The Four D's

BlueJ94

Sounds like you're keeping on top of things! For breakfast I usually batch cook some egg and broccoli and cheese muffins and they last all week! Quick blast in the microwave and they're good to eat. I've actually made some baked peach and blueberry baked oats for tomorrow and Wednesday! Good idea on the water intake tracking, I'm terrible at not drinking enough water. 

alt80

Well done on setting up the habit tracker. I do one for the pros first I thought it was a load of !!!!!! !!!!!! but I'm a convert - it works 100%.

I'm still none the !!!!!! wiser what officially counts as a no spend day - if I say 'no money spent' on mine I don't count DDs as being a 'spend' but I do count budgeted spends. Think this is how it's 'meant' to be done or it's a case of whatever you count it as iyswim. I don't track a rolling total or anything for that could be quite good to see how many I can get though. 

Re Alcohol I used to more or less drink everyday until I started tracking it. Not stupid quantities but always have been a bit conscious of it just never did anything about it. These days purely through tracking I've cut it back to a few weekends a month and when I do drink I track how much - I don't drink to get drunk anymore.

My son has the same iPad - it's a great little machine. Tbh I wouldn't have another 12.9 - it's slightly too big although wouldn't be if using as a MacBook replacement. Sounds perfect for what you use it for but the Apple Pencil is a game changer - 100% get one. You won't regret it. 

Both apple keyboards connect to the iPad magnetically - they are absolutely no trouble to take on and off. Not sure what the logic one is but you can also just use a apple magic keyboard (standard one that comes with an iMac) they are super lightweight / portable as they are tiny. 

MacBook Pro is a !!!!!! amazing machine you will not regret it mate known I shouldn't be encouraging you but they really are amazing - I've got a specced 13.5: i7/ 16gb ram / 512gb. It's a couple of years old now but still super quick/ does everything without any fuss and just powers through. My Mrs has got the 16" i9 powered weapon and tbh can't tell the difference with anything we use - there is a point the tech if not being used in heavy applications becomes superfluous so don't get too caught up in having to spec it up to £3k+ for the sake of it.

anjyeah

Congratulations are in order - I've just managed to catch up! So pleased for you. These are the news that I look forward to when Iurk around the boards. 

And well done with the habit tracker as well, I have a few of those being logged as well. At present, it's all based on money spending, tracking NSDs and overpayments. But you don't need that anymore

PS: It comes to prospects of getting a new gadget - it really depends what you need it for. I love my Macbook Pro, lasted me well. And even if I did go the iPad route, I still like the traditional laptop. Hope that helps.

FootyFanDan

jadewest94 said:

Sounds like you're keeping on top of things! For breakfast I usually batch cook some egg and broccoli and cheese muffins and they last all week! Quick blast in the microwave and they're good to eat. I've actually made some baked peach and blueberry baked oats for tomorrow and Wednesday! Good idea on the water intake tracking, I'm terrible at not drinking enough water. 

I think this is the key, if I have stuff prepared ready to eat then I am fine. The whole getting up, showered and then breakfast kinda just never works so i normally take cereal to work and have them about 10am.

FootyFanDan

alt80 said:

Well done on setting up the habit tracker. I do one for the pros first I thought it was a load of !!!!!! !!!!!! but I'm a convert - it works 100%.

I'm still none the !!!!!! wiser what officially counts as a no spend day - if I say 'no money spent' on mine I don't count DDs as being a 'spend' but I do count budgeted spends. Think this is how it's 'meant' to be done or it's a case of whatever you count it as iyswim. I don't track a rolling total or anything for that could be quite good to see how many I can get though. 

Re Alcohol I used to more or less drink everyday until I started tracking it. Not stupid quantities but always have been a bit conscious of it just never did anything about it. These days purely through tracking I've cut it back to a few weekends a month and when I do drink I track how much - I don't drink to get drunk anymore.

My son has the same iPad - it's a great little machine. Tbh I wouldn't have another 12.9 - it's slightly too big although wouldn't be if using as a MacBook replacement. Sounds perfect for what you use it for but the Apple Pencil is a game changer - 100% get one. You won't regret it. 

Both apple keyboards connect to the iPad magnetically - they are absolutely no trouble to take on and off. Not sure what the logic one is but you can also just use a apple magic keyboard (standard one that comes with an iMac) they are super lightweight / portable as they are tiny. 

MacBook Pro is a !!!!!! amazing machine you will not regret it mate known I shouldn't be encouraging you but they really are amazing - I've got a specced 13.5: i7/ 16gb ram / 512gb. It's a couple of years old now but still super quick/ does everything without any fuss and just powers through. My Mrs has got the 16" i9 powered weapon and tbh can't tell the difference with anything we use - there is a point the tech if not being used in heavy applications becomes superfluous so don't get too caught up in having to spec it up to £3k+ for the sake of it.

It is really strange as I am doing a lot of youtube watching at the minute and keep seeing stuff pop up and I like an idea so then try think of ways to implement it and make it something that could work for me. The NSDs I am not so worried about at the moment although I would like to keep them low, the other stuff is more my target at the minute.

Alcohol isn't a huge issue in terms of me being addicted to it or anything and if I do drink its very social and a few drinks, I know when to stop. It is well documented the demons my Dad as with it and I think seeing him go through stuff as made me a little wary, I convince myself in moderation its fine but it is still there in the back of my mind....I know that probably sounds stupid as **** but it is there. 

