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

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I'm going volunteering at the school again this morning. My back is still sore after yesterday, so I need to try not to lean over small desks so much today. I'll have to try and crouch or kneel down instead. It's that tiny infant furniture!

DH is up early to go business networking this morning, in an attempt to reach new customers.

Yesterday afternoon DH and I did some work on my new business and made some significant progress, so I was pleased with that.

It's a grey misty start this morning so I hope it brightens up later on.

Well done on biting the bullet and doing the volunteering yesterday. It's often the thought of doing something that's a lot worse than actually doing it. The first step is always the hardest. Good for you doing it all again today:A


I know what you mean about the tiny infant furniture:eek:. I used to be a school governor for a few years at an infants' school and used to visit and help out a lot. My back certainly knew about it afterwards:(


Well done on making good progress with your new business. Exciting times:j. I hope DH finds some new customers especially if they turn out to be prompt payers;)


It's misty here today and tomorrow looks like being a total write-off if the threatened rain actually arrives:(. OH spent ages yesterday raking up fallen leaves on the grass but there's just as many again today. We don't have anything as grand as a leaf-blower, all our tools and equipment are old-school. They still do the job though even if they do need a good amount of elbow grease:rotfl:

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thank you Carboot.

I'm a bit of a fan of old school garden tools. I use hand shears and a lopper to cut our hedge (although it's not very big luckily). There is something lovely about traditional garden tools, but then my grandfather was a gardener and loved his job and the tools of the trade . He used to suffer from terrible backache and used to walk around in the evenings sometimes, my mum said, as his back was too sore from working to sit down. He used to work for the council, but in his spare time he would tend the gardens of wealthy people to earn extra money.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I'd better go or I'll be late!

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I'm a bit of a fan of old school garden tools. I use hand shears and a lopper to cut our hedge (although it's not very big luckily). There is something lovely about traditional garden tools

Good to find a kindred spirit:T. A lot of the people we know think we're a bit strange for still using traditional tools. OH just thinks those people have more money than sense, always upgrading to whatever the latest 'thing' is.


OH did buy something new and more modern last year though, a very rare event:rotfl:. We've a few pairs of old garden shears, some were his Dad's, and all are very heavy. We sharpen them regularly though, or have them sharpened, and they work a treat. Unfortunately we have nearly half an acre of garden with lots of very high hedges at the boundaries that need a ladder to trim. It takes OH a couple of days to do the lot (including rests) and lifting and using the heavy shears above shoulder height really takes it out of him. Last year he treated himself to a lightweight pair of shears. They are still meant for heavy-duty work but weigh a fraction of the others. He loves using them but still sticks to the old ones for lower jobs. He doesn't want to just use the light ones as he says they won't last as long as the old ones (made when things were built to last) and he doesn't want to wear them out seeing as they cost so much:eek:. OH really begrudges spending his money.

Willowtree222

Popping a raisin into the glass will help the fizz again too. Cheap trick. x

[Deleted User]

Nicnak wrote: »

Popping a raisin into the glass will help the fizz again too. Cheap trip. x

That's a good tip, Nicnak, and a new one on me. Will try it with my value bottles of fizzy water. Thanks:T

jwil

Hope the volunteering went well today, well done for going back in

HairyHandofDartmoor

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Good to find a kindred spirit:T. A lot of the people we know think we're a bit strange for still using traditional tools. OH just thinks those people have more money than sense, always upgrading to whatever the latest 'thing' is.


OH did buy something new and more modern last year though, a very rare event:rotfl:. We've a few pairs of old garden shears, some were his Dad's, and all are very heavy. We sharpen them regularly though, or have them sharpened, and they work a treat. Unfortunately we have nearly half an acre of garden with lots of very high hedges at the boundaries that need a ladder to trim. It takes OH a couple of days to do the lot (including rests) and lifting and using the heavy shears above shoulder height really takes it out of him. Last year he treated himself to a lightweight pair of shears. They are still meant for heavy-duty work but weigh a fraction of the others. He loves using them but still sticks to the old ones for lower jobs. He doesn't want to just use the light ones as he says they won't last as long as the old ones (made when things were built to last) and he doesn't want to wear them out seeing as they cost so much:eek:. OH really begrudges spending his money.

And cutting hedges is a good upper body workout so no expensive gym membership required .

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak wrote: »

Popping a raisin into the glass will help the fizz again too. Cheap trick. x

I've never heard that so must try it.

jwil wrote: »

Hope the volunteering went well today, well done for going back in

Thank you Jwil.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I enjoyed my volunteering this morning. The children greeted me like an old friend even though they only met me for the first time yesterday . One of them asked my name and then said "That's a nice name" and another one was telling me all about a sleepover she is having tomorrow.

We were doing maths with them all morning and quite a few of them needed help. The teacher thanked me at the end and seemed grateful I was there. Children are so friendly and lovely at that age.

I walked there and back so got in 30 active minutes and 5,178 steps. I've noticed I don't do many steps in the classroom.

This afternoon is earmarked for washing, ironing, and some dusting wouldn't hurt. Plus I need to pack away some of our summer clothes. I may think of some other things too.