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United News of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
ISA's Sixth Regional Committee Meeting in Brussels Calls for Collective Action
Belgium, [Western Europe], June 19: The Sixth Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Europe and the Others Region was convened today in Brussels under the chairmanship of the Federal Republic of Germany as the Regional Vice President. The Meeting brought together 20 countries from the Region and partners to review progress, align on strategic priorities, and advance collaborative action to further the International Solar Alliance (ISA) mission and strengthen ongoing engagements with countries in the Region. In his opening address, Director General of ISA, Mr Ashish Khanna, thanked everyone for their presence and noted, 'Your presence here today reflects our shared commitment to advancing the global transition to solar energy. Our focus must now turn to ensuring these advancements translate into jobs, equity, and climate resilience.' Highlighting the importance of the Meeting, he added, 'At the same time, we face critical contradictions and concerns regarding solar energy. Data states that nearly $2 trillion was invested in clean energy in the last fiscal year alone, with solar photovoltaics leading the way and holding the largest share of these investments. Despite this growth, the distribution remains unequal. Only 15% of these investments are reaching low- and middle-income countries, and less than 2% is going to Africa, a region with some of the world's best solar radiation potential.' Focussing on the issue of energy access, he said, 'With 600 million people in Africa still living without access to electricity—and across the Global South, where 70% of the world's population resides—there is an urgent need for nearly $200 billion in investments. ISA is mobilising $200 million to leverage more than 30 times the private investment in Distributed Renewable Energy in Africa while connecting 16 Centres of Excellence with digitalisation support from Global Capability Centres (GCC's); providing technology and policy roadmaps while engaging in-depth across select countries.' Mr Tobias Rinke, Deputy Head of Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany, in his opening statement as the Chair of the Meeting reaffirmed the collective commitment to advancing solar energy and ensuring its benefits are equitably distributed across the world. He highlighted the International Solar Alliance's evolution into a truly global platform, now comprising 123 Member and Signatory countries, and noted the doubling of active engagements since 2022. He emphasised that the meeting presents a timely opportunity to shape the next phase of ISA's global agenda. He further emphasised the global consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai, where countries agreed to triple renewable energy capacity, enhance energy efficiency by 2030, and transition away from fossil fuels. He underscored the critical role of solar energy in achieving these goals—not only as a key solution in the fight against climate change, but also as a means to enhance energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, drive economic growth, and create quality jobs. Highlighting the leadership potential of the Europe and Others region, he pointed out that the region comprises some of the world's most advanced economies, innovation leaders, and green technology pioneers. He stressed that with its strong technological capabilities, financial resources, and institutional strength, the region is well-positioned to drive and inspire the global energy transition. He also noted Germany's readiness, during its vice presidency, to work ollaboratively with regional partners to shape a shared vision for the International Solar Alliance. Ms Laura Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology, and Outlooks at the International Energy Agency (IEA), in a conversation with Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General, ISA, addressed the rise of artificial intelligence in rapidly reshaping global energy systems. The conversation underscored critical insights on AI's dual impact and transformative potential in enhancing grid efficiency and accelerating solar deployment. She noted that artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the energy sector, simultaneously driving up electricity demand—particularly through data centres—and offering innovative solutions for grid management and the integration of renewable energy. She highlighted projections indicating that AI-related infrastructure could add electricity demand equivalent to that of a 'new Japan' by 2030. Despite this surge, AI holds immense potential to optimise grid operations, accelerate solar deployment, and improve energy access, particularly in the Global South. To monitor these trends and promote practical applications, she also informed about the launch of a new Energy and AI Observatory by the International Energy Agency. In the second fireside chat, themed, 'Changing Paradigm', the Director General of the International Solar Alliance engaged in a wide-ranging conversation with Ms Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), exploring the shifting role of philanthropy in climate finance. Against