New horizons living the dream. How?

Ilona

I thought I had posted on this, but I haven't. When I hit my mid fifties I wasn't enjoying my work, so I went part time for an agency, which cut my income. I worked out that if I didn't spend any money then I didn't have to earn it. So began the process of recording every penny spent, and reading it often, and still I found ways of cutting back. I felt a new sense of freedom, I had more time, whooopeeeee, and time is more important than money.

Ten years on and I am in a good place, mortgage gone paid off early, an emergency fund in case anything breaks, and saving towards changing my car. And all because I stopped spending when I cut down my working hours.

I keep on top of the de cluttering, was searching for something I had put in a safe place, found it, but also had two bin bags of bedding and curtains that I was never going to need, for the charity shop.

Don't come to my house if dust disgusts you, I do the minimum housework, just enough to keep it habitable, clean kitchen and bathroom, run the vacuum cleaner over it now and again, clean the windows annually.

Keep chipping away at it LoD. I see you pay a lot by card, I gave my contactless back to the bank and asked for a normal debit card. With this I draw cash out of the bank, always use the machine inside the bank, and pay for most things with cash. My credit card is for occasional supermarket food and petrol. I have very few direct debits so this cuts down on the paperwork, I can see at a glance on my monthly statements that everything is running smoothly.

I never have coffee out, never eat out, why would I? I would rather my food and drink came from my own kitchen. If out for the day I take a pack up and a drink in a refillable bottle.

Keep on keeping on, don't lose sight of your ambitions and dreams, they can become reality with a bit of organizing from yourself. Good luck.

ilona

Caterina

I've become an anti-declutterer. I know, there are certain things that need to go, but sometimes I think about the frenzy to declutter is only led by the impulse to buy new things. I used to do it myself! I'd fill a bag with clothes for the charity shop, felt so good and Kondo-like, then would saunter to the shops to refill and restock (= reclutter).

DH and I have decided not to buy any more clothes, we have more than enough. The cue word here for me is "more". Having enough is great, but having a few spares for when our favourite items are too worn to be usable means we can go shopping in our own wardrobes.

Since its been our policy to buy only few, good quality items (often from charity shops - "vintage" clothing is often much better constructed and longer lasting), we've accumulated enough to last us a lifetime.

I recently invested in a batch of organic cotton underwear, bought online at quite a cost, because I was fed up of the flimsy, synthetic stuff on the market. These granny knickers give me great joy (very Kondo-like!) as they're very well made, sturdy, and easily repairable when a bit worn in parts. There's even a little hole on the waistband, like a buttonhole, to replace the elastic when it's gone. They will hopefully see me through the rest of my life.

Ilona, thinking of your male underwear, they're a great idea but I think my DH would find it a bit disconcerting if i wore his Y fronts. But I have done so, on occasion, when all my smalls (figure of speech hehehe) were in the wash, and they're supremely comfy. Lucky men!

Reduce Reuse and Repurpose are not cliches when looking to living a good life on a retirement income, we're loving it. See the "Champagne Lifestyle on Lemonade Money" thread, they got a lot of good ideas on how to live really well for less.

Lifeofdreams

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

You are absolutely right to focus on decluttering. It will make life much simpler, cleaning is easier, and I really wish I had done it when I was working full time.

Regarding the coffee, my friend (who is an accountant) once sent me a spreadsheet showing how much I would save over a year if I gave up my daily coffee! It was meant partly in jest, but it did make me realise how much we spend on these little things. I think you need some indulgences or treats in life, but I cut down to having a coffee only on Friday and using the very good coffee machine at work on the other days. These days, coffee 'out' is a rare and very enjoyable treat. This is so true I think I would appreciate coffee out much more, so from now on will be doing this once a week

With your work being so busy and Christmas approaching don't place too much pressure on yourself; even little steps will help.

Lifeofdreams

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

You are absolutely right to focus on decluttering. It will make life much simpler, cleaning is easier, and I really wish I had done it when I was working full time.

Regarding the coffee, my friend (who is an accountant) once sent me a spreadsheet showing how much I would save over a year if I gave up my daily coffee! It was meant partly in jest, but it did make me realise how much we spend on these little things. I think you need some indulgences or treats in life, but I cut down to having a coffee only on Friday and using the very good coffee machine at work on the other days. These days, coffee 'out' is a rare and very enjoyable treat.

