Simplifying Life - Mark II

westcoastscot

Hi cheapskate, I'd forgotton about this thread too - love it!
Just wanted to say that being diagnosed with dementia early is such a bonus so well done to you all for spotting it - there are lots of things that can be done to slow the tide of it's progress - do make sure you access the community dementia team as early as possible, they really do make a huge difference!
kind regards, WCS

dreaming

Whoo-hoo - have received my severance pay and paid off my mortgage:j - this house is now officially mine. I have also added funds to my ISA and squirrelled other bits away. On top of that have just spent some time on 'phone to a very helpful lady at HMRC to notify them of my change of circumstances and she has amended my tax code although it may not make much difference until next year due to working until the end of August. I have sent off the forms regarding my pension to workplace but not sure when that will all happen so will have to live on what's left of my severance pay for now.
Unfortunately have spent a bit on things like thermal curtain linings (although at least I had the time to find the cheapest and it is all on a 0% credit card). Have also been living out of the freezer and store cupboards so for the last 3 weeks I haven't bought any groceries other than milk and fresh fruit (oh and some chocolate:)). Am off soon to re-stock and need to look out for some simple and cheap lunches. That has been the thing I am finding difficult as I was in the (bad) habit of buying lunch at work. I'm not really a fan of soup, but also am trying to reduce carbs. so don't always want bread/sandwiches. Still, if that is the only thing I have to worry about life can't be bad can it?

mineallmine

Congrats dreaming :j How wonderful.

In relation to lunches I'd have a dig around our Old style forum (maybe in the index threads). What sorts have things have you eaten at lunch while working? Perhaps there's a way to adapt some of those as ideas.

meg72

dreaming wrote: »

Whoo-hoo - have received my severance pay and paid off my mortgage:j - this house is now officially mine. I have also added funds to my ISA and squirrelled other bits away. On top of that have just spent some time on 'phone to a very helpful lady at HMRC to notify them of my change of circumstances and she has amended my tax code although it may not make much difference until next year due to working until the end of August. I have sent off the forms regarding my pension to workplace but not sure when that will all happen so will have to live on what's left of my severance pay for now.
Unfortunately have spent a bit on things like thermal curtain linings (although at least I had the time to find the cheapest and it is all on a 0% credit card). Have also been living out of the freezer and store cupboards so for the last 3 weeks I haven't bought any groceries other than milk and fresh fruit (oh and some chocolate:)). Am off soon to re-stock and need to look out for some simple and cheap lunches. That has been the thing I am finding difficult as I was in the (bad) habit of buying lunch at work. I'm not really a fan of soup, but also am trying to reduce carbs. so don't always want bread/sandwiches. Still, if that is the only thing I have to worry about life can't be bad can it?

Just had a look at my lazy lunch list.

Omellete
Pizza
Baked Potato
Quiche
Pasta Bake
Scotch egg
Sausage Roll
Ham and tomato
Pickled egg
Fruit and yogurt
Something on toast.

But by far my best preference is something left over from last nights meal.
and just ping in MW.

dreaming

mineallmine wrote: »

Congrats dreaming :j How wonderful.

In relation to lunches I'd have a dig around our Old style forum (maybe in the index threads). What sorts have things have you eaten at lunch while working? Perhaps there's a way to adapt some of those as ideas.

Thanks - it feels pretty good not to have to worry about mortgage.

As for lunches - well I'm afraid I used to go to the canteen and wander about aimlessly then end up with either a cheese ploughman's sandwich, or what they called a "square omelette" (more like a crepe with various fillings). I knew I could make them so much cheaper for myself but it seemed too much effort when we were so manically busy at the end. I also had my lunch when certain jobs were done at work so it tended to be pretty regular at about 1.00 p.m. Now I'm finding that it is often 3 o'clock before I realise I haven't eaten (even though I am still getting up at pretty much the same time and having breakfast - usually cereal). Sometimes I just then have some cheese and fruit but find myself "picking" until dinner. I don't want to get into bad habits as I really need to lose weight, plus of course I need to save money where I can. Summer will be easier as I can grow salads etc. but too tempting to fill up on stodge right now. Think I need to work it into my meal plan a bit better.

