Two Pennies Left

drchimrichalds

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

Hello fellow MSEs. I am a long-time lurker on the site and have been benefitting from all the sage advice and wisdom of others who post their diaries here - for which I thank you greatly. Inevitably I realised that keeping a diary myself would be a great tool in keeping focussed and on track with my own financial plans - so here I am .

Trying to think of an appropriate title for this thread, I came across a chinese proverb:

"When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."

I thought this summed up my approach to money really well. My DH and I want to make good, sensible financial decisions so that we can live our lives well.

A little about me... I met Mr Fortunate relatively late in life (both in our 40's) and started married life pretty much from scratch. We're not rich but haven't had any real money worries and for this I am extremely grateful. We have, however, had a big change recently. I gave up full time work 18 months ago and this has meant a big adjustment for us financially. We also built a garage for which we had saved but it has effectively wiped out our savings and so I'm feeling much the poorer for that.

So, I am starting this diary to help me with the following:

• clear Mr Fortunate's credit cards (run up recently and only just confessed to :mad:)
• build our savings back up
• continue with home maintenance/improvement plans
• start to overpay on the mortgage

Not particularly SMART as goals go - but I will refine later when I've had a chance to work out the numbers. Any goal setting experts out there will have to avert their eyes for the moment :shhh:.

So Step 1: 'Start an MSE diary' completed and I'm looking forward to being part of such a supportive and inspirational community.

Fortune x

Good luck in becoming mortgage free! I have been lurking here a while, and reading all these stories is really inspiring. Might be time to start a diary!

Fortune_Smiles

shala_moo wrote: »

Hope your "medicine" is working wonders x

Very slowly Shala - will just have to keep persevering :rotfl:

drchimrichalds wrote: »

Good luck in becoming mortgage free! I have been lurking here a while, and reading all these stories is really inspiring. Might be time to start a diary!

Hi there DrC. It's a slow journey for me as I like to balance loaves and lilies. The diary helps me keep on an even keel though. Do start one - I'll subscribe


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Progress is as planned and I'm keeping the cough under control with $udaf£d and Fi$h£rman$ Fri£nds:

• kitchen clean and tidy
• leftover Bean & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings for lunch
• friend popped in to pick up house keys and get instructions for the care of the Fortunate Cat whilst we are away
• oven baked Bubble & Squeak for supper to use up some sulky sprouts I found lurking in the fridge drawer
• customer came to pick up the Jag picture. She was really happy and decided to give it to her partner straight away. He 'phoned later to say how pleased he was with it
• treated myself to a home manicure this evening using a new Christmas nail varnish. It's very, very glittery :eek:

Just the bathroom to clean tomorrow and then I'm ready!


Mr F and the boys will have to battle through tomorrow evening's traffic so I'm expecting them to arrive quite late. Can't wait for Christmas to start now


Jingle, jingle


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I'm ready!

• the house is clean and tidy
• no outstanding washing or ironing to do
• presents wrapped and under the tree
• meals planned up until we go away
• gins and vodkas decanted
• plenty of time on Sunday/Monday for packing

I've got the afternoon to relax and make myself a bit more presentable and then it's just a matter of waiting for the family to come home


Some good MS news:

• the Jag customer paid in cash yesterday so that's the weekend's spending money sorted
• I got my money back on the ticket for the Christmas event I had to cancel - £35:T
• I've been given 3 staff passes to the local event we want to take the family to tomorrow - saving me £75 :eek:
• the expenses for my Jury Service have been paid.

So in a good place preparation and money wise. I've missed out on all the celebrations in the run up to Christmas but that has at least saved me some money and given me lots of time to get things done at home.


I still have an irritating cough but it's getting a little better every day and I should be able to cope with the weekend.


So bring it on :j


Fortune x

muddywhitechicken

Have a great weekend Fortune (aka Mrs Organised!)

MWCx

Karmacat

FS, this sounds great! I hadn't realised how much of a toll the cough was taking on you, I'm glad you found something to deal with the symptoms ... and the Jag commission people sound really, really pleased with it! Have a wonderful time.

Fortune_Smiles

muddywhitechicken wrote: »

Have a great weekend Fortune (aka Mrs Organised!)

MWCx

There's got to be an upside to being confined to quarters MWC. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Karmacat wrote: »

FS, this sounds great! I hadn't realised how much of a toll the cough was taking on you, I'm glad you found something to deal with the symptoms ... and the Jag commission people sound really, really pleased with it! Have a wonderful time.

It's blimming asthma Karma. Viruses are a trigger for me so I'm often left with an asthma cough weeks after the cold has gone. Not life threatening - just tiring and frustrating. Anyhow, looks as though I'll be fine for Christmas. Hope you're giving yourself some time and attention.


Fortune x

beanielou

Enjoy

in_need_of_direction

I'm so jealous of your preparedness mrs smug!

Fortune_Smiles

A lovely weekend visit from the Fortunate offspring. We managed

• a day out
• lunch out
• a few souvenirs
• a visit to friends
• a buffet lunch at home
• 2 Christmas movies
• and a festive Sunday lunch

I judged the food requirements really well so there are just a few leftovers which will do us for tomorrow and some additions to the freezer.


All presents were well received. Although, a really thoughtful and inspired present for us will have to be returned - we'd just bought it for ourselves a few weeks ago A replacement is planned for January so we will have something to look forward to.


I've had a little panic with the Fortunate Cat who has had a tummy upset. All seems fine now though (she says touching wood firmly).


My cough was a bit of a pain whilst we were out yesterday but does now seem to be on its very last legs. I'm hoping it will be completely gone by tomorrow when we travel.


Everything still within budget :T


Right, I'd better read up on our holiday itinerary so I know what to pack tomorrow.


I may not post again now until after Christmas so...


I hope you have a wonderful time and that you made it to Santa's 'Nice' List.


Merry Christmas!


Fortune x