The goals for October were:
- Adopt a weekly meal plan
- Exercise 4x a week
- Get six blogposts out across the month
- Repair pushbike
- De-clutter spare room for the charity shop
Checking the assets and liabilities:
These are taken, as always, from my Beast Budget spreadsheet. This month my net worth grew by 4.35%, continuing a good run. My savings rate, not including mortgage repayment, was 45.13%, making my average for the year now 23.82%. I’m taking this with a pinch of salt, as HR continue to make a mess of my pension contributions, tax and student loans. I’m paying all three, but my tax code has been wrong for the last three months. The pension contributions are even more of a mess, as I continue to pay into DB schemes, but HR/ Payroll disagree which. Tiresome.
Goals:
Goal achieved: Adopt a weekly meal plan
We’ve been planning our weeks meals every Sunday, and it’s already having an impact on some of my time available during the week. By setting out a list of what we’re making I’m not having to think when I get home what I can make, and often MrsShrink has been helping to cook and prepare lunches on busier days. A bit of preparatory planning is having a huge effect.
Goal failed: Exercise at least 4x a week
Too busy to manage this, as I managed to keep to the three from last month, but struggled to consistently get a fourth session in. One to carry over for next month, as I’m noticing the difference consistent exercise is making.
Goal failed: Get six blogposts out across the month
I think I managed five in October, but this goal has really highlighted a problem for me. I enjoy writing content and still have a lot more to say, but I’m currently struggling to find the time to write. Winter pressures on the NHS are here, I’m working 60+ hours a week and I’m squeezing exercise and other activities that keep me sane and relaxed into my spare time. As the amount of hours I’m having to work has ramped up it’s decreased my time to work on posts. If I’m writing content I want it to be of a high standard and well-referenced, and that isn’t quick to knock out. The last few months I have pressured myself to maintain content flow here, but it’s taking the joy out of blogging. I’ve therefore decided to take a sabbatical until the New Year from the majority of my blogging. I will still update monthly and quarterly figures, but the Full English and other content is on hold until I can give it the time it deserves.
Goal failed: Repair Pushbike
Found a shop to do it. Closed all the time I’m not working. Will take some time off to do this.
Goal achieved: De-clutter spare room for charity shop
Looking much tidier, and will be working towards the loft in the New Year.
Budgets
- Groceries – Budget £200, spent £176.39, last month £144.75
- Entertainment – Budget £100, spent £101, last month £101
- Transport – Budget £460, spent £301.82, last month £257.49 – Got an expensive month coming up with an MOT
- Holiday – £150, spent £336.40, last month £0 – Had a short break away
- Personal – £100/ £46.56/ £87.75
- Loans/ Credit – £0/ £140/ £152.25
- Misc – £50/ £215.15/ £75.65 – Lots of birthday gifts
- Fees – £70 /£177.91/ £110.40 – The GMC have taken some of their pound of flesh
In the garden:
The winter crops are starting to come through, but otherwise it’s been mainly clearing away and making ready for winter.
Goals for next month:
- Exercise at least 4x a week
- Automate investments
- Repair pushbike
- Look at new emergency fund accounts
Happy November everyone,
The Shrink