Looking to have a simpler life .......

Downshifterella

Hi everyone
Hope you are having a good weekend!
Thinking ( slightly late for New Year!) Of some sustainable resolutions!

One is regular savings into the mortgage fund, have set up a D/D for this every month!

Decluttering the house is another ...fairly sure I said this last year too tho! We have so much ( too much!) stuff and pockets of our house where things are just 'dumped'. Need to get MrElla on board as he doesn't see it as an issue in the same way but it definitely stresses me out and makes it hard to always feel I can relax and switch off ( which is what I want to be doing at home!) . Have started watching Marie Kondo on Netflix....I'm not even sure where to start things though . Any top tips?!

Meal planning ....I've just meal panned for the next 3 weeks and other than bread/milk/ fruit n veg top ups we shouldn't need to do a big shop. Planning on defrosting freezer at the end of this then shopping in order to batch cooking in Feb!

In other MSE news managed an afternoon cake out with a friend with a voucher so no spends! Out tonight but driving so will take a fiver with me but otherwise nothing else spendy planned for the weekend!

X

Karmacat

There's a kondo thread on Old Style on here, Ella, the first post should have a lot of help on there. It's often recommended to do clothes first, *types* of clothing if you prefer that - or maybe the thing thats bugging you the most? It takes a while, but its *so* helpful.

Downshifterella

Thanks Karma, I'll go check it out!
Think area that's bugging me most is a good call , or somewhere that's a quick win to feel like I've started! Have done a little blitz this afternoon then back for more later after a catch up with the girls . Hope Saturday is treating you well XX

Downshifterella

Halloooo MF-ers

Had to go on a hunt for my diary as have clearly not updated in almost a month! Oooops!

MF saving continuing to tick along, am aiming to save an amount each month then payboff mortgage as an OP once a year so have goals for this Christ.as (sub 50k) and then have a 'secret ' 'pay the whole thing off' by the following Christmas (2020!)

For the second goal I have no clear plan of earning/saving 50k in a year ! But we shall see where we end up!

In recent achievements ....
£100 earnt from bank switch
2 short break holidays booked ( okay not money saving in itself bit necessary! ) with vouchers to get a super saving on what the cost would have been!
Sold some clutter , earnings TBC but might even reach £80!

Speaking of which on the decluttering front things are moving in the right direction! Spring cleaning vibes are definitely in the air here! Lots of charity shop bags done in the last week or so and a few more bits ( reckon it'd be a days work) and then one room is totally done! ( just need to keep it that way!)

Work has been crazy busy and looking likely to stay that way for a good few months so trying to pave myself energy wise ( reminding myself I cannot do everything!) , as well as have healthy ( and fast) meals on hand for evenings and lunches!

Gonna do a bit of meal planning/prep for the week ahead then may head out for a walk as the sun is shining here where we are and its all looking rather nice outside!

Happy Sunday everyone
Ella x

Karmacat

That sounds really good, Ella! From the savings to the holidays booked with vouchers, the decluttering too. Careful of work tho - if you work yourself into the ground, you lose everything! Going for a walk and eating healthily sounds much nicer

Downshifterella

Karma
Thank you, wise words indeed! I need to think about how to balance things a bit as its a big task coming up, but not just on my shoulders so I need to remember that.
Just back from a lovely walk in the sunshine, cuppa in hand, lunch in oven and film about to be put on!

Downshifterella

And another week past in the blink of an eye!

Cheap and lovely weekend here, went for a long walk in the lovely sunshine with hubby, dinner being cooked as we speak and had afternoon cuddles with my gorgeous nephew as my sis was up for a flying visit!

Work has been super busy ... Trying to stay sane and balanced but think I might need more input from others as the projects we have on are just too big for one person ( anyone! Not just me! ) in the time we have ....

I've made a really concious decision too , to try and slow down and simplify and not just push push till MF ....not easy with work...its not really a role at the moment with much breathing space or capacity for 'slowing down' ( its not forever!) But I need to at the same time make sure the rest of my life supports this ... Lots of chilled but fun weekends and plans in the pipeline ( plus a plan to directly address the work related stress/busy-ness type stuff this coming week too!)

Hope everyone has a good Saturday
Ella x

Downshifterella

Oh and in decluttering news have sorted a few bags for the charity shop this week too!

Downshifterella

Hello!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend! Its been a veeery busy few weeks! But coming into a bit more balance/equilibrium now!

I'm definitely thinking about financial independence as well as MF as a goal as I've had a stark few reminders of some of the 'why's of us starting this journey over the past few weeks!

To this end I need to:
* do a bit of research into ISA's /maybe stocks n shares ....need to look at investments as well as just savings ...

* check pension provisions and bringing this together (im a good 20 years off even early retirement but nothing wrong with planning!! )

* smaller goal ....but I'm aiming for packed lunch every day at work this week ... Hecticness has meant a lot of frittering away and not much planning/prep ....oh and I have 2 cards with free coffee so other than that no coffee purchases .... That's the aim ...I'll report back on my success!

A run if the rain holds out then a chilled day on the cards tomorrow !

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

gallygirl

Downshifterella wrote: »

* smaller goal ....but I'm aiming for packed lunch every day at work this week ... Hecticness has meant a lot of frittering away and not much planning/prep ....oh and I have 2 cards with free coffee so other than that no coffee purchases .... That's the aim ...I'll report back on my success!

It's the smaller goals that help you complete the larger goals .