Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

badmemory said:

Have you read that the online sale of jigsaws has doubled since this started?  Also there are some online puzzles which are good for keeping the mind active.  It is too easy to slump into the way of just watching TV if you aren't careful.  There are patience games on the computer that you can play free.  The problem is going to be that people are doing a lot of gardening & the like but that just tires the body & not the mind.

Thanks Bad Memory . I used to like doing jigsaws as a child. You're right that many activities tire the body and not the mind. My body seems to get tired easily (but then I am the wrong side of fifty 😭) so I need something to tire my mind or I'll miss the mental stimualation of teaching children.

redofromstart

If you are genuinely free of anything approaching skill like me then hooked wool stuff is good. Soothing making a rug for the last ten years or so, although I know I will never finish it.

HairyHandofDartmoor

redofromstart said:

If you are genuinely free of anything approaching skill like me then hooked wool stuff is good. Soothing making a rug for the last ten years or so, although I know I will never finish it.

Thanks Redo . I'm definitely devoid of any crafty skills. Maybe a hooked wool cushion cover would work for me .

redofromstart

I have a shameful lack of any craft ability, but I find the hook latch thing soothing even if my progress is very very slow.  When we sell up and move to the mountains I may actually finish it.  Both boys have done some rows to help so I will always treasure it.
Blankets are good if you can crochet.  i can't! Despite being taught by my Grandma, I have lost all ability since.

HairyHandofDartmoor

redofromstart said:

I have a shameful lack of any craft ability, but I find the hook latch thing soothing even if my progress is very very slow.  When we sell up and move to the mountains I may actually finish it.  Both boys have done some rows to help so I will always treasure it.
Blankets are good if you can crochet.  i can't! Despite being taught by my Grandma, I have lost all ability since.

I used to be able to crochet as a child but I've forgotten how to do it now. I liked the fact that if you dropped a stitch you noticed straight away rather than finding holes later on.  I'm definitely a bit useless at this sort of thing. 

Which mountains would you like to retire to?

Sun_Addict

When I was off with my broken leg I enjoyed reading books and Free Cell, Bubble Pop and Solitaire on my iPad. I’ve also seen people I’ve never seen before walking down my road and using the park across from me. Where have they all come from 😱

redofromstart

Wales somewhere I think.  He would love to be in walking distance of any mountain, and I just want to be away from the tediously flat east midlands.  We came here for work and are just waiting for the boys to finish schooling to move. 12 or 24 months to go!
There are lots of youtube videos on crochet but I still couldn't get my head round what I need to do.  

redofromstart

its a source of some amusement here @Sun_Addict, where did all these dogs suddenly appear from?

[Deleted User]

Lots of lovely pastime ideas posted already.  Just wanted to second Milann's comment that scrapbooking can be addictive.  It can also be expensive!  The Americans seem to be very big on it and  I know from an American friend that she spends a small fortune on various embellishments, embossing materials, stencils and templates, patterned  and textured papers, coloured mounts and all sorts of weird and wonderful bits and bobs.  A bit like card making really, it can end up being a very pricey hobby. No reason why you can't do a pared down version though.

DH is a big jigsaw fan.  He can't just sit watching TV but likes it on in the background while he does a jigsaw.  If anything interesting sounds like it's happening in the programme he looks up and watches for a bit. Just the opposite of me , I can't seem to multi-task where TV or radio are concerned. He's always got a jigsaw on the go and he was really chuffed when he  found a brilliant board for it in a charity shop last year.  It isn't one of those roll-up ones, it's more like a base with compartments all round for the sorted pieces and then a lid that can by closed which keeps everything in place.  He used to just leave it partly done on the dining room table (only used at Christmas!) but the cat has a habit of taking a flying leap and demolishing it!  DH even joined a Jigsaw Club LOL.   Only costs £5 a year to join and no extra charge to borrow the puzzles. Members are allowed to take out up to 6 puzzles at a time and keep them for up to a month.  He says there are hundreds of them there, all donated.  He gave them a lot of his when we had a declutter.

The thing with starting a new hobby is any potential outlay in case you find it's not your cup of tea.  My Mum was an avid cross-stitcher but I just couldn't get on with it myself.  I bought a kit at a charity shop so I could give it a go and at least it wasn't too much wasted money but I know some of the kits are really expensive.

Why not have a go at crochet?  I'm sure there are plenty of tutorials etc online.  All you need is a crochet hook and a ball of wool so it won't cost you much to have a go.  I used to do a lot of it at one time, It was really therapeutic, didn't need much space to do it in, was easily transportable and easier than knitting to get the hang of.  I've made scarves, hats, squares for blankets that I gave to charity, all sorts of things. I made a lacy shawl once to wear at a special event but it took me so long  that the event had been and gone before I got it finished!  All this talk of hobbies has reminded me how much I used to enjoy it even though I haven't done any for a few years now.  Now, where are my crochet hooks????  

HairyHandofDartmoor

redofromstart said:

Wales somewhere I think.  He would love to be in walking distance of any mountain, and I just want to be away from the tediously flat east midlands.  We came here for work and are just waiting for the boys to finish schooling to move. 12 or 24 months to go!
There are lots of youtube videos on crochet but I still couldn't get my head round what I need to do.  

Wales is lovely. I like mountains and the sea. I'm lucky to have the sea nearby here (not that I'm allowed to visit it at the moment ) and when I visit my sister in Scotland I get to see mountains .