Category Archives: Numbers

Food & Drinks, Numbers, Simplify

September Moon

Yesterday I took a short walk to the weekly market. But first, I dropped by the grocery store to buy a birthday card for my sister. At the market, I bought two eierkoeken and four mattentaarten. Before heading home, I did a simple currency exchange by ATM cash withdrawal.

At home, I finished my one helping of home-made seafood bisque and my leftover fish curry.

This morning, I wished my sister a happy 50th birthday, and told her that I will send her birthday card by post. 🙂

Before lunch, D and I went to a drinks centre to buy beers for self consumption and a gift basket of wines for tomorrow’s gathering with our next door neighbours.

Throughout the day, we used up and consumed leftovers of bacon strips, Greek yoghurt, and three crepes. No food waste!

In the evening, D and I stepped out to the terrace briefly to behold the last Super Harvest Moon of 2023.

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Flashbacks, Human Nature, Numbers

Four Kilometres

Yesterday morning, I walked to the post office to acquire and send off a prepaid self-addressed envelope. I assumed that there will be a postal system or procedure for my request. Nope, they do not, I have assumed wrongly. Not wanting to buy the €4 package of 25 envelopes, I decided to walk home. But first, I withdrew money from the ATM.

At home, I took a few envelopes (to be sure) and walked back to the post office. This time I got an older post office worker attending to my request. I ended up buying five priority stamps, used two of that, and stuffed one envelop in another. Ha!

Today, I have walked 4km before lunch time. I am in the process of putting administrative things in order, moving on with the next phase of my life, step by step.

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Business & Being Creative, Numbers

Selling

A month ago, I placed ‘limit sell orders’ on a few stocks I have in my portfolio. Yesterday, my Nexgen shares were sold. I did not make a profit with these. It is the stock market – you win some, you lose some.

Today, I sold off a mutual fund which I bought years ago. This was part of the process of ending a business relationship with a particular bank. I have done no wrong. What else can I say? So, I am just going close up shop with this business and move my funds somewhere else. This mutual fund, which I jokingly called my invisible car, has earned me quite a nice profit.

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Events, Food & Drinks, Numbers, Travels

International Beers & Family Barbecue

Yesterday after dinner, D and I cycled six kilometres to the International Beer Festival in Zwevegem. The weather was great, there were a lot of people and the beer selection was interesting and tasty. Highlight of the evening was cycling back home in the dark after midnight! Say what you want… but twelve kilometres of cycling is an accomplishment for me. 😉

Today, we got invited by the parents to have a barbecued lunch. In such, we decided to spend time with family, took it easy and not go to the second day of the international beer festival.

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Food & Drinks, Numbers, Simplify

Fridge & Freezer Friendly

Yesterday, I took a walk to the grocery store to purchase ingredients for tuna tataki, two bags of frozen shrimps, ice cream, pre-made pizza dough and a few other items. I saved about twenty euros by taking advantage of discounts and coupons.

Today, I made a pizza for lunch, using up the rest of the bolognese sauce leftover from a few days ago.

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Business & Being Creative, Numbers

Term Account

This afternoon, I opened a 5-year term account that promises a modest interest income. The account is funded with money from my 20-year old life insurance, which matured when I turned 50. This way, I modified my birthday gift into one of my several financial support pillars.

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Business & Being Creative, Numbers

Restrategize

Taking care of finances that spans three continents is not an easy endeavour. This morning, I encountered some rather annoying problems while trying to create fixed deposits, which promises high interest income. My gadgets are too ancient to install the latest banking applications. I have multiple accounts to maintain and these may not be managed from one device. In short, I lack the tools.

I need to change my tactics in dealing with the ever-changing financial and banking world. I need to restrategize.

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