Live on £4000 for a Year, 2009 Challenge, part 1

sophiesmum_2

I've got my OH off work for 12 days now using up a/l just so he doesn't lose it. Just so he doesn't get bored have written him a lovely list of things that he might like to get done whilst he has lots of free time. Like hang the huge pine mirror which has been propped up in lounge for past few weeks witing for him to drill couple of holes. Would usually have done myself by now but thought I would let him feel useful:rotfl:

Hope your DS enjoyed his special day:D

grandma247

purplevamp wrote: »

Today we went out for dinner as DS1 is 18 tomorrow (that makes me feel so old .) .

My ds1 will be 35 this year, now that is scary:eek:
Where oh where did all that time go??

cw18

My youngest will be 18 this July -- and I've not put anything extra into my budget for a 'special pressie', so guess I'll be hitting my 'anything else' category for that :rolleyes2

andromache_2

oohh, I knew there was something I'd forgotten to comment on in my last post - thanks for the reminder, brighton belle. I should start writing down the people I want to respond to! Anyway, I'm so excited for you about your two pieces of news, redglass. Do keep us updated on the new BF And I'll be rooting for you for the interview this week, whenever it is. You'll be amazing I'm sure, and I really hope you get it xxx

how exciting about the puppy too, bails! you seem to have made such a connection with it and I know you'll have thought about keeping it happy and settled. what a sweet thing for your OH to do on Valentine's Day as well

whitewing

Please can someone quote redglass' news as I haven't been able to find them, and I like to see what she's been up to, lol!

andromache_2

Whitewing:

redglass wrote: »

Marru, please don't go. I repeat what everyone has said, we would all miss you.

And now.....stop shoving, you lot, I have SOLE OCCUPANCY of the doghouse for the next six months! I've just paid for my woodshed (£300 :eek: but actually quite a good deal considering what was done - it is custom-made to fit my garden and provides a much bigger space than if I'd bought a shed for the same amount).

Then... today has shaped up to be the best Friday 13th ever . I discovered that I have an important interview next week and if it goes right I will achieve an ambition I have had for nearly a decade. Not only that, but I seem after [strike]years[/strike] decades of solitude to have attracted a BF (not sure how, but who cares?). Sorry, but both of these new developments WILL mean expenditure on clothes. And meals. Booking my place in the doghouse now.... unless I decide to treat it all as luxuries? In my defence, I'm not in debt and if the interview goes well, it will bring me quite a lot of money, so I'm investing a sprat to catch a mackerel. As for clothes for going out with BF, well....;)

whitewing

andromache, thank you.

redglass, men like sheds so it's obviously the shed that has attracted the BF.

BF's like 'no clothes' (lol) so that could be moneysaving in the long run.

Oohhhh, it's exciting. Do tell some more..

savingfortravel

Morning Everyone!
Going to do some school work this morning then go to the bank this pm to pay into ISAs/Big Trip 2010.
Thanks for your replies Brighton Belle and Ddraig! It really helps.
May I ask about heating!!
Lived in a small house with a storage heater and got by.
Now lived in a bigger house with central heating. The Norm. Realised that heating is important and swore not to ignore it if I bought another house.
Considering 4 rural properties at the moment: 1st and 2nd are next door-small size but different upstairs layout.

• 1st property-Double glazed. Wood burner in cosy lounge. Main bedroom has no heating. Storage heater in 2nd bedroom/study. No heating in bathroom-2nd cheapest
• 2nd property-Double glazed. Log burner and convector heater in cosy lounge. Kitchen: slim line radiator. Bedroom-convector heater. Heater in bathroom-Cheapest
• 3rd property-Multipaned sash windows. Open fireplace. Radiator. Connects to dinning area. Walk in larder (not rel but had to mention). Bedrooms both with radiator. Equal most expensive
• 4th property-Storage heaters throughout. Single glazing. Equal most expensive.

Haven't viewed the properties yet but the location for all are rural/village and so different from the suburbs we live in now. Want to think practically before we lose our hearts.


SFT

redglass_2

whitewing wrote: »

redglass, men like sheds so it's obviously the shed that has attracted the BF.
.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Why didn't I think of that? :doh: I should have had one built before...! Fingers x'd for the interview. As for the BF, I can't go into more detail, since he doesn't look on this site but I think friends of his might. Thanks for the encouragement, you guys! You are lovely. My thanks button has died so I appear not to be thanking anybody for anything, but I really do appreciate it. xxx

I have to decide what to do about all this expenditure, though. It'll knock the challenge to bits if I go on. I'll be giving it some serious thought and the solution will probably be to call it luxuries.

redglass_2

Hi SFT

I have a log stove in my living room and essentially it heats all of downstairs (it's a very small house). I love mine BUT they are a lot of work. You will need to take into account:

ordering wood
being there for the delivery (if that is necessary where you live)
having dry airy storage for it
building the woodpile inside the storage area
lighting the stove when it has gone out and the room is cold (coming home to a cold house can be a drag)
constantly feeding the stove
cleaning out the stove (dig the ash into your garden)
going out on cold/windy/rainy nights to fetch in logs...
....and traipsing wetness into the house
chopping kindling (you'll need an axe) or buying it ready cut (very expensive)
things like matches, paper, firelighters.
having to have the chimney swept (if you don't, you are not insured against a chimney fire) :eek:
the fact that fine invisible ash goes everywhere and suddenly become visible when it lands on a surface in the room. :mad:

I can't put it more strongly than that. After having more modern heating, it's practically a whole new career! But I do love it - it's much more romantic than the gas fire I had before, it smells nice, I can forage wood for it and now I've mastered the art of making it 'catch', I feel very cool, like a dauntless pioneer woman. :cool:
Good luck with whatever you choose.