Tuesday 01/02/11

While it’s annoying to spend money and realise your bank balance is perilously low, it’s worse when that situation is entirely a) preventable and b) self inflicted. Last week I conspired to scrape the wheel arch of my car against a concrete pillar in the work car park. It was an obvious, if not dramatic, nick that was more annoying than anything else. If I had caused it to my old Citroen AX or Peugeot 106 I could’ve ignored it and gotten on with my life but since I haven’t even had the car a year, and I bought it brand new, it felt right to correct the damage at a cost of £150.

Additionally, I’ve arranged a holiday that is probably going to be a little more expensive than I would’ve thought reasonable. My friends and I have decided to rent an apartment in Barcelona for a week in the Summer and we expected it to probably cost as much as a festival like Reading or Glastonbury. By my calculations, it’ll cost as much as going to Reading after buying a ticket from a tout and eating from the ridiculously priced burger vans for a week. This means I’ll have to start saving money elsewhere.

To kick-start my improved attitude of austerity, I’ve had to cut back on a few things. There’s no beer in the fridge right now. I have cheap vodka and orange squash but it’s not the same when all you want to do of an evening is chill with a pint and watch the football. Speaking of which, there’ll be no Arsenal matches for a while. Although it’s often a great time (apart from when I saw them play West Brom in September) since all games are available on Sopcast I think I’ll stick with the more illegal option.

In the flat, I’m saving cash right, left and centre. I’m cooking, making roasts, lasagnes and macaroni cheeses. All fairly unhealthy and a piece off piss to make.

On the topic of piss, I’ve discovered the virtues of weeing in the sink. Not the kitchen sink, obviously. That would be both unpleasant and tricky given the height of the counter. I’m talking about using the bathroom sink. Hygienically it’s neutral - urine is sterile (mine is probably healthier than water, like Lucozade Hydro Plus). You could wash your hands at the same time if you wish. I don’t. It saves water, too, as a quick splash of the tap to rinse the dregs away will always be more efficient than flushing the bog itself. Particularly given how often I urinate.