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...
Preparing for a new job: Advice for success
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...
Earn money on the side: Prolific
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...
The joys of job hunting
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...
Valentine’s Day Gift guide (for people on a budget)
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...
Why should I keep a budget? Benefits of budgeting
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...
Moving house in a broken rental market
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...
How to make a budget (and stick to it)
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...
The five steps to financial freedom
I came up with the following five steps to financial freedom. This isn’t a new approach – most financial gurus will advise you follow the same steps, though the emphasis on each step might be different. Why would you want to aim for financial freedom? Well, even if you love your job and enjoy going to work, financial freedom will remove a lot of stress from your life. You won’t...
15 of the best packed lunches to take to work
There are two great reasons to take a packed lunch to work. The first is that it will save you money. Whilst the actual amount it will save you depends on what you pack in your lunch box versus what you used to spend on eating out or buying prepackaged sandwiches and salads I can guarantee that it will pretty much always work out cheaper. (I mean, unless you regularly put caviar and truffles in...
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