For this reason, audits take place after the end of the financial year. Transactions and events after the year end give information about conditions during the year. These are called post balance sheet events.

What I did afterwards

I needed a haircut two weeks ago. However, I avoided the immediate cost by waiting until after Lent and using a comb more often. I’ve just done a large online Tesco shop and replenished vital supplies of washing powder, cleaning products, peanut butter and pheasant. Adjusting for post balance sheet events, I should have a deficit of around £103.20+ (unaudited figure).

This week I most looked forward indulging my Starbucks coffee habit at will. I drunk many caffè lattes and re-identified myself with accounting trainee-literati. But I never used to buy coffee so regularly before Lent, so why should I change now?

I believe in corporate coffee. Photo by rudolf_schuba.

Final Thoughts

If I’m honest, the last six weeks have not been that challenging. The problem with Benefits in Lent was that it was always temporary. The fact that it was only 6 weeks made it easier because I could pre-buy and then defer purchases. If it was permanent, I would find it impossible.

I’ve learnt the importance of using what resources we have wisely, whether it is money, time or bandit-avoidance skills. Most of all I will remember Benefits in Lent for the awesome spreadsheets.

There are good health reasons to cut down on caffeine. But the most important is not to be a slave of “Big Caffeine”. These heartless corporations will put their stores up in every location. They will use subliminal advertising to make you think that caffeine binges are cool. A culture will be created where caffeine teetotallers are social outcasts.

I overcame these hurdles and my sleep problems solved, except for the random nights of exam stress and/or audit stress (should I use pink files or blue files?) Unfortunately, the result was that I developed ridiculous caffeine insensitivity. Even, de-caffeinated coffee will keep me awake.

Yet, I still love/worship Starbucks. How do you reconcile that with a caffeine intolerance? By buying Starbucks shares and drinking caffeine free Diet Coke.

The least-manly drink ever.

I met up with Daygan to talk about investing in The Coffee Spot. He’s got a good vision for what he wants The Coffee Spot to be. I’m excited. It will add value to the community, it will be a great place for expats and local Chinese students, the prices will be reasonable and there’ll be a real coffee house atmosphere. After many, many hours with an abacus I’ve calculated that the numbers look good for the potential investor.

The main thing is though, I’m sick of handing over my money to Starbucks’ shareholders.

When I want to breathe more rarefied air I take a trip to the South of the city. Nanjing Lu is a favourite of mine because I can see where China is heading in the future.

The pace of development is lightning quick. The old buildings, shops and markets are being mercilessly torn down. In their place will come luxury apartments and shops.

What you see on the left will become prime real estate, like the Kensington and Chelsea of London. Buy now while you can.

Now, within 5 minutes walk of this area are: 3 Starbucks, a Pizza Hut, a Rolex shop, a Häagen-Dazs ice cream bar, a TGI Friday’s restaurant that is under construction and a Zara designer clothes shop that has just opened last week.

This blog entry has another discussion on China’s nouveaux rich.

This is where Tianjin’s nouveau rich are coming out to play and they are playing in increasing numbers.

I was privileged to have my flatmate organise a birthday party for me at Starbucks upon my return (a lot of money was also spent there in 2007). Despite the horrific jet-lag, it was much better than my actual birthday spent in hospital.

The jet lag remains but now I am back to the teaching routine. My Chinese is really rusty and my teacher is going to be disappointed when she finds out I have done no work in the past month.