2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

FootyFanDan

Hey Mark,

 

Just dropping by, glad the WFH home work load has lightened a little and well done on the weight and managing to keep focused despite the challenges. Lockdown has given me real food for thought on my whole routine, ive worked nights for last 8 weeks and it has bloody ruined me! I crave a normal routine.

Garage clearance wow I do not envy you, hope the chores don’t prevent you enjoy some of the sun this weekend 😊

mark55man

Hey Dan. Thanks for checking in. 

I know what you mean, you work hard at work then you have a break with your OH who is in the same position. Sounds fine but nothing gets done at home.  I will try in the garden this long weekend as a sort of compromise - outside but working.  The clutter inside can wait.  Just heard that the queue for our local tip was 2 hours today so I may pass on clearing the garage.

I haven't been working nights, just some long shifts.   Its been my luck not to have to muck around with staying away on a regular basis or odd shifts.  My best gig was 2 days a week in Edinburgh, usually Monday & Thursday sometimes 2 together with a stay over.  Seems very odd and non green talking about it now, but I had a routine get to LHR for 0630 flight - breakfast on the plane, into work (city centre) by 8 then back at the airport for the 1930 flight home usually with time for a Yo Sushi on expenses  and back at LHR 20:30.  Fun times, and very glad to have done it, but very glad not to still be doing it!! 

mark55man

Just on a coffee break from work at home and saved over £1K on insurance renewals

Home insurance (was quoted £850 and purchased at £300+legal cover). A new supplier - slightly worse terms but a bigger name provider and £550 more than makes up for increased excess

Car Insurance (was quoted  £550 and purchased at £200 + including a £50 reduction based on lower use due to lockdown.  This was with same provider but took DS1 off cover, as he was only on it because he planned to use it occasionally for touring his band - which isn't going to happen for months yet so £25 a month cheaper until then

findingthisdifficult

Hey @mark88man
That sounds like a really productive coffee break, great savings! 

mark55man

Thanks FTD - I almost had a second cup!!

I knew the house was too expensive - just taking the mickey.  I had a claim heavy year in 2016 and its still bubbling through - but next year (won't be millionaires) should be better

savingholmes

Some great savings. Ouch to a 2 hour wait for the tip. My DH has taken a couple of loads to the tip but it was fine.

doingitanyway

Wow on the weight loss. I like the info in your signature. Might update mine to keep me focused...
Have a great day

mark55man

Thanks SH and DIA

Weight loss was very welcome, but OH and I hit a plateau (or valley bottom) so we have put lo carb on hold.  It worked best for me when I was working quite hard so managed to stop snacking for a minute.  Now I'm WFH and not mad busy I fell behind the curve and my logic is - if I'm not losing weight then lo-carb (with its high fat content) is net negative for health and wallet.  So we are having more carbs - but still less and looking to see if I can stick at this weight, and/or maybe shift it by doing a bit more exercise - garden or pounding the streets

will do end of month this weekend, its been good - flirted with Mr Overdraft, but ended the month net +ve - but a bit of a fib, as I had gone out shopping without my wallet so had to use Mr CC for a largish grocery shop that would have seen me under,  However the numbers don't lie, and I redeemed myself by paying the CC an equivalent amount that wasn't due so I haven;t stored up a shock for later.  Also most of the food was for June consumption so I'm counting that as a win

Garden is looking tidier than for a while, and even treated myself to some plants.  This month will be a little bit more structural work - got £100 worth of shingle/gravel and some underlay for creating a second sitting area in an area that is now a sun trap, but was previously shadowed from a shed that has gone to meet its maker after I decluttered it to an inch of its life and realised we didn't need it.  Will try and freecycle some seating, but I'm not sure if people will be getting rid of garden stuff at this time

mark55man

Hey DIA - don't be rash changing your signature - I really like the one you have

mark55man

Hey SH - still haven't braved the Tip - although local FB pages are saying its now down to 30 minutes max during working days.  Will save that for a few days off I'm having at the end of next week