2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

savingholmes

Glad you had a good time 

doingitanyway

Hope all is ok? You are probably busy in real life...

ohdearhowdidthathappen

£200 is very reasonable!
I thought Maverick was fab, good balance of nostalgia and action.  Tom Cruise is a bit of a loon, but he does what he does well and he looks amazing for 60!!

mark55man

Thanks DIA. 

Have been a little quiet (and not doing my weekly updates as) have been a bit spendthrift - as on top of our weekend away a couple of weeks ago we had a paid for one and spent a long weekend by the coast - it was kind of our "we don't trust air travel so lets no go anywhere too far" summer holiday so lets go to the seaside but not be very MSE.  

Was very nice, and very relaxing and I've done over 50000 steps in 4 days and used up a weeks alcohol and money budget in 3 nights.  So now I have to be sober and frugal - but I suspect it will be worth it

AntoMac

Hello Mark, not looked in for a long time so have just caught up.
Glad that you have been getting in some enjoyment. The god people you have lost recently have made you realise we can’t scrimp and save all the time, as one day we of course run out of time. We just pushed the boat for our wedding anniversary and had a great meal, hotel stay and a glass or 2 of some good stuff. Yes I’m a champagne socialist too! 
Was once persuaded by a mate to stand for local council on the basis that I would only be ‘making up the numbers’ I missed out by something like 8 votes, coming 3rd out of 6, which was far too close for my liking!

I try to respect politicians of all colours as it’s a very tough job. That last one though. The lack of any sort of morals was… words fail me.
Good to see that overall you’re still very much on the right track. 
A few frugal and sober ones will help you appreciate the less frugal ones when they come round again. 

savingholmes

Having just had a spur of the moment long weekend away where I too shock horror spent £ - it was worth it. I remember in the middle of covid desperately wanting to do stuff - and I know you were the same. I think many of us are making up for that lost time. I can't face the current chaotic airports either... 

alt80

Sounds like you had a great time mate, a well deserved break for you both. I wouldn’t worry about spending a bit if you’re not !!!!!! it for yourself, you need some things to look forward to in life.

When I was away my wife booked a week long summer holiday to Suffolk, we go this weekend wife and son really looking forward to it so going to try not to spoil this one for them.

mark55man

Hey everyone - thanks for the support.  

Nice to hear from you @AntoMac - sounds like a lucky escape
Good to see you back @alt80 - Suffolk sounds great but not somewhere that I've seen a lot off
Always a wise word for which I'm very grateful @savingholmes and you couldn't be more right

alt80

Not somewhere we’ve been tbh but it looks nice, son is excited  and don’t need to get on a plane surely a win rn. Long way from home though we are thinking about going in the electric car which could be a good idea or we could end up !!!!!! stranded haha.

mark55man

So the long, dull, not really much to add week and a bit has ended with a nice surprise from HMRC - i have been doing more work miles this year so I can claim a rebate for most of these (ie those not to my base office and not expensed at 45p).  This led to a nice and unexpected cheque from HMRC for just under £1K.  So that's been moved into my current A/C and will move it to EF when its payday and I can plan next month better.   Also they will build this into my tax code so will get "a pay rise" from that this year

This is a nice time of the year with no insurances or birthdays so should be able to hold the line reasonably straight.  Also no more indulgent weekends away planned so should be able to save most of what we need for Christmas.

Big walk planned for tomorrow, and weight holding steady.  Very glad that the heat has abated I found it quite draining tbh