The Bipolar Lock keeper

Mood = 7

Sleep = 4 hours no sleeping tabs left!

My spending tends to track my mood state.

Hyper-mania leads to more social engagement & I book more events. Gigs/Festivals probably being my major expense! – although the new house has been costly since December 😱. Hopefully that will reduce as i have the big jobs done.

I have taken to getting a “Level Set” before making big purchases or medium/long term commitments.

A recent example is booking accommodation now for a big 6-0 celebration in 2025. Given AirBnB rates quoted, it looked a “no brainer” to book it now before it was snapped up. Fortunately Sam agreed so the same AirBnB I booked last year for Declan’s wedding is now booked for 2025. We are going back to Las Vegas baby 🇺🇸🎰

When I am in low mood, I worry about spending and may stress about costs incurred when I was in a high. Have I overspent? Why did I buy that, do I really need it?

There have been gigs that I’ve bought tickets for but not attended. I know right 😱 – The Count missing a gig. Only happens if I’m not feeling good or in a low mood.

At the other end of the spectrum, I push the envelope when high. A couple of years ago, I went to see Billy Joel in NEW YORK MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. All in with travel & accommodation, my most expensive gig ever. Was it worth it? Abso **** Lutely. I had goosebumps all the way through.

Some photos from the trip

I made good use of the trip doing touristy things in NYC, a couple of nights in Niagara Falls and catching up with friends in Boston. Lotus/IBM has given me friends around the world. 🌎

I always balance out my bank account over 12 months. If i spend big in Winter for the coming summer then I have a quieter Autumn/Winter.

When i was married, we had a joint account & separate personal accounts with an amount transferred in each month. My ex-wife was convinced I would use joint funds for excessive spending but it never happened so I do have CONTROL 💰💰