OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

Need2bthrifty

Afternoon All

I cba going into town today so pottered about doing chores then nipped out to L!dl to get some veg and picked up some reduced mince - huge pot of chilli hottering away now as I type, that should be good for at least 8 portions :cool:

I got a lovely calendar through the post today, historic pictures of New Zealand from late 1800's and early 1900's. Beautiful old buildings, dirt streets with horse n carts; a hatters and hosiers shop, women in their long skirts and big hats, men all dressed in suits and bowler hats, big steam ships in Auckland harbour, I absolutely love it- I'll have to be careful hanging it up as I want to keep some of the photo's to hang as pictures later.

Been making some candles as well this afternoon and have the lovely smell of ripe cherries floating through the house - at least it disguises the smell of my cooking

LavenderBees wrote: »

I fell asleep in front of the fire last night, and missed my dinner (as well as "Last tango...")

LB xx

In Paris?? :eek:......you minx... or Halifax (darn it missed it - thank goodness for iplayer)

LavenderBees wrote: »

i'm still in my pjs too...but I did go to sort the chooks first thing - simply put my wellies and long coat over the top..I did that yesterday, too, and realised when I got to the garden centre that I was still in my PJs but with a sweatshirt over the top and my coat and boots on top :rotfl:

Not sure I should have confessed that ... :eek:

But PJs are so comfy, and no one seemed to notice, honest.. :rotfl:

LB xx

You certainly are not the only one, but I've decided (on my report card) must do better, so I'm aiming to go from "frugal frump to fab in 2015" - well that's the intention, I can but try :rotfl: :rotfl:

Horace

Afternoon all

Had a rude awakening at 5am with some nincompoop ringing my doorbell, it got me out of bed and downstairs to check:mad: Got up properly at 9am.

Went to the jobcentre to show them my payslips but was told I needn't have bothered because I can show them at my sign on days. Caught the bus to the village and nipped into the bank to pay off a bill and then wandered down to the library to return 4 books. Borrowed 4 more books and wandered home via the C00p where I picked up some bargainous chicken thighs for £1.87 and some bread rolls, had to go past FF so nipped in there and came out with some Foxes Bisquits - Jam & Cream, Party Rings, a loaf of bread (their bread is made by Hovis) and a large jar of my favourite coffee for £3.95 which is cheaper than I pay for a refill bag, I also treated myself to a pack of Raspberry Ruffles. Coffee has been put away in my store cupboard.

Wondered at my lack of commonsense too because by the time my bag was filled with 4 large books and various bits of shopping it was rather heavy, so walking home took longer as I had to keep stopping and changing arms.

Spent most of the afternoon on the sofa snoozing.

LavenderBees

Need2bthrifty wrote: »

You certainly are not the only one, but I've decided (on my report card) must do better, so I'm aiming to go from "frugal frump to fab in 2015" - well that's the intention, I can but try :rotfl: :rotfl:

ooh now there's a good way to put it - Frugal Fab in Fifteen - that almost sounds achievable. That'll be on my list of goals. It takes effort though....but anything that makes you feel a bit better, has got to be good

LB xx

LavenderBees

Ok, so I have now managed to write down my goals for 2015, and as you'd expect, they come under the general headings of Finance, Frump Fat to Frugal Fab (:rotfl:), Hobbies, Social, Time Off Work, Work.

Under each of these general titles, I have ideas, thoughts, question marks even on how to achieve what I want or need to.

I could actually save a lot of time and just amalgamate it all under one title of Positive Mental Attitude :rotfl:

I used to be quite a bit stricter with myself when I was saving to pay off my mortgage, so I know I can do it. But I've slackened off over 2014....BUT NO MORE!

So, I'm going to join the grocery challenge, the weight loss one, and possibly a few others to help keep me motivated. There used to be (possibly still is) a frugal fab challenge (can't remember what it was called so need to have a search on various forums. I don't think it was OS), and I need a savings challenge like the mortgage free wannabe challenge..hmmm...

Although my chilli thingy is rubbish, really, I thoroughly enjoyed pottering and making it, and I definitely feel that creative things have taken a huge backseat over the last couple of years, probably a lot longer if I'm more honest with myself, so there will be more focus on frugal crafts this year.

