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

System

DS3 playing poker at uni , sounds like he has settled in well if he has found some friends to play with already. FaceTime is the best thing for loved ones far away.

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

My goals for the next year are:
GOALS

-To come to terms with my mum's death
-Work on my business in the hope that it will bring in some money eventually
-Keep supporting DH and the grown up children
-Live frugally
-Go back to my volunteering at the school
-Start Pilates one evening a week
-Try and find the joy and purpose in life that losing my mum seems to have knocked out of me a bit

If our money situation improves then a very big goal will be to save up an emergency fund, get repairs done on the house, and then overpay the mortgage to pay it off quicker. We only have about £40,000 left to pay on the mortgage and nine years to go. It would be nice to reduce that so it's paid by the time I'm sixty (in six years time).

I have no idea what the coming year holds for me, but I hope to deal with whatever life throws at me with strength and some dignity.

It's great to have goals and a purpose in life.

Coming to terms with your Mum's death I think will come naturally in time - you can't really push it. When you are ready, you will find it hurts less, but tbh, you keep getting blindsided by memories for years, it's just that eventually many can be joyful and sustaining recollections.

I wish you every good fortune in achieving or working towards as many of your goals as become possible over the coming year.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak wrote: »

Ah, we are year buddies!

It has been a tough year for you too. Great goals for next year too. I plan to put mine in place soon as well. x

Dorastar wrote: »

What a year (for both of you) inspirational stuff ladies x

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Can't believe you've been on here a year! What a year it's been for you, a real mixture. Hopefully the next year will be a positive and happy one xx

Thank you

HairyHandofDartmoor

Cumbria_lass wrote: »

It's been a year of ups and downs for you and the family.

The plans all sound good going forward but don't be hard on yourself , do what you enjoy and the rest will follow along.

Good to hear you are sorting your business venture out.

Cumbria_lass wrote: »

DS3 playing poker at uni , sounds like he has settled in well if he has found some friends to play with already. FaceTime is the best thing for loved ones far away.

The poker is a good sign .

elizabethhull wrote: »

It's great to have goals and a purpose in life.

Coming to terms with your Mum's death I think will come naturally in time - you can't really push it. When you are ready, you will find it hurts less, but tbh, you keep getting blindsided by memories for years, it's just that eventually many can be joyful and sustaining recollections.

I wish you every good fortune in achieving or working towards as many of your goals as become possible over the coming year.

Thank you both . I know it will be a while before I feel much better about my mum. I'm dreading my mum's birthday in November and I know Christmas, New Year, Mother's Day and my own birthday will be very upsetting. I have just have to take one day at a time.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I hope next year is less stressful, but who knows what the future holds. I certainly wasn't expecting this year to be so eventful. I feel as if I need to be prepared physically and mentally for the year ahead, and hope that I can achieve some of my goals.

beanielou

What a year it has been.
You are still standing to tell the story.
You are amazing

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thank you Beanie. I don't feel amazing but I'm here to tell the tale I guess.

jwil

You've done so well this year HHD and come so far. You've handled everything thrown at you so well, even if it doesn't feel that way.

I second the use of a courier for the Poker game. If it weighs more than 2kg, a courier will most definitely be cheaper than RM. Parcel Monkey is a good site to compare prices.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks Jwil I'll look into that.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I've had a busy day today! I desperately wanted to get out of the house as I was in all day Sunday, so I went for a long walk by the sea which felt therapeutic.

On the way home I went to the shops and collected two months worth of contact lenses for DS3. We've put his lenses on hold for a month as he has a backlog of them, so that's £20 saved this month Which is just as well as we're very short of money atm . I also bought some chocolates to go in DS3's birthday box.

DH ordered DS3's two main birthday presents from Am@zon and arranged for them to be gift wrapped and delivered tomorrow. (I need to wrap up his smaller presents and get the them in the post tomorrow). My baby is going to be 21 next Saturday!

When I got back from my long walk and the shops I needed to sit down for a bit as I felt shattered.

Then this evening I walked to Pilates with my friend from the next road. I hadn't been for about five years and she's never been, but we both enjoyed it and said we'd go again next week. It was £5 for a drop in session and the instructor was very friendly. She provided balls, resistance bands, head blocks and some mats. I thought it was good value for the money. I have a few aches and pains now though .

When I'd walked back I had to start cooking straight away so I'm glad to sit down now. I've done 15,223 steps, 6.92 miles, 32 floors and 68 active minutes. I may need to stay in bed all day tomorrow!