the backdrop of declining aid flows and rising urgency for sustainable investment, the dialogue delved into catalytic finance, solar deployment, and the systemic reforms needed to unlock meaningful progress across the Global South. Kate Hampton emphasised that accelerating solar deployment is essential for advancing both human development and climate goals, as it significantly contributes to productivity gains and emissions reductions. She pointed out that the key financial barrier is not the availability of debt, but the lack of catalytic or patient equity—an instrument crucial for mobilising private investment. She highlighted the unique role of philanthropy in addressing this gap by supporting country platforms through technical assistance, policy engagement, and junior equity. Additionally, she stressed that a major constraint lies in the availability of skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of delivery, policy, and finance—an area where philanthropic support can be instrumental in breaking bottlenecks and advancing projects. In his keynote address, H.E. Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing at the European Commission, emphasised the urgency of Europe's response to rising energy costs and the escalating climate crisis. He highlighted solar energy as central to the solution, noting its role in reducing fossil fuel dependency, enhancing competitiveness, and lowering emissions. He pointed out that at the EU level, the cost of solar power has fallen by 82% over the past decade, with an additional 12% global decline in 2023 alone—making solar not only the fastest-growing but also the most affordable clean energy source available today. The Meeting will also feature focused discussions on the following themes: Catalytic Finance in Africa; integrated institutional strengthening through ISA's capacity building initiative STAR-Cs and Global Capability Centre; Digital Transformation and AI in the Energy Sector; and a Roundtable on Energy Storage and Green Hydrogen. About the ISA Regional Committee for Europe and the Others Region Meeting The Regional Committees of the ISA meet annually, chaired by two Vice Presidents from the Region, and aim to assess and discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities related to ISA's programmatic support, flagship initiatives, partnerships, private sector engagements, and work plan for the Region. A significant goal of the Regional Committee Meetings is seamless coordination among the Region's Member Countries. The Europe and the Others Region currently includes 15 Member Countries, 4 Signatory Countries, and 32 Prospective Countries. About the International Solar Alliance The International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at COP21 in Paris. It has 123 Member and Signatory Countries. The Alliance works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promotes solar power as a sustainable transition to a clean energy future. ISA's mission is to unlock investments in solar energy while reducing the cost of technology and financing it. It promotes the use of solar energy in agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors. ISA Member Countries are driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments. Through this work, ISA has identified, designed and tested new business models for solar projects; supported governments to make their energy legislation and policies solar-friendly through Ease of Doing Solar analytics and advisory; pooled demand for solar technology from different countries; and drove down costs; improved access to finance by reducing the risks and making the sector more attractive to private investment; increased access to solar training, data and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers. With its advocacy for solar-powered solutions, ISA aims to transform lives, bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities worldwide, fuel sustainable growth, and improve quality of life. On 6 December 2017, 15 countries signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement, making ISA the first international intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India. ISA is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational solutions through solar energy, especially in the least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
At G7, Modi urges global action against terrorism
Kananaskis (Canada): Reaffirming India's stand against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged leaders of the G7 to galvanise global action against terrorism and underscored the need for strict action against those who 'promote and support' it. In his address on Tuesday at the G7 Outreach Session here, the Prime Minister also called for attention to the Global South's concerns and priorities. He noted that India took it as its responsibility to bring the voice of the Global South to the world stage, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an X post. 'PM reiterated India's stand against terrorism & thanked the leaders for condemning the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack. He urged them to galvanize global action against terrorism & underlined the need to take strict action against those who promote & support terrorism,' he said. