October arrived like clockwork — steady, predictable, and somehow quietly satisfying. There was a rhythm to our weeks that almost felt like a private lullaby: nursery runs, workdays, a couple of extra hours of rest on the weekends, park strolls to look at dogs, and visits with friends and family. My partner and I weren’t at the centre of attention, and that was perfectly okay. Watching life tick along at this gentle pace, it struck me that sometimes stability is underrated.
Alongside the usual routines, I had the small chaos of losing my card. Not dramatic, not life-altering, but enough to nudge me out of autopilot. Little did I know, it would turn into a surprisingly useful lesson — a tiny detour on the way to the First 100K that reminded me how these slow, intentional steps really add up.
Tracking Progress on My First 100K
Numbers are rarely exciting to write about, but there’s something comforting in the Excel rows and columns that chart progress toward a goal. At the start of October, my net worth stood at £20,911. I added £230 in investments over the month, and by the end of the month, the number ticked up to £21,802. Not a leap, not a sprint, but a clear nudge forward.
Here’s the snapshot of October in mini-list form:
- Start of month: £20,911
- Invested: £230
- End of month: £21,802
- Monthly spending: carefully tracked and within plan
- Leftover money system: funds from joint account rolled into savings
Watching the numbers move is a little ritual for me. I do it at the end of the month, just after payday, with a cup of tea and a quiet moment to myself. It’s an exercise in calm observation — not the sort of nail-biting over charts that so many “FI hustle” articles make out to be. There’s a quiet joy in watching the slow climb toward the First 100K, especially knowing the systems in place are working, even on ordinary weeks.
Losing My Card: An Accidental Win
Now, about that card. Misplacing it could have been a minor stress trigger, but instead, it became an unexpected boon. No accidental bakery stops, no grabbing a Greggs on the way home from work. Suddenly, I was cooking at home, making meals that felt like a small celebration of what we already had in the kitchen.
The funny thing about these little accidents is how they reveal habits you didn’t even realise were entrenched. Losing a card nudged me toward intentional eating, home-cooked meals, and, strangely, a touch of satisfaction at resisting the easy temptation. Small wins like this are subtle but real — the sort of thing that quietly supports the path to FI without making it feel like a chore.
Life Outside the Ledger
October wasn’t all spreadsheets and minor misadventures. Life outside the numbers felt predictably lovely. The little one thrived, without any illnesses to slow us down, which is a relief in itself. Weekends were about simple pleasures: walks in the park, visiting friends and family, and soaking in the calm predictability of our days.
A highlight was a trip to a farm. Seeing the little one’s wide-eyed excitement over animals, feeling the fresh air, and wandering among fields made me want to plant cabbages in our own garden. It was one of those rare, slow days that feel complete in themselves — the kind that remind you the chase for milestones is best enjoyed with a side of ordinary joy.
Leftover Money System: Supporting My First 100K
One of the quiet heroes of October was our leftover money system. At the end of each month, we roll any leftover funds from our joint account into a savings account. This has a twofold benefit: it caps monthly spending and gives purpose to surplus money.
This month, the system allowed us to book a holiday between Christmas and New Year at zero extra cost — entirely funded by leftovers. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the system work: the small excess funds that would otherwise sit idly become experiences and memories. It’s a reminder that the path to FI isn’t about denying yourself but about allocating intentionally.
Mini-list of leftover money benefits:
- Track monthly spending: ensures conscious decisions
- Allocate to priorities: holidays, family treats, or experiences
- Supports financial calm: no stress over unexpected expenses
- Promotes intentionality: every pound has a purpose
The system also allows gentle check-ins with my partner. We update each other occasionally about what we’ve been up to financially, without obsessing over every detail. It’s a quiet accountability, more like a shared nod than a ledger of tension.
How the System Feels in Practice
The practical side of tracking and saving is one thing, but the emotional side is quietly more rewarding. At month-end, I sit down with my Excel sheet and take stock. There’s a small thrill in seeing investments grow, even modestly — a sense of satisfaction rather than urgency. The leftover money system removes friction, keeps decisions simple, and leaves space for life outside the numbers.
Calm. Content. Not perfect, not flashy, just steady progress.
Gentle Reflections from October
Looking back, October felt like a lullaby in motion — peaceful rhythm, small wins, and systems working quietly behind the scenes. Losing my card wasn’t a setback; it was an accidental nudge toward healthier habits. The farm visit wasn’t a milestone, but it reminded me of what’s worth savoring: open skies, wide eyes, fresh air, and time spent together.
Investments ticked up, routines stayed predictable, and family life flowed without drama. The slow climb toward the First 100K continues, not in leaps, but in small, intentional steps that add up over time. Reflecting on these patterns reinforces a quiet truth: financial progress isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s about designing a life that’s calm, intentional, and adaptable — a life where money serves your priorities rather than the other way around.
Gentle Questions for the Road
As the leaves turn and mornings grow crisper, I notice how the rhythm of life can feel like its own kind of wealth. A simple routine, a well-placed system, or an unexpected accidental win can quietly nudge us forward. The First 100K isn’t just a target; it’s a lens to appreciate how small, steady steps accumulate.
Here are a few questions to carry forward:
- What small routine or system brings you calm around money?
- Which minor mishap recently led to an unexpected positive outcome?
- How are your own family rhythms shaping your financial choices?
October was a month of steady rhythm, quiet wins, and gentle reflection — a reminder that progress doesn’t always have to roar. Sometimes, it just hums along in the background, like a well-tended garden or a little one’s laughter on a farm trip. In the slow accumulation of small victories — from investments growing, to leftover funds turning into holidays, to accidental wins like cooking more at home — the journey toward the First 100K is richer than any single number could convey.