Two Pennies Left

Cel

Hi Fortune Smiles :wave:


Just started reading your diary, a bit to catch up on yet


Admire the good balance you have between MS and enjoying the now (also think I'm more likely to get OH on side via this route ) will cont reading for more inspiration


Cel xx

Karmacat

I saw you just now

Hello!

Fortune_Smiles

Cel wrote: »

Hi Fortune Smiles :wave:


Just started reading your diary, a bit to catch up on yet


Admire the good balance you have between MS and enjoying the now (also think I'm more likely to get OH on side via this route ) will cont reading for more inspiration


Cel xx

Hello Cel :wave:


thanks for popping in. My loaves and lilies approach does make things slower going but less painful and that suits us.


Good luck with getting OH on side!

Karmacat wrote: »

I saw you just now

Hello!

I was a lurking Karma :rotfl:


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Had a lovely surprise from my veg box company, A&C, yesterday. They are giving me a free box for recommending a third friend to them. That's £27! :rotfl:I love them


Thought I'd do a quick financial round up now we're over half way through the year:

• Mortgage - 72% paid
• Emergency Savings - 100% of target
• Holiday Savings - holiday paid for in full, just clothes and spending money to find
• Wedding Savings - 42% of target

Money Making:

• my new job is working out well. I'm taking on as many dates as I can at the moment because it is seasonal work and will drop off significantly in the winter
• we are continuing to battle with the PPI claim although a win doesn't look likely now
• Mr F is bringing home a little extra at the moment as he gets a commission payment for each day he does client related work
• I'm only doing UGov for surveys now but am getting close to pay out
• I have three art commissions pending but no photographs to work from yet

Money Saving:

• the regular monthly OP to the mortgage continues
• Tillytidies are being channelled into savings
• all spending is within budget and I'm using vouchers were possible
• meals are being cooked from scratch and I'm making sure the freezer is stocked for those days when I need something in a hurry
• I'm sourcing clothes from The Bay where I can
• don't know whether I should say this but I've starting planning for Christmas I've decided to make hampers this year (in an MWC stylee) filled with home made goodies.

Home Maintenance/Improvement:

• some small improvements have been made this year - mainly replacing items that have broken or worn out
• I've decided the kitchen is next for a makeover. My ideal would be to knock the dining room and kitchen into one big open plan room and have a sparkly new kitchen. However, that's a huge spend which we can't afford at the moment. So, I will satisfy myself with replacing some of the cupboard doors which are peeling, buying some bright new blinds and giving everything a lick of paint.

Health:

• that little back injury and my new job have kept me away from the gym so I need to remedy that
• the job does require walking though and I've also been walking to and from work when I can
• my diet is 80% healthy and 20% treats at the moment which is what I try to aim for
• however, I've not lost any weight
• in summary "Could try harder"

Lilies:

• I'm enjoy the WI meetings and the new Book Club and they're both low cost events so that's a bonus
• I get 35% off my bill at any of the pubs owned by the company I work for which makes a huge difference. The pubs are lovely too
• there's one costly lily coming up involving afternoon tea in a posh London hotel but I'm budgeting for that one
• recognising the small, free lilies in my daily life helps me to see how fortunate I am without the need to spend money.

Overall, it's not looking too shabby. Really surprising how these little efforts add up over time.


Time to start getting ready for work now. I have some training this afternoon out in the fields - thank goodness it's cooler today.


Happy Thursday everyone


Fortune x

sassychick2014

Hi Fortune

It's great to see how you're getting along. I still love your Lillies approach, especially recognising the small lillies. I try to do this too such as: I don't have a heap of washing to fold. I'm fortunate I can have so many towels for so few people! lol However, that doesn't mean I've started folding them yet haha

Have a great day hon xx

muddywhitechicken

:wave: Fortune

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

I've decided to make hampers this year (in an MWC stylee) filled with home made goodies.