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 people. In response to it, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 'In his address, PM highlighted the need to ensure energy security for all through a sustainable & green pathway and elaborated upon India's global initiatives such as ISA, CDRI & the Global Biofuels Alliance, towards this objective,' Jaiswal said. Modi also highlighted India's experience in democratising the use of technology and its human-centric approach to deploying it. 'He called for addressing global governance issues to tackle concerns of AI and to promote innovation in the field,' said the MEA spokesperson. Earlier, the Prime Minister said he held 'productive' exchanges with G7 leaders on key global challenges and shared aspirations for a better planet. Modi posted a picture on X with leaders of the seven-nation bloc and those invited to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. 'Together for global progress! Productive exchanges with G7 leaders on key global challenges and shared aspirations for a better planet,' he said in the post.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
One visit, many openings: At G7, a step forward in India-Canada ties
After much anxiety on both sides, India and Canada have finally begun to turn a new page in their bilateral relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Canada for the G7 summit concluded with significant positives. His meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, described by the latter as a 'foundational' step in rebuilding India-Canada relations, was crucial. Importantly, threats by some Sikh organisations to ambush PM Modi did not materialise at all, underscoring the resilience of diplomacy against disruptive elements. After the summit, Carney publicly acknowledged India's 'natural' and 'consistent' place at the G7 table, reflecting Canada's recognition of India's growing global stature and the Carney government's pragmatic resolve to address worsening bilateral ties. Carney emphasised India's importance, highlighting the 'size and dynamism of the Indian economy, Indian technology, and its role in a host of venues, G20 and beyond.' This recognition is central to India's perspective. As a proponent of making Canada an 'energy superpower', Carney lauded India's role in energy transition. At the Outreach Session, PM Modi reciprocated, underscoring the need for global energy security through sustainable and green pathways. He highlighted India's initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance. Modi's consistent push for the Global South's concerns at such a high-profile forum further solidified India's role as their leading voice. PM Modi also reaffirmed India's stance against terrorism, urging G7 leaders to galvanise global action and pushing for strict measures against those who promote and support it. He briefed leaders on Operation Sindoor, carried out against terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, demonstrating India's proactive stance. Discussions also focused on technology and innovation, particularly the AI-energy nexus and quantum-related issues, with PM Modi highlighting India's experience in democratising technology. Beyond the summit, PM Modi engaged in numerous bilateral meetings with other world leaders, expanding India's diplomatic outreach. Carney's realistic and encouraging description of their meeting as a 'foundation and necessary first step' conveyed a shared will to rebuild. PM Modi unequivocally communicated that, for India, national security and the fight against terrorism remain non-negotiable priorities. India's firm stance against any double standards in combating terrorism, underscores this commitment. This comes after a year of unprecedented tensions, marked by diplomatic expulsions and strained engagements stemming from the unresolved killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani separatist. India has consistently denied involvement, attributing the crisis to Canada's perceived leniency towards extremist elements on its soil. The most tangible outcome is the agreement to restore the role of the high commissioners. Their absence had created a glaring void, impeding diplomatic functions and harming people-to-people and business ties. Reinstating these crucial diplomatic posts, alongside resuming senior and working-level engagements, is more than procedural; it signals a clear intent to restore normalcy and vital services. Both leaders affirmed the importance of open and forward-looking dialogue, stressing mutual respect, democratic values, sovereignty, and the rule of law, along with their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Stalled trade negotiations were also discussed. Negotiations are also underway to establish a joint working group on transnational crime. While Carney portrayed that as a starting point of the conversation, India sees this as a two-way street and demands accountability on Canada's side as well. Cooperation against transnational crime and terrorism demands genuine collaboration and a clear understanding of each other's security concerns. India has consistently provided evidence and sought action against elements promoting secessionism against India from Canadian soil. A relationship built on 'mutual respect' must inherently involve Canada addressing these core Indian concerns with seriousness and demonstrable action. Carney's concluding remark that 'there is a lot of work that needs to be done' resonates deeply in New Delhi. This visit is undeniably a positive development, a crucial first step on a path that promises to be long and arduous. It is not a magical cure for the deep-seated issues plaguing the relationship. Trust, once eroded, demands time and consistent effort to rebuild. The appointment of high commissioners is a vital beginning, but the real work of repairing trust and fostering deeper cooperation still lies ahead. The writer is assistant professor, Centre for the Study of the Americas, School of International Studies, JNU
