Ongoing Journey to being a Frugalista..

brizzlegirl

Evening!!!! Still here.. it’s been a stressful few months not least several bouts of isolation but turning my mind to all things MSE at the moment… want to see if we can get to FI in 8 years…. Exciting and scary!! 

hope everyone is safe and well 

xxx

Sun_Addict

Hello there 👋 Good to hear from you again. 

pennywisepoundstupid

Morning Brizzle, good to hear from you. Hope you and your family are all well xx

jwil

Lovely to 'see' you again

beanielou

Hello Brizzled 

brizzlegirl

Hi All!! 

I do hope everyone is well and thriving. Am sure I have missed way way too much. I am sorry about that! 2 years!! And what a bonkers 2 years it’s been for everyone. I’ve been wondering if I need to get back to posting and being accountable for our spending and think I need to.. we are slowly slipping back into debt and with 2 kids at Uni from September as well as lower incomes overall we need to be sensible. I’m also off with Covid.. feel rubbish so being ill is always time for a re-set and a plan for the months ahead. 

Do so hope you’re all doing well. Looking forward to catching up and posting again xx

Sun_Addict

Hello stranger! I was wondering how you were getting on the other day when I was scrolling through all my bookmarks. Good to hear from you again.

beanielou

Good to hear from you

lucielle

Hi I was wondering how you were getting on. 

L

brizzlegirl

Ah so nice to hear from you all! Thank you for popping in and posting. I think about you all too and wonder how you are, I’ll check out the diaries soon. 

I need to make an amendment really - we aren’t slipping into debt yet… but it feels like it’s looming. I’m old enough to know our DF status so hard won is in danger of being lost. 

We recently went back to being a 2 vehicle family (from none) and that is hurting. But it’s also other stuff like increasing cost of food, having a dog and even stuff like bus tickets. Don’t get your average Bristolian started on that!! 🤣  I also took a job about a year ago which was less money and a worse pension .. because I thought it’d be better for my mental health. Jury is out currently on that one. Lots of things are better about it  but certainly not all. 

I guess in summary I am feeling unsettled and can’t quite grab hold of it. But somethings need to change otherwise I will end up with low level disquiet being a constant feature!!

But as always we are extremely privileged  and have much to be grateful for:

- 1 permanent lodger and 1 temporary whilst kids are at Uni. Also started to host ABnB. Nice to have the house full if I am honest.. and the money is ridiculous even though we don’t charge either what we could. That would feel like racketeering, prices have grown insane 

- solar panels now linked to a battery which has been amazing last summer and this. Sometimes we don’t pull from the grid at all in a 24 hour period which is obviously keeping our bills far lower than they would have been. 

- able to support both kids at Uni, they have loans for fees but not maintenance. It’ll be a stretch this Autumn but are managing so far. They are very grateful and don’t ask for anything during holidays when they work if they can. Getting jobs during term time more difficult - few zero hours ones out there it seems despite the media commentary - youngest needs that due to the clubs she’s involved in. With our blessing we may add 

- am hoping for a decent CoL increase for both of us this summer, haven’t had a pay rise since April last so overdue. Let’s hope the settlement keeps talent with our current employers! 

- have hit the Bay of E recently to sell some stuff which was no longer needed. It’s a useful outlet. One more large item to list, hopefully in a week or two. 

- still meal plan but need to be more ruthless with planning cheaper options eg beans and jacket potatoes. Cutting down alcohol would help, currently preferring quality over quantity which is good for health but less for wallet. 

- had a huge family holiday last winter which was amazing. And.. all was paid for in advance. Drum roll please!!! This summer will be a low key UK based affair but very pleased the DDs are coming along too. 

So… lots to be grateful for. Just wish I could shake this uncertainty. 

Love to you all 

BG xx