Have you decided on the goodies yet? I think I'll make some of the old favourites but try some new recipes too - just not sure what those will be yet!

MWCx

Fortune_Smiles

sassychick2014 wrote: »

Hi Fortune

It's great to see how you're getting along. I still love your Lillies approach, especially recognising the small lillies. I try to do this too such as: I don't have a heap of washing to fold. I'm fortunate I can have so many towels for so few people! lol However, that doesn't mean I've started folding them yet haha

Have a great day hon xx

Hi there Sassychick :wave: I don't think I could do the loaves without the lilies and I'm fortunate in that I can stretch to a bit of both.


Way back in the olden days when I worked as a Trainer, I ran courses on positive thinking. One of the theories is that, when you focus on something, it's like putting a magnifying glass over it. It becomes bigger, bolder and more important - eventually becoming all encompassing. Sometimes that's helpful but what if it's something negative - I don't want to be all encompassed by life's negatives :eek: :eek: :eek: I find that consciously recognising the good things in my life helps me keep perspective.


It's never all bad is it - even if you do have hundreds of towels to fold :rotfl:Have you done any of this Kondo stuff? I've done a bit but it seems to be becoming very popular on the forum.


Take care


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

muddywhitechicken wrote: »

:wave: Fortune



Have you decided on the goodies yet? I think I'll make some of the old favourites but try some new recipes too - just not sure what those will be yet!

MWCx

I've been having a thunk. I'd like to spread the work out over the next five months though so will have to plan timescales according to what's in season and what will keep. I'm going to start with some Sloe or Bullace Gin as I have them in the freezer and they need to steep for a while. Christmas Pudding Vodka next. Then maybe some herb oils as my garden herbs are all doing well. I suspect there'll be plum and apple overload later in the season so a chutney plus a plum sauce/jam then. I also thought a Curd and some Peppermint Creams but might have to do them last minute as I don't know how long they'll keep.


Suggestions would be very welcome oh wise and sage hamper expert I'll keep an eye out on your diary for inspiration.


I'd like to use those traditional picnic baskets with the handle and hinged lid so keep you eyes open for any bargains forumites.


Fortune x

sassychick2014

Your hamper ideas sound lovely, wish I was your family/friend! xx

Fortune_Smiles

It has been a little cooler today and I've had a very pleasant afternoon strolling through England's green and pleasant land...

Money Making:

• not sure on this one as I don't know if I get paid for today. I don't mind if not as I had a wonderful couple of hours strolling through the grounds with the Estate Manager learning all sorts of interesting things. I can use the things I've learned to make my tours more interesting so I'll gain in the long run.

Money Saving:

• I did some on-line shopping this morning to stock up on pharmacy items and replace some cosmetics I'd run out of. I saved about £24 due to offers and qualified for several free samples including one full size
• the Estate Manager said I could have some apples when they are ready
• Leek, Cheese & Bacon Tart and salad for lunch with salad leaves and spring onions from the garden. I love this recipe because it's so quick and you can change the topping to use up what you have sulking in the fridge
• Haddock & Spinach Cheese Melt for supper with new potatoes. Another quick and easy recipe with not much washing up (we like those).

Home Maintenance/Improvement:

• Mr F has replaced the leaking kitchen tap with our Ik£a bargain (£50 and a 10 year guarantee)
• he has also started a little project to build in one of our garden butler sinks under the outside tap
• I've booked an appointment with Hi1arys for the kitchen blinds. Has anyone used them before? They seem to have such mixed reviews on the interweb.

Health:

• a brisk 2 hour walk
• 1 snack but a packet of crisps and there's a small glass of red left in a bottle in the kitchen that is calling my name

Lilies:

• the chance to walk through beautiful countryside on an English Summer's day
• learning lots of interesting things
• eating fresh, organic produce from the garden and my veg box
• clean running water on tap.

Friday tomorrow and I have 2 tours booked so it's going to be a busy day.


Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine


Fortune x