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Energy security a major challenge facing future generation: Modi at G7 meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for renewed multilateral cooperation in energy and counterterrorism efforts, cautioning world leaders that energy security is emerging as a major challenge facing future generations and terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity. Speaking at the G7 outreach session in Kananaskis, a scenic mountain region in the Canadian province of Alberta, Modi urged the international community on Monday to support India's global efforts on clean energy and climate resilience, an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office said. The Prime Minister mentioned promoting solar energy in Sun-rich countries through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), building climate-resilient infrastructure through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and promoting biofuels through the Global Biofuels Alliance. Modi also referred to the initiatives India took on promoting sustainable lifestyles and creating a global solar power grid interconnecting the grids across time zones and continents. Addressing a session on energy security and infrastructure, Modi thanked Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney for his invitation to the event and called for renewed multilateral cooperation on terrorism, inclusive growth, and sustainable technology. Availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability are the principles that underpinned India's approach to energy security, Modi said, adding that India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, has successfully met its Paris commitments ahead of time. Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 meeting indicates that both nations are now willing to normalize bilateral ties after they reached a flash point in 2023 and 2024 following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan separatist, in British Columbia. In 2024, former prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said agencies were pursuing what he described as credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing on Canadian soil, an allegation India dismissed as 'preposterous' and 'assertions without facts'. On 17 June, Canada's Prime Minister Carney said he and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries,' the statement said. It also added that Carney raised priorities on the G7 agenda, including transnational crime and repression, security, and the rules-based order. Modi also said at the energy session that in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it is important to have secure and resilient supply chains of critical minerals. He emphasised that a technology-led world calls for closer cooperation among countries to realize a sustainable future, and to achieve it, people and planet must be kept at the centre of progress. Modi said while AI has become a critical tool to promote efficiency and innovation, the technology itself was energy intensive, and it was important to strategize how to make it sustainable through clean and green initiatives. Elaborating on India's human-centric approach to promoting technology, he noted that any technology to be effective must bring value to the lives of common people, the statement from the Prime Minister's office said. Modi suggested that addressing AI-related global governance issues was key to tackling the concerns around this technology and to promoting innovation in the field. Modi's suggestions highlight the importance India is giving to climate diplomacy and in championing the voice of the global South.
Refinery29
3 days ago
- Business
- Refinery29
Money Diary: A Head of Strategy On £112,000
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We're asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last penny. Our Money Diaries submission process has changed. If you would like to submit a diary, please use our new form here. This week:"I'm a 32-year-old professional working in Strategy & Transformation in the telecommunications industry, living in Greater Manchester. I moved to the Manchester area post-university and bought the house we live in now with my husband A, three years ago (selling the house we bought together when I was 25). He's 10 years older than me and also works in telecoms (spoiler: we met at work) but we no longer work at the same company. A has two teenagers from a previous relationship, who come to stay with us one night each week and every other weekend. I've worked for my current employer for six years and in that time, I've pretty much doubled my