The Marching Minimalist

Cherryfudge

angelpye wrote: »

Really hoping I get into running - I have heard its great for the soul if you can just break through the tough times, plus around here there is loads of group activities so could be good for free and healthy socialising as some friends get involved already. I am definitely Angel-I-Am-Not-A-Runner-Pye in my head at the moment so we will see

My advice would be: don't overdo it (you get more for less, IYSWIM, very minimalist! ), do a proper warm up and cool down and if you can't do it for a while just pick up again with one of the early days which are easier.

There is a thread on the Sports board here but I'm not sure how active it is.

Are you ebaying the stuff you clear out? I noticed some people here have a 'To Do' list of items to ebay in their posts. I'm time poor and perfectionist so I don't think it's for me but I think ebay is like a pound shop - people spend more there because it's a 'bargain' so it's a great way to tidy up and clear out if you have the time.

angelpye

Yes, I intend to sell the big stuff on facebay like decent toys DD has grown out of and some household stuff that has held its value but is just cluttering up the spare room. Not sure about clothes...maybe ebay the nice outfits DD has grown out of. I will freebay as well though as giving away either to charity or just randoms not only helps landfill but also may help out people who need it.

I have recently downloaded an app for C25K which works with spotify but need to buy an arm band or something for phone to go in. No danger of me overdoing it as motivation quite low, aiming to run tomorrow. Do you run in the gym or roadside CF?

Cherryfudge

angelpye wrote: »

I have recently downloaded an app for C25K which works with spotify but need to buy an arm band or something for phone to go in. No danger of me overdoing it as motivation quite low, aiming to run tomorrow. Do you run in the gym or roadside CF?

It's good to hear about keeping stuff out of landfill and passing on to others who can make use of it - I feel the same . Children's clothes always used to go well: I don't expect that's changed. I remember getting a lovely note from someone who'd bought an outfit my daughter had outgrown, saying how much her daughter liked it. Things like that kind of stick with you.

I have an app for C25K as well but I prefer to run without music - that might change as I get to longer runs and maybe try to build up my pace. I run on the roadside: where I live I can be out into the country in a few minutes which is such a good feeling this time of year. I'd like to build up to allowing myself a gym membership again. I had one years ago but my working pattern meant I wasn't able to go much and it was expensive (not much choice here). I did like using a lot of different machines though. Maybe I'm the only one, from comments I've heard from others!

EssexHebridean

If there's room you might find the phone will tuck into your sports bra while you start out and see how you get on? Won't work once you start on longer runs but might do for the time being.

Another her who doesn't think there's anything wrong with your splurge either - it was an occasion you wanted to mark, DD had done something to earn a treat, it wasn't just a habitual thing, and the treat you chose was something that actually, you needed to do anyway! I'd be inclined to call that a win!

Mobile - have a look at Plusnet's site - they currently have a 5gb/2000minute/unlimited text 12 month contract going for £12 if that helps? (And they run off EE - hence I was able to use their deals to haggle EE down with!) No tethering charges with PlusNet either according to their site.

Cherryfudge I'm another one trying to build fitness to justify a gym membership again - good luck with it!

angelpye

Ha! I am justifying my gym membership by building up my fitness! The use it or loose it challenge is at least pushing me to do something as I am quite attached to that membership even though I didn't use it for ages - if it gets me moving then all good. Now if I could stream Netflix there then I would be much more motivated!

CF - I had something similar when I sold some baby outfits on ebay as I had included matching shoes I had come across whilst packing up an outfit. The woman was so grateful. I also gave away my changing table to a young mum to be and she was overjoyed. A little kindness can go a long way.

Thank you EH for you kind words on the splurge - car does look good!

On the mobile front, I called Three today and it turns out I can upgrade early on the 3rd of April (told me this after he tried to hook me into today with an early upgrade fee of £31.17 but won't hold it against him). Because my house is tucked away in a little mews and I have 10 inch thick stone walls I am nervous about signal. I get a good signal with three now, after some works were done. Friends can struggle to get a signal when they visit.

The issue is the rolling SIM only deals on Three are ridiculous from £20 a month but the £12 a month is a contract of 12 months and if I need to upgrade to a handset deal I will have to pay. I am going to call BT as I have LL and BB with them and their current £12 deal is for 6GB and has a £60 amazon gift card...deal ends in 14 days though and is again a 12 month contract.

The handset I have I have only been using for 10 months as I didn't switch over when i upgraded as old phone was working and I couldn't be bothered with the fuss...until elder DD needed my old phone. Gosh, I hate decisions! When I am this low even the most simple thing is a big deal. I am also not very good at dealing with switching over suppliers for this sort of thing as if it goes wrong I may not have the energy to sort it for ages. Hence shiny new phone in box for over a year! Pathetic I know and really goes against the independent woman in me - the black dog can sometimes chase her away.

Right, so action plan: Call BT to ask for details. call Three for early end of contract amount, check out Plusnets offers. I can do this!

angelpye

Arrrghhh! I missed the window to review my BT contract as I missed the email about price hikes! So annoyed with myself! Its going up by £2.50 in July! I knew it was coming but thought it was April from something I read in Post Office - email came in January and I think I just disregarded it as another one of their endless marketing emails. I have complained, as they send me loads of TV offers through post yet not a price hike letter, but not likely to change anything, contract until June 2018. Currently £36.99 and will go up to £39.49...I had been hoping to get out of contract and shop around.

Want to go sulk under the duvet but resisting that urge. Just.

The plus side is that if I took their SIM only deal and my phone broke I could switch to a handset deal without charges. Need to drink tea and then call three.

Treadingonplaymobil

How annoying!

angelpye

Still sulking!

Will get my head around it and crack on with mobile tomorrow.

EssexHebridean

If looking towards PlusNet on the mobile thing double check if you get the ability to use EE's "Wifi calling" with their deals as well - it solves the issues of dodgy phone signals indoors, nothing works well in our place off a straight signal as our block was built in the 1950's - early days of pre-cast reinforced concrete building methods. I can just get 4G sometimes at one side of the flat but am lucky to get "E" at the other! The wifi calling thing works brilliantly though and solves the problem completely.

Might also be worth contacting BT about them "autorenewing" your contract. I know we successfully argued some years ago that they were not entitled to do so....no idea if the rules are still the same but *may* be worth a mini-battle?

angelpye

Thanks EH, really appreciate all the info, I have made a decision which is a minor miracle given where my head is at. I have exhausted my poor little brain!

I can get out of my contract for free on the 3rd of April - funny how they don't tell you that unless you directly ask. Twice now they have encouraged me to pay to either upgrade (£31.17) or leave early (£7.80) when in a few days I can do either for free. I have to give 30 days notice.

BT's offer at £12 a month for 6GB, unlimited calls and texts with ability to tether and its 4G plus I get free access to BT wi-fi hotspots. Would have to buy a bolt on for using abroad but unlikely I will go more than once in 12 months, if at all. Debt needs clearing before I can really start travelling regularly. If I order in the next 7 days I get a £70 Amazon voucher but this would cause an overlap of a few weeks. The £12 deal ends in 13 days which again if I order will cause an overlap.

Hmmm... thought I had made a decision. Now can't decide if the overlap is worth it for the £70 voucher. The voucher could be useful for the xmas presents pot.