Travelling On

Karmacat

2018 really is a “travelling on” year for me: the final push, as far as finances and organisation are concerned. But I still need to look after the rest of me, so here it all is, adapted from the review I did on the last few pages of my previous diary:

Make good memories.
Building on last year. Carrying on reconnecting with old friends and new.
Make new friends, especially locally.
Our little board games group - we're all retired now!
Rejoin the local writing group?
Plus holidays and creative work, see below.

Holidays
A UK holiday for all three of us, probably to Hadrian's Wall.
A cruise: current thinking is a 14 day-er with Tui to Norway; you could really do Norway in that time.

Creativity
I wanted to do lots of writing around one blog, and lots of design work around another, and I haven't done either of those things. I've missed it. A second edition of my original kindle book is needed, a new kindle is nearly ready, I can do a novel. There are a couple of options for another factual one.
And if I'm ever going to design any cat cards or geometric patterns, this is the year.

Jobs around the house
The house is definitely my house now, not a work-live space. Replaster the hall, repair the hardstanding and the patio, some electrical work on the ground floor. Lots of other bits that are really little.

Garden
Weeding, getting compost, topsoil and bark chippings down, so I can plant edible perennials. Frences need weatherproofing. Prunings from hedging plants need burning to add to the soil.

Health
I'm carrying on getting better – need to get enough sleep. And I need stamina and strength – just enough to have a day out in London for instance.
Healthy walks run by the local council. Dance classes, by the end of the year?

Finances.
MSE wins
Swagbucks and You Gov right now, but I'll be going for Pinecone Research and Prolific Academic. Anything of that type that I can do from my armchair!
Pensions
I haven't done anything – luckily, the Stock Market hasn't collapsed, but I really do need to safeguard it, simply because I don't earn money any more.
Online Sales
I've kept some items back from the charity shop, things that will probably net £5 or more. Spread throughout the year, do it or donate it.
Change current account
HSBC have irritated me with their crazy fraud software for the last time. When my Regular Saver terminates, I'm moving.
Insurance
I just renewed last year, for ease, it was less than a month after the funeral. But I want a cheaper alternative, and I need to get quotes for insurance of all this jewellery I now have.

Accounts
2016/17 in the UK, and 2017 in France. I don't know if I'll need to do UK accounts after this year – I might have to, even though I've no UK earnings, because of the French apartment.
French accountant
I have the possibility of shifting accountant, people have got a computer programme going for leaseback properties like mine. Do I take the risk of moving? I'll have to decide really soon. Probably not worth it if I'm selling.
Tackle French mortgage.
The mortgage ends in September next year! About 630 euros a month goes to capital repayment, and the interest rate is 0.95% p.a.
Ability to sell the French apartment?
If I could sell it without penalty (huge VAT payment) I'd love to get rid of it now. I don't care too much what I'd get for it, even.
My mother's house
We'll be putting it up for sale in the summer; it was recently rewired, which is good, but it's still a fixer-upper, there's no doubt. Quite a bit of work in it.

“Counting Blessings”,says greent.
I used to do that all the time. Last year felt short on blessings, to be honest, but even so my brother and sister and I have come together very strongly, we've met up with the Norfolk rellies, a new baby was born, I went catsitting twice, and that's just the big stuff.
Next year will be more settled in the basics, so that everyday events feel more fun, and there'll be lots more opportunity for fun one-offs: I'm off to London this week and the next for days out. Another baby will be born in summer 2018!

rtandon27

Happy New Diary!!!:j:j:j

Goldiegirl

A shiny new diary!

I read on the your previous diary about the 'bots' which may result in a thread being deleted. I will have to keep an eye on my diary, just to make sure I don't get infected.

Sounds like you have loads of good things to look forward to, so 2018 should be a good year.

After I retired, it took a good 12-18 months to feel that I'd got my admin and de-cluttering done to my satisfaction. Even when you have the luxury of time, it's still surprising how long it can take to feel everything is 'sorted'.

Norway is very beautiful. If you decide to book the cruise, I will enjoy hearing all about it. There's lots of cruise forums, like Cruise Critic where you can get all sorts of cruise info, and I'll be pleased to help if I can!

Betterthanever

Yay, I'm on page one!

(now I've posted that, I can go back and read what you've actually written.....)


Edited to add I've now read it - and it all looks mighty fine to me. Happy new chapter x

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary

Karmacat

Thank you all!

Looks like Norway is definitely going ahead, my sister's coming over to me tomorrow so we can book it together. We've sorted the trips too. And our Norfolk rellies may be coming with us

This evening - yep, dragging out my box of accounts papers and having a look.

Have a lovely evening all

beanielou

Norway sounds amazing.
I agree your mum would like you to have a lovely family get together & to raise a glass in her memory.
This is the first year I did not by myself a wee pressie from my dad & he hasent been here for nearly 7 years.

themadvix

Happy New Diary!!

themadvix

Norway does sound amazing... and lovely that 'Norfolk' might be coming too!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

I went to Norway as a teenager and I have never swum in anything as cold as a fjord! I can still feel the shock! It was a lovely place, I do hope your plans to visit work out.

Knit_Witch

Happy new diary and some great goals there Karmacat!