overall compensation package through a series of promotions and sideways moves to different departments. Also, in this time my employer generously supported my studying for an MBA which I completed at the end of 2023, so that has probably helped my career prospects too. When it comes to money, I would say I'm more of a saver than a spender, though when I do buy things I tend to buy decent quality. I'm quite low maintenance from a beauty perspective — no nails, lashes, tans, but last year when I was getting married and I spent a couple of hundred quid on nice Charlotte Tilbury makeup and splurged on some nice skincare at the start of the year.' Occupation: Head of Strategy Industry: Telecommunications Age: 32 Location: Greater Manchester Salary: £112k, with a £7k car allowance and a 25% bonus and a Long Term Incentive Plan (not vested yet). Paycheque Amount: £6,000 Number of housemates: Two — my husband A and dog Eddie (with two more, my stepkids M and J on a part-time basis). Pronouns: She/her Monthly Expenses Housing costs: £2,265 between the two of us, which includes a £500 overpayment each month. We're on a fixed deal until January 2027. Loan payments: £0 Savings?: £29k Cash ISA, 2.5k Stocks and Shares ISA (pay in £250 monthly), £9.5k LISA (pay in £333 monthly to maximise £4k allowance), £6k Premium Bonds (adding £500 monthly), £6k joint savings for renovation (I put in £500 monthly, A pays in £100), £180 fun fund (we each pay in £50). I tend to top up the Cash ISA with any savings left from the end of the month. Pension? In various pots across my current and previous employers, I have about £130k. I contribute 10% and my employer matches that (the maximum they will match). I'm considering upping my contribution in the future for tax efficiency. Utilities: Jointly we pay £245 council tax, £235 gas and electric, £54 water, £64 pet insurance, £59 internet and TV, £29 life insurance, £29 home insurance, £15 TV license, £5.99 Netflix, £6.67 Amazon, £24 window cleaning, £11 Smol. I calculate our monthly expenditure on mortgage, joint savings, utilities, and groceries, regular payments e.g. dog walker, cleaning and we pay that into our joint account each month, in proportion to our earnings. All other monthly payments: £85 CrossFit, £60 gym and pool membership, £22.72 phone and £18 iPad, £0.99 iCloud storage, £50 regular donations to charity, £18 contact lenses, £16 Toastmasters. Subscriptions: £8.99 Apple TV, £4.95 local newspaper, £10 The Guardian, £7.99 Audible, £14.99 Spotify Duo. Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? I did my undergraduate straight from school, funded by the standard mix of loans and grants. I went to Oxford and at the time (and probably still now) there were grants available to me which reduced the amount of maintenance loan I had to borrow. I was also lucky to be one of the last cohorts paying £3k a year in tuition fees. My parents separated when I was a child and my dad started giving me the money he had given to my mum when I was growing up which I think was about £200 a month, which also really helped. In 2021, I started an MBA which was 75% funded by my employer, 25% funded by myself from savings, which I completed after a tough three years of part-time study on top of a full-time job. Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? As a young child, I don't remember going without, but neither were we flush with cash. We went camping rather than abroad for holidays, but my sister and I did all the hobbies and activities we wanted to. My parents divorced when I was around 9 or 10 and I learned much later that one of the many contributing factors to the end of their marriage was that when my dad was made redundant, he stopped paying the mortgage but didn't tell my mum. A few years later, my mum started a relationship with my stepdad, who was very comfortable and we moved in with him (and my mum stopped working). From that point on, I was very privileged in travelling to nice places and given a generous pocket money allowance. Reflecting on this later, I watched my mum lose her financial independence and I think this rubbed off on me — I always wanted to be able to pay my way and choose how to spend my money. If you have, when did you move out of your parents/guardians house? I went away to university at 18, but came home for holidays. I moved out properly when I was 22 when I started a graduate scheme after my final year of uni. At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life? 22. I moved out into a flat on my own for my grad scheme job. Two years later, I moved in with my boyfriend (now husband) into his house, which he sold and we bought a house together when I was 25. By not paying rent to him for his mortgage (but splitting bills only) in that year I lived at his house, I was able to save for my contribution to the deposit. His contribution to the deposit on that first house was greater, so I like to think now I pay more, we're evening the score. What was your first job and why did you get it? When I was 16 I got a job at my local Starbucks — they were opening a branch in my town and were hiring loads of people. I was lucky to get a sweet eight-hour-a-week contract. I worked there until I went to university. I loved it — I didn't really spend much when I was that age, so the savings I had gave me a nice bit of buffer when I went to uni. Do you worry about money now? Yes and no. I mean I worry about a lot of things, but I'm super conscious that when we bought the house we live in now three years ago, we took all the equity out we could from the previous sale to fund extensive renovation work. Consequently, we have a massive mortgage, with about 27 years on the term. We still have renovations we want to finish on the house, mostly the garden, where the work required is not stuff we have the skills or time to complete. I am aware that I am earning extremely well (honestly, so much more than I ever expected). But I can't relax about it! Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? When I was about 23/24, my mum found an old savings account she'd set up when I was a baby, and there was a couple of thousand pounds in there which went in the house deposit fund. My parents and A's parents each gave us £1k as a wedding gift last year, which essentially funded a free bar at our reception. Day One 5:45 a.m. — Wake up before my alarm. Check the Premium Bonds prize checker app to see if I've won… I've not. I won £100 in February, but overall in the last year I've had a rubbish run of winnings. 6 a.m. — Go to the pool for a swim, get two kilometes done. Remember why I prefer swimming in the evening, which is not an option today, as it's always busier first thing in the morning. 8 a.m. — After showering, sticking a load of laundry on and putting the dishwasher on, I have a bowl of porridge. I also have the first of many cups of tea today, reading my book (We Are All Birds of Ugand a by Hafsa Zayyan). 8:30 a.m. — I log on to my work laptop. I mostly work from home, aside from when I have specific meetings. This week I've avoided having to travel to London, which I've had to do for a couple of days the last two weeks. Work covers my travel expenses and will put me up in a hotel, but being away from home is exhausting and I miss my husband and my doggo. 10 a.m. — I conduct a couple of interviews for a new role within my team. I am pretty pleased with the quality of the candidates, which is great as a couple of weeks ago I interviewed someone for a role and it was obvious within the first five minutes they weren't a fit, but I still had to progress with the whole interview. Only slight awkward moment was our dog walker arriving in the middle of one interview to pick up E for his weekly group dog walk. We have this booked in each week to cover travel but we leave it in even when I'm at home, as he loves it for the doggy socialising. I pay £13 for next week's walk now from the joint account. 12:30 p.m. — Break for lunch, hang the washing out on the line in the beautiful sunshine and make a halloumi, avocado and rocket wrap. I order a new shed from B&Q as we're getting some garden work done in a few weeks' time and the landscaper has agreed to assemble it for us, £331. I pay for this for now, but add it to the tab for all the garden spending which we'll settle between us when it's all done. 5:30 p.m. — We have the kids tonight and it's J's birthday today so when they get home from school, we open presents. 6 p.m. — After an afternoon of back-to-back calls on a random variety of projects, we set off to the Manchester City match as a birthday treat. A has bought all the tickets and we get a KFC drive-thru on the way as food choice at the stadium is poor. A pays. 7:30 p.m. — Finally get to our seats after terrible traffic and purchase brews and Haribo ready for kick off. A pays. 10:30 p.m. — Home and straight to bed after a rather stultifying match, but at least City won. Day Two 3:30 a.m. — Hear the dog barking, he wants to go out for a poo in the middle of the night, probably because we didn't take him out for his usual pre-bed walk round the block. 5:30 a.m. — Alarm goes off to get me up in time for my CrossFit class. Today's focus is upper body gymnastics, so lots of flailing around trying and failing to do muscle-ups, but I practise my one strict pull-up that I achieved a few weeks ago. 7:30 a.m. — Back from the class and decide to roast some rhubarb I have in the air fryer with a little sugar to pep up my yoghurt and granola. I see that the tomato seeds that I sowed on Sunday have germinated, which is very exciting to me. 9:30 a.m. — Spend most of my morning working through the FTE forecasting for our department for our long-range plan. This means looking at the next five to 10 years, seeing how it will change with some operating model changes we're planning. 12 p.m. — Take the dog for a walk in the sunshine, then eat some leftover soup and fresh bread that A made last night in the bread machine (game changer). 1 p.m. — I interview another candidate for a role. It becomes depressingly obvious that they haven't done even the most cursory of research on the company. For a senior strategy role this is a no go. 5:45 p.m. — After an afternoon of more project calls and debriefs on interviews, I warm up some leftover curry and rice. We have a strong Thursday night freezer meal routine, as let's be honest by this time in the week we're generally bored of cooking. 6:45 p.m. — Get the tram into Manchester for my public speaking club. Last year I started attending to develop my confidence in speaking, as I'd moved into a new role at work where this would be expected more of me. I pay £16 a month which I think is great value for the 2-3 evenings a month I attend. Tram is £4.90 for a return. 