Paid off the £31,000! BUT - still scrimping!

milann

SSG the appeal isn’t mine but I think it’s the WASPI (or one of the other campaigns) on the 20 something of July re women’s pensions. I’ve had several notifications about it but didn’t pay that much attention as I’m not expecting much from it tbh.
The bamboo bedding sounds intriguing- I’m sure that’s something my dd would like and I’ll bear it in mind for a present.
I've only ever dyed my hair once - a good few years ago - I didn’t like the texture or smell and never done it since. I’m more salt than pepper these  days....my hair used to be a very dark brown. I’m waiting for my fringe to grow a bit more since my drastic home haircut so that I can get the hairdresser to sort it. The back needs cutting now but the fringe and top doesn’t need a lot doing. I’ll book an appointment for whenever my hairdresser can fit me in once I break up next week.

Sun_Addict

My hair is just a mop that’s the only way to describe it. My fringe is 😱 I’ve got to wait another 10 days for a cut. The good news is I can get my eyebrows done after 1 August, they’ve faded away to nothing and need tinting desperately.

Seasidegal58

Hi milann - sorry I thought the appeal was to do with the long drawn out inheritance debacle!

Yes I love the bedding. It's silky but so soft. It's very plain but I quite like that. Looking forward to trying out the duvet and pillows!

SA - I'm envious - I wish I had a mop!☹️  My eyebrows are disappearing too - I've lost at least a third at the ends. The thicker part of the brow now seems to be growing quite weirdly upwards In places so I have been trimming them back and pencilling in.  I was seriously thinking of having them microbladed so I don't have to think about them but it's just another upkeep as I'm going into retirement....☹️

milann

SSG the inheritance fiasco is still ongoing. The financial advising company is now trying to charge ridiculous fees - the solicitor is  contesting them.......I’m not convinced this is the way to go - will we just end up paying the money saved in solicitor bills ?????🤔🤔🤔🤔 but it’s not just down to me........

Seasidegal58

It all sounds absolutely frustrating milann.☹️  I'm sorry if I've asked this question before but is the Financial Ombudsman involved?

milann

No  SSG the ombudsman isn’t involved - my hands are tied, a relative of dh is the executor - he isn’t at the front of the queue when it comes to communication....it’s very frustrating and since it’s my dh family not mine....I’m reluctant to barge in feet first...

Seasidegal58

That is very annoying milann - is your DH rather loth to rock the boat?

PART FOUR - CLOTHES 
I bought three pairs of leggings from Evans when WFH started. They were in the sale and only £7 each if I remember. However they've not lasted very well and have begun to go baggy. Which is annoying as I've nearly always bought my leggings here in the past and found the quality to be good. So I've bought another three pairs of rather more robust pairs from Marisota - these are the Shaper type which isn't a bad thing for me at the moment!  They've washed very well too. They were a bit dearer at £20 each but I got 20% off and free delivery.  Sometimes you get what you pay for. 

Yesterday I finally got round to buying new trainers for walking as my existing pair is beginning to split. I've had really good wear out of them though and they are very, very comfortable for my peculiar feet. They were rather expensive at £140 (Brookmans) but again I budgeted for them and I don't mind paying for something that will last and are good for my feet. They're quite stylish too - red, black and white. I probably could have got them a little cheaper online but wanted to patronise our local little running shop which is open again now. Good to see them operating again - only two allowed in at one time and I had to queue for a bit which shows that they are getting back in business .👍

It was so hot yesterday!🥵.  I did the housework and then went out to our little high street. It felt like back to normal.  Quite a few of the restaurants and cafes were doing good business, though not so many tables as usual because of social distancing.  I'm pleased as I would think 90% of our high street is made up of independent businesses.   Sorry to see a couple of shops have not opened again and don't look like they will - a nice deli in particular. ☹️

 I bought my trainers, plus a new plastic container for my tools, light bulbs etc (as the old one was splitting) and some baking soda. The box was £4.99 and the soda was £1 both from The Factory Shop.   I also bought some flaxseed and B12 spray from the local health food shop plus some vegan milk chocolate to try but wasn't keen on it when I tried it, plus it was expensive.   And a lottery ticket!

When I got home I was whacked out by the heat. So I made myself a nice long cold drink of fizzy water, put the fan on and settled down to watch 'The Thomas Crown Affair' - the 60s version with Steve McQueen. Reminded me of when me and my friends went to see it at the cinema as young teenagers.   I love it - it's so bright, plus Faye Dunaway's besutiful 60s wardrobe!  Though I loved the later version as well with Piers Brosnan and Rene Russo. 🥰. Rene's clothes were gorgeous too - Michael Kors if I remember right. 

In the evening I cooked a stir fry with noodles to use up my veg, then caught up with a couple of things I had recorded including the new series of 'Our Yorkshire Farm' which I love.

 

Today I've got my Ocado delivery (they emailed a couple of weeks ago with slots). I might meet up with a friend later after she finishes work this afternoon, but will see how she feels as she's been quite tired after coming out of self-isolation and hasn't quite got her mojo back. 

milann

I watched some of The Thomas Crown Affair too. I don’t think I’ve watched either version before. We were laughing at the split tv screen and how it was the first show to do that and how it was groundbreaking in its time. I was watching it to shay out of the rain though and not because it was too hot........

Seasidegal58

You're right about the split screen!  It was groundbreaking at the time. Felt very modern. 

Ocado delivery has arrived and been put away. My friend isn't feeling too well - I can tell she's worried about her ankle - so I'm going to change the bed clothes and do some ironing. 

PART FOUR - OTHER SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 
I've received back rebates for all cancelled events due to Covid. As well as the 'Joseph' tickets, EasyJet refunded our flight costs for our trip to Scotland which would have been back in May. And DSis transferred back my deposit for our forthcoming Orient Express trip to Goodwood races which has now been cancelled. 

But I've just rebooked EasyJet flights as I'm flying up to Inverness next month to spend a week with DD and OH. They went up to the Scottish abode literally just before lockdown for a holiday, then lockdown hit and DD was told to WFH, plus OH can work anywhere with his laptop. So they've been up there ever since - and have loved it. Their place is quite isolated but they have had socially distanced meetings over friends and neighbours' garden fences!  I didn't really fancy flying at the moment but it's only an hour on the plane and everyone will be masked up - plus I really don't fancy nearly 10 hours on a train!😱. I've contacted the guy who usually drives me to and from the airports and he is going to take me and pick me up when I return so no extra public transport journeys to get to Gatwick!  I can't wait to see them. I haven't seen DD since we came back from the cruise at the end of Feb. 

DD was a bit worried about her cat as OH's son is looking after her while they've been away. But he went and got her to show us at a family zoom meeting Recently and she looked as chubby as ever. He said she's taken to sitting on his chest in the morning while he's still in bed to remind him it's food time! 😽. Mind you I doubt if he's done much cleaning - I said to DD you'll have to call in the Molly Maids when you get back!😱

Other money news - I've moved the rest of my savings from my 123 account to the NS&I bond account. The interest on the Santander account drops to 0.85% next month and it's no use keeping it there. I'm still looking to move my current account as I'm paying £5 per month for it, which was worth it when I first opened it. The First Direct account that I want is still closed to new customers due to Covid.
 

I also moved some extra into the workplace pension. 

That's all the money news I can think of at the moment!🤔

maggiem

We have a 123 account and were looking to change as the interest rate is so poor. I rang up recently and was told I can change on line to 123 lite which is only £1 and gives cash back. I have just changed mine, applied on line and said I was transferring an account - it says it can take 2 days but so far it has been easy! Might be worth doing until you can change to the account you want.