30 January 2008 - Money matters

I just got handed my pay slip for January. £1391 net pay from £1916. What a joke. Thats £303 to income tax, £162.98 to national insurance and £59 to my student loan. I dont know if that is right but it sounds like a hell of a lot of tax. Then, my boss tells us that its her birthday so we can all go to pizza express tomorrow for lunch. She says it like it will be a treat. But its not. She or the company wont pay for it so it will have to come out of my own wallet. Probably about £14 after drinks and tip. So that's 1% of my monthly wage already out the door and its not even in my account yet. I probably sound like a tight bastard now but Im not. Im just very bad at saving. Every month I try and save but by the end of it I am in the poor house and borrowing money. I spend most my money on food and drink. I wouldnt have it any other way and when I am buying dinner I buy enough for everyone at home even though they rarely do the same back. I like to cook and I like to feed so i like to see the pleasure in peoples faces when they are enjoying the food that i have cooked them. The only answer is to get a better paid job or make some money on the side. Well this is 2008 and Im going to try and do both.

Anyway I'm basically having a rant because I dont have much to report on the trading front. I havent been able to watch much football mainly due to social obligations though I am keeping an eye on the republic of ireland next manager. The latest debarcle is trappatoni coming in from god knows where to 3's on the betting exchanges. Highly doubtful in my opinion so Ive laid at 3s and he's already drifted out to 7s.