Countdown from £28k...

warby68

I have removed a certain phrase from my vocab which didn't travel well geographically lol  and am just mightily impressed you're managing to meet someone in lockdown. I think I may have predicted it wouldn't take long, just in a mum kind of way. You've been locked away in the family nunnery for quite a while lol.
I'll resist all temptation on the advice front - just enjoy the date ( although it would be funny if its on Valentine's)

If you favour certain takeaways, make a note of what days they do their special offers on. Not sure if London is the same but they're not all the same round here and do 15/20% on 'their' nights and some have early evening deals. I know takeaway is more a spontaneous thing, but little nuggets of info stored away can still save you a bit.

Budgetting coming together nicely but its a bit scary how much it costs to 'have a life' when you get glimpses of it again. I think you're going to have to have a 'fun/social/entertainment' pot at some stage so getting the less variable stuff nailed will help. I still remember the young, single working years - was city based too. Even then it cost a fortune.

alt80

@warby68 yeah it’s funny how some phrases have an entirely different meaning depending on where you live ha.

You all reminiscing about the young single days I just lurched from one serious relationship to the next from uni days until I ended up married. Looking back wish I had been able to enjoy my own company for a while not just chronically depressed when they inevitably got wise and !!!!!! off away from me ha.

ryanm8655

Yeah, thinking I’ll ignore the fact it’s Valentine’s Day ha. A bit cringe going ott on a first date because it’s Valentine’s ha. 

Been chatting to a few on the apps, didn’t make the Valentine’s connection ha. Only a one at a time kinda guy though ha, so will see how it goes. Did used to go on 3/4 dates a week at one stage but it was hard work and expensive ha.

Re: takeaways, good shout. Though it’s not something I’d generally order on any day other than a weekend tbh. Same mates want to catch up again on Friday so thinking eat before I see them so I have an excuse. I’ve got so much food to eat that I don’t need to bother with takeaway this weekend. Also writing it down and thinking about my savings the opportunity cost has come to life far more. It’s so bloody expensive these days ha. Talking £9 for a small dish at a Chinese (I’d usually order a few) used to be half that ha and that was only a couple of years ago.

Yeah, even in lockdown life is expensive... one reason I’m keen to get a handle on bad habits and maximise the savings now as will be far harder when life is normal again ha.

May have to explore a 0% purchases card or similar if I can’t sell my car, in order to maximise the LISA.

@alt80 pretty much what I did for my early-mid 20s ha. Met a girl early in first year of uni and stayed together for 5/6 years. Main issue was neither of us had really had that time alone to have fun and find ourselves ha. Moved to London with her initially actually. Still chat now, though she’s now pregnant ha. Then a few months later jumped into another 4 year relationship that was far more toxic. Luckily I ended that one just before we were going to move in together. Not had a long term relationship since then, made a conscious decision to be on my own for a bit and enjoy the single life. Do look back and think I let some good ones go but at the time I wasn’t ready and was having the time of my life so hey ho... Sometimes regret not settling down a bit sooner but then the grass is always greener and still plenty of time for that ha.

lantanna

I’d be keen to know why the girl has to be younger Alto ?

enthusiasticsaver

I will resist giving advice on the date too but hope you enjoy it. Just a first date not a lifelong commitment so no need to overthink it. Just have fun and see if there is a spark. That was advice wasn't it? 

ryanm8655

Haha, thanks all.

On the subject of shopping...given I am trying to make my budget stretch a bit further and bring down the grocery spends I've actually decided I'm going to drive to Lidl tonight rather than do amazon morrisons... I don't find it that cheap. The selection is limited and don't get the multibuy deals/special offers you get in store. I actually find the tesco metro and sainsburys local nearby cheaper/better for wine! And given that would be the bulk of my spend this week...

Used to find Lidl pretty good for wine. Vivino app useful in fltering out the terrible ones ha.

Onebrokelady

warby68 said:

I have removed a certain phrase from my vocab which didn't travel well geographically lol  and am just mightily impressed you're managing to meet someone in lockdown. I think I may have predicted it wouldn't take long, just in a mum kind of way. You've been locked away in the family nunnery for quite a while lol.
I'll resist all temptation on the advice front - just enjoy the date ( although it would be funny if its on Valentine's)

If you favour certain takeaways, make a note of what days they do their special offers on. Not sure if London is the same but they're not all the same round here and do 15/20% on 'their' nights and some have early evening deals. I know takeaway is more a spontaneous thing, but little nuggets of info stored away can still save you a bit.

Budgetting coming together nicely but its a bit scary how much it costs to 'have a life' when you get glimpses of it again. I think you're going to have to have a 'fun/social/entertainment' pot at some stage so getting the less variable stuff nailed will help. I still remember the young, single working years - was city based too. Even then it cost a fortune.

I knew what you meant but then I'm older and a mum too 😀😀

Onebrokelady

Awww how sweet having a date on Valentines 😀 hope it goes well 😊

Onebrokelady

ryanm8655 said:

Haha, thanks all.

On the subject of shopping...given I am trying to make my budget stretch a bit further and bring down the grocery spends I've actually decided I'm going to drive to Lidl tonight rather than do amazon morrisons... I don't find it that cheap. The selection is limited and don't get the multibuy deals/special offers you get in store. I actually find the tesco metro and sainsburys local nearby cheaper/better for wine! And given that would be the bulk of my spend this week...

Used to find Lidl pretty good for wine. Vivino app useful in fltering out the terrible ones ha.

Lidl have won quite a few awards for their wine over the years. I'm gutted that I don't have one near enough to me to do my shopping there, my supermarket is Sainsbury's  but only because that's the best one to get to on the bus. My monthly shopping budget is £120 at the moment 

alt80

@ryanm8655 haha re valentine’s she’s going to be expecting something mate 100 it’s a test. The wife might have saved you though, she said ‘he needs to get to Fortnum’s and buy her some valentine’s chocolates, not the broken heart one though and some fresh flowers’. I’ve got a !!!!!! expert here on this stuff and she’s !!!!!! loving the pandemic romance mate 100% will set you on right track, now wants F&M chocs and no !!!!!! way they’re getting here for Sunday though FML have to settle for Sainsbury’s lol.

Tbh I think you’ll probably be a better husband when you settle down mate, got it out of your system probably if not plenty of stories to tell I’m sure.

0% purchase card - good idea to tie over until car sold but make sure you keep on track and don’t go too mad mate - not ‘free’ money. Yeah can’t believe I’m saying that either lol.

Shopping - how was the Lidl trip? I buy milk etc for office from there don’t think you could do a full shop though tbh?

@lantanna haha all blokes like a younger woman, good for the ego - lying if they say otherwise tbh.