Living on next to nought - is that the key?

Pippilongstocking

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Oh my goodness, whoa! hang on, hang on. Oh, I wasn't fishing for such lovely compliments, I wasn't, I wasn't.

:A sometimes its hard to accept compliments, I think you should. You work hard, you reference beautifully and you inspire.

Simples.

I wish I was more like you.

*so I'm afraid its compliment central*

:A

I am just confused as to where I can fit in.

Here, I think.

And it is helping DP and I to live within our means - even though those means are...... modest It has always been important to me to live within my means.

Its an important issue - this board is fantastic for advice and the plod of hammering debts etc and is fabulous for those like me who need (ed) a real focus and a woo hoo when the reduced shopping filled the cupboards and another 2p could be chucked at me debts, however, like the wise Sophiesmum use to say (she wasn't/isn't (?) in debt) its the small things we do each day which help us to change our habits to stay within our means. Thats so important too

She, like you, is a superstar, modest and quiet with an invisible cape but one nevertheless.

Watch out or you'll get a name and a cape like Superdave!

Are you infact the 'Green Goddess'?

:rotfl:

DP and I won't be any richer in retirement, so we are genuinely living now how we must come 65/66/68/73/85/97.......... [oops, goal-posts moved again, sorry 'bout that... ] We need to be living in a much more sustainable abode as we approach/get to retirement age.

We all, IMOH need to learn to live more sustainably. You're everyday battles with YS and dodgy advocado's (and lentils) help provide an interesting and thought provoking path of achieving this. Do you really think folks want to read about my dodgy veg growing and battles with bullying chickens, probably not but documenting it helps me to focus on the bigger picture and not squander my credit limit on posh netting and ridiculus chicken toys for the gals. Its about the daily way we can enjoy and live, I for one love your diary.

So my dilemma is, I am chronicling our........ *small* ? *modest* ? *solvent* ? life. Is DFD the right place to do it?

YES YES YES

Perhaps I should be on MFW? With a *living now as we need to do when we retire* diary?

I hope not but if you're happier over there crack on (in a nice way I know that's where KC felt she belonged) but I hope you'll stay. I'll just stalk you there. I think here is good, but that's just my opinion.

I'm no longer in credit card debt, if I'm totally honest whilst (and you predicted right) my focus has changed, I don't feel like I can't be here. I guess many folks might think -'oy you've [pips] no debt whatcha doing here' but if they do, they're not shouting it loud enough and with my fingers in my ears, I wouldn't hear them.



Here is where I managed to learn these deep and meaningful debt busting MSE skills, AND, here I'll stay, if folks will have me.

(not here, here, I don't need a packed lunch or anything - here in DFW world - its a nice place, my favourite place in MSE)

I don't know.

Its your call but I think you inspire a plenty, we all speaka da same lingo and get excited by YS delights. Stay a while.

I love this board, and the folk on it, but I don't want to upset anyone, who expect to read diaries that outline folks missions to get out of debt.

Greying

I've put a KC type intervention in this post.

I hope you don't mind.

:A

In the voice of Mrs Doyle.

Stay a while, go an, go an, go an, go an. You know you (we) want you to.

:A

You're bound to wonder, that's very human, I do wonder too, but your contribution is fantastic to the boards, your writing a delight and I'd miss you.

Even though I've never met you in real life. You've so touched my life and I know others feel the same.

Anyway - enough of my sooking. What plans for the weekend on wise one.

I'm moving the greenhouse covered in bug bites (that's me not the greenhouse).

A sheer act of courage on my part as I look like I have chicken pox.

wishus

Thanks for the cantata GP. And please stay!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Oh. My. Golly. Gosh.



Um.

I've had a late start this am. Partly induced by the fact that I am around and about the homestead today, so the alarm could sort of be ignored. Unfortunately, I woke up earlier, and dozed, DP got up, and then at the 'last minute' I fell back asleep. Only to wake with a start because of a particularly stupid dream, vaguely connected to something that is going on in RL - but- the scenario wouldn't happen.... soo I'm all behind now, as well as being peed orf wif meself, that I'm werriting about summat and nowt! :rotfl: And I have a list of Pippi-esque proportions to wade through today

Oh my goodness. What you have all written. How much time you have given me. Gosh. I am overwhelmed. I honestly can't describe it any other way.

maddiemay

rtandon

117pauline

Goldiegirl

Beanielou

Tilly

little_sweetie

Busymumofthreeplusdog

supersaver

mothernerd

mrsinvisible

Pippi

THANK YOU. I have read every word that you have written (blushing madly for the most part).

mothernerd - what a life! I knew that you had a lot to contend with, as you have alluded to it before, but you are doing tremendously well considering what you are contending with. You are definitely one of Eleanor Roosevelt's 'Teabag' ladies

I am going to read through the comments again, as you have all been so jolly kind to leave them, I'm flabbergasted. But I think I have to admit, that Busymumofthreeplusdog has scared me into not daring stopping writing something, and the DFD board is the place for now

If I at anytime write something insensitive, or not DFD/DFW appropriate will you - my cheerleaders - let me know? I mean, I hope that I wouldn't, but just in case?

