I wanna move to the country

Julie67

Morning all,

Not the best evening, found out a close family friend died last night, he grew up with me and my brothers, taken by Motor Neurone Disease at just 46. So sad. RIP Ste

Dh got the downstairs loo painted last night and today will paper the other wall. Can't wait to see it all finished.
Ww last night put 3 on over two weeks, gutted but not surprised. I'm drawing a line today. It's been difficult with my bad knee but I will not give up, back on healthy eating this week, no way am I paying for new summer clothes!
Dh off and out early this morning which is good, I'm always glad when he has plenty of work even though I miss him.
Need to pop for some fresh bits later but only planning on spending a third of the food budget this week as the cupboards and freezer are full to bursting.
My daughter rang last night, the fish we bought our DGS for his birthday have all passed on to the great fish pond in the sky so we will need to replace them this weekend. Not sure why we did everything they advised at the pet shop. Hopefully the new ones will fair better.
I've put my new curtains away until the living room is painted although I'm dying to see them up.
Spent the evening looking at locations for our house in the country. I think realistically we will have to stay around the Greater Manchester area so that dh can continue to work. But there are lots of nice places in cheshire and Lancashire so will concentrate on those places.
Anyway shall get the kettle on, hope your all having a good day x

Julie67

Good Morning,

Beautiful day here this morning.

Dh and I have been talking about money, I know that makes a change!

Anyway we have revisited our budget as a couple of things have been added on and we are better off in other areas, so I need to be clear, how much needs to go in the bills account every month.

With regards to the DMP, I want to start trying to save up and make full and final offers on the debt wherever I can. I think the Asda CC will be the first one as they are the only ones I can't manage to persuade to completely freeze the interest.

So will use our online savings account to begin this process. I read the Frugal Queens blog yesterday, wow what an Inspiration, I can really recommend it. The problem we have is we are very good with money for a few months and then as soon we start to feel comfortable the spending creeps in again as things need doing in the house. I've really got to try and stop doing this..

Today's plans include crocheting a new headband for our new baby granddaughter due in October in Australia. I've got some lovely pink wool at the ready.

Plans over the weekend, include getting the downstairs loo finished. I have to say any materials have been bought on a budget and dh has done all the work.

Anyway onwards and upwards, shall pop back later J x

turfy6

Hi Julie, hope the op went well and that everything is going ok. Sorry havent popped in before now. Take care.

Julie67

Hello all,

I've been rubbish at posting recently, real life has just taken over.
Ok here is an update.
Things are going well with our DMP. Well I mean nothing has changed really, still only paying a low payment through Stepchange but once the mortgage arrears are paid off I shall up the payments by another £100 a month.
As you may remember I was waiting for an operation on my leg which was done just over a week ago. It went well and I'm walking much better. Have to go back for a six week post op check up but fingers crossed it was successful.
This means I can get on and seriously look for a job. I've applied for two so far. One is 30hrs a week with a charity and looks perfect but is just temporary and covering maternity leave for 6 months and the other is permanent and full time.
I really fancy the first one but obviously the second one would be better financially. I will keep looking and applying this week.
June is a tough month for us as we have a birthday almost every day. Managed to get through them one way or another.
I have decided to only buy for our immediate children and grandchildren and mums and dads. I have three brothers with children and up to now have always bought birthday and Christmas presents but I've decided it's just too much. I feel awful doing this but from now on it will just be cards for them. It's only going to get tougher as our kids have more kids and to be honest I never feel they put a massive effort into buying presents so I will let them know this week so they have plenty of notice not to buy anything. Maybe they will be relieved as well. Either way it is what it is.
I'm a bit fed up with eBay at the mo. people complaining they haven't received stuff weeks after I've listed them and I have no way of knowing if they are fibbing or not. I have decided to send everything recorded delivery from now on so I have proof of postage.
It's DH birthday and Father's Day combined today so need to get off here and pay him some attention, may not have much money to spend on him just now, at least a kiss is free.:T
Have a good evening all J

debtfreeoneday

We did exactly what you want to do and now live in rural Cornwall. We LOVE it and our lives are totally different to a few years back. Don't give up and give going.. it's worth it.

Julie67

Thank you so much debtfreeoneday, posts like yours make me think its not just a pipe dream:D

turfy6

Hope all is well Julie, we did the same too. We moved to rural ireland in 2003 and love it, the peace and quiet is magic. We live about 7 miles from the nearest shop and bus stop it means more taxi-ing for the kids but wouldnt change a thing.

lizalloareds

Hi Julie, I would love to live in the country too

OrangeFairy

Hi Julie

Good luck on you dfw journey. I am a Devon girl born and bred.

I wouldn't consider living anywhere else than here or Cornwall.

I really hope you make it- ill be following you journey

OF x

Julie67

Morning all,

Long time since I posted, sorry but had loads going on, I promise to post regularly from now on:o
Thanks for thinking of me Turfy, and welcome Orangefairy and lizalloareds thanks for dropping in.

Well I better bring you lovely people up to date.
I had my six week check up on my knee which was still a bit sore but I thought I would be discharged and told to get on with it.
Wrong the consultant said I have severe osteo athritis and the joint is a mess. So much so that I will need a knee replacement in the very near future. It was a shock to say the least. Now athritis runs in my family, my mum has had both knees replaced but I didn't expect this at the grand old age of 46.
Sadly they suspect my opposite hip is athritic as well, probably caused by walking heavily on that side. But the upshot is I can't go out and get the full time job I was hoping to, which would have really helped with our finances.
Had a long talk with my wonderful husband and he has reassured me that things will be ok. I'm going to do whatever work I can find from home and really manage our budget carefully.
It hasn't changed what we both want to move to the country, but it just may take a bit longer.
I'm past feeling sorry for myself, there are people much worse off, and aiming to be as positive as possible.
Today's plans include eBay listing and parcelling
Cooking something from scratch, I'm thinking probably a chilli
I really want to dig out my crochet stuff and begin a new blanket.

Well that's all for now, will pop back this evening. Have a good day x