Hi all and welcome to a New Year! 2022 was a doozy: it saw us spend an extended period of time in the USA, so that P could spend time with his family; most importantly his Dad, before he passed away. It saw me job hunting (properly) for the first time in a long time. The last job I got via applications & interviews was back in 2012. Every job I’ve had since then has been through my...
I have been through the wonderful experience that is job hunting and landed a new role! I start on Monday, so I’ve been preparing for those initial few weeks. As part of that, I’ve been thinking about what advice is out there for setting yourself up for success and preparing for a new job. I’ve switched jobs a few times now, and worked in a variety of situations; fully remote...
Two decades or so ago, I decided to sell some used books. At the time there was a small online book retailer called Amazon. You may have heard of it. It was a useful place where you could buy books, but also where you could easily list used books for sale just by logging in and entering the ISBN of the book you wanted to sell. At the time I remember being delighted with making a few quid from...
I’ve explored a lot of ‘side-hustles‘ over the years, from Fiverr to this very blog. Most have earned me a little bit here and there, but been a lot of work. However, Prolific (not a referral link) has been a steady earner for me over the past few years. How much do I earn on Prolific? I earn between £20-60 a month, depending on the studies that come up and how much time I...
I’m currently on a sabbatical: spending three months in the USA with my in-laws. I’m extremely lucky to be able to leave my job knowing I have the savings to cover us while we prioritise family. However, I am mindful that I need to line something up for when I return to the UK and as such I’ve been poking around job websites and trying to figure out what’s next. Job...
My Christmas Gift Guide for people on a budget was a hit, so I thought I would remake it for a new holiday! Introducing: a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide (for people on a budget). First up: the purpose of a valentine’s day gift is to show affection and love. You can do that without spending a single penny! The best valentine’s day gifts demonstrate a couple of things: That you know...
Transitions are inevitable in life. From the moment we emerge squalling into the world to the moment we shuffle off this mortal coil, we are faced with times of growth and change. Some changes are sudden and devastating; the death of a close friend or loved one or the sudden loss of a job. These whip through our life with the force of a hurricane, leaving grief in its wake. Other transitions are...
Head to any personal finance blog or forum, and you’re likely to discover that one of the first things you’ll be told to do is keep a budget. Now, if you’re up to your ears in debt and struggling to pay your bills on time, the benefits of creating a budget are obvious (though likely also depressing!) But what if you’re earning enough to coast by? Why should you keep a...
My life in housing went something like this: Live with my parentsLive at University in dormsRent a room from a friendLive with my parent-in-lawsLive with my parentsRent a 2 bed houseRent another, cheaper, 2 bed houseRent a studio apartmentRent a room in a house shareLive with my parentsRent another room in a house shareLive with my brother-in-lawLive with my parentsRent a friend’s apartment...
Making a budget is fundamental to almost any financial goals you might have. Want to get out of debt? Make a budget.Want to retire early? Make a budget.Want to reduce your work hours so you can spend more time with your family? Make a budget. What is a budget? A good budget is a plan for your money. If you feel like your spending is out of control, a budget is the best way to take back control...
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