With your work being so busy and Christmas approaching don't place too much pressure on yourself; even little steps will help.

That is my plan Pollywollydoodle. I am thinking one coffee at work per week (sometimes makes things more bearable) with workload. Once a fortnight with DH. Today I have been good as we would normally have been out for coffee and cake and here I am sitting at home with a cup! Small step. I will also be aiming to reduce further post xmas.

Take care.

Lifeofdreams

lessonlearned wrote: »

I think It takes time to make big lifestyle changes unless of course they are suddenly forced on you. I think you are doing well.

Decluttering is a good place to start although I do
Find that to be an ongoing process rather than a one off. Maybe I have not been ruthless enough. Lol.

I think more sleep and better food choices is a good start so try not to get too despondent. Rome wasn’t built in a day. You are doing well. Just stay focussed and you’ll get there.

One step at a time.

I fear you are right and it will be ongoing. DH is chaotic to say the least! Sleep is worst it has ever been so need to work on that. Reducing caffeine/eating lighter meals when I get home from work may help! Although I fear this will not improve until working hours reduce as I wake up with work on my mind and what needs doing (despite having written to do list)!

As you say one step at a time. Thank you for the support and take care yourself.

Lifeofdreams

suki1964 wrote: »

Dont panic about the decluttering, I started at the beginning of the year and still haven't put my office back together, not made a start on the wardrobes - both things I promised myself would get done

But hey ho, the bits I have done have stayed tidy

Ive given up on the Sunday roasts at the moment , as for me the run up to Christmas is manic and Ive switched it to a weekday when Im either off or have half day ( I officially only work 2 full days and 2 half days in 7, but December Im lucky if I get 1 day off in 7 )

Coffee shop coffee for me is a rare treat, had one yesterday on the go, was delicious and I loved every mouthful because it was the first one I had had since middle of September ( both times were on the way to hairdresser) Yesterday I was supposed to be Christmas shopping but instead had a me afternoon getting hair and eyebrows done - £20 - every 3 months - a bargain ( used to spend £50 on a cut every six weeks when I worked and Id hate to think how much I spent on hair removal )

Cos now I don't have to be perfectly groomed all the time, thats more huge savings. I do my own hair removal , just getting the eyebrows reshaped for £6 every few months and my hairdresser is fantastic , works on her own from a portacabin at the back of a tattoo artist shop so has very little outlay so can do a wash cut and blow dry for £15. Where as before I was going to a named highstreet salon where you were given wine or coffee and it was all high tec and glossy - which is why it cost £50. Same with my eyebrows, I get threaded by a lady who has a chair in a mall. Does a fantastic job. Im no longer paying for the posh, plush beauty parlour overheads

Little changes that save a fortune over the year, that enable me not to work full time but have the lifestyle I want

Hi Suki

You are so right. I have spent a fortune over the years on hairdressers especially. Now I have found one who cuts/highlights my hair at half of the cost covering my greys! I do need to look respectable for work and so spend more on clothes than I would need to working in a different environment. My aim is to be able to live well on less and work fewer hours which you seem to have done well Suki. Thank you for sharing. Take care.

Lifeofdreams

Ilona wrote: »

I thought I had posted on this, but I haven't. When I hit my mid fifties I wasn't enjoying my work, so I went part time for an agency, which cut my income. I worked out that if I didn't spend any money then I didn't have to earn it. So began the process of recording every penny spent, and reading it often, and still I found ways of cutting back. I felt a new sense of freedom, I had more time, whooopeeeee, and time is more important than money.

Ten years on and I am in a good place, mortgage gone paid off early, an emergency fund in case anything breaks, and saving towards changing my car. And all because I stopped spending when I cut down my working hours.

I keep on top of the de cluttering, was searching for something I had put in a safe place, found it, but also had two bin bags of bedding and curtains that I was never going to need, for the charity shop.

Don't come to my house if dust disgusts you, I do the minimum housework, just enough to keep it habitable, clean kitchen and bathroom, run the vacuum cleaner over it now and again, clean the windows annually.

