Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

humptydumptybits

caronc I had shingles this year as well. It is horrible isn't it, the pain went on for months. Hope you are OK, I think I'm over it but it definitely took time.

caronc

lessonlearned wrote: »

Caronc......thanks for that. I think I can do it. As you say I can reduce the savings if necessary. But my plan is to "save and splurge" not to just save indefinitely.

I think it's easier to save if you know you are saving for a specific purpose, especially if it's for something nice. :rotfl:

My monthly savings will be ongoing so I don't end up using my "proper" savings on day to day minor things but are there for big ticket spends. (Like the stove I'm getting installed in a couple of weeks:D:D) I'm not adding to my main savings pots as such but save every month to a mortgage overpayment instead. Once I get my mortgage paid off, I've still a good number of years to go, I'll rebuild them. I suppose my monthly savings aren't savings as such but they cover all the adhoc things that come along throughout the year as well as a household fund should white goods die or I need some minor handywork done. Overall I'm surprised that given the income reduction how much I've actually put aside while managing to do/buy all the things I've wanted to. Yes there has been a bit of "budget shuffling" as I spend more on clothes than I expected to last January but that was due to replacing a formal working wardrobe to a more suitable one. I also understimated how much I spend on my garden so that pot will get tweaked next year as it is one of my main hobbies and gives me so much pleasure:). However, overall at the end of 2018 my pots will have covered everything I wanted them to as there were some underspends to. I'll hopefully have a better idea next year how much to add to each category.:)

doingitanyway wrote: »

It is such a treat enjoying all your posts and getting new ideas.:)
I work part time so I don’t have a great deal of money but love the work-life balance.

I had a facial at the training college this past week for £12 A treat yes, but in future I will do it myself as it wasn’t anything I couldn’t do. Next week I am trying a manicure at the college (also £12) I rarely do them myself.:o

I am a fan of a £3 day time film (includes tea and coffee) and saw The Children’s Act this week and it was excellent.

I too will be joining you in your restricted budget for a month Lessonlearned. I will use £200 a month to cover all my discretionary spending. Caronc seems to manage perfectly well.

I am going on a 4 month sabbatical in 18 days so I will have a little less and I also want to overpay my council tax so I am council tax free when I start my sabbatical. I think £180-£200 is doable. Maybe I am being over optimistic. We shall see

Have a sparkling week everyone

Oh a sabbactical how lovely:D, well worth a cut in income and you'll benefit from losing all the hidden work-related expenses that seem to mount up. I have found "cutting my cloth to meet my need" much easier than I expected so good luck:D.

caronc

humptydumptybits wrote: »

caronc I had shingles this year as well. It is horrible isn't it, the pain went on for months. Hope you are OK, I think I'm over it but it definitely took time.

Horrible aren't they, this is my third bout this, year always in the same place on my face. The pain is incredible but thankfully mine cleared quite quickly and the patch is numb now rather than sore. Luckily I spotted it early doors so meds stopped it from escalating too badly. Hopefully yours will settle soon. <<hug>>

Lifeofdreams

Dear All

I love the ideas on here. I am hoping to reduce working hours in the near future and have posted a thread to try and keep me on track! I will need to reduce my outgoings significantly to do this and live the concept of having a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. I have subscribed and am looking forward to getting some inspirational idead:):):):)

humptydumptybits

caronc wrote: »

Horrible aren't they, this is my third bout this, year always in the same place on my face. The pain is incredible but thankfully mine cleared quite quickly and the patch is numb now rather than sore. Luckily I spotted it early doors so meds stopped it from escalating too badly. Hopefully yours will settle soon. <<hug>>

I had them in my mouth, I begged the dentist to pull teeth out as they were so painful but she said there was nothing wrong with my teeth. Can't imagine coping with it 3 times in a year.

[Deleted User]

I had shingles many years ago, I still get pain under my ribs even now.....

This year for the first time I have made a determined effort to save, We have taken out Funeral plans, just now we are paying instalments but when my savings pot matures in April it will clear at least one of them and most of the other. If the bank offers the same deal next year I will do the same again, so if we have any hefty bills the cash is there.

My shopping bill has gone out of the window this month as things I bulk buy have run out.......I have 3 large blocks of cheese in the fridge which I need to cut in half and freeze. I can only get it from the Aldi in Bingham, our local Aldi does not have it. I also need to tidy up the freezer to get the cheese in, so thats a job for this morning once I have hung the washing out.

Prinzessilein

Sympathy to all those with shingles...my Mum has had it- twice- (it can recur)...and both times it went into the eyes...it is most misery-making...and painful!


A little bit of luxury-on-a-budget this morning...I went to the local craft shop...some lovely items there, made by local folk...lots of Chritmassy things at the moment...bought some lovely hand-made candles, soaps and carved wooden trinkets (the candles are only £3...wooden trinkets £1....real bargains!)...so they will add to the Christmas Pressie stash (can't use the soaps myself as my skin is prescription-stuff-only).

Supper tonight will be thick homemade soup...freezing cold outside, and there is nothing of warming as a bowl of soup...and home made soup is so cheap to make!

lessonlearned

Hello everyone.....very cold here. The wind is really biting. And it's set to get even colder over the next few days.

Unfortunately this new (to me) house is very poorly insulated and the heating system is inadequate. I am paying a fortune to heat up the street. :rotfl:

Oh well I'm resigned to big bills this winter. Can't be helped. Next summer when I do the big renovations I will make sure that i upgrade the insulation. Still not sure about woodburners. I will do my research after Christmas.

This morning I went to the dentist. Two fillings needed but she said they aren't urgent so I've scheduled those in for after my holiday. I have Denplan so they are covered.

This afternoon....I went for a massage. Yes luxury. But also as I suffer from fibromyalgia and a touch of arthritis I tend to go for regular massages to help reduce muscles soreness and joint stiffness so maybe not quite as extravagant or self indulgent as it sounds. Massages really do stop me from seizing up.:rotfl:

I am really pleased that I have found a local salon which is much cheaper than my old city centre one plus they do 20% senior discounts Monday and Tuesday. Every little helps.

Princess I love soup too but have got out of the habit of making it. I must start making it again after my holiday. I have got a nice warming chilli in the slow cooker for tonight. I'll be able to freeze a couple of portions too.

Do you use a soup maker. I was wondering if they are a good investment.

Tonight calls for a nice cosy night in by the fire.

joedenise

I tend to use a pressure cooker if I need a soup in a hurry but generally just make a big pan on the hob. The longest part is chopping the veg! Doesn't take very long to cook and then blend for a smooth soup.

I make a pea soup using dried peas which I pressure cook for 12 minutes and then add some frozen peas for a few minutes before blending and it's really tasty and quick. I don't tend to freeze this one but make it as and when we want it so just 2 portions at a time.

Denise

cherryblossomzel

I just made a veg soup last night as I woke up with an urge for the stuff. I use an electric pressure cooker - chop stuff roughly, don't bother peeling anything, in the pressure cooker and blend. I usually add some cream cheese too, to make it a bit creamy and add some protein, and I also chucked in some sausage this time for added protein. Made enough to last ages