6:45 p.m. — Feeling a bit peckish and tired as I get into town, so I pick up a tea and chocolate chip cookie from Pret, £5.60. 10 p.m. — Hop on the tram home after a successful evening. I gave my prepared five-minute speech tonight, talking about my mum who likes to tell embarrassing stories about me. I win the vote for best speech, which is a first for me, so I'm well chuffed. Day Three 3:30 a.m. — Woke up in a panic, realising I hadn't changed my alarm to get up in time for my 6 a.m. gym class. 6 a.m. — Attend my third CrossFit class of the week, my kind of movements today with a heavy two rep squat clean where I get a PB. 8 a.m. — My calls for today start early. Catching up on a few things and see that one my team is doing a sponsored walk for charity, donate £50. 12 p.m. — Take the doggo for a windy walk and warm up some leftover chickpea soup from the freezer with a frozen paratha. 1 p.m. — My Friday afternoon is 1:1s with my team members, giving me food for thought about my proposed team structure. I've only been managing this team for a few months and I feel like I'm only scratching the surface. 5:30 p.m. — Get the tram into town to meet an old friend for dinner. We tend to meet up every couple of months for food and a catch-up. Tonight we go to Australasia, which was oddly quiet. I benefit from this by the waitress essentially offering me a free wine tasting so I can choose what wine I want. It comes to £4.90 for the tram and £52 for my half of dinner. 8:30 p.m. — Because we are old, rather than go on somewhere for more drinks, we go for a coffee afterwards at Haunt MCR (where have an even more middle-aged peppermint tea). My friend pays for the hot drinks, as I got the drinks last time. 9:30 p.m. — I head home on the tram not long afterwards, getting an Uber from the tram stop to home, £4.97. Day Four 8:30 a.m. — Wake up with no alarm, bliss. Enjoy a Saturday morning roll around with my husband. Afterwards, we go down for breakfast and do the weekly meal plan. We've been doing this for years now, as we do most of our fresh food shopping at our local covered market. It sounds a lot more bougie than it is — it's 80% old ladies coming in to buy a single slice of ham, but I love doing the shopping here rather than the supermarket. A goes this morning as he wants to nip into our local town to return something to a shop. £34 at the greengrocer, £27 at the butchers, £15 fishmongers, £12 deli. 10:30 a.m. — I walk the dog and do a few small jobs in the garden when I get back while the sun shines. 12 p.m. — Lunch of lasagne that I missed by being out for tea last night. A and I head over to a large garden centre where they have a greenhouse showroom. For my 30th birthday a few years back, my parents gave me £1k towards a greenhouse but we've only been able to afford to do the garden landscaping required this year after three years of house renovation. We wander round all the options and settle on a middle-range, beautiful greenhouse, which still feels extravagant. We get home, double-check the measurements and order online, £2,559 to be added to the garden reno tab, I pay. 5:30 p.m. — We're headed back to central Manchester tonight for a special family meal at Hawksmoor, an amazing steak place. My parents gave us vouchers for a meal and we decided to use it for a joint birthday celebration for J and A. We have sharing steaks and all the sides and it is delicious. I also enjoy spotting a few celebs there too (James Nesbitt). The total bill was £424 for the four of us, but with the vouchers comes down to £224. We have a 'fun fund' that A and I pay £50 each a month into, which we'll rinse to pay for this. Total: £2,871 Day Five 7 a.m. — Woke up naturally but feeling a bit anxious (wine with dinner?). Every month I do a goal reflection across different areas of my life: relationships, health, finances, and projects like my home, garden and allotment. They reflect on the prior month and set goals for the coming one. I do this with a brew and breakfast in bed this morning. 10:30 a.m. — I go to my group PT session with my gym friends. We've done this for the last couple of months and it's a really affordable way to get some more personalised coaching on things we're all working on like pull-ups, handstands and double unders. I have a breakthrough today with my first-ever headstand (I normally freak out a bit being upside down). I pay £45 for the three sessions we have planned. 12:30 p.m. — Come home to a roast chicken dinner lovingly prepared by A. Sit with a coffee for a bit before heading down to my allotment. I've had my plot for three years and I love it — it's about a five-minute drive from my house and I've spent a lot of time renovating the beds, putting new paths in and putting up a new shed. I spend about four hours here, as the weather is so lovely, building out beds, re-laying paving slabs for paths and planting out my seed potatoes. 6 p.m. — I log on to my work laptop for an hour or so to prepare for tomorrow and send an email to my manager about some reflections I have after my 1:1s on Friday afternoon. It's been on my mind all weekend so I feel better after setting it out in writing. 