Rosy_Bottom

I love this thread. I was also recently made redundant and paid off my mortgage. So now my aim is to lead a simple life. The first thing I'm doing is completely decluttering my house. I want my house to be tidy, airy, free from stuff and a peaceful retreat.

I have taken loads of stuff to the animal rescue charity shop and am trying to sell some of the bigger/more expensive things. For example I had an electric steamer in the dresser that was given to me as a present years ago and I've never used it, but I kept it because I would have felt guilty giving it away BUT it needs to go.

dreaming

Rosy_Bottom wrote: »

I love this thread. I was also recently made redundant and paid off my mortgage. So now my aim is to lead a simple life. The first thing I'm doing is completely decluttering my house. I want my house to be tidy, airy, free from stuff and a peaceful retreat.

I have taken loads of stuff to the animal rescue charity shop and am trying to sell some of the bigger/more expensive things. For example I had an electric steamer in the dresser that was given to me as a present years ago and I've never used it, but I kept it because I would have felt guilty giving it away BUT it needs to go.

Hi Rosy Bottom - it's a great feeling isn't it?
Decluttering is definitely the way to go. I always thought I was very organised and minimalist but I have gone through my paperwork over the last week and there is just so much stuff I can get rid of - 15years worth of appraisals for work for instance. Unfortunately seem to have lost my birth certificate and my address book.
I have always shopped at Waitrose (I got vouchers through work at 90% of the cost) but thought I needed to try the cheaper places so I went to Aldi this morning. Not sure I will be shopping there again though as there were certain things I couldn't get. Also they don't take credit cards and I always use my cashback cc for shopping and pay it off each month:money:. Apart from the cashback it helps me keep track of my spending - I find if I have cash it just seems to trickle away. May stick to Waitrose for meat and try Asda for groceries etc. although as I live on my own I have never found Waitrose to be that expensive. I'm sure a family would find it expensive but I would rather buy quality over quantity. Hmm - jury's still out on that one.
Have also signed up to some free online courses (through FutureLearn) so along with my evening class and book club I shall be keeping busy. It was so nice this weekend to be able to enjoy the sun as all the housework etc. was done.

MrsGSR

Hello, this looks like an interesting thread. We are looking to simplify our lives and over the last few weeks we have had a massive overhaul of accounts and slimmed down our paper work folders quite considerably! We have also had a major sort of stuff and planning a carboot later in the week.
We are not extravagant people by any stretch of the imagination but we are trying to make small steps in enjoying the simple things.
One step i have taken is to axe facebook and twitter, it needed to be done.

tori.k

Very much enjoying the simple life today Tuesdays is the only day I have the house to myself due to the kids being in on different days at college.

Sun is shining and the only noise is birdsong it's times like this that makes up for the hard work of living in the sticks im up to date on my jobs (well there is work to do in the garden...but their is always work to do in the garden) so today is a day to potter about and enjoy the peace.

Have a fab day everyone

sKiTz-0

MrsGSR wrote: »

One step i have taken is to axe facebook and twitter, it needed to be done.

Axe facebook and twitter - there's a brilliant way to simplify life. I axed facebook before twitter was ever on the scene so I've never had a twitter account. It's unbelievable how many hours of my life have been wasted with all my friends pointless status updates and checking in places and pirates vs ninja requests.

I figure I have a phone number for anyone I care about, and anyone who I don't have a phone number for I certainly do not need to know exactly what is on their mind 24/7, where they have been or who with.

Best thing I ever did was deleting that account.

ETA - I do understand it has its uses - Like if I had family/friends in Australia or somewhere it would be a good way to keep in touch. But as everybody I had was in the UK, and most within a 10-15 minute drive then that wasn't really a benefit for me.