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

Bubblesmum

Those vegan pancakes are making my mouth water...  and good there on the menu, I always cheered when seeing this on a menu - being dairy intolerant I can eat Vegan ! 

That’s my aim for next year, having those saving pots to pay off things as they arise.... rather than monthly off the credit card. Must be such a Great feeling. 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well done on the weight loss and the de-cluttering SSG, they both make you lighter and feel good . 

beanielou

Good news on the weight loss & deluttering 

milann

Hope you’re ok and enjoying the sunshine ☀️ 

Seasidegal58

Thank you all for your posts lovely peeps!😀

I'm in the gorgeous Highlands this week social bubbling with DD and her OH.  I was so pleased to fly out on Friday - it was well over 30 degrees at Gatwick and so much more cooler and comfortable when I arrived here.  Still it was only half full at the airport and the flight was ok due to the social distancing even though masks had to be worn. 

Actually the weather here from Saturday has been glorious, although rain is expected tomorrow. DD and  I visited the famous local gardens which were beautiful - I've only ever been there before in winter. We also had a walk on the local beach - again only a few families there - rather different than my own local beach which was absolutely mobbed again at the weekend apparently. It's been so nice to get away from work and actually have a break from where I live. I am happy there but I feel I've been cooped up for so long.   The other Friday two lads were stabbed next to my local station - gang related apparently and all concerned were not locals. All evening there was a police helicopter low flying up and down - I couldn't even hear the TV!  It's been so nice to get a break from this madness. 

Spends have been birthday present for little nephew, birthday/anniversary cards, car to the airport - among other bits - all budgeted for. 

Hope everyone is ok - off to catch up on diaries
x😀

Sun_Addict

Glad you're enjoying your bubble break 😎

beanielou

Enjoy your break 

milann

Your Highland break sounds beautiful  - lovely places to visit, cooler but still nice weather, no crowds but best of all good company 👍👍 Enjoy 👍👍

Seasidegal58

A lot cooler today - plus some good old Highlands rain!🌧 

DD and OH are working today and I'm going to deep clean their fridge later and potter about and read!  Have downloaded Alison Weir's latest novel in her wives of Henry VIII series (£12.99).  This year's book is about Catherine Howard- poor little thing. ☹️

I applied for an updated illustration of my final salary pension which was emailed to me today. It's looking good. I asked for it to be worked out with a tax free cash lump sum to be taken into consideration. The result is still a tidy sum but less than the full cash amount I could have taken tax free. It actually hasn't made a great deal of difference to the pension I would get if I didn't take any cash at all so I'm very pleased with that!😀

I'm mulling over retirement plans at the moment. Original plans on retirement:

-  stay for a year in my current home as it would be nice to have some time in the area without having to work. 

- then sell up and move to DD's home town and buy slightly bigger place using some of my pension cash. 

- then sell up and move to Highlands near DD once they have retired (which they were originally aiming to do in next 6 to 8 years).  

However lockdown has made them reappraise their plans. DD is now looking to spend more time up here working from home with a view to finishIng at her current firm after two years. OH can work based up here easily and has some plans for some local work as well.  Accordingly they would be based permanently up here in two years and would either sell the main home or rent it out. 

If that works then it's not feasible for me to move to their current city as they won't be there that much, plus I'm not sure yet whether I'm ready to move to Highlands. 

Nothing is written in stone yet but it might make more sense to sell my current flat on retirement and buy a bigger one - as I'd be retired and my time is my own I could always fly up to the Highlands as and when. 

Food for thought all round. 🤔

milann

Certainly food for thought there SSG. I’m pleased that there won’t be much difference in the pension and things are looking good for the future. It would be nice to spent some time in your hometown and explore the areas around without the confines of work. The Highlands are something to look forward to.