills).

Makes me wonder what on earth I done with my money when I lived at home!!! I don't want to say I wasted it because I had a whale of a time; eating out, nights out, holidays, clothes. All things I wish I could do just now. I'm telling myself to be patient, those days will come.

Whenever I meet the future Mrs SpekySquarehead, that might make a difference to my finances with bills etc being split, but at the same time, I'm an old fashioned romantic so I like to treat my other half wither that be a nice meal out or the occasional small surprise. So it may well balance out.

Personally, I'm not sure how I feel about looking for a girlfriend. It's been nearly a year that I'm single now and I really enjoy it. I comfortable with my own company and any spare time I have it spent as I like. However I'll love the excited feeling of getting to know someone and I'm 27, so although i've plenty of time, I do feel a bit of social pressure. What happens, happens.

Anyway - I need another coffee. Toodle pip.