Unsure whether to consolidate - please advise

Verbatim

Just popping in after a very long absence to see how you're doing. Congrats on the show win.

Humdinger1

Yes it would be fab to hear your latest news @zippygeorgeandben.  Hope you're well love Humdinger x

zippygeorgeandben

Hello! Everyone! Goodness me! I think I need to update! We all ok?!

Humdinger1

Ooh @zippygeorgeandben how are you! Yes please to updates...after you.  Love Humdinger xx 

Verbatim

Wave from me. Haven't checked in for a while.
V

zippygeorgeandben

Hello I am here and goodness me I need to update those Savings... for the poorer!

Humdinger1

Lovely to see you @zippygeorgeandben! How are you? Standing by for updates love Humdinger x

zippygeorgeandben

Hello!

So how about a monthly update! It is the 1st of March after all!

Purely for @Verbatim and @Humdinger1 and any other voyeurs...

So now, as you know I live in Spain.  Wonderful country and city.  I do not see myself moving back anytime soon.  I have come back probably about 4 times in 18 months, mainly for parties.  The climate is so wonderful, however as I type this it is raining heavily outside on my balcony. Funny months February and March here because you definitely get a week of inclement weather in each month.  I feel sorry for people coming over for some winter sun but it is just bad luck.  However, we need the rain also.

Ok, right...

Job - Unfortunately, this did not work out for me.  A professional difference of opinions meant that I came to a decision, pretty early on that it was not for me and I requested a meeting to relinquish all of my senior roles within the school from September 2024 onwards.  It was my decision and decision alone and I realised that I was just falling into the same habits as my last school, working all the hours I could and feeling shortchanged.   I also wanted to grow personally i.e. learn the language, meet international friends, take dating seriously and to appreciate life, instead of feeling that I was on a treadmill which was not going to slow down, unless it was me who slammed down the emergency brake.  So that's the decision I made.  As I write this, I am a lot more content in my role. Same school but for the first time in over ten years, I do not have any seniority.  I am a class teacher.  I adore teaching my children and they get 100% of me every day of every week.  I definitely made the right decision.  I seem to be good at making some grand life decisions (i.e. moving on from long term relationship, leaving London, resigning from my last school and changing roles at my current school).

SO.... finances here we go

Naturally, my salary has been cut by approximately 25% since relinquishing the other role.  However, being a saver and not a spender I could account for this.  I have also sold a few things on Vinted. I knew I needed to make up a sizeable shortfall from my previous salary and, well, I have already covered the salary shortfall through changing spending habits, selling unused stuff etc.

ALSO, I spoke to the landlord about my property and told him I was willing to stay for another year but I wanted to pay 150euros less per month but then he would have a guaranteed tenant until July 2025, and he agreed!  1800 euros saved, just by asking a question!  I know the areas now where I live and I knew I could haggle.

Cost of living - Bills are much less than the UK and alcohol is definitely less.  People will not pay more than €4.50 a beer here and no more than €7 a G&T.  Take milk for instance, I have not seen that increase from €1.04 for 1L in 18 months.

ONE OFFS.  So at the end of June last year I had major surgery which meant that I actually did not really have Summer holidays.  This cost €8500 so the savings took a big hit. Naturally i also had to pay in 2023 for all removals, deposit, fees etc. but let's just show numbers.  I will leave the 2023 signature for comparison

I use my Amex once a month for peloton subscription.  I guess it does not look too bad and Christmas has been and gone!

Thanks for reading.

February 2025
Savings account - £15711.89
Current accounts €805.12€ €1890 cash

£818.29
Total - £19225.30

£2995 (£100pm CS/BS) £1800 (CC) €100 (CE/BS) £75 (£25pm CS/BS/JR) £100 (CS/BS '29)