Saturday 1 October 2016

October plans

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Where has the year gone? October already - how did that happen?

It was payday on the 29th, so I spread the love around, as you do. I have a bit more to work with this month because of the payments on my credit cards (which have now been removed from my wallet). I'm ALMOST paid off on my M/C, but the amount has gone up a bit and now sits at about £490. Why?

I got a fantastic deal on a refurbished iPad 4 on Groupon and bought it: £229. It cost me less than I budgeted for. This was the best way to do it as it includes a charger and USB cord, whereas if I were to buy it from the place I'd originally considered, I'd have to buy those additionally. So, pleased.

The other £30-ish is for flowers for a friend in Canada whose mother died on Wednesday. I wanted to acknowledge what her mum meant to me and let her know I was thinking of her. I picked out a sunflower bouquet and asked for some white lillies to be added. Her mum was a joy and I felt it would be a bright spot in an otherwise sad time. The flowers arrived literally several hours later (thanks, Internet!) and were well received, so I'm happy. Zero issues with this cost.

I budgeted down a little for my debt repayments on this end and that's given me a bit more in the bank this month. This is a good thing as I have a two week housesit starting on the 12th and I'll need both my own grocery money (my cousin and I are splitting grocery purchases again) and bus fare! This is a bit frustrating, but easier than driving every day although I'll be taking my car with me and have free parking at work if I want it.

I've got loads of things planned for this month too, which I'm actually excited about! I'm not sure why October ended up being ridiculously busy, but I'm not complaining.

I've decided to join the women's group I went to the other week. I thoroughly enjoyed the ladies' company and it's very laid back. If you can't make a meeting, it's okay. There's generally tea and biscuits as we wind up, so I've decided that I'd like to contribute some kind of baking. I love to bake but my places to share it have dried up since my cousin now works from home and my own colleagues don't really eat baked goods anymore...

So with that said, I have a couple of nights with them that sound fun. 

I've got a two-hour (!!) yoga workshop next Saturday morning (£15) which should be interesting, as the last time I did any yoga was 4 years ago while I was at college.

It's also the New Forest Walking Festival from the 15 - 30 October with loads of walks to choose from, most free, some with nominal fees. My cousin and I have registered for two easy walks of a couple of hours each and I registered for two further ones that are about 4 hours apiece. These latter ones are also informational in that I'll be learning about how the Forest works so I'm looking at them as research as well as exercise. Quite excited about those! Hoping for decent weather...

I've registered for a writing workshop one Sunday too. Perhaps I'll come away with something I can use as a start for Nanowrimo in November.

Phew! But in a good way.

Today I went to the library again. I returned 5 books (several of which I didn't get to and didn't want to renew - again - at the moment) and somehow wound up with 8 more! I have no idea how that happens...

This weekend is quiet, but as the weather is on/off rain, it's nice to have a day to putter and get a few things done around the house.

4 comments:

~Carla~ said...

September just flew by didn't it? It was expensive on my end, so i'm ok with a fresh start and hoping October is better! Good deal on the iPad, I love mine so much and use it for everything! I have the iPad 4 with Retina display, so possibly the same model? I love the "Blogsy" APP for blogging, but don't really play much in the way of games, so can't recommend any there. Hope you love it!

Northern Living Allowance said...

September wasn't too bad as I spent half of it on holiday, but I agree - it did fly by! Yes, very pleased with the iPad find - it has the Retina display so must be the same model :) I've got some favourite games on my iPod Touch, so will search out the same ones for the iPad. Thanks for the blogging app tip, though! I'm looking forward to its arrival xx

Jane said...

Oh hurrah for getting your iPad!! And under budget too :) You are going to have so much fun! Are you able to connect it to your library system and download books? I notice mine has a wee crack in the glass - hope that doesn't spread. So far it seems to work just the same.

Northern Living Allowance said...

I'm so pleased I got it - it was a terrific find. I'm still waiting for it to arrive and have also ordered a keyboard cover for it. One of the first apps I'm going to download is the Kindle app and, yes, I can use it for the library! Hurrah! Looking forward to its arrival, which will hopefully be this week. Getting impatient! x