Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

Kantankrus_Mare

Hello...............I was going to hang on till i had caught up on the whole thread before I joined in but I'm going to jump in now if thats OK.

I absolutely love the title as it sums me up perfectly! I have dropped my hours at work to 3 days a week but still want the nice things in life so there has to be a compromise somewhere.

I'm loving the work/life balance though.

We like our holidays and weekends away and we like good food and wine.

I have an allotment which helps out with the weekly groceries and I do no end of survey sites/ shopandscan/ receipt upload sites to earn amazon vouchers with which I try to stretch the household finances even further.

My main problem is my OH who I have to constantly keep on the straight and narrow. :rotfl: He is a spender and constantly finds a home for our money. He is better than he was years ago and we are not in debt so things could be worse but often feels like a constant battle to make our money go as far as it can.

I will follow with interest and join in when I can but now Im back to November 2018 when LL has just returned from her cruise.

lessonlearned

:rotfl: the cruise is just a memory now.....;)

Welcome KM. had to smile at your husband. My late husband was just the same. Easy come, easy go. :rotfl: tbh until I met him I rarely spent anything on myself. It was he who encouraged me to treat myself and to indulge in a little luxury now and then. He used to say that we all need a few fripperies now and then.

I think he was right, we do need a few fripperies in our lives. He taught me to relax about money, to enjoy the pleasures it can bring without feeling guilt. (Obviously not to go mad or run up debt or spend what we can't afford). It's all about balance isn't it.

I'm not rich by any means, just bobbing along. I think as long as I'm not in debt and I have a little put by for emergencies then I'm content. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

Our finances took a nose dive when he got sick but I'm alright now, the finances are back on even keel. If I say so myself I'm quite good at stretching the pennies to encompass some of life's little luxuries.

Speaking of cruises :rotfl:

I had an email today with a bargainous offer for a Med cruise.....but as it is for July I'm not going to bother. It will be far too hot. I will bide my time, I'm sure there will be plenty more opportunities. I am lucky I can go at the drop of a hat so can take advantage of last minute bargains.

Actually, I think I'm all travelled out for now. I am more than happy just enjoying my home and garden at the moment and now of course, making new friends and having lots of fun with the meet up group.

Nice summery outfits there SUgarbaby. Finally I might get the chance to wear some of my summer clothes. I'm going out for lunch with family tomorrow and already my DIL has texted to say she expects me to look fab in a summer dress.

Apparently Saturday is going to be like an inferno......so I'm trying to think what I can wear to the casino. I've not been to this one so I've no idea how hot it will be.

Anyway Had a lovely day with some nice little champagne moments. Met a friend for coffee and had a nice long natter. Then popped in a chazzer and picked up a tweed woollen skirt, pure wool, very dressy for just £1. No size on it but I think it's a size 12 because it's a bit tight but it shoukd be fine when I've lost my last stone. If not it will make a couple of very nice cushion covers. :rotfl:

I am starting on my winter wardrobe now ......snaffling up any really good bargains as I see them

Did some painting yesterday but didn't bother today, it was too nice so I sat outside in the sun instead.

My knee is bothering me so hoping acupuncture tomorrow will help. Have also booked a mini spa day next week.....a birthday present to me from me with lots of love.

A bit pricey but If you can't indulge in a birthday treat then when can you....

Kantankrus_Mare

I go for a full body massage every six weeks or so which sounds a bit extravagant but I went initially as I periodically suffer with lower back pain and it helps so much with that.

My masseur always said you should treat yourself at Christmas and for your birthday as you are worth it and at least you know you will like it.;)

sugarbaby125

Hello Ancientmum and Kantankarus Mare, welcome to the thread

Kantankrus_Mare

Thank you sugarbaby. Its just nice to be amongst like minded people.

Kantankrus_Mare

My first champagne moment to report........needed more supplies of Menopace for perimenopause symptoms and found I had enough points on my Boots card to get them free :T

(They help mostly with the anxiety that a few of you were talking of earlier in the thread.)

Oh and had free food from the allotment: Rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries and garlic. Also a lovely bunch of sweet peas. Doesnt take much to make me happy.

lessonlearned

I always forget about my Boots card .......:rotfl: although I have recently started looking in TX Maxx for cosmetic and toiletry bargains. They often have some really nice high end toiletries on offer. I'm on A mission for a black leather handbag so keep popping into TK Maxx and also looking at EBay. I'll take my time till I find the right one.

I am still working on my garden. I did put in a couple of fruit bushes but was very late so I doubt I'll get any produce this year. Hopefully I will plant more in the autumn or early next spring and next year will be more productive.

acupuncture this morning on my knee. Not exactly a champagne moment because it can be a bit sore but it's usually worth the discomfort, it does help with knee pain. Then a lunch outing later, popping into Aldi on the way home to top up on f&v and a relaxing evening with either the chimena or the sofa and a good film.

And a day off cooking will be nice.......:D

Have a great day.

Siebrie

Last day of school for dds today, only a half day. Dd1 has her birthday tomorrow, so we baked a green cake and a chocolate cake yesterday, and put the fondant (royal icing? The moldable one) lettering on early this morning, when it was still cool. Much cheaper and more fun than just buying something.

She has her birthday party tonight: pizzas (shopbought frozen - I have discount vouchers), candy cake (still to make), watch a film (Penelope, 50 cents from library sale), camping outside in our tent in the garden, breakfast will be A1di croissants and pain au chocolat from frozen. Dd1 invited 8 friends, but only 5 could make it, which is just the right number to fit in our tent

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday was having my younger son decide to come home for a week from his University Urbanest accommodation. :j:D

It is my son's 19th birthday today. How the years fly past. My Champagne moment was having him wake up at home on his birthday. :j

The sun is shining once again, so when I went out to run a few errands, I wore a cerise pink bardot top and a black skirt with my low wedge heel black patent Van Dal sandals. I was carrying my red leather Osprey bag and wearing my dark brown Ralph Lauren Polo sunglasses.

lessonlearned

Love your outfits, SUgarbaby. Ok so For my lunch out I am wearing navy and white pinstripe trousers, white top and a cerise pink linen jacket. :rotfl: topped with a staw hat and my posh designer shades a la Jackie Kennedy. :rotfl:

Acupuncture was cancelled so I knuckled down, did some painting and an hour in the garden. I'm now all bathed and fragrant so will be off out soon.

Isnt it lovely having your children around you. Mine have all flown the nest now, how I miss them. I cherish their visits. Still I'm happy that they are happy and soaring. It would be wrong to try and clip their wings just to keep them close.

And anyway I'm now starting to enjoy my solo life......less a widow, more a singleton.

I'm learning that they are advantages to flying solo. It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Lol