Debt free in ten years-my new, more realistic challenge.

Verbatim

Could you suggest lunch at yours? Perhaps make a quiche or risotto, (bottom of fridge veg can be transformed by either)!
Thanks for the congrats on weight loss.

poohbear59

I didn't go out for lunch as friend called to postpone it for now. We may go on Thursday if I can fund it. She always comes here for coffee or lunch so it is meant to be a treat for her birthday. It gives me another day to come up with a plan..........

Today I am helping two elderly ladies empty their holiday homes s they have both sold them. I am not physically doing anything like actual removals. I have organised a charity which gives furniture to people are setting up home who have been homeless, or sells cheaply to fund themselves. We got DB some things from them. I have to unlock the houses and make sure the correct things are taken. Not difficult. And they are taking 4 kitchen chairs from here. I have been given some very good folding chairs.

Then I have knit and natter this afternoon if my throat can manage it. I couldn't talk yesterday and missed rag rugging because I didn't feel well.

Apart from £2 spent at church I have spent nothing this week. And I sold two more items on 3bay. I have converted all sales money to dollars so I can't spend it here.

So far I have $200 for our two week stay. I figure if we cook all our meals, don't have coffees out and treat our time in Florida as we do here then we should be fine. We are going to see DS1 and DDIL not to visit theme parks. And for some winter sun for MrP to hold back the black dog. For me it will be the warmth that will ease my aching muscles and joints.

Someone offered a ticket on Freegle. It is a free pass into US national parks for a year. They said I can have it. Just need to find someone to collect it.

And DS2 was much worse again. I made docs appointment for him yesterday. He had no meds for 3 weeks and no ESA I discovered. I phoned DWP with his permission and they had stopped it because of no sick note. I checked with them. The last one for three weeks they had registered as one week and the folowing one was never received. I posted the last one so know it was sent. DS3 is going to take his brother for a drive to the Jobcentre today to have the new one and copy of of previous scanned onto the system so things actually get there.it is a round trip of 45 miles!

I did manage to get his deposit sent to him after the landlord gave him the run around. I don't know how the man had the gall to keep the deposit for two months after DS2 left. And it wasn't in a deposit protection plan either.


I don't tend to post on days when DGD is here to visit as it is like having a whirlwind enter the house. I had to make some phone calls while she was here yesterday and when I went back in the room I found all the curtains closed, all the dining chairs in a row, as they were watching a show,dollies bandaged up, DS3 standing in the corner with a blanket over his head,and DGD giving commands to Mr P , DS3 and DD:rotfl:

beanielou

Bleeping ESA is all.
Hope it is sorted very soon.

elizabethhull

poohbear59 wrote: »

I had to make some phone calls while she was here yesterday and when I went back in the room I found all the curtains closed, all the dining chairs in a row, as they were watching a show,dollies bandaged up, DS3 standing in the corner with a blanket over his head,and DGD giving commands to Mr P , DS3 and DD:rotfl:

That's hilarious !!

poohbear59

elizabethhull, I might have to delete my post as I keep rereading it it makes me laugh every time.It was such a ridiculous sight to behold.
My family already think I am crazy

Right, today I am going to come clean about our stupid, present situation.

We leave for Orlando next week. We have $200 on a Fairfx card, enough cash in the bank to pay three direct debits coming out this week, and nothing else. We have loads of food and wood pellets so we won't go cold or hungry.

I have stashed away £30 to pay for fuel to and from the airport, hopefully it will be less.

My plan may be different to the rest of the family but I hope we can buy food and fuel for a lot less than here and that we can easily survive on $200 until I get my pension on 19th. But even then it will have to be eked out for the rest of the stay.

The thing that is bothering me is that I really should not have spent the last of our money (and borrowed from DS3) on flights but it is done now. We will be having a very lean Christmas again but then we are accustomed to frugal Christmas. And we do still enjoy them.

But it all keeps coming back to me that I shouldn't have made the decision to go. It feels like DDIL has been in hospital more than she has been home with DS1. They have had a difficult start to their marriage. She came home last Friday and so far this week she has been okay. It is important to them that we are away there for Thanksgiving.

Thank goodness I found out they don't give gifts at thanksgiving. That was my next worry


I helped two elderly ladies organise to have their houses cleared this week. I feel as though I have hardly been here. And one of them sent me £5 gardening vouchers in the post today. I didn't do it for payment just to help them out but it is a lovely gift I am sure I can use for Christmas. And two houses of furniture gone to the needy

Writing this has helped as I have now remembered that I have some Mr T points vouchers, a little in N3ctar too. Things are never as bad as they seem. I am going to spend two weeks in the sun which will be amazing for Mr P's depression and hopefully help DS2 to get a bit more motivated. And I shouldn't worry as something always turns up at the last minute.


If I can sell the cottage for 4 days it would be money the cottage owes us that I put in last winter and it would make for a less frugal break. Here's hoping ;D

poohbear59

Cmas gift ideas. if I write them here I have to do them

I am making friendship angels as seen on 'mortgage free in three' as gifts for my friends for Christmas and some biscuits for the men.

DGD would like a sledge. If I can't buy one she can have one of ours. No I don't go sledging! We use them to transport shopping etc from the car the the house when we have sever weather, didn't use them last year.

DS1 and DDIL would like money towards a Disney ticket. I have a National Park ticket someone has given me on Freegle. Not the same I know but something for them to do. If I sell more on 3bay maybe they will get some cash.

I would like a weather station or an outdoor temperature thermometer for Mr P. I will keep watching for them in the sales.

DS2 needs some warm clothes. I am knitting him a hat. He may not wear it but I will give it a try. If he doesn't like it I will add it to my bag for AoS. I have knit 5 hats and have been given some scarves. They go to sailors who come into the Tyne and are not wearing suitable clothes for the North Sea.

beanielou

What is done is done.
Dont beat yourself up.
Go, relax & enjoy

please-let-me-be-lucky

Mr T have their Clubcard exchange thingy going on right now, perhaps you can double up your vouchers for more to spend in store on Christmas gifts for DGD etc? That would free up a bit more of your budget.

Homemade gifts are awesome for others though! I'm jealous of your talents.

I hope you have a wonderful time in Orlando Xx

poohbear59

plmbl It is a great idea. I was thinking I can't get to Mr T until after I come home but just realised I can do it online. Der

When I have read back it sounds trite to we whining about no cash and going to Orlando this week. So sorry to all my readers

All bills paid and $200 on a card so we can buy food when we get there. I have checked and we will have a full kitchen That is me happy again.


I can't wait until we go. DS2 and 3 go tomorrow.

The list for this week is mammoth

List on ebay
Phone airline re medical equipment
Research house insurance companies, looking to save monthly outgoings
SORN Mr P's pickup for this month.
And lots more, hoping to set up 3 bay to finish when I get home.

beanielou

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy :j :j :j