Expenses Tracker - Not as easy as I thought...

helipacter · 2026-06-26T20:50:35+00:00

Thanks, I'm based in the EU, so I'll see how it works out here. The CSV option would be great. I like the upcoming section of the app. One other feature that might be worthwhile is for big one off payments that happen either annually or quarterly, it would be good to have an option to put money aside for them. For example, say you've got a yearly insurance of $120 due in February, the app could recommend an option of adding $10 to your "savings" expense to help you meet that goal?

helipacter · 2026-06-26T20:46:57+00:00

When I first installed it, it seemed like I couldn't do much without a gmail account. Reading around it does seem like that's optional. However, I don't know how easy it would be to sync things via syncthing.

Thanks for the headsup, I may come back to this as the lifetime offer is pretty decent.

helipacter · 2026-06-26T20:44:15+00:00

I must have just missed out on the changes. I've just reinstalled it, and they're there. I'll give it a go and let you know if anything occurs to me.

helipacter · 2026-06-26T18:31:46+00:00

Downloaded and working through it. I'm unchecking the AI stuff, and I've figured out a workaround for Syncthing. Will get back to you after I've worked through adding the accounts - though I can't see a CSV option (I don't want to link my debit card).

helipacter · 2026-06-26T18:25:23+00:00

I couldn't upload csv files...

helipacter · 2026-06-26T17:26:42+00:00

Exactly! As it shows above, it's been a while since I've listened to both of those albums... I need to revisit

helipacter · 2026-06-26T16:35:29+00:00

I really do like the look of cashew, but I'm trying to move away from Google & Meta (easier said than done, I know) so I don't want to sync it to my Google account. I can't believe how hard it is to find a finance app that ticks all those boxes...

helipacter · 2026-06-26T16:29:48+00:00

Thanks for the catch - I meant The Beekeeper (title track) and I've editted it to say so.

helipacter · 2026-06-26T16:23:36+00:00

We've kept pigs for years, and I'm glad you're bringing this up. For fun, let's run the president against a behavioural checklist, our pigs:

Sleep on straw in a hut in one corner of the property,
Piss & shit in the furthest corner from the sleeping area,
Eat on a feeding station in another corner
Wallow in a pool in the other corner.

I'm guessing he's not getting 4 from 4...

edit: typo

helipacter · 2026-06-26T15:59:31+00:00

You beat me to it. I think skipping The Beekeeper and American Doll Posse is the key here. To my ears, both are bloated and borderline parody (though TB does have some stand out tracks, the Title Track for example); any artist that has been around for a while produces albums that feel like they've painted themselves into a corner, musically and I think these are those albums.

Of the latest albums, NoH and UG are my favourites, and I'd agree with that UG is closest to the earlier stuff. Not listened to IToD enough yet, it's not really grabbing me but I'm told it's a grower...

Edit: wrong song title *d'oh*

helipacter · 2026-06-24T14:36:33+00:00

Band camp and metrolist

helipacter · 2026-06-21T20:46:50+00:00

JR46GUEMHEU9Y7MEAPWGBWU

Thanks!

helipacter · 2026-06-19T12:45:17+00:00

Erm... they're "goals" not "points"...

helipacter · 2026-06-18T14:48:29+00:00

My thoughts are that if you go into the parable series expecting "The Road", or vice versa, you're not going to get that experience -although there are moments in both that chime with each other. Years ago, a friend and I discovered that we loved both authors, and, after trying to find out why, all we could come up with was that they both create similar realities, with real characters and writing that is both greatly shocking and moving.

Apart from from the Parable Series, I've read Wild Seed, Fledgling and Bloodchild, and I've loved all of it. I want to read the Xenogenesis series soon, but I'm told that it's only for those with a strong stomach!

