Life begins again at 45

*Robin*

:xmastree: Merry Christmas Bubbles :xmastree:

Rxx

beanielou

Have a lovely Christmas lovely Bubbles xx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Merry Christmas BM Xx

Bubblesmum

Morning all

Happy New Year, to all those who follow. May I wish you wealth ( be it in joy rather than dosh) and a healthy New Year.

I have Aled Jones in my ears, sitting in a bay window looking out to sea, its pouring, so it could be a NSD :T. Depends later whether it stops and we go out for a pint.

What has happened since my last post.... I organised 30 guests and 50 volunteers on Christmas Day, everyone tells me it was a great success. I can honestly say, I found it very stressful and was glad when it was over and went to bed.

My Dad was with us for 48hrs - I survived! We love each other, however now days I find his constant finding fault, and could do better very exhausting and demoralising. At some times on Christmas Day, I saw him sitting on his own and I became really sad, as I couldn't stop to talk and he looked so sad.

Even when eating my Christmas Dinner of Ham, Egg and Chips, he was telling me his niggles of the day and what I could do differently.

Boxing Day was better ... we did go to football, I actually enjoyed it! Then we went back for Boxing Day supper to there's. I also met SIL sister and family who were lovely.

We then had a day clearing up, getting rid of perishables and packing. our cat sitter arrived and we went out to supper. Our cleaner had given us a voucher which I had hoped to use, but I got confused - wrong restaurant. :mad:. However, our friend is free no house sitter or cattery costs so I can't grumble.

its lovely being back here in Southwold, I really feel ike UI am back to my roots, I so wish it was possible to come here more often, the only thing missing is my babies... who I am missing.

Apparently though they have taken up permanent residence in the guest bedroom, including at night :rotfl::rotfl:

We are on a very tight budget, and have not eaten out except yesterday, when we had a pint, sandwich and chips on the pier. Usually I potter in and out the shops getting clothes bargains and other bits and pieces. I have avoided this so far.

All i have bought is Pj's and a sweatshirt for indoors with Christmas money :T

Plus a man bag for OH for his birthday. I persuaded him to start using one a couple of years ago, having only one arm/hand, he use to put everything in one pocket, and a) looked horrendous ! b) wore out the pockets. c) handkerchief, wallet and phone yuk!!!!

MIL is coming to visit tomorrow :eek: with her two school friends and we have booked to eat in the lovely Adnams pub, "our holiday treat".

On todays menu

The rest of the seafood platter we bought yesterday from the fish sheds.

slow cooked chicken and root vg I bought from home!

We do have Adnams gin and some wine, if we don't get out to the pub!

Next on my list is to look at the bank :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

beanielou

Wishing you 2017 as a year of health happiness & solvency xxx

Sun_Addict

Mr SA started using a man bag a couple of years ago. He wouldn't be without it now. Keeps all his stuff together.

Bubblesmum

Dear friends.

I have been hiding under the duvet for most of January - well not literally but in my head.

I had hoped to say that the sun is shining and spring is on the way, sadly it is dismal here and raining. However I do have a bunch of daffodils to gaze up which is lovely, and a candle with daffodil essence to burn, so hope is in the air.

We are on a thrift mission having had a bit of a spendy Christmas and 50th birthday (OH).

I listened to an interesting interview on a Woman's hour podcast today about a financial journalist who didn't buy anything for a year and lived on about £15 aweek.

I am not sure I admired her or not,

It started when she bought a new house, doing it up, and put everything in storage. She became anxious when she went to the storage, so got rid of 80% of what she owned. Then Buy nothing day - The November Black Friday "bet I could do that for a year". Would she become less concerned with status, more positive and happy.

They had a researcher possibly psychologist talking about the impact on our Wellbeing of 21 century consumer culture, the need for expensive possessions for status that leads to a better life and therefore be happy. More we have a Materialistic value orientation the increase to a link to lower personal wellbeing, subjective wellbeing, negative self, low self esteem, anxiety & depression. Orientation towards buying and materialistic things need for status, depression - self medication.

The journalist stated she gained an Appreciation for things she had not been doing, living in London she had free cultural things on door step, rather than going to the pub and eating out. Default spending money. Push personal boundaries instead. so she gave buying things altogether and lived on £15 a week.

Part 2 follows, Gaston is creeping nearer....

Bubblesmum

This interview made me think a lot....

I think I have mentioned before I have a faith, and I am finding living with chronic illness very difficult. I feel I am being tested. I am not sure what plans "He" has for me.

Before Christmas I read a great book on prayer, and fasting. Now it would not be wise for me to fast, on a dietary way ( well know thats not quite true, but not in the way of missing meals, sweets, wine, cake, yes!)

However, I can fast with respect to my spending habits, if I am determined to contribute to reducing my debt, then I can fast in my spending habits, this was to start on 1 January, well as I said January was spent in bed... and actually looking at my spending, I was doing alright, but could do better.

I am also back on my MSE challenge as i cal it go getting rid of 365 at least this year again.

The woman's hour piece on thriftyness that I listened to yesterday has
come at the right time and given me pause for thought, and creating my ground rules that I share with you today.

Firstly as the researcher , there are positive reasons to own things.
Highly treasured things, personal possessions are a record of your history, tell you who you are and who you have been over time , who you are connected with. symbols of your personal relationship, form of self expression. When you make a transitions - nursing home, treasured personal possessions, happier and live longer.

This has been my maxim in the last few years, as I look at my possessions:

1. Do I currently use it - i.e. lots of baking tins - OH both bake, it is a very meaningful hobby.

2. Does it define me, is it one of my treasured possessions. This has been interesting since my Dad keeps handing me over things from home, like a suitcase full of baby clothes and bedding ! ( I am 47 an only child.

I have kept the suitcase - it has been used as a prop on stage, and currently holds material for creative projects

I photographed the contest and gave the majority of things away, apart from one or two small items added to treasure box of memories, everything else can still evoke memories as I have the photographs.

3. If I downsized to the seaside would i want to take it with me!

4. Do I wear it!

Need to give my typing shoulder a break... back after lunch

Bubblesmum

In finally considering what my personal spending rules are going to be this year.

I go back to the financial journalist, firstly she talked about the small things and personal impact of not buying - Moisturiser, make up, perfume and flowers. The impact on Wellbeing.

1. I am still using all my stock of beauty products, I am nearly through moisturiser body and face - I now don't impulse buy and i have changed brands so I do not buy a luxury brand. I do use perfume and I have been known to buy my own, I think I have enough - just!

2. Flowers - OH buys these for me, and not expensive ones i.e. a bunch of daffs.

I do feel putting a hold on all treats will make like very miserable, I want to be very mindful of any that I may allow myself. This year this resolves sometimes there is a need to be out in the world and not be isolated at home.

4. I do though not want to buy, magazines, books, stationery, craft items then not used! Ornaments etc

5. Clothes - I will need a new bra and some summer trousers, but I do have some very lovely clothes to wear and wear...

6. Eating out - celebration or meeting with friends where no alternative only

7. Coffees - budget X per month for when the four walls are closing in.

I suspect i will add to these rules but its good to start.

As a couple I was very uncomfortable with the journalists final comments.

A massive round of drinks for my mates, and a ticket to Ireland to see my grandad.
Firstly, I am very uncomfortable when thriftiness goes to a stage, where friends step in and pay for things, i.e. come out and socialise - I will buy the drinks.
Having lost loved ones at an early age, I think it is important to budget to see those close to you. You never know when they might not be there

Bubblesmum

1. First brunch meeting of the year ( twice a term) £15

2. One ball of white yarn, to complete a charity blanket of scraps. £1