Our lives are going to change over the next couple of years (well, who's doesn't? ) and whilst the 'thrift' will be a constant, I may have to become a reluctant landlord an even more reluctant tenant (although that could work out well) and we may even have to venture into the fun minefield that 'mortgages for older folk' is becoming

If you want to hear all about that, with lashings of lentils thrown in, then please stay tuned Dear Reader :rotfl: [Greying most definitely pulling own leg there! ]

Friday 1st August 2014

Right, well, I've loads of 'admin' to do today. So I'd best jolly well get on with it

Dinner this evening will either be pasta based or curry based. To a certain extent, it is going to depend on the weather.

I will be spending money today, but I intend to set my NSD's to 15 again for August. I'm pretty sure that I am better setting a target that should be achievable, makes me spend mindfully and even exceed, rather than going for an impossibly high target that I fail to achieve. I also think, if I bought all my shopping in one supermarket, it would be easier to get NSD's. Seeking out YS'd bargains, or getting bits from all over the place is not conducive to amassing loads of NSd's, but I am finding it is kinder on my purse

Right, I'm orf.

Thank you again for the time you have spent writing ^ I am really, really blown away but such generosity of support. THANK YOU.

Up and at 'em.

Or maybe a coffee first...... :rotfl:

See y'all later.

Greying

PS - I've just noticed that 117pauline has made 117 posts......:D

little_sweetie

Good morning, GP and chums :wave:

Do you see how much your friends love you, GP? How eloquent is Pips (insert here a face showing enormous admiration)....

I can now get on with my day safe in the knowledge that you will still be here for a while yet

Coffee calling!

see you later! x

AliBee16

I must confess to not dropping in every day, and being a bit shy of posting on any board, but I personally believe that you do belong here Mrs Greying, as inspiration to anyone floundering with debt, or struggling to deal with a low income. My income plummeted when I separated from my husband from £150,000 to £10,000 and, I must admit, it was a bit scary at times. I'm not too proud to tell you I did feel a tad sorry for myself at times, but your positive attitude and matter of fact 'this is where we are, let's make Buddha Bowl and be grateful' commonsense is exactly what I needed to read.
I think it is inspirational attitude and practical advice for people struggling with debt and frugal living. Please dont go :A

wishus

Yes, you really are inspirational, GP!

I didn't consider myself a DFW until recently. But there it is... a debt being repaid as we toil. Light-bulb moment:idea: - I will be in a DFW mindset for the next 15 years, although hopefully I will also get into a MFW overlap.

The other day, my little sis (who is adorable and stylish, but a live-for-today kind of gal) asked me how come we were "struggling". That knocked me back... are we? Maybe it looks like we are from the outside, but no we are managing beautifully. But there are some rocks in the water... I married a man with a very understanding ex (she's lovely, and a dear friend), who has waited patiently for his credit rating to be good enough to buy her out of the house. That comes around this year, so that's the next thing... Then we must begin house repair. The house has had the same roof and windows for 100 years, there are holes, and rot, and mouldy bits. The back wall needs re-pointing. The cellar was badly re-fitted by the previous occupant and needs damp-proofing again. I think the idea is to pay for this with the house equity and then attack the mortgage... but OH's job is precarious due to a recent business issue, conflated by his timekeeping, and that's a worry. My dreams of downsizing my life and just doing my second job for my income are not disappearing... just receding a bit.

Just chatted to my accountant re tax too. Oh how I hate this non-PAYE stuff. I think I'll be panicking about that forever :rotfl:

So, yes - all the advice and inspiration is definitely needed by me!

Greying_Pilgrim

AliBee16 wrote: »

...... and matter of fact 'this is where we are, let's make Buddha Bowl and be grateful'

Alibee - Thank You for contributing. Gosh, what a dramatic change in your life. I'm assuming, all in all, for the better though? I do like what you wrote ^ :D I feel like Delia - in a crimson robe....... :rotfl:

wishus - thank you for your post too. Our houses are of a similar vintage We, thankfully, haven't had to 'restore' major bodges - for the most part, the bodges have been minor. We have however, got lumbered with bringing the house into the 21st century - no one else bothered with improvements, so we've the biggest bills. And I know what you mean about cutting corners, we've seen that with the efforts of an amateur 'property developer' nearby. The next owner will be landed with such expenses a few years down the line....

You have a lot on your plate - so thank you for taking the time to join in with the thread.

Gosh, still overawed by all of your kindnesses.......

Greying

AliBee16

'Delia in a crimson robe' is exactly how I picture you
And, yes, my life has changed very much for the better. Money is very definitely not everything (although it does oil the wheels)

starnac

Just catching up on this thread

:eek: Greying don't go. Apart from the fact that I love your posts, they are inspiring and helpful. I know I don't post very often but I pop over here quite often looking for something frugal but healthy for tea. You inspire me when I am feeling poor and sorry for myself. Your constant positivity drags me out of my self pity and gives me the kick up the back side I need whether you realise or not.

For any *proper* DFW's (whatever that may be) who may be facing difficulty and looking for meal ideas or just a bit of sunshine, then they won't look over in the MFW board. They will look right here. And they will find this lovely diary and the lovely you.

Please don't go x

Busymumofthreeplusdog

Phew!! Can stop planning the 'else'.............