All change, all change…

Miss Thrifty11 July 27, 2014

You may have noticed that things have been a little quieter around here over the past couple of weeks. There’s a good reason for that: I’ve started a new job. Fortunately everything is settling down, and I’m having a ball at work.

This is how my new-look day gets under way:

early train

Yes indeed: I’ve been reborn as a commuter. The new office is a two-hour train ride away, in Manchester, so I’m getting accustomed to the early starts. The little shower timer, which turned up in the post as one of my water-saving freebies, has turned out to be a godsend. (By the way, if you haven’t snagged your water company freebies yet, read this post to find out more.)

water company freebies

At least getting out of the house this early means that I get a seat on the train. However you know what they say: every silver lining has a cloud. Here is mine, in the form of a monthly season ticket:

season ticket

I know, right? OUCH. It’s more than my monthly mortgage payment! You could get a return flight to my favourite transatlantic holiday destination for that: something I am currently ruminating upon, as I gaze out of the drizzle-spattered window at the grey platform of Dewsbury rail station, where a man is picking his nose.

Sadly, at time of writing, I have signally failed to find a way to slash the cost of this train ticket. Even the ingenious ticket splitting site cannot help. A house move is on the cards; it has to be. In the meantime I am medicating with sleep, homemade flapjacks and an iPod diet of Nina Simone and Dolly. Send help! You’ll find me inside a TransPennine Express train just outside Huddersfield, listening to our conductor Paul explain which of the loos are out of order today.

Although it’s all change here, some things continue. As you may have guessed, in the light of eyewatering travel bills, the thrifty mission continues. 😉

As of today though, I am making a couple of small but significant changes to the Miss Thrifty Blog. This is as much for housekeeping as anything. The Miss Thrifty Blog is six years old now (hip hip hooray!) and, this far in, it seems strange to have posts about long-expired discount offers from 2008 and 2009 still sitting around on the site.

So from today, most of the deals, coupons and bargain buys featured here will be moving to the email newsletter, for subscribers only, although I will still be sharing them on Twitter and Facebook. As ever, you can subscribe here.

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11 Responses to “All change, all change…

Niftynorah says:

Nice to see Miss Thrifty back.

July 28, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Amandah says:

Yes, I had noticed your absence. Congratulations on the new job, but why so far from home??
My eyes did pop open much more this morning at seeing that price.
That’s my rent AND council tax combined (Well will be when I begin working again).
Yes, New job for me too come September, now that I have finally completed my Specialist Level.3 Diploma.
3 yrs of being unemployed has come to an end, after losing my job, and so has the studying for now.
I hope you find a cheaper way to get into work, it would be sad for you to have to move.
Keep us posted.

July 29, 2014 at 7:17 am

P says:

Congratulations on the new job and all the best with it!

July 29, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Michelle says:

I thought my commute was rough. However, I do know that you wouldn’t start this job without a clear endgame in mind. That amount is mind numbing!! Will we see you in NOLA? Hope so!! Keep us posted on your new job.

July 30, 2014 at 4:49 am

Have you found a way to make the commute time work? When I’m working on a train, I try to get various things done so the time isn’t wasted. I’ve considered turning my phone into a wifi hotspot so I can do some online work as well.

August 2, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Jane Naik says:

Congrats on the new job and hope you find a way of reducing that fare each month! Thanks for the invaluable info about the freebies from water companies – I’ve just ordered mine as we have a water meter which is a pain.

August 8, 2014 at 7:00 am

I can understand both the hassle and fun in starting early. I guess it takes time and life gets back to normal after few weeks. Well, congratulations for a fresh beginning. There is no doubt about it, I am sure you must be doing wonders 🙂 God bless!

August 9, 2014 at 7:05 am

Welcome back and congratulations on the new job!

August 14, 2014 at 8:27 pm

Michelle says:

Congrats on six years of blogging on Miss Thrifty! Congrats on the new job as well. A two hour commute sounds like a doozy!

August 20, 2014 at 11:44 pm

Jason Vitug says:

Congrats on the new job and wow what a commute. Cheers, Jason.

August 25, 2014 at 5:53 pm

kev says:

Miss Thrifty, Great to hear from you again I thought you might have quit for a while, Congratulations on the new job. I thought my commute was tough but looking at that price I realized I don’t have it so bad you have it worse sorry to say that. I think a move is your best opinion anyway I wish you all the best in your new adventure.Keep the updates coming.

February 10, 2016 at 10:39 pm

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