I am financially comfortable. Inflation is biting me hard. What next?

margaretclare

We're still saving, but we also spend on the things we need/want/fancy. Doing the Dukan Diet does mean spending a little bit more on food because proteins are more expensive than carbs, but then, it's partly balanced by the foods we don't buy, will never buy again. Losing weight means giving away clothes to the local hospice charity shop - they've done well from me this year alone! I have fewer clothes but I wear them more. When I get to the size I'll stay at, then I'll buy a few more, but not many, just enough to wear. I've discovered that my waist has disappeared. Not because of fat, that's going, but because there's no longer a gap between the bottom of my rib-cage and the top of my pelvic girdle. It's because of drying-out of the pads between the vertebrae which happens with ageing. I'll never again look smart with a blouse that tucks in. I still like my favourite designer though, David Nieper of Derbyshire. I read an newspaper account of the Princess Royal's visit to their premises recently. They're celebrating 50 years and have successfully bucked the trend of small firms closing and relocating to the Far East, they've done it by selling direct to the customer. Where all their competitors are 'fighting for the lower end of the market' as they say, their market is well-to-do middle-aged women. Well, I don't fit into either category, but I do love quality. The woman who first introduced me to them was a woman I looked after for a while, an MS sufferer. She said her body was so ugly but she did like the beautiful nightwear. I know how she felt. And they do last.

I've recently become interested in 'heritage' apple and pear varieties, and yesterday we went to the farm of Ken Muir Ltd near Clacton. Beautiful English apples, some of the varieties I remember from my childhood. So, when I get the trees sorted out in this garden, and then some help from a gardener, we're going to plant an apple tree and a dwarf pear that I bought yesterday. It was a nice day out for us. We stopped at a Little Chef for lunch and I had a cheese omelette. No chips, no jacket potatoes. I haven't eaten a potato in any shape or form for 3 months.

I had a severe warning recently when we went to a Diabetes Open Day. Because of my age, height and weight I'm at risk of developing Type II diabetes. I watch DH coping with his - he's had it since 1981 - and it's something I can do without. So, seriously, the weight has gotta be dealt with. I also discovered that I've lost 2 inches in height, which puts my BMI up higher than I thought it was!

As far as heating is concerned, we're in credit with our E.on account. We had the roof insulation done a couple of years ago and it really does work. Also not leaving things like the TV on standby.

[Deleted User]

7DW john lewis, 2 year guarantee. Hard to find anywhere else bar dyson direct

[Deleted User]

I second david neiper for excellent customer service and beautiful good quality. I have 2 of their nighties and love them

That dukan diet sounds interesting MC, I will google it. I could do with re-thinking the way I eat as my weight stays put, in spite of eating lots of fresh veg and very little meat.

balmaiden

Thanks for all good wishes. I am fine, I am fortunate it was found early and my prognosis is good. I hope all others in a similar situation are as fortunate.

Kittie my very best and lifelong friend has just lost 2 stn on the Dukan diet and she really rates it. She was never hungry which is a major bonus on any diet. Now this is a lady who has tried every diet going, infact I would go has far as saying she has been on a diet most of her adult life, but, this is the only one that is working for her. It certainly seems to make sense to me.

Savvy_Sue

kittie wrote: »

I bought a dyson hot(very very expensive) as I had been looking at the dyson fan last summer and thought `what a good design`. The hot also works as a fan but is the most efficient and speedy form of electric heater that I have ever used. 15 minutes and the big L shaped lounge/kitchen gets to temperature as does the snug because I just leave the snug door open. It works so well because of the excellent insulation of course but is working out very much cheaper than the wood fuel and electricity involved in running the stove. I bought another one so the bathroom can be pre heated in just 2 minutes and I`ll be buying a third to complete a whole house system. The cooling fan aspect was also remarkable

So worth £270? You've caught me at a weak moment: DH wants to supplement the central heating, and I hate conventional fan heaters: smelly, noisy etc. Never felt oil filled radiators did anything much. Don't fancy haolgen. Never had a ceramic heater, are they better?

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

We saw a Dyson Hot at Grand Designs Live and were very impressed with it. Excellent piece of electric heating.

