My journey to a debt free life

Onebrokelady

Busy day today, I've had all the covers off one of my settees to wash and they have been on the line all day I've checked my bank account and have £96 to carry over from last month, I do have to pay DD for my half of the online food shop so that will bring it down  but I'm happy with that,I was going to pay it into my savings but I'm not sure how good my wages will be yet so will wait for tomorrow before I decide
I also spent an hour outside sweeping the leaves from the front garden paths and steps so that's another garden job done,I might do more over the weekend depending on the weather,it's been a lovely sunny day today and enjoyed being out in my garden. 
I took B up through the fields in the morning and it was lovely and warm up there 😊
Yesterday afternoon was mostly spent on admin stuff which I hate so avoid doing. I have discovered my water bill is emailed to me and that it had gone to an address I no longer use along with EDF so  I've managed to log into both sites and update my details so I will get my bills from now on. The good news is my water bill has gone down from £46.50 a month to £38.50 a month so I'm delighted by that, it almost balances out the council tax increase. I'm a bit worried about my gas usage though as it's gone up by 157 units for the same period last year, I'm not sure why, maybe it's been colder this year, I will have to keep an eye on it though. Today has been a NSD and I haven't had the heating on all day 🎉🎉🎉

Sun_Addict

That’s a good amount to have left over 👍It was a beautiful warm sunny day here too. Good news about the water bill going down. I haven’t had my bill yet which is cutting it a bit fine as the first direct debit of the year does out on the 1st.

Onebrokelady

Sun_Addict said:

That’s a good amount to have left over 👍It was a beautiful warm sunny day here too. Good news about the water bill going down. I haven’t had my bill yet which is cutting it a bit fine as the first direct debit of the year does out on the 1st.

They do seem to cut it a bit fine with the water bills 🙄 I'm just glad I found mine in the end 😀

Onebrokelady

Woke up to a windy changeable day today. I was very lucky though because I took B out in bright sunshine then just after we got back it chucked it down, the sun is back out now though. I didn't use my heating all day yesterday because I was busy so that's a good sign😊 
I'm at home all day today so it will be a NSD, I've lost track of them this month but I think I've had three this week so not too bad. I'm still trying to keep on top of my food budget which isn't as easy now I'm not using cash to pay for it, I'm thinking of going back to my cash envelopes this month to see if that makes a difference. I'm checking my bank account this afternoon to see how much I've been paid ( cant access my electronic pay record from home ) and will be working out my budget for this month 😊

I was on another site last night and a lady had asked about living on a low budget in retirement, peoples replies were very reassuring and I've realised I have lots of options when I do decide to retire, it's not on the cards yet as I'm only 57 but I do worry about it. 
I'm going to concentrate on getting the house into the best condition I can while I'm still working I think 😊

Sun_Addict

That’s what I’m doing, trying to get everything done on my house before I retire. I have 6 years to go, sounds like a long time but when I think back to 6 years ago it doesn’t seem that long after all.

Cherryfudge

Onebrokelady said: I'm a bit worried about my gas usage though as it's gone up by 157 units for the same period last year, I'm not sure why, maybe it's been colder this year, I will have to keep an eye on it though. Today has been a NSD and I haven't had the heating on all day 🎉🎉🎉

I think it's been a colder winter: last year we hardly used our log burner at all and this year it's been quite a regular feature.

Willowtree222

Great news about the appointment and fingers crossed they find the cause and it's a something that is easy to resolve.
I think it has been a colder winter this year too. I hope it means a bit of a warmer summer. 
You're doing really well on the NSDs. 
I have been researching retirement too and I am 38. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I need to do now to make sure that it is not a stress when I get there and I can still live my life without cutting back too much. I know some people think I am strange doing it, but I think it is important that I do. 
Have a lovely weekend OBL X

milann

Nicnak I wish I’d have thought more carefully about a pension when I was younger....but it was a different world then and I couldn’t join the works pension scheme because I only worked part time. It’s quite scary how quickly it creeps up on you 😳 so good on you looking into it 👏👏
Im pleased you have the appointment too 👍

Onebrokelady

Sun_Addict said:

That’s what I’m doing, trying to get everything done on my house before I retire. I have 6 years to go, sounds like a long time but when I think back to 6 years ago it doesn’t seem that long after all.

I have two years until I can retire from my job but just over 9 years until I can claim my state pension. I might try for retire and return in two years and then cut my hours again. I really can't imagine doing my job for another 10 years 🙀

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

Onebrokelady said: I'm a bit worried about my gas usage though as it's gone up by 157 units for the same period last year, I'm not sure why, maybe it's been colder this year, I will have to keep an eye on it though. Today has been a NSD and I haven't had the heating on all day 🎉🎉🎉

I think it's been a colder winter: last year we hardly used our log burner at all and this year it's been quite a regular feature.

I think you might be right, when I think about it I've had a few days where I haven't been able to get warm so it's possibly been colder