"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

In between doing bits of work (very slowly due to typing issues) I've managed to cook a batch of med veg in the SC (and have another on now), bring the bins in, put laundry away (one thing left to iron), feed cats a billion times, play with cats, cuddle cats, make and eat salads.

I now need to work out what to make with the two pots of chicken stock in the fridge. Ideally in the SC without having to buy anything (have onions, garlic, lots of herbs and spices, carlin peas, blue peas, flamingo peas, frozen peas, frozen spinach, savoy cabbage, courgettes, tomatoes). And also work out whether apples and pears would stew if shoved in small SC and put on a timer plug to come on during cheap rate electricity (this won't work with the big SC which has high/low/time settings, but the small one is on or off). If so, I need to start peeling and chopping and do enough each night for the small SC until they are done. I also clearly need yet more freezer containers, so have ordered some. They definitely earn their keep here. 

redofromstart

Don't forget to feed the cats.

greenbee

No chance of forgetting that. They've just had meal 25,001 today... 

Watty1

Ouch to the finger.  (for the future look to see if you have a minor injuries unit locally - there is one within a reasonable distance to me and they are fantastic, you usually get seen within 20 mins at mine and whilst there is often not a "doctor" there are staff that can use x-rays and do plastering for breaks and dressings etc.  I took the VNM to one despite his sceptical approach and he came out feeling he had been treated like a VIP, his injury dressed and advice on what to do next all within record time. I'm a huge fan of these units that are often underused but most horse riders seem to know of them for some reason )

greenbee

Nearest minor injuries is at A&E - so an hour in each direction. The walk-in clinics are also that distance away. The joys of truly rural living!

I really must do something about the new mortgage deal, and also open some new regular savers as mine have both matured and are on terrible rates! I'm going to stick with my current bank as otherwise I won't manage them at all. Sorting out my pensions is on the list for this winter. 

rtandon27

Watty - your minor injuries unit sounds like a dream - last time I needed one in our small town, I was told the doctor had gone home early so I'd have to get myself to the 'local' A&E!  The closest A&E is two trains and a bus ride away!  On a weekend It's quicker to take the train into London and pop into St Thomas' !!!

Greenbee - I totally get what you mean about sticking with your bank. After humming and hawing, I managed to open a fixed savings account at the local building society but only did so as at the end of the term, the principal and interest automatically go back into my current.  That will prompt/force me to do something with it, as I don't want to see that kind of balance in my bill paying account!  Having savings accounts in all kind of odd places gives me the jitters as I can't see it regularly without having a whole separate set of passwords!

greenbee

So I've closed my 'old' regular saver which was converted to an instant access, put the money into my current account in case the bill for the stove installation actually turns up, and opened a new one (although I'll need to keep an eye on it, as I can't see whether the opening payment and regular payments were set up as part of the application process or not).

Next job is to decide what to do about the new mortgage deal. I have savings, but still have a fair amount of work to do (some electrics and plumbing, garage doors to brick up and replace with door and window, garden room floor to replace, kitchen to rip out and redesign/replace), as well as some wants (garden could be a bottomless pit, more solar panels, possibly switching to a heat pump). And obviously there's the need to have a running away fund in case work gets too much. i'm currently torn between a two year fix (lowest rate) and no OP but saving up to OP at the end of it and 5 year fix (bit more) but paying a lump off now as the OP limit might be a bit restrictive once I've stopped spending on the house. Last time I did a 5 year fix I initially thought I'd made a mistake, but it has stood me in good stead over the last 5 years of increasing interest rates (they went down for a short while after I fixed, but it has paid off overall). 

I really do need to make a decision soon - one of the hard things about being on your own is having to be the person making all the decisions, all the time, with no input from anyone else. Paint colours are hard enough, mortgages are worse. 

badmemory

Completely agree about the decision making.  Although I have DS living with me, he just looks blank & says whatever you think.  I've had better interactions with brick walls.  I find paint colours easy though, just paint everything white & have bright curtains.

rtandon27

OH & I have been together 18 years - and when it comes to anything financial, he gives me a blank look and says 'you make the decision' - I'm lucky that he is not a spender and defers to my opinions on being frugal, but I often feel that I'd have better conversation with a brick wall!  He'd not even be able to tell you what the current mortgage arrangements are or how much is paid in interest!

Watty1

I spent years with my ex making decisions for the both of us - only much later to realise he had been stashing cash and was astute. Ah well.  Making decisions on my own for most things is ok but i am lucky in that i have the VNM to talk to as well.  As regards my house though he is very hands off letting me figure it out unless I get stuck.
I have no curtains because I cannot decide