Katie’s latest blog…
Haddon Learner Katie Ruben is based at Tom Jackson Eventing where she is doing her Level 2 Horse Care Apprenticeship.
Time and Money… Two of the most important things in our busy lives, but most of us lack these two things in the equestrian industry.
When I started my apprenticeship, the first thing I knew I wasn’t getting myself in for was to get rich quick, but what I did underestimate was the amount of time I lacked out-of- work hours and how much money I was relying on from Mum/ Dads purses. I soon started to realise that I had to change:
1) Remember your passion. You have wanted this job for years and now is your time to shine, but please BUDGET!
I know the feeling that is so tempting to go and spend a fortune on living the lavish life, but when you get to the 2nd week of the month, you go to check your bank account and there is nothing in there, you are going to be in tears.
So limit those expensive takeouts that you can’t finish and instead plan ahead and buy food for the next few weeks, or save to buy the correct gear for all weathers that will last you. It’s certainly not cheap, but living properly is so important for your well-being!
2) Save up! Yep it won’t affect you instantly, but in the future it will be well worth it!
When we are working as hard as grooms work, we love the occasional treat every so often, if you struggle to save your money or need some advice on how to manage it, speak to your bank, they will be more than happy to help you – (I know this because my sister works in one)!
3) Spend less time on social media after work and get to bed early…
Yes I know what you’re thinking ‘well that’s not a productive way to spend my time..’, well actually it’s more productive than running round like a headless chicken until midnight every nigh,t because that is when you get mentally and physically exhausted and start making mistakes – believe me!
4) Become more efficient with your time before and after work.
Think about what you can do in the morning to help yourself in the evening. This could be as simple as preparing a meal, so you can spend more time on the things you enjoy in an evening time and there is something satisfying about coming back from work with a meal ready to go in the oven. We all need some time to spend to ourselves, so make it quality time!
5) Live your best life.
Obviously these tips are just a guidance if you like a little bit of lifestyle mixed in with the crazy life of horses, but at the end of the day it is completely up to you how you spend your time and money… if only unlimited time and money trees were a thing!
I have personally had this phrase chipped into me, ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it’. Simply meaning you sadly cannot usually have a lavish lifestyle flashing your cash while working with horses – because that cash will spend most of the time in the horses digestive system!
But what you can do is be smart with your money, your time and make the most of every opportunity. I have started well by earning while learning so I have the opportunity to do everything that I want to do!
A huge thank you to Katie for sharing more tips with us. You can read Katie’s previous blog here.
If, like Katie, you’d like to become and apprentice then please give us a call on 01672 519977 or send us an email to enquiries@haddontraining.co.uk.