Mate I don't take much encouragement hahah and it sounds pretty stupid in the scheme of things but I love my gadgets and for me I have always wanted a macbook and I would deffo use it more than anything, I see it as an investment. I also want to get into web development...if I can find the time to study it and the macbook would be perfect for it....maybe I will look into it 

FootyFanDan

anjyeah said:

Congratulations are in order - I've just managed to catch up! So pleased for you. These are the news that I look forward to when Iurk around the boards. 

And well done with the habit tracker as well, I have a few of those being logged as well. At present, it's all based on money spending, tracking NSDs and overpayments. But you don't need that anymore

PS: It comes to prospects of getting a new gadget - it really depends what you need it for. I love my Macbook Pro, lasted me well. And even if I did go the iPad route, I still like the traditional laptop. Hope that helps.

Thank you 😃 It felt like the day would never arrive but I have got through eventually. 

The habit tracker and other things are work in progress, I am currently torn between a proper journal sort of thing and a digital version of journalling which is what put me down the rabbit hole of exploring the ipad more. I am hoping the trackers and to do list will help me prioritise both work and home stuff and make things a little easier. I find when I map out a plan it is easier to follow. Yeah I guess it isn't massively worrying to have a few spend days here and there but I also don't wanna lose focus...which I know sounds silly but I still want goals to strive to.

I love gadgets and certainly won't need much convincing to buy the macbook 😂😂 I love them and always wanted one just never really had the funds free to save for one. I still do think a macbook would be the easier option but we will see. I use Ipad a fair bit at the minute but not sure I would want it to be my main machine

FootyFanDan

Ah I will certainly be glad to sleep tonight 😴😴.

somehow I managed to hit most of my targets today. Breakfast was still an epic fail but did have cereal at 10am. Normally I would eat cereal with morning coffee at work whilst I’m planning my day but this morning there was just no chance hahaha. 

I have spent this evening updating YNAB I normally check transactions weekly to make sure it doesn’t get too out of hand although I’m pretty much using a spreadsheet as well. I may review the need for doing both in next few months but for now it’s keeping me on the straight and narrow 

alt80

Keep the tracking simple mate either make a sheet in excel (this is what I do) or use a pen and pad - you don't need an app for it lol. 

Re alcohol I know where you're coming from re being wary due to your dad's issues with it I've said before on here my dad was an absolutely massive gambler - I've seen the consequences of that and tbh I can't find any enjoyment in horse racing whatsoever which was his main interest, I actively avoid going anywhere near it find it !!!!!! sickening tbt. 

Re MacBook - nothing wrong with saving towards it mate if you really want one and will get the use from it (sounds like you will). Nothing wrong with throwing it on the 0% either so long as you have budgeted to pay for it imo.  

FootyFanDan

Evening All,

What a week! ha...not really been online a huge amount due to trying to take some time to rest. The week has just been crazy, so between Tuesday last week and yesterday morning I have done 80 hour work week! Plus a drive to Scotland on Thursday afternoon which took 7 hours, driving back on Friday took 7 hours and then working. So manager forced me home yesterday to have the rest of the week off, however I need to do a couple of hours in the morning to work. I really need to consider how much I actually give in to work and start looking after my own needs more. I have spent two days just trying to rest, but haven't really eaten loads either. I have spoken to my manager about how much I am been relied on to cover my old role as well as fully doing my role so hopefully that now calms down. I really do think that I need to try balance work and family too so this is something I need to look at and I want to try spend as much time as possible enjoying family time together as well as been good at my job.

With the above in mind I have made some family plans with the partner for us to take some time away as a family to have some fun

Current Plans:

October - We have booked to go to a local wildlife park to do a Halloween/ safari nights - this isn't far from us so no hotel needed.

December - I have booked a few nights hotel in Blackpool ( i know so high class! haha) for us all so we can enjoy some of the xmas activities they have going on, partner and little one have wanted to see the illuminations forever and I am no longer putting stuff off anymore. So I need to look into getting a pot set up for this to save up for it.

June 2022 - My little one is performing in West end as part of her drama group so we have to save up for the travel and hotel for this too. Myself and partner plan on doing a little sight seeing down there whilst the little one is rehearsing


Finance wise everything is pretty much ticking along fine, next week is payday I have enough in the food budget to cover the remaining shops we will require and also enough in the petrol budget too. There is still some work to do on the budget front in terms of balancing it between been sensible and also enjoying our self. There has been a few family situations that may mean we change where we live and this may force us into making choices earlier so this is something to keep an eye on. 

I have started looking at ways to manage my work projects and my schedule in general. 

Tomorrow plans

Meal Plan for next week
Work for a few hours
Soft Play date with the little one

Targets Prgress

13 NSDs so far
19 days no alcohol --- been a challenge though

Hope everyone is keeping well.

DancingInTheRain

I'm exhausted just reading that last post so goodness knows how you're feeling right now!

Well done for speaking to your manager and hopefully this will mean steps will be taken to find more support.

LOVE the family plans & can't wait for my 2 DS's to be a little older to experience the illuminations & Coral Island, it's a rite of passage where I live 🤣

How amazing is it your DD will be performing in the West End? What a fabulous proud parent moment you and OH will have!

Despite all the upheaval and possible life plan changes you seem to have a  grasp of your personal finances now & can more easily identify potential issues so I'm sure you'll be able to navigate any potential changes.

Take care x