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

Willowtree222

It's ok. I'm just as furious with him. 
He seems to like getting out of rule following and thinks he's above the rules. He's got a warped view of reality. I rarely speak to him as I often end up telling him what I think and it doesn't go down well. 
I don't know where he got it from just know it was online somewhere. Ashamed to admit that he's done it as it's so far from what I'm like. X

teafor2

The problem is not following the rules is far too easy. All school aged children in our borough were sent exemption cards and lanyards which could easily be used by anybody and on our council website there's an exemption card you can print off for yourself if you want to!  While that sort of thing is happening we'll never crack this xx

milann

hope all is going well Hairy.
What a waste of resources to send lanyards out to school age children 😳
Near to me most people seem to be wearing masks in the shops, it’s the parks that cause the problems...groups of youngsters gathering as if they’re off school for a holiday. The local skatepark is full and people are standing around watching....not 6 ft apart either. They need to employ park keepers for the interim. I’m sure it’d save money and lives in the long run.

Fidelia

I get so angry when I see people blatantly breaking the rules which are there to protect us all.  Just got back from picking up a prescription and driving home, miles from civilization saw a fresh fish van parked near a couple of cottages, the only houses between the village where I picked up the prescription and our house.  The back doors of the small van (Escort size if that helps) were open  and 2 buyers (neighbours, not from the same household) and the seller were all huddled together leaning into the van to  peer inside. No social distancing whatsoever, they were literally in physical contact and not a mask in sight.  I wonder how often the fish seller sanitizes his hands etc.  Presumably people pay him in cash and that's another source of contagion.  I wanted to open my window and shout something at them but, being a coward, just carried on driving.  I was worried DH might have had contact with the seller as he must have passed our house to get to where I saw him and was possibly ringing doorbells to get some custom.  I've never seen him round here before.  DH told me that someone did ring the doorbell but he ignored it and the van drove away.  We have a No Cold Callers notice on all our external doors but it doesn't deter many of the chancers.

badmemory

The mask wearing thing seems to vary depending on where you shop.  A local v small shopping centre has a Home Bargains, an Aldi & a B & M.  I go in HB & Aldi most weeks & no problem with masks & very rarely see anyone without one.  I went into the B & M for the first time in ages & won't be going in again any time soon, there were more people without masks than with.

Fidelia

I hope all is well with you and your family, HHoD as it seems like ages since you last posted.  Take care xx

beanielou

Hope you have had a good week 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks everyone for all your comments 🙂. Sorry I've been awol from my diary for a whole week.

I've been tired after school, plus it was DS2's birthday this week 🎂 🎉🎁🎈so I was busy buying last minute chocolates, a card, wrapping up his presents, etc. I really must get more organised next year as his birthday and Christmas have been organised at the last minute which is stressful and expensive. DS2 enjoyed his birthday, seemed pleased with his presents and DH and I cooked a roast dinner which he liked, but it was all quite tiring so next year I think we'll order a takeaway as cooking roast dinner on a school night is hard work. We probably saved about £40 though by not getting a takeway for five. There are about five January birthdays in our family and DH and I have to take the blame for one of them, very bad planning on our part 🤣.

This week at school we've had some children who come in every day and several who only come on certain days. Overall we have about 20% of our normal number which is better than some schools. I'm still getting used to wearing a mask all day 😷 and my ears feel sore from the loops, plus it's a barrier for communicating with the children 😒, but it's amazing what you can get used to and it helps to keep everyone safe. All those morons who can't wear a mask in a shop for half an hour annoy me as medical staff, shop workers and some school staff have to wear one all day every day 😡😡. I do worry about catching the virus at school but it must be safer with less childen, (even though most of the staff are on site). Also wearing a mask all the time, opening all the windows and sanitising my hands every time I touch something must be reducing the risk somewhat. 

