2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

savingholmes

Well done on the steps and the weight loss and the tip run. Is it time to cancel the gym?

mark55man

well lets see if the coming of spring increases my enthusiasm - will either be going to the gym regularly or cancelled out of it by end of March that's a promise

mark55man

Hello - another week gone.  

Done some budget spreadsheeting, and simplified it massively - still logging each transaction but not fussing about some of the intricate analysis - now I'm just casting my eye over the last 13 months spending looking for trends seasonally and month to month.  

Jan was pretty in the middle, but with some annual costs bunched, offset by some annual recognition rewards from work.  Jan was very nearly 60 days long, but got through it.  Now its only a week to OH payday and plenty in the pot. 

In my MF diary I am focussing now on overpaying (for real not matched savings) as I want it gone and am prepared to sacrifice a little interest to do that.  But that said still got 2 years to go - I may need to extend the diary by a year - which will be fin and cover transition into retirement. 

Am going to take some unpaid holiday for a bit April and May so I can recharge and have a trial run at sitting around all day while the weather is improving and test what I will need to do and how I will feel without a pay cheque and only savings. 

This will delay formal retirement - but while everything is so chaotic globally I will pull the trigger on that a few months after the election when hopefully that will be clearer UK wise at least 

savingholmes

I love the idea of you having a mini-break in April and May. That sounds a lovely way of easing into what is hopefully your final year of work.

mark55man

Thanks SH - yes - beginning to wonder if I can afford to lengthen the break into the summer!!  but prob not.

Updates
Steps - 127000/ 2000000
Weight - 10lbs lost / 57 - about 1lb a week
De Cluttering - 0 / Lots
CC Usage - 8 / as few as possible  (once a week - defaults on my apply pay - maybe I should remove)
going to gym - 0 / 100 - I know I know!! *lazy tax*

savingholmes

Well done on the weight loss. LOL at the gym and decluttering progress.

I'd change the default on the pay thing.

mark55man

Changed the default CC back to my debit card

Updates
Steps - 177000/ 2000000 - averaging 5000 a day at the moment so getting better
Weight - 8lbs lost / 57 - going the wrong way a little
De Cluttering - 2 / Lots
CC Usage - 11 / as few as possible
going to gym - 0 / 100 - I know I know!! *lazy tax* but will be 5/100 by the end of March

Am starting a couple of / three months off in a couple of weeks - kind of practice retirement - looking forward to it but a bit anxious

alt80

Doing well mate. What have you planned for the couple of months off?

mark55man

Hi alt80 - mainly a visit to my brother in another time zone, supporting my team in the local elections in May (quite a few at district in our area), getting fit, losing weight and about a dozen rooms to declutter.  I think I may be busier than at work - Basically just reprioritising life and a bit of a practice run at living without a wage as I enter the final furlong

f0xh0les

My local MP is all over the radio this morning convinced that there is going to be a May GE.   That would keep you busy!