This is the year that I am going to aim to put some effort into me. As much effort as I am able to - my physical, emotional and mental health, not to mention my wealth depends on me looking after myself better. I keep forgetting I am 50 towards the back end of 2015, so it seems apt to get my bum in gear, and make it a good year to remember, building on the good stuff from 2014 (and burying the...emm...not so good stuff!).

So, folks, what are your promises to yourselves going to be? Can you share them to help us motivate each other?

I hesitate to call them new year's resolutions, but from last year's little dig around, there seems to be good research showing that this is indeed the best psychological time of year to look back on achievements, and make plans for moving forwards.

Phew! I need a drink after all that...while I still allow myself alcohol... :eek:

LB xx

Bigjenny

LB Frugal Frump to Fab 2015 here on Health and Beauty Board https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5140215

Winter_Phoenix

Oooh, thanks for the prompt, guys: "Last Tango on iPlayer" it is!

LavenderBees, perhaps a thin coat of petroleum jelly would soothe nose, lips and hands?

Byatt, so sad about the fig tree - hope it will recover in Spring.

MI2S2M, love your post about Herd Followers. I'm sure you're right that HFing must offer an easier life, but oh, what a dreadfully dull one! I don't think I'd swap.

Wonderful_Girl, welcome. Sorry that you're suffering the double-whammy of bereavement and loss of lifestyle, home etc. That's a tough one.

As for New Year Resolutions, hmm. This last year I decided to do one project every month. Some of them succeeded, some of them didn't. The ones which didn't succeed, mostly failed because they involved other people; so there's definitely a lesson for me there in choosing projects! The most successful project was in April, when I decided to tackle all those little, tiny things that never seem to get done - the button missing from the duvet cover, the cluttered drawer, the broken handle, the long-overdue phone call, the measurements which needed taking. Whatever I decide to do this coming year, I definitely need another "Some Time" month when I do all those things which I've said I'll get round to doing "some time!" :rotfl:

And to all of you who had a difficult year in 2014 and yet who managed to cope so well with all the challenges and setbacks, :T. May your 2015 be a whole lot easier and less stressful.

mum2one

I have been thinking a lot about what do i want in 2015....


ME-
Money - want to make some inroads in the debts - not going to be any major developments, but I want to try and get rid of catalogue debt x 2, and clear 2 smaller debts on dmp.

Also want to have a emergency fund - £300 by end of year.

Weight - thats a major concern, it has been for a long time, I know with my mediciation and mobility - not going to be an easy job, the only exercise i can do is swimming - that presents problems getting in and out of pools....

Life - To an extent i need to be selfish and put me first,


Organised - I go through either being super organised or so disorganised feels like a mess - most important lesson I need is to delegate

House - Theres a lot needs doing big obs like decorating (have to wait a while), but tidying up, de-gutting can be done...

crafts - I need to keep active - plan to make sure always a project on go, - whether its knitting or trying some sewing

make money - ebay / car boot etc - let it go..

Hope for health for my dad, he is a pain at the rear at times - he's not going to change now, but fingers crossed were still on the home straight

touch base - may sound mad, but although I tend to stay in touch with most people via text / email - need to swop that for a call or a visit...

I need to sometimes take a step back, and breath....

Hopefully get somewhere along the way xx

health and happiness for all xxxxx

moneyistooshorttomention

New Year thoughts for me are rather revolving around re-running my first year in Wales over again in some ways. I gather research shows that it takes just over a year on average to adapt/feel at home in a new place, so I should be feeling "at home" by now.

In the event, with the combination of having been heavily involved in work on this new-to-me-house (because it was in such a state) and problems with Madam Next Door it's detracted heavily from settling-in. Well, the house is under control, if not Madam ND. I hope Madam has now had all the "little battles" she intends to have with me now and that's the end of her troublemaking (I'm rather anticipating a Part 2 to her latest "little battle" with me at the moment, so mentally put up the barricades in case she does). Hopefully, that will be the end of that and she will just "shut up and stop bothering me" after that. Fingers crossed....as its been me doing work on my house that has, in the main, caused her to "have a go", so maybe now so much of it is done she will stop her rants.