We've been told that school will be open at half term and a rota has been drawn up so I'll have to work for one and a half days at half term. There's no money in the pot for overtime I don't think, so presumably we'll get time off in lieu at some point. It's disappointing not to get a whole week off to unwind 😥, but it's got to be done. It will enable key workers to work extra shifts over half term I suppose 🤔. I think the children will mainly be doing craft activities and PE in half term week, rather than learning,

Now the weekend is finally here I can relax and get the house sorted 😀. We had some boxes and packaging lying around from DS2's birthday, plus DS1's drawing tablet broke and he ordered a new one, so I got rid of all of that packaging and emptied all the bins in the house. I've also put on two washes and put away the Christmas decorations that appeared from the DS's rooms after I'd put all the main ones away 🙄. The house is looking much tidier now 😀 and I'm relaxing by browsing on here while DH cuts DS1's hair with the clippers (he was starting to look like a yeti 🤣).

I want to relax mostly for the rest of today. It started off drizzly and grey 🌧, then the sun came out ☀️, but now it feels like the sun is starting to go down as it's getting gloomy again. I hate these short dark days of winter 😔. However it's warm enough that we haven't had to put the heating on yet today if we sit under blankets.

Talking of heating, NPwr have recently changed us to E0n Nxt and they are only asking for £15 a week for our gas and electric. That doesn't seem enough to me and I suspect them of undercharging to get us in debt to them 😡. So I've suggested to DH that we pay them £25 a week instead, as I can't believe five adults only use £60 a month worth of gas and electricity, especially in the winter. If it's too good to be true then something is not right. Our contract with them ends at the end of January and I'd like to finally switch away from them.

I get paid in ten days time 🎉🎉🎉. It's sad that I'm looking forward to to it already 🤣😂. I want to save  between £100 and £200 if I can in my SEF. I've also suggested to DH that if we bought £25 of Prmm Bnds every month we'd have £300 worth after a year. Surely most people could afford £25 a month by reducing their spending and it's a good way of saving as we're never tempted to sell them. We've got £600 worth already but I'd like to get it up to at least £1000 or possibly more. 

I'm very pleased that my 87 year old dad has had his vaccine. He had the Oxford one and he's got a date for his second jab at the end of March. Hopefully they'll be able to work their way down the other at risk groups soon. I doubt if I'll get mine before the summer holidays. I'm either in group eight because of my asthma, or group nine because I'm over 55.  

I hope everyone in Forumland is enjoying their Saturday 🙂. We may not be allowed to go anywhere other than work, the supermarket and the end of our street, but if the bills are paid, we have food in the house and a roof over our heads, then we should be thankful I suppose. It's a matter of hibernating 🦔 🐿 until the spring 🌱 when hopefully some virus restrictions will be lifted, and then looking forward to the summer 🌹 when we should have even more freedoms (if all goes well) and better weather ☀️. The things I miss the most are seeing family and coffee in cafes, and walks at NT places at the moment.

Parkyp

After reading your posts about premium bonds couple months ago I bought my first premium bond I’m going to buy at least £25 every month to. Like you say not something your going to sell unless in real dire straits. My gas/electricity is £100 (pay the same all year round easier to budget)  for 2 in two bedroom house. I do like my heating on and use tumble dryer and I have a son who loves the shower 🤣🤣.  Teachers/assistants are a god send for key workers Not having to worry about their child’s education. You sound as if your doing all the right things to try and keep safe. Good to hear the vaccine getting rolled. Enjoy your weekend. 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Parkyp said:

After reading your posts about premium bonds couple months ago I bought my first premium bond I’m going to buy at least £25 every month to. Like you say not something your going to sell unless in real dire straits. My gas/electricity is £100 (pay the same all year round easier to budget)  for 2 in two bedroom house. I do like my heating on and use tumble dryer and I have a son who loves the shower 🤣🤣.  Teachers/assistants are a god send for key workers Not having to worry about their child’s education. You sound as if your doing all the right things to try and keep safe. Good to hear the vaccine getting rolled. Enjoy your weekend. 

Thanks Parky 🙂. You have a good weekend too.
I think the PBs are a great idea (I should get commission 🤣). I know you get no interest but there is a chance of winning, your money is safe and there is a big psychological barrier to selling them. You'll soon build up a good amount.