Cuddlymarms getting on with it diary

cuddlymarm

Hi all

Just what you all need another diary

But anyway I feel the need to put words on a page to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Some of you might remember me from the bankruptcy board a few years back. We had a small business and the recession (and a few silly decisions) caused us to lose everything. But six years on we are now completely free and moving on with our lives. During this time OH has moved jobs and we now live in the East Mids in a static caravan (not for everyone but it has double glazing, Central heating and gets quite toasty in winter)
Rent down south was just too expensive and all we were doing was to pay someone else's mortgage. This way if OHs job moves we can take our lovely little home with us. Both kids a grown and working in the north west so it's only us now.

Anyway we are now both 53 and we need to not just plan for the future but get on with it so here I am.

I am working on the look after the pennies and leave the pounds in the bank approach and will aim to report back at least once a day. Please feel free to add any comments and ideas.

We are just back off hol so I am full of enthusiasm. I will pop back later to put my plan of action on here.

See you later
Cuddles

cuddlymarm

Hi again

I've just discovered that I'm better writing a little at a time cos I just lost the page I had written.

Anyway I've done a Mr T click and collect shop which OH is picking up on his way home. I spend less this way and just add bits as I know I've run out. I have done a running menu plan in my iPad which means I can alter it if OH is away or something needs using up. Hopefully my NSDs total will be a success I'm aiming for 12 this month.

Everything is going to be stretched as far as possible. Today's meal is Quorn chilli made in the slow cooker which will also have to do at least one more meal. I've discovered over time that we tend to eat loads of veg ok but if I buy fresh fruit it goes to waste so fruit will be tinned or if I buy apples or bananas frozen if they aren't going to be eaten before going off. Frozen banana is fine in muffins or pancakes and it is coming up to apple crumble time of year

Better go
Cuddles

Caterina

Hello cuddly,

I shall read your diary with interest, am subscribing to the thread. I am also writing a diary of sorts (I have lost my OS way, help!), it really helps me to post my OS plan every day. I find it good for focus but also for accountability, if it makes sense!

I shall look forward to reading your posts!

thenanny2die4

Morning. :hello:

Sounds as though you have things under control - well done.

I wish MSE would give us a sub board for diaries on the OS board. It's something I've asked for before as they often seem to get inappropriately merged with other threads.

Anyway, I look forward to reading yours - good luck.

cuddlymarm

Hi again

I've got the slow cooker full to the brim with Quorn chilli cooking away now. It's gone really chilly here and has barely stopped raining all day so I haven't bothered putting any washing in because the tumble drier will only be used very very occasionally.
The central heating will be staying off as much as possible as well so my shawl and scarf collection will be used as a top up to keep chills at bay. Normally they sit in the wardrobe most of the time so might as well earn their keep.
I've been thinking of other ways to serve leftover chilli and so far have only come up with
Chilli and chips
On a jacket potato
Chilli enchiladas
Mixed in with cooked pasta
I'm sure there's lots more but my brain doesn't want to work this afternoon

Anyway better get on
Cuddles:)

CH27

I make a cottage pie with left over chilli.

fuddle

Hi cuddlymarm a fellow bankrupt here. I have 10 months left before it drops off my file. We moved from north to south so definitely understand what you mean by paying someone's rent.

DH and I keep bandying ideas about for trying to secure our future for retirement. We are realising that it won't be a house. We are too long in the tooth, no savings to speak of and don't earn enough to have the disposable income required for deposits. We are thinking of a retirement kind of cabin/caravan when we reach 55 ish. We shall see. I would love to read how you cope in your static by continuing to live OS.

cuddlymarm

Hi Fuddle

OHs credit file cleared in July and we were lucky enough for him to have a got a good job so in the not so far off future we hope to buy a small property back up north for retirement ( family all still up there) so as soon as we can squirrel enough away for a decent deposit that is the plan. When we were struggling I could stretch and stretch the money and we've never really got out of the habit. Bankrupt is scary and I never ever want to feel that vulnerable again but we aren't getting any younger and you don't know what life is going to throw at you so now is the time to get on with it.

Cuddles

meritaten

Cuddlymarm - totally off the wall question, but I am intrigued. you mentioned you had just come back off holiday...............Did you holiday in a hotel or B&B or Caravan? I love Caravan/Lodge holidays and would quite happily live in a modern 'van!

cuddlymarm

Hi

We went on holiday to a villa but we live in a caravan normally. A two bedroom static, it has double glazing and central heating and we are allowed to stay on the site for 48 weeks a year( the site closes completely during the down time )
We rarely drink, don't smoke and live a frugal life but our one treat is a good holiday in the sun occasionally
OHs job might move and a caravan means we can move it if we need to. It's not a house but it's our own little nest

Cuddles:)

meritaten

yep, I can imagine a villa holiday would be a real 'break'! Modern caravans are gorgeous. But I love the wooden 'Lodges' too. stayed in one (we had booked a caravan but the site 'upgraded' us as there was construction work going on and they had a spare lodge), and frankly, I could have lived in it all year round. very cosy, very comfortable, but felt quite spacious and you couldn't 'accumulate' too many unnecessary items!
I love the diary btw!