My journey to a debt free life

enthusiasticsaver

Onebrokelady wrote: »

I wonder how many of us there are in the West Country, I live within walking distance of my city but where I am situated is right on the edge of a lot of farmland so it also has a bit of a country
feel to it,
I actually come from Derby but left there when I was 12 to come down to Devon,this felt like a village to me when I first came here,it's got busier of course but it's still a lovely size,when I was a teenager all I wanted to do was go back to Derby but I wouldn't swap where I live now to go back there,I would love to go more rural if I could drive but as I don't I have to stay near the city
It's great though because there is a lively social scene and lots of lovely walks plus I'm only a 20 minute train ride away from a beach

We will definitely make Bath our next weekend trip,it sounds right up my street, I love looking round bookshops,I could do it all day :rotfl:

There are quite a few on MSE from the West Country. The early retirement thread on the pensions board has loads of people down here unsurprisingly. It is such a lovely part of the country but suffers with low wages, lots of seasonal employment, poor transport links so it has its problems. We opted for out of the city but not too remote as we had young children when we moved for my husbands job and knew at some point I would have to return to work. We both drive though and my husband was highly paid for the area as he was a professional electronics engineer so we were lucky in that respect.

I have never been to Derby. Do you go back now? I notice when I go back to Croydon in south London where I was born it has changed so much in the 30 years since we left. My family are still up that way so I go back a few times a year but don't yearn to return. Our life is now in Cornwall especially as DD2 and her family live in our town and DD1 is in Bristol area so only 2 hours away. Mum and my siblings are in London area though.

Kitten868

Clear out the ornaments now! You've got some time off and it makes cleaning easier. And if you do it now they can be Christmas presents for other people. Not for you to give out though

I found getting rid of stuff liberating and a real incentive not to buy stuff any more. The stress of getting rid of enough to put me off. Trying to sell it all and getting frustrated with idiots on Facebook. Regular trips to the charity shops keep my happy now. Xxx

Drawingaline

I have been clearing out stuff and trying my best to minimise for a couple of years.

My husband tries his best to fill the house back up again!

HairyHandofDartmoor

I like to visit London and Bristol, but prefer to live in a smaller place with a slower pace of life and easier access to beautiful countryside and beaches. I grew up in London but would hate to live there now.

It's great that you now see the pointlessness of spending money for the sake of it. Sad when I think of the money I've wasted over the years, but at least we've learnt our lesson now :T.

I hope you feel less tired and more cheerful soon.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I agree with you on hating clutter. I'd like a good clear out after Christmas.

Onebrokelady

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

There are quite a few on MSE from the West Country. The early retirement thread on the pensions board has loads of people down here unsurprisingly. It is such a lovely part of the country but suffers with low wages, lots of seasonal employment, poor transport links so it has its problems. We opted for out of the city but not too remote as we had young children when we moved for my husbands job and knew at some point I would have to return to work. We both drive though and my husband was highly paid for the area as he was a professional electronics engineer so we were lucky in that respect.

I have never been to Derby. Do you go back now? I notice when I go back to Croydon in south London where I was born it has changed so much in the 30 years since we left. My family are still up that way so I go back a few times a year but don't yearn to return. Our life is now in Cornwall especially as DD2 and her family live in our town and DD1 is in Bristol area so only 2 hours away. Mum and my siblings are in London area though.

Derbyshire and the Peak District are beautiful and I would like to visit parts of them if I get the chance,Derby it's self is not a nice place now,it's changed so much and jut seemed drab and rundown the last time I went. up,I used to go once a year to visit my sister but we fell out several years ago now and I haven't been back since,I have no desire to go back there now
I love Cornwall but have only visited the touristy bits

Onebrokelady

Kitten868 wrote: »

Clear out the ornaments now! You've got some time off and it makes cleaning easier. And if you do it now they can be Christmas presents for other people. Not for you to give out though

I found getting rid of stuff liberating and a real incentive not to buy stuff any more. The stress of getting rid of enough to put me off. Trying to sell it all and getting frustrated with idiots on Facebook. Regular trips to the charity shops keep my happy now. Xxx

I would love to do it now but I just don't have the energy at the moment,I seem to have hit a slump so my motivation has gone out the window,I always feel ready for a clear out when the Christmas decorations come down so will make a start then

Onebrokelady

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I like to visit London and Bristol, but prefer to live in a smaller place with a slower pace of life and easier access to beautiful countryside and beaches. I grew up in London but would hate to live there now.

It's great that you now see the pointlessness of spending money for the sake of it. Sad when I think of the money I've wasted over the years, but at least we've learnt our lesson now :T.

I hope you feel less tired and more cheerful soon.

I must have spent hours thinking about and regretting the money I've wasted but I realised this year that doing that isn't going to change things now so I've decided not to dwell on it anymore,I've learned my lesson and I won't make the same mistakes again that's for sure

HairyHandofDartmoor

It's probably because you've been so busy. You need a day of rest. Christmas prep is exhausting and we're trying to do all our normal stuff too!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Onebrokelady wrote: »

I must have spent hours thinking about and regretting the money I've wasted but I realised this year that doing that isn't going to change things now so I've decided not to dwell on it anymore,I've learned my lesson and I won't make the same mistakes again that's for sure

You're right, we should look forward not back. We have our whole money saving future ahead of us .