Let us know if you buy one. best price I've found is here, but don't know if they're a reliable online source of things.

[Deleted User]

most of the cost is in the research and yes they are fantastic. I am expecting my third one to arrive today from JL and that will be my whole house covered with an alternative form of ch. They are very small so easy to store, lightweight and very safe and accurate. One downstairs is set at 20 and that one is enough for a large L shaped kitchen, dining and living area plus I leave the snug door open and that gets warm too. All in 15 minutes. One on the landing will warm two bedrooms, study and bathroom as well as all the landing area and stairs, I just keep the doors open. That is set at 18. I am going to tuck the third away next to a chest of drawers in our bedroom and will bring it out if we get the consistent cold of the last couple of years. That will heat the bedroom and ensuite to whatever I want

It worked beautifully as a cooling fan too this autumn so I can envisage all 3 being on in very hot weather, all using the electricity supplied by the pv system. I have placed a monitor on the one on the landing to work out the cost, although it hasn`t turned itself on yet as the house is retaining the warmth. I am experimenting on these heaters v the pellet stove which also needs electricity. I shall move the monitor to the stove supply when It does finally get turned on. I think I am forward planning tbh, working out how to make heating the house easier for when we get old and taking safety into consideration. No burning, no overheating, no localised heat etc

*Chattie*

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

So worth £270? You've caught me at a weak moment: DH wants to supplement the central heating, and I hate conventional fan heaters: smelly, noisy etc. Never felt oil filled radiators did anything much. Don't fancy haolgen. Never had a ceramic heater, are they better?

Let us know if you buy one. best price I've found is here, but don't know if they're a reliable online source of things.

Not worth £270 you are paying for the dyson name and pretty design at the end of the day its a convector heater which can be bought for £30/50. You pay the same amount for the electricity you use to run any heater no matter what it looks like.

[Deleted User]

my money, my choice . That is what is good about savings, I get to choose

Savvy_Sue

*Chattie* wrote: »

Not worth £270 you are paying for the dyson name and pretty design at the end of the day its a convector heater which can be bought for £30/50. You pay the same amount for the electricity you use to run any heater no matter what it looks like.

But it's not a convector heater (which I've never found very effective), it's a fan heater which doesn't smell and which does actually turn off once it gets to the pre-set temperature. At least that's my understanding.

And also AIUI there's nothing else quite like it - unless someone can point me to a fan heater which doesn't get dusty, and therefore doesn't smell!

I know people either love or hate Dysons. Personally I love their vacuum cleaners, haven't had problems with them breaking etc.

[Deleted User]

missile wrote: »

I am very sorry to hear that. I do know the survival rates are very much better than they once were, particularly when diagnosed early.
I wish you well.

I too was diagnosed early which I was told was lucky.I had no lumps ,bumps or anything unusual but it showed up on a mammogram in 2007 I had a mastecomy followed by chemo and r/therapy and have just been told that I have passed my third year of remission:jI have to take my Arimidex daily for another two years but fingers crossed all will be well.I feel so lucky even with my secondary lyphodema in my right arm caused by a fall two years ago that apart from one arm being bigger than the other and not a lot of strength in it I am o.k.
I also have osteo-arthritis but have had that since I was 28 (many many years ago) so have got used to the aches and pains in the joints.The fact I am alive and get up everyday to me is wonderful.

Lots of ladies I was in hospital with didn't make it and I feel very lucky that I have been spared (hopefully) to see my 7 smashing grandchildren grow up.

My eldest DGS is 21 on Monday and I am so pleased as he was worried sick when I was poorly.His 'other Granny' had gone through breast cancer 18 months before me and survived, and he was heartbroken that both of his Grans had been poorly.But we are still here and the survival rates are now 87% the earlier you are diagnosed So good luck to all who are going through it.
My late OH always said I was a tough little cookie and just wouldn't give in to anything and he was right:rotfl:I know I'm the wrong side of 65 :(and I'll never dance the night away like I used to,;) but to be alive and kicking is still to me the greatest thing in the world.
God Bless and good luck
JackieO xxx