It seems like life here has finally fallen into a more predictable pattern, so I was curious to look at how spending looks from October 2023 in London to October 2024 in Peterborough. While both months were heavily influenced by my commitments to school and work, the differences reveal just how much life can change in a year.

Major Expenses: Tuition, Travel, and Life Essentials

 

In October 2023, my biggest expenses were straightforward essentials like rent, utilities, and groceries, along with a moderate spending on entertainment and commuting. Tuition was a factor, though it felt more predictable compared to 2024. Fast forward to October 2024, and my expenses look noticeably different. The ongoing pursuit of a PhD meant tuition was still a major cost, complicated by the delay of prize money that was supposed to cover this last payment. Because of this, I had to tap into my savings—a frustrating but necessary step to finish up this mad pursuit.

The other big-ticket item for October 2024 was a plane ticket home for the holidays, which was more costly than anticipated despite my efforts to fly outside peak dates. It was, I admit from my completely spoiled stance, the first Christmas ticket I’ve had to buy home. My dad had purchased the last two years as my birthday present. Travel factored into both years, but 2024 saw a spike with additional plans, including a trip to Cornwall, which was significantly more expensive than we had initially assumed when we agreed to the weekend away with friends, and upcoming activities planned for a friend’s visit.

Social Spending and Family Time

 

October 2023’s entertainment budget was mostly limited to occasional outings and daily activities. However, in October 2024, hosting family took center stage as my dad finally visited for a week after planning it for nearly two years. Although his visit stretched my budget, renting a car and visiting sites together was worth it. I also spent more on pre-booked events for a friend’s November visit. Comparing the two years, the surge of visits in the fall, which is the end of a lengthy lower income season each year, has definitely had an impact – though not an unmanageable one and I certainly don’t regret when friends and family visit.

Income and Side Gigs

 

October 2023 and October 2024 both showcased the value of juggling multiple income streams, with each year reflecting slightly different sources. In 2023, my primary income was steadier, drawn from adjunct work and freelance gigs, providing a consistent base. By October 2024, my income included more side projects in digital production, which helped balance out some of the heightened expenses of the month. Expanding my hustle over the past year has been demanding, but it’s become crucial to funding both my studies and personal goals.

Shifts in Priorities and Progress Toward Goals

 

Looking at the financial data from October 2024, it’s still challenging to determine the full financial impact of my move from London to Peterborough, though there are some promising signs. Rent has definitely decreased compared to London, which has been a positive shift. The savings on rent, however, have been somewhat offset by my increased reliance on transportation for trips into London for school. In October, I traveled to London twice, with November expected to double that, adding more frequent (and pricey) train fares to my budget.

An unexpected downside of the move has been the longer commute, which requires careful time management and planning. Peterborough offers a lower cost of living for rent, groceries, and some essentials, but the frequent need to be in London has driven up transportation expenses, which I’m now tracking separately. October’s train costs, at around £102, were a noticeable addition, and even with creative uses of my travel time—like listening to podcasts or studying for my drivers theory test —it still represents a trade-off between cost savings on rent and time spent commuting.

That said, it’s likely that Peterborough could be a net positive financially by the end of the year, depending on how many trips to London I can optimize or reduce. I plan to track these expenses to see if living in Peterborough actually creates a financial advantage over time, balancing out any commuting drawbacks. So far, while my expenses have shifted, it does seem that overall living costs are lower, which might make the move worthwhile in the long run.