A busy June and July has seen this post come late, but due to the lack of activity on the UK Lean Fire Reddit weekly updates thread, I thought why not engage in some productivity and throw something on there myself.
June’s spending was pretty crazy, including a wild night after a great T20 cricket game between Kent and Surrey, as well as a last minute trip away.
With planning to be out of Europe next summer, my diminishing youth and FOMO, I booked a 4 day trip to Split. Flights and the Hostel were cheap enough, but I was shocked at the price of pretty much everything in Split (excuse my ignorance). It is a lovely place with some amazing architecture, food, beaches and weather (got some great burn lines whilst there), but the frugal in me was beaten and defeat was accepted.
The Gravitas hostel was lovely with some nice people staying there. Big Brisbane Lad Chris (sporting an incredible farmers tan) being my 3 day bestie. Hoping to meet him down under when I’m there. At the hostel I even got told how I look much younger than my age, so shout out to you Daria, even though you’ll never read this!
The highlights of my trip were the tubing on the River Cetina and the boat trip around the Islands. Tubing was a fun day lazily heading down the river, with a stop off point to cliff jump and slide down little waterfalls. Only downside was that the only other people on the tour were families. Third wheeling at it’s worst!
The boat trip started off a bit iffy, with me and Chris being on different boats, with the other people on my boat being with a bunch of couples (continuing the third wheel theme of the trip). However, after a few lethal blue lagoon drinks at the first stop (reunited with Chris), we got chatting to this lovely couple on my boat and we ended up staying with them on every stop, then heading out for drinks with them later on. Sadly I got no photos from these activities. Instead are some poorly taken ones of the city and a nice bar!
In other news the cricket season has hit a speed bump due to breaking a finger. I managed to take a catch but the ball clipped the top of my middle finger in the process, taking off the tendon and part of the bone with it. Not sure when I’ll be back.
2025 Goals
At the beginning of the year I made myself some financial and non financial goals. With it being halfway through the year, it’s a decent time to look at the progress of these:
Non Financial Goals
- Do 5 sessions of Portuguese a week in the lead up to my Brazil trip – This one I was roughly there or there abouts for my Brazil trip, making some small conversation when out there: Will say this was a success
- Score 10 goals for the season – This definitely didn’t happen with a change of position and missing a fair amount of games. A fail
- Get 10 wickets in the few games I play in the summer – Only 4 Wickets in 4 games at the minute, so 6 to get in 6 or so games. Wasn’t particularly happy with how I was bowling before the injury if I’m honest. Fingers crossed
- Read 1 autobiography of an interesting life – Not yet
- Get back to Australia in some capacity – Holiday Visa Obtained and likely to go later in the year
Financial Goals:
- Sell down my GIA investments within the capital gains allowance (£3K profit)– I haven’t done this yet. Stocks are looking good at the minute so might do this in July
- Increase my Easy Access Savings Amount to £11,500, roughly in line with tax-free interest allowance (£500 for the tax year) – Interest rate went down and a dip in the market meant I invested a bit more, so savings account amount has actually lowered
- Continue to invest into my ISA where possible, without setting a target deposit value which I would unlikely hit – Not really a goal is it if I’m being honest. Sorry
Looking back I’m pretty happy with how I’m fairing upon reflection – Must get more wickets!
June 2025 Financial Position
Stocks went up a little bit in June, now being back to a similar position as I was in January before the little blip in the market. As mentioned briefly above, this might the month I cash in on my GIA Investments to build up some cash in preparation for Australia.
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