Poor but happy at 55 need to be debt free to retire!!!

Poorbuthappy55

Hi 58er

Lovely to have you drop by. I'm 56 now!!

I don't think it sounds outrageous at all because it must be very, very difficult to want to work and not be able to.

If you can manage without getting into debt then I should look on this time as an opportunity to take stock and get your breath back. You and OH should spend some time enjoying the things in life that are free or don't cost much.

Like you I so wish I had been sensible when I was 20-30 but I've had a great life so no real regrets. I just hope I can pay off our debts so that I can retire when I want to. But I have to consider myself lucky to have a job that hopefully I can continue as long as I want.

Have you got a diary?

fiftyeighter_2

Hi Pbh,
I'm sure you will mange to do it. Seems as you have done well so far. There is so much support and help on here that we can do nothing but suceed.
So you have a motor home. How great. In my first marriage we had a tourer and we loved it. Tried to get away most weekends and then with 4 young boys it worked out quite cheap. I really miss that you know. Think i must be a gypsy at heart i loved travelling and my caravan.
Well keep up the good work. Ive subscribed to your thread so i'l see how you're doing.

Claw_back_money

Hi PBH

Uh oh - hoover problems - did you track down a new one? The hoover is one of the things I can't imagine living without, but then we've got two cats who seem to make it their mission in life to spread fur everywhere! Ours is a dyson but I wish I'd paid the extra for an 'animal' one as lots of people say they are more efficient with the animal hairs.

I must start making soup again, I really got going with it last year and its great for lunches. I never took it into the office though, wasn't sure what I'd transport and heat it in - how do you manage?

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

Hi

I bought a Hetty a pink Henry from Amazon for £91 - I've got a cat and 2 dogs so also have the hair problem!! Having not vacuumed for a few days Hetty cleared the hair beautifully. It's slightly harder work than dyson but heyho I have to live within my means and not use my credit card!!

I'm actually feeling really excited about Christmas because I have bought all my presents as cheaply as possible but haven't added to my debt. I've really searched out the bargains this year! My silver wrapping paper is from Asda at 14p a roll and Asda silver crackers for £2.40. They don't look any different from the £20 I bought last year. The little gifts are probably rubbish but no one wants them anyway.

I've still got £40.87 left from my £50 til 24th Dec. we have had some nice meals and soups because I've had to make an effort!!

Will have to buy milk and a few things today.

I haven't paid any extra off my cards but will seriously pay off once Christmas is over.

Bye

I'm also only sending a very few cards this year to the people I don't see very often.

Claw_back_money

I'm wondering about christmas cards now. The thing is I love making them, but in reality I haven't got time and I'm not sure its very sensible / environmentally friendly to do so anyway for people like work colleagues. I might have to reduce my list down to something I can manage.
OH did the hoovering today, grumbling like mad about the hoover, I told him that christmas was coming - did he want a new hoover lol soon went quiet then! I need to do dusting and bathrooms but today has just gone so quickly - I'll tackle tomorrow.
MSE Christmas is quite good fun isn't it, when I think about how much the goods are (full price) as opposed to what I've paid we have saved so much money, and got people really nice stuff! We did most of the wrapping today, just DS2 and a couple of others. I realised that a DVD set hasn't come - needs to get posted to Scotland so hope it hurries up.

Cheers
Cbm

Luckycharm_2

Hi Poorbuthappy55

Well done on all your progress so far and for helping to motivate me. I've really enjoyed reading your diary and will subscribe.

Good luck with your DFW journey

LC

Poorbuthappy55

I've had a really lovely time since I last logged on. DD and friend have been here and we've decorated the house and garden for Christmas. Bit worried about the electricity with all the lights but because I love it so much I'm prepared to sit in the dark in January.

We had a homemade Dominos to watch Xfactor last night - I made pizzas, brownies and cookies washed down with wine & beer. Not very healthy!!

i have stayed home all day today enjoying the Christmassy house & playing Christmas CD's and we all watched Polar Express this afternoon. I haven't spent any money today but will have to in the in week to finish last little bits. I'm so enjoying the Christmas preparations because I haven't got that horrible feeling of "how much has all this cost". So many times I've sat down after Christmas knowing I've spent sooooooo much and having nothing to show for it but NOT THIS YEAR!

Poorbuthappy55

Just a quick update because I'm at work (naughty).

Doing well with grocery spending - DD is eating out a bit at the moment so me and OH are having whatever is in the freezer/fridge/cupboard. Dry old sandwiches at work for me today!!

Tonight I am going to get all my presents out of the cupboard and sort them out ready for wrapping. Will write a few cards (leftover from previous years) to those I don't see much of and post tomorrow.

Will need to get a few £5 notes for paper girl and others who come to the house regularly.

That's about it then I'm ready for Christmas. MSE has made me so much more organised. In previous years I would have been rushing around armed with credit card like a woman possessed buying things "just in case"!!

I'm sure you all know what I mean.

Bye for now.

Sun_Addict

Hi Pbh

Know what you mean about rushing about like a mad thing, used to do it myself. I've got a strict food/drinks list this year. It'll only be the three of us at Christmas apart from Christmas Day when DS comes for his lunch so I really don't need much extra stuff. I'm getting better thanks to MSE but still need a bit of fine tuning as I can still get carried away at times. Wish I could be really strict like some of the people on the threads. I've wrapped all my presents and cards are all posted so just waiting for the Big Day really. You're not the only naughty one - I always post at work, don't really have time once I get home.

Poorbuthappy55

Hi SA

I know what you mean about still getting carried away it happens to me too. I go into a supermarket armed with well thought out list and cash and come out with allsorts of random items paid with my debit card!!! However this is still an improvement because I'm not using a credit card.

Had a bit of an MSE moment today and phoned Vodafone to say I'm spending more than I wanted to so they knocked £5 a month off my bill even though the contract is only 2 months old. Result!!

I'm sort of looking forward to the new year in a weird sort of way so that I can seriously pay off some of my debt without being sidetracked by Christmas and celebrations.

I've been offered some consultancy work for end of Jan/Feb so I'm going to do it even though I'll be working more than full time. It's going to pay for a short break in Paris - there has to be pleasure in life!!