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

SpekySquarehead

Siebrie wrote: »

Hi Speky,

I've been off and on lurking on your thread. Good luck with all that you do.

With regards to job opportunities away from your family, I would say: go for it. You can always come back, and (usually) with the additional work experience you have a better opportunity in your hometown.

Next time you have a job interview far away, could you ask if they can reimburse travelling costs? Some future employers do; maybe you can even check with the one you went to, still?

Hi Siebrie :hello:

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.

It's worth considering as it was a full tank :eek: And something I'd much rather not pay out. My only concern would be that it may put off a potential employer? That being said, I'm new to all this so it may well be commonplace.

Thanks for the advice and given that I may well leave in the future, it's something I'll for sure mention!

Chandelier. wrote: »

Hey Speky!

Just checking in. Glad all is going well with you. Sorry to hear about the not getting the job offer but once one door closes, another opens!

We had little snow here but we weren't snowed in.. more of a sprinkle!

Chandelier :beer: Good to see you and thanks for the message. You're lucky. It's really became a pain in the bum now, and I'm someone who loves the snow. Or used to at least.


On the job front, I had a meeting with my boss today and there's been some movement on my potential job title change and subsequent increase in pay. It's been passed up the chain, and knowing this place, it'll take it's while to reach the decision maker. Anyway, it's progress :money:.

joeyjimbles

Back to the expenses. Well, you're not going to work for that company so it doesn't massively matter if they say 'no' and to be fair you did have two interviews which cost you time and money, so I'd definitely say it's worth going back to your contact there - HR or an agency ideally as it's slightly one step removed - and asking if they will reimburse your expenses. Send a polite email. What's the worst that can happen - they politely say no and you're still up on experience but down on fuel costs.

OH did a lot of job interviews about 18 months ago and most of them did reimburse, but mostly only if we asked. Incidentally, the organisation he now works for did three interviews - sent him train tickets for the first two and sent him the claim form in advance for the last one. Shows a classy organisation that values people.

SpekySquarehead

Ahh, very interesting. I wasn't aware it was something so commonly done, thanks Joey

Siebrie

Maybe I was not clear, but our company does reimbursements, too, no problem

SpekySquarehead

Thanks Siebrie, that's helpful to know and I'll look into it today. I was brought to the table through a recruitment agency, so I'll say to him.

Football was cancelled yesterday, saving me £3.50. This will be spent on an impromptu work team building game of football on Friday (tomorrow). Furthermore, there are drinks afterwards which means I'll need to get the train, so costs which I hadn't budgeted for.

Also, i need new football boots. The plastic undersole has cracked, and will only get worse if I continue playing on them and potentially injure myself. I'll need to buy a new pair. Another cost I hadn't fully budgeted for.

Date night with my gran tonight which will be lovely. Not sure what she's making but I know it'll be lovely, it always is. I'll be home for 9ish and soon in bed I recon.

For the first time, in what seems a long time, it was sunny this morning when I went to the gym. Winter finally feels to be behind us. I welcome the warmer climate now!

SpekySquarehead

Morning all,

I had a nice weekend, which was relatively cheap. On Saturday, my only spend came from getting my weekly food shop. This included flowers, wine and a card for Mother's Day. Also, they had a special on my favourite beer, Bud at £9, so I bought that for emergencies. I'll thank myself later. So my bill came to £50 odd.

I was working on Sunday which was followed by going out for dinner with my mum and gran. It was really my mums gift to my gran, so I didn't have to pay which I felt a bit guilty about. A really nice night though.

I have a quiet week ahead. My only plans are on Saturday when I am working, but beforehand I've the dentist first thing. Since my last visit, I've been putting away £5 per month (or so) so I've got £40 in my budget, which should be plenty.

As always, the quiet weeks tend to be the expensive ones, as some unexpected and impromptu events happen. With this in mind, I'll aim to keep myself busy, hunker down and avoid any unnecessary spend.

Right, so, must get on with work. Toodle pip. :money:

SpekySquarehead

Its Monday morning. Freezing, but clear blue skies. Even this morning at 6am!

My Saturday consisted mostly of work. I got peckish on the way home so I spent £4 in Aldi on a few things. I then got my food shopping in for the week on Sunday which came to roughly £20. Need to get diesel tonight too.

I made clotted cream fudge to be served at the family dinner on Sunday, which seemed to go down well. The rest of my Sunday was spent cleaning and just doing little bits and bobs.

My next 7 days are empty. Zero plans (aside from work and football, of course). I'm trying to fill these up, particularly the weekend as that's when I'm susceptible to unexpected spends.

Seriously not got much else to say. I'm content. Nothing majorly effecting my day to day life - which makes for a very boring diary, I know.

SpekySquarehead

I've been busy. Busy doing nothing. But it feels like I've been actually busy - does that make sense? I sort of find things to do, and even if I don't, I then feel I deserve some 'me' time to chill in front of the TV.

Anyway, lately I've a renewed sense of purpose. Not from anything in particular. I'm reading The 4 Hour Work week and I've just listened to a podcast from Tim Ferriss discussing the book, so I feel there's going to surge of ideas and inspiration around the corner.

Money is tight. I'm not over spending - I'm saving, actually - but nontheless, my bank balance a day before payday is at around £500. While I appreciate that for some, this is lots, and for me when I was in debt a few years ago, I'd have killed to be in that position, but it doesn't make me feel secure. Al I need is another flat tyre and the boiler to break and I'm up a certain creek without a paddle.

I've been good this month with my spending, not been spending unnecessarily, I hope to emulate that in April. I've some birthday dinners next month which will make a small dent but nothing major.

My pay and bonus is under discussion at work, but knowing what they're like it'll take weeks/months before there's any movement on it, and that's with me reminding and chasing them every week.

So, this week should be a big one; I get paid and on Sunday it'll be the start of April. So I hope to have my ducks in a row by then.

Hope everyone is well

SpekySquarehead

Arrrggh. I don't mean to neglect this. Yesterday for example I was in London, 5am flight down and a 9pm flight back, so I had no time.

My god the prices down there are crazy!! I was £10 for a light lunch. Fortunately the travel is on expenses, but the food aint.

So I'm knackered and I am now getting my head round budgeting the spend I had in London vs what I'm getting back in expenses bla bla bla.

I promise to make more of an effort on here, but for now, I need to dash.

BRB

joeyjimbles

With London, it's all about where you go - yes lots of places, even most, are pricey but there are cheaper options and wriggles but you need to plan ahead (isn't that always the case?). Let me know where you tend to go when you're there and I'll see if I can find you somewhere cheaper.