Keep chipping away at it LoD. I see you pay a lot by card, I gave my contactless back to the bank and asked for a normal debit card. With this I draw cash out of the bank, always use the machine inside the bank, and pay for most things with cash. My credit card is for occasional supermarket food and petrol. I have very few direct debits so this cuts down on the paperwork, I can see at a glance on my monthly statements that everything is running smoothly.

I never have coffee out, never eat out, why would I? I would rather my food and drink came from my own kitchen. If out for the day I take a pack up and a drink in a refillable bottle.

Keep on keeping on, don't lose sight of your ambitions and dreams, they can become reality with a bit of organizing from yourself. Good luck.

ilona

Thank you for such an encouraging story Ilona. I am taking steps toward reducing working hours although will need to significantly overhaul spending habits. A journey I am just at the beginning of. Your post gives a great example of how this can be done and it was great to hear that you are in such a good place having done this. Your tips on getting rid of contactless are good and I will take this on board. I am a good cook and try to cook from scratch but not always easy with limited time. The slow cooker is my best friend!

Thank you for your support and take care yourself.

Lifeofdreams

Caterina wrote: »

I've become an anti-declutterer. I know, there are certain things that need to go, but sometimes I think about the frenzy to declutter is only led by the impulse to buy new things. I used to do it myself! I'd fill a bag with clothes for the charity shop, felt so good and Kondo-like, then would saunter to the shops to refill and restock (= reclutter).

DH and I have decided not to buy any more clothes, we have more than enough. The cue word here for me is "more". Having enough is great, but having a few spares for when our favourite items are too worn to be usable means we can go shopping in our own wardrobes.

Since its been our policy to buy only few, good quality items (often from charity shops - "vintage" clothing is often much better constructed and longer lasting), we've accumulated enough to last us a lifetime.

I recently invested in a batch of organic cotton underwear, bought online at quite a cost, because I was fed up of the flimsy, synthetic stuff on the market. These granny knickers give me great joy (very Kondo-like!) as they're very well made, sturdy, and easily repairable when a bit worn in parts. There's even a little hole on the waistband, like a buttonhole, to replace the elastic when it's gone. They will hopefully see me through the rest of my life.

Ilona, thinking of your male underwear, they're a great idea but I think my DH would find it a bit disconcerting if i wore his Y fronts. But I have done so, on occasion, when all my smalls (figure of speech hehehe) were in the wash, and they're supremely comfy. Lucky men!

Reduce Reuse and Repurpose are not cliches when looking to living a good life on a retirement income, we're loving it. See the "Champagne Lifestyle on Lemonade Money" thread, they got a lot of good ideas on how to live really well for less.

Catriona do true I will have to exercise willpower after declutteing so that I don't replace with more😃. I have looked at "champagne lifestyle on lemonade money thread it is really good.

I like the idea of reduce, reuse and repurpose. Thank you for support Catriona.

Primrose

You mention elderly parents. The reality could be that in coming years the pressures this puts on you could become worse so in reality perhaps be prepared foe this now.
Ask your emoloyers again if you can go part time because of family needs. So they. It have any personnel policies in respect of employees with pressing family caring responsibilities. Could your role involve a job share, where you work half a week and another employee does the same role for the second part of the week? This worked for me, giving me time to travel on days off to care for eldery parents and my work colleague time to cope with a young baby and less need for childcare while maintaining her skills.

We often underestimate the work/life balance equation at the expense of our health and mental wellbeing. Cut back on your expenses now to the minimum while you. Build up an emergency pot so you have time to work out the minimum you can comfortably live on while you search for a longer term solution. Your health and well-being will undoubtedly benefit from less pressure.

Siebrie

Lifeofdreams wrote: »

Sleep is worst it has ever been so need to work on that. Reducing caffeine/eating lighter meals when I get home from work may help! Although I fear this will not improve until working hours reduce as I wake up with work on my mind and what needs doing (despite having written to do list.

Caffeine/coffee also has a secondary effect, which can kick in about 7 hours after you have drank the coffee. It affects me severely, and I cannot drink coffee after 11am, if I want to sleep before 2am. Maybe worthwhile to check?