8 p.m. — A and I sit and finish off some cheese and crackers for tea, finishing off some pieces of lovely cheese we bought a couple of weeks ago. Perfect picky tea after a massive roast dinner earlier. 9:30 p.m. — Off to bed and read my book. Total: £45 Day Six 5:30 a.m. — Wake up for my gym class after tossing and turning, with work issues churning around my brain. I know this is as a result of logging on in the evening. Normally, if I weekend work, I try to do Sunday morning so at least I have the rest of the day to switch off! My class is okay, max height box jumps and a gross workout of medicine ball cleans. Some days you got it, some days you don't. 8 a.m. — Log on for my weekly planning session before the work week begins. 9 a.m. — Today's the day we communicate more broadly about the rollout of a project I've been working on for the last 12 months. Feels pretty momentous! Lots of large briefing calls and comms going out which is a bit nerve-wracking. 11:30 a.m. — Nip out to walk the dog in the sunshine as I've got a call at 12:30 p.m. Make a sandwich with leftover roast chicken and the lonely avocado that has been hanging about in the fridge for the last two weeks. 12 p.m. — Our cleaner arrives. Okay, it's completely a luxury, but A and I find that this is the way to save me having to constantly remind him when it was his turn to clean the bathrooms, which I hated. The house is spotless after a three hour clean, which we get fortnightly. I transfer £54. 2 p.m. — I Monzo my friend £40 for a wine tasting event she's booking us onto in a couple of weeks' time. 5:30 p.m. — A and I head down to the allotment so he can help me move the new shed into place, which he built last week. He picked up some guttering at B&Q for me this afternoon so we attach that and set up the water (but I already have to collect rainwater off the roof). The new shed is one of the final pieces of the puzzle for the allotment renovation I've been working on for pretty much the last two years so I am very excited. I transfer A £55 for the B&Q shop. 6:30 p.m. — Get home to find an unexpected parcel on the doorstep. It's a hamper from my manager as a thank you for my work on the project we were communicating about today, which is super nice. It includes a couple of bottles of wine and some snacky bits, which I stash for a future occasion. I cook some roasted vegetable pasta in the air fryer and enjoy a Becks Blue; the sunshine always makes me want a cold beer so this is a good substitute! 7:30 p.m. — Eat our tea on the sofa watching an episode of 1923 on Paramount as we have a free trial. We've binged all the Yellowstone series over the last few months! 9:30 p.m. — Head to bed to try and finish my book before sleep. Total: £149 Day Seven 5:30 a.m. — Wake up for my 6 a.m. class. It's bench press and upper body today. Feeling a bit weary — think I need to eat something before these classes! 8 a.m. — Sit with my porridge and cup of tea and start my new book. A asks me to transfer him my half of the holiday we're going on in June — we are headed for a week's all-inclusive to Marrakech. Send him £1,000. 8:30 a.m. — My morning starts by dialling into a customer meeting that my boss is attending in person in London. I feel slightly bad for a minute that I'm not there in person, but to be there for what ends up being a 70 minute meeting I would have had to stay over last night. 12 p.m. — As usual, walk the dog listening to a podcast. When I get back, I finish the rest of the chicken/avocado combo from yesterday and read Gardeners World. I think it's the nice weather and finally feeling like my allotment is in good shape, so I spend yet MORE money on garden stuff. I order asparagus crowns, raspberry canes, chilli and aubergine plants and a mystery veg plant selection. I promise myself that next spring when I have my greenhouse up and running, I'll be growing from seed, £76 including delivery. 5 p.m. — After an afternoon full of project calls, I leave my last call 10 minutes early to take the dog back for his checkup at the vet. A few weeks back, his recurring skin allergy issues flared up and he was on meds. Due to a significant error on our part a couple of years ago when we changed insurers, this condition is not covered by insurance. I'm working on how to resolve this, but for now I pay the £80 for the appointment and prescription fees (I will order his medication at an online pharmacy as it's much cheaper). 7 p.m. — Cook a delicious tofu and lemongrass larb with lettuce cups and sticky rice (the first time we've cooked this recipe and it's a definite do again). Call my parents for a catch up, then tootle off to bed with my book for an early night. The Breakdown Conclusion "Ouch! This was not a typical week in terms of expenditure, as I had a couple of unusual purchases that will be a once every 20 years kind of spend. I just received my annual bonus, which was pretty much on target for last year and we've been saving for our garden renovation for the last year or so. Likewise, this is the only holiday payment that I had left to make this year – the rest of our holiday travel and accommodation for 2025 breaks are already paid. Food and drink was a bit spendy, it's pretty rare I'd be out two nights on the trot but it's great to be able to celebrate special occasions with family. I enjoyed writing the diary, it does make me wonder if I should reclassify myself as a spender though!"