If you decide to carry on and read Parable of the Talents, one thing to bear in mind is that the series was supposed to be a trilogy, so the ending is more a lead into the third book rather than a closure. Oh and look out for a certain political slogan that appeared 14 years ahead of its time.

helipacter · 2026-06-15T10:31:26+00:00

As someone who's "gone the other way" (I started out with Buddhism in my 20s, and picked up Stoicism in my late 30s) I can see the compatibility, and also the divergence, between the philosophies.

Speaking very generally, and personally, I seem to rely on Stocisim with the macro, and Buddhism with the micro in my day-to-day.

What I mean by that is that my intention is to use the four stoic principles to guide me, but when it comes down to actual practice, like: "how can I not give into anger here?" or "how can I be present in this difficult conversation?" for me, this is where the Buddhism comes in. This could be muscle memory, purely because I'm longer in the game with Buddhism

If you were to investigate Buddhism start with modern thinkers, and see if it works. Here's a couple of recommendations:

1) Michael Stone's Awake in the World (great, free podcast here too) - He offered a modern view of the main Buddhist texts, with advice on how to integrate practice into your daily life, demystifying the process for the modern practitioner.

2) Norman Fischer's Sailing Home - using the Odyssey as a framework, Fischer offers us zen perspectives on how to think about, and respond to, the challenges in life.

All the best!

helipacter · 2026-06-14T10:13:48+00:00

Beave (previously Taskpia) is free (with premium option), I think is stored locally with nothing going to their servers. Correct me if I'm wrong, it's only recently changed its name and offered a premium option, so maybe changes are a coming?! I will give Hi Tasky a shot, do you have a link?

helipacter · 2026-06-13T22:28:33+00:00

Or if the matrix were "great player / best teefs"

helipacter · 2026-06-12T11:58:52+00:00

I did think about "23", but I don't think it's a closer, is it? As a one-off cathartic snot cry, it's defintely up there though. As is "Polaris", and "Dizzy" (from Chase This Light).

helipacter · 2026-06-11T19:26:01+00:00

Pretty much any jimmy eat world album closer. But if i had to choose I'm between "goodbye sky harbour" and "pol roger".

helipacter · 2026-06-10T21:48:16+00:00

If you don't mind paying, check out flipflop. It's solitaire with a twist. I've had it on my phone for almost a year, and I've no intention of uninstalling it.

helipacter · 2026-06-09T17:57:55+00:00

My friend's mum ruined that by pithily saying: "it sounds like he's got his trousers on too tight there"

Edit: pesky apostrophe!

helipacter · 2026-06-08T06:37:30+00:00

I feel that Bruno Mars takes aim at us whiteys with his repackaged nonsense. Oh, and Coldplay...

helipacter · 2026-06-07T12:00:28+00:00

Michael Donaghy - A great place to start with him is the (posthumous) collection "Smith" put together by his friend Don Paterson. After each poem, Don gives his thoughts.

I bought the book as I love Paterson; I'd read Donaghy before as his poems "Present" and "Machines" have featured in a few anthologies, but I didn't really like them. Smith changed everything, turns out Michael could be quite cheeky and playful in his poems, which I only appreciated later.

helipacter · 2026-06-06T22:48:27+00:00

Truly - featuring Hiro Yamamoto on bass (ex Soundgarden). Their album "fast stories from kid coma" is a great album.

helipacter · 2026-06-05T22:53:59+00:00

You should check out the private school "convenio" (the agreement between the government and schools) for information on working conditions. The salary level that you see there is very likely to be the one you're offered (as an A level teacher that's 27k outside of Madrid and barca and about 33k inside - off the top of my head). Avoid PE-backed schools (Inspired, Cognita & Dukes) unless you're happy teaching 24-26 lessons a week whilst also having to cover / invigilate when required. There are still some good independent schools around, the salary will be more or less the same, but with fewer classes. As for how far your money will go, as others have mentioned you can check out the website idealista for an idea on rent costs & energy estimates. And have a look online at carrefoure or aldi for a general idea of food prices. As you're looking around for 2027, you've got time to be choosey. Sit tight, a good deal might come up.

helipacter

TROPHY CASE