Starting Over...

SpendySpender123

Hello from the longest January ever!

Thanks for the suggestions - in terms of hobbies, I like running, swimming, yoga, making (bad) art, baking, hiking, writing, languages...quite a lot of things that can be done cheaply or free. One of the reasons I knew I was feeling bad last year was that I slowly stopped doing a lot of these things, and since the Xmas break I've been quietly trying to get back into better routines. I got back into running again over Xmas...and promptly stopped in January with all the bad weather, haha!

I went on two long walks this weekend - one with a friend, one alone - and brought along a flask of hot tea. I think these walks have done me the world of good, and were free.

Theoretically, I could run outside for free and practice yoga and write/study all at home. I will say, however, that I quite often try and leave my shared house when I can as it's hard to do a lot of these things easily - I am super sensitive to noise. I started going to a yoga studio for £10 a class - but to be honest, this needs to be binned off right away and I need to suck it up and get back on the mat at home, noise or no noise. I am going to delete their booking app off my phone right now!

I can swim for £3 a session at the local pool and £6 a day for the local gym (where the pool is) - at the start of every month, I think about just joining the gym for (I think) £30 a month, and then I have something to do every day that gets me out of the house. Maybe next month? Although...next month I am sure I go back to regularly running outside.

In terms of this weekend, it wasn't too bad. My weekly shop lasted the whole week without a top-up, and this weekend my food shop was £62.30 - this included some cleaning bits. I could technically last without spending anything else this week - except milk and fruit for work. I'll use cash for this. I also have plenty of freezer food so I think I could theoretically last the whole 12 days if I topped up fruit and veg only.

I bought one coffee out when seeing friends. I also spent £15 on a ticket for my monthly painting class for next month - I think this will be the last month I go in a while as this is definitely not a priority expense...it's another excuse to leave the house, and I go with a friend. I might suggest to them that we try and take our painting things out and about somewhere?

Unexpected expenditures: £7.98 on a taxi home - on Friday after work I came home to a date night taking place in my lounge, and I mentally did not have the energy to be around it, haha! A friend took pity on me and picked me up to have dinner with her and her family, but I had to get a taxi home.

I have 12 days until payday and whilst I am on target to end the month with reduced debt - meaning next month I'll be back to where I start - it's going to be superrrrr tight. I am super keen to start running again and going to the gym, but I don't think this is the month for that - how ironic, in January! I could try and challenge myself to walk to and from work each day instead.

Breakfast, lunch and coffee all sorted for the week ahead.

Let's see what the week brings - and good luck to you all!

Sarahwithlove

January always feels like the longest monthly financially! I know it's not but for some reason it just feels that way. Roll on payday. 

SpendySpender123

Oh, it really is so long! How is only 17th January?!

Just did my small weekly shop before work as the supermarket near to work is cheaper - £26.12. Payday is next Friday and I should last with what I have (except for milk and fruit for work next week). Now I have to carry it home when I walk home, so didn't think it through!

The last week has been okay - work has been a bit difficult and routine been fairly dull, but okay. I have bought two coffees out but no lunches, and have typically had coffee, breakfast and lunch at work (practically moving in!). I've socialised twice - once visiting a friend and taking some snacks, another a 50% off meal with a friend - it was £12.37! I have walked home almost every day, and not been to the gym...going to start up running outside again this weekend. I'm also due to go out with a friend tonight for one drink, but that never works out and I'm going to reschedule - I'm exhausted as well, and just want to go home, dye my roots and eat a jacket potato - rock and roll!

The next week is going to be plodding along and similar to this one. I'm meeting a colleague after work one evening next week but for a walk. The weekend is also due to be quiet.

Come on, payday!