Credit Crunch

Apparently people are making cutbacks, eating out less, no longer drinking expensive coffee from Starbucks/Cafe Nero places, choosing inexpensive items in the supermarket etc. Welcome to my world! To be honest, most pleasures needn’t cost money. A walk in the park on a sunny morning, a good book (from a library – either personal or public; alternatively from a charity shop), or a good film on the box – there are many ways to enjoy life without spending excessively. Having said that, I’ve noticed that my spend has started to edge upwards in the last few months, as I’ve been in paid work. An occasional newspaper, a couple of drinks down the pub every two weeks, plus I’ve even been lashing out on new clothes (see a previous entry on my new coat). Well, it’s got to stop. And it will. Probably.

On a lighter note:
One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the BuffaloTheory to his buddy Norm.
Here’s how it went:

‘Well ya see, Norm, it’s like this… A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That’s why you always feel smarter after a few beers.’

Mad world.

Even as the worst recession for 60 years is meant to be heading this way, the world of football gets crazier and spends more money. Several football transfers of #30 million apiece; also yesterday a multi-billionaire from the Middle -East bought up the football club Manchester City. As a football follower I admit to being a little excited by the thought of another club able to challenge for the top and by  the prospect of more star foreign players performing in the English league.  But it’s struck me that a lot of the recent money has come from normal people paying their energy bills (Abramovic made his money I believe from energy deals, and the Middle-East guy has obviously benefitted from the oil under his soil). As many pensioners and people on the brink will struggle to pay their electric bills this winter, should we really accept players getting a 100,000 pounds a week to strut their stuff. Plus, it seems to me that the more foreign star players are signed to play in England, it just makes it more difficult for home-grown players to get the right opportunity. Ah well, nothing I can do about it.

Wet weekend..

Not a lot going on at the moment. No job means no money which means no trips planned. Still, got my computer (and the net) to play on (as per normal). It’s turned a bit milder here (ie no frosts at night) but as it’s wet and windy, it’s still not too pleasant. I shall have to clean up my walking boots however, as the time will soon come when I’ll be able to get out in the countryside. Yippee!

Sunny again!

It may be freezing cold, but it’s still nice to wake up and see a blue sky with sunshine. Priceless! I treated myself to a couple of pints of Guinness at an Irish pub last night. Ok, so it wasn’t cheap, but having a drink every now and again shouldn’t be too harmful financially. Trouble is, I have to treat my better half to a Sunday lunch down the pub on Sunday. It’s her birthday you see! Add in her prezzie, and it’s turned out to be an expensive weekend. Just as well I’ve budgeted for this over the last 2 months!

Making do…

A momentous event happens next week. I’m able to fill in my timesheets for the month and set the payment process into action. Now, when I actually get paid (my first full uk payment in over a year) is somewhat unclear. It may be 2 weeks later (fine), 1 month later (little disaster) or even later (apocalypse). Anyway, the money I’ll receive (this time, and in the coming months) won’t make any difference to my lifestyle – I owe so much in different quarters that it will all disappear immediately. But, no complaints here – I’m fairly healthy, have plenty of books to read, and regular access to the internet. At some stage I’ll need to buy some shoes and have my teeth looked at. At least I don’t have any expensive habits – running a car, going to the cinema, eating out etc are all verboten. It would be nice to attend a football match for the first time in 10 years or go to a concert or show however – this will be the target for the New Year.