So - between those two factors being more settled (fingers crossed) I will basically re-run Year 1. I've done some exploring in the area, but must do more. I try to set myself little targets sometimes when I go out for a walk of exploring new little "highways and byways" to me, in order to get to know all the little ways to different places. I must must must get my figure back again, as I've been meaning to do that for about the last 3/4 years I seem to recall and I really need some new clothes now, but am not prepared to buy ones for my current size (only my proper size).

Have made some friends here, but need to get some more and should have the time/energy available to get out there and do so. There are circles of people, I guess, wherever you live and I would say there are 5 circles here basically - Welsh hillfarmers, Welsh locals, Welsh from more "cosmopolitan" areas, more conventionally-minded English incomers and hippy-ish English incomers. Well...that's me destined basically for circle 5 (hippyish), with some overlap with circles 3 and 4 (ie the two cosmopolitan ones) then by and large obviously:rotfl:by the look of it. Though a nearby local I'm friendly with promptly grabbed me in a very enthusiastic bearhug on being told how I had dealt with latest hassles from Madam ND and I have the feeling I might have acquired one of the "adopted relatives" I've been prone to getting throughout my life (think she'd better be an adopted aunt figure then:rotfl:). I've got adopted mum and sister figures already. Could do with an adopted brother:cool: - preferably handy with DIY:rotfl:.

Money-wise = thank goodness the rest of my pension will turn up this coming year. Whew! I'm sure my savings must have taken a heck of a beating subsidising my "work pension only" level income I'm currently on - though its virtually impossible to tell (what with all the house spending). I think I shall celebrate for a whole week solid when I'm back to normal income level again at last:beer:.

Anyway - Happy New Year to everyone and may all our troubles be little ones and our joys be big ones.

dizzybuff

New year better me. I intend it to be my year and am going to break a frugal rule and get a personal trainer. Just a few months to kick start me. I'm fed up of being alone. So time for me time.better me happier me. Slimmer me

Need2bthrifty

Afternoon All,

Busy, busy day in the NTBT mansion; I'm in my "get the place clean and tidy before NY" mode. In between the washing, cleaning, ironing and putting away I am also tackling the turkey mountain that I stashed in the freezer -
turkey soup - done
turkey & leek pie filling - done
turkey curry - in progress
So along with the chilli I cooked and froze yesterday my freezer is bulging - "Fiscal Fast" here I come :T, I did this last year and really surprised myself how long I managed without spending any money. Although I think it is possibly easier for a single person to manage this; I cant imagine anyone else putting up with some of the food combinations/concoctions that I put on a plate :rotfl:

LB, dont be so hard on yourself re your garland, I would say it's more important to get enjoyment from the making of it rather than having a perfect end product :T

Your money goal for this year could be something for your special birthday - I treated myself to a holiday in NZ, even flew Business class :eek: indulgant or what. Or if you want something to show for it you only need about £4000 for a Vespa :cool:

Winter Phonenix your post resonated with me. Several of my aims weren't acheived this year because they were reliant on other peoples involvement but my lack of motivation and funds also played a big part, but heyho I will keep plugging away.

I do okay with organising the bigger tasks and getting them done but fall short on the finishing touches - ask me to decorate a room and yes I will clean, prep, decorate but then we come to the finishing touches I always seem to give it the "I'll do it tomorrow" treatment, but in my world tomorrow never seems to come. To give an example - in 2013 I had my bathroom totally renovated, I decorated it, had a mirror that fitted with the theme, got my desired colour of material, made and hung a roman blind. But here we are at the end of 2014 and the blind cord still needs a decorative toggle to be attached, a hook to be put up on the back of the door and I havent found picture frames I like for the prints I want to put up .

So for 2015 Im going to "sweat the small stuff" concentrate more on the little things and get projects I've started completely finished. I even started last night; after receiving news from NZ, where my cousin had also spent Christmas on her own so I made that long overdue phone call. I only took half an hour of my time and the pleasure it brought both of us far outweighs the cost of the call - priorities!!