The Big Adventure

Goldiegirl

14 - Savings. We are unlikely to save much money for the next couple of years.I feel slightly worried about this, but I need to get used to the idea.I’ll carry on with theVirtual Sealed Pot and my Little Xtra Fund for any extra money that comes my way from various initiatives.
DONE – carried on with my Virtual Sealed Pot, and put money in my ‘Little Xtra Fund’ from eBay sales, cashbacks, etc

15 - Make the most of the savings we hold, by monitoring interest rates.We are allowed to use our savings for holidays and large purchases if we want to!
DONE – and ongoing. We’ve now got several high interest current accounts and some monthly savers.I’ve got a couple more accounts I’ll open in the next month or so. Also looking at S&S ISAs. To our great surprise, we also found that we could save a bit of money each month from our pensions.... hadn’t expected that!We spent some money from savings on the car and holidays – but we want to fulfil our long held travel dreams

16 - Do surveys up to next payout point, then consider whether I want to carry on – it’s a lot of work for little reward
DONE – but I now only do You Gov, I got fed up with being screened out with the others

17 - Carry on eBaying – both my things and items I sell on behalf of my friend
DONE – but have now scaled back, as it sometimes felt like too much work. I only do it if I’m in the mood now!

18 - Carry on de-cluttering. I’d like to increase my focus on this area, with old clothes that are no longer suitable, the garage, loft and shed all in the firing line.I’d like to aim for 500 things or batches of things to be de-cluttered in 2015.
DONE – I’d de-cluttered everything I wanted by June – grand total for the year was just over 370 items

Goldiegirl

19 - When garage de-cluttered, consider buying a new freezer, as our current freezer is far too small.Also consider putting up shelving for better storage for bulk items like toilet rolls to clear space in the house
DONE – as mentioned previously we got a new freezer that is just the right size. Also the garage and cupboard under the stairs has neat shelving storage

20 - Use stash of toiletries, tins and laundry products
DONE - as planned, it kept expenditure down in this area

21 - Fitness.Continue with low sodium diet (this one is essential).Also get walking regularly and drink more water.Both are good for me.
DONE – but could still improve. I’ve kept to the low sodium diet, and it keeps me well.I’ve enjoyed finding recipes and ways to do favourites in a low salt way.Also, I’ve been able to have a few treats, such as eating a bit of cheese, and I’ve found sausages which are low enough in salt to make them acceptable for my diet.We do manage to walk several times a week, but we often do the easiest possible walk available to us.Drinking water – I keep forgetting!

22 - Have days out. Ensure we get better use out of our National Trust and English Heritage memberships.Take lunch with us when appropriate.
DONE – We had several days out – but we could have gone out a bit more often. But in the earlier part of the year we seemed busy sorting ourselves out, and the weather wasn’t always kind for going out this summer. But we did take packed lunches as often as possible

23 - Energy consumption.I’ve accepted this will probably increase over 2014, as we will be home more.However, I’d like to aim to keep gas consumption under the 2013 high figure of 1869 units
DONE – Gas units used for year 1445. Slightly less than last year, and a lot lower than the historic high from 2013.It’s been mild this year, so that has helped.

24 - Learn about matched betting, and start placing bets when I’m confident (this one could take some time, and may not happen at all!)
NOT DONE – I felt too busy in the first part of the year to learn about this, and after that, I felt that the urge to matched bet had passed!

25 - Set up a household manual, a central reference point for all utilities, accounts, and where things are kept.I’ve been saying I’ll do this for the last 5 years, so I’m not confident about this one!
NOT DONE – I knew it was unlikely!

26 - Remember to check weekly MSE email.
NOT DONE – I unsubscribed during my email decluttering. There never used to be much in the email for me anyway

Goldiegirl

Summary
I'm pleased with what I achieved - but I won't be doing a detailed plan like this ever again - when I re-read it, it was like something I used to do while I was at work! It's just not appropriate for a person living a leisured life.


Next year's shorter plan to follow in due course - also mulling over a few lifestyle things - will report when I've got things straight in my head

edinburgher

Even if you won't be repeating it, your detailed list was probably a great way to keep you grounded during your first year of retirement. All too often I read about people who chunter along without purpose after they stop working, you've managed to sidestep that rather neatly

Karmacat

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Goldiegirl wrote: »

5 - Consider joining C0stC0 for the re-stock shopping.[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
[/FONT]NOT DONE – Distance to travel to nearest store, petrol and Dartford Crossings tolls made us feel this wasn’t worthwhile. [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]

[/FONT]
Erm, yes it was you considered it, and decided not to do it
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
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12 - Grow our own – increase the amount of home grown vegetables/fruit[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
[/FONT]DONE – although not a massive increase, and the courgettes were an epic fail this year [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]

I've heard a lot of people say that about courgettes this year, they're usually so reliable.

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26 - Remember to check weekly MSE email.[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
[/FONT]NOT DONE – I unsubscribed during my email decluttering. There never used to be much in the email for me anyway[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]

And it first appears in the right hand column on the main site anyway - you can always check it from there if you feel like it.

edinburgher wrote: »

Even if you won't be repeating it, your detailed list was probably a great way to keep you grounded during your first year of retirement. All too often I read about people who chunter along without purpose after they stop working, you've managed to sidestep that rather neatly

I agree - that first year must be a transitional thing, and you've managed the transition brilliantly :T [/FONT][/FONT]

elantan

Have to admit I've enjoyed reading your review as well, would agree with Ed ... it may not be suitable for next year but looks like it has been a good distraction for this year

greent

I agree with all the above - I think that a long/ detailed plan was just what was needed for Y1 of retirement!
x

gallygirl

That was really interesting GG and great to see how much you achieved :T.

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Yes, I am very impressed too. We aimed to live on £1500 each month and failed miserably, but I included everything. Now I will follow your lead and keep larger capital expenses and holidays out of the basic budget.

Lexi-lu

Hello Goldiegirl,

I enjoyed reading through your 2015 list and so glad you achieved no.1, clearly the most important

Enjoy 2016 and I hope that all goes well for you.

LL