Tax year and the average employee

The last few weeks I have been stressed to say the least. I imagine it is shared by thousands of other people working in finance. For most April may symbolise a month of rain, but it also means the new tax year. A new tax year has never really meant much to me other than making sure I had as much of my savings in an ISA. You got to make sure you keep every penny of your interest! However, this year I learnt that a new tax year meant a new tax code. The average Joe Bloggs is now allowed £8,105 before tax instead of £7,470. It would be nicer if it was £10,000 but every penny counts and you can't really complain when you aren't having to do anything else.

Oh the London Commute Part 2

The first day back to work after Christmas is always depressing but today was worst than usual. After 11 days off waking up to an alarm with painful. Then I looked out my 21st floor window to a grey, wet London.

As I got to tube I was reminded of the fact that the tube fair has gone up. The thrifty woman that I am I topped up on the 31st to avoid the rise. My monthly travelcard of £123.70 has now become £131.40, which is a 6.2% increase. If that wasn't bad enough it is now equal to over 10% of my salary. That is depressing. I need a travelcard to work, but it just feels as if I work to pay my travel. What is worse is we all know how rubbish the transport is, so what are we paying for? I am paying for 25 minutes of sweaty hell on the Central Line. I am normally standing at the door, praying not to fall down the gap when the doors open at each station. So it is reasonable to complain, right? 

The extortionate price made me think of the other options: ride a bike, live in Zone 1, work from home, or marry a TFL worker. One I have tried, one is never gonna happen,  one is a possibility and the other is just a dream. 

Is making money that easy?

For the last couple of weeks I have watched 'The Apprentice' and after every episode I am mad with myself. I think why am I not out there making money. Instead, I'm just broke, moaning about my situation and praying that I win the lottery. But 'The Apprentice' makes it look so easy but is it. 

A few weeks ago the task was to buy stock from a warehouse, sell it, and then reinvest in products that sold well. Now this was how Lord Sugar started out and is a module used by every person with a market stall. Buy, add a profit margin and sell. This is something most people can achieve with just a bit of effort. 

However, the majority of the tasks are unachievable for the average individual. I loved Fast Food Chain - because in two days they decided on what they wanted to sell, designed and got the menus made, conceived a whole brand and a physical shop was made. That is not realistic for an average person. For a turnaround like that serious money is needed. Also, in earlier episodes where products have been pitched at major shops this again is something the average person can't do. I don't just know the head of buying at Selfridges, but Lord Sugar does. 

So yes, having your own business is achievable with guts, determination and perseverance. However, it takes time (or a lot of initial investment) to achieve the financial success the team members make in days. 

The American Dream: does money equal happiness?

Recently I have been looking at the American Dream with its focus on the “better, richer and happier life”. America has always lived by a Capitalistic ideology, which says the more money and power you have the better your life will be. Is that true though? I had fully brought into the capitalistic ideology growing up. I thought that having money would answer all of my problems and make me happy. However, sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve that money and power. (I am not writing this from first-hand experiences, just observations.)  

The major thing sacrificed is time. People in powerful positions work such long hours. They are generally under great stress and constantly having to think about the company and others. How much ‘me’ time do they get? The saying ‘time is money’ is so true which means free time is often seen as a luxury. A luxury which strangely enough the rich are not allowed, other than for a 2-week luxury holiday to some island no one has heard of or Richard Branson owns.  

I have begun to realise our consumer driven world may not be the route to happiness. To strive for a better, richer and happier life is great but in a degree of moderation. Everyone should have a drive to make their life the best. However, that does not necessarily mean we all need to be Bill Gates. AND most importantly we need to realise we can’t all be Bill Gates. The capitalist structure means there needs to be lots and lots of poor to work under one ridiculously rich person. Looking at Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs it is clear that money will only provide you with the bottom levels so in order to actually live the happier life we need to find it in other ways.  

My aim is to find a middle ground. To have the money to enjoy what money can buy i.e. a home, holidays and possibly every apple product going but I am also able to have the time to enjoy what money cant buy i.e. friends, family and walks on the beach.