It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

enthusiasticsaver

Sea_Shell said:

We really want to start doing some days out, somewhere, anywhere!!!   (I did look at posting on the UK travel board but its been closed)   Where has anyone else been, since we've been allowed to venture further than the supermarket?   How have you found it "out there"?

The only places I have been are a local garden centre just to buy plants and a coastal walk with a pasty from a takeaway shop at the end. Both were fine. I am doing a coastal walk and the beach tomorrow as the outdoor cafe and toilets are open. 

Anonymous101

We're feeling stir crazy too!
I think we're going to have to have a day shortly, only thing is avoiding the crowds. We live in a fairly rural area and have noticed the amount of walkers (locals) has shot up from the beginning of lock down. On one hand its a good thing more people are getting out, and i understand the desire to, but on the other hand we're having to go further out of the way to avoid people. So where to go for the day is a big challenge. We have a campervan with basic toilet facilities if needed so that's not an issue, I'll just have to get my old walking maps out and think of somewhere out of the way.

Sea_Shell

Everything is still ticking along here, and having finalised June's figures, we have spent £4,493 in the first 6 months of the year.   
We've also had "income" of approx £800, so in effect we've only eaten into our funds by £3,693! 

However, overall our "pots" are down £6,200 since the year end, which isn't too bad all things considered!!    A net drop of only £2,500.


We've started to look at accommodation for Sept/Oct, but the pessimist in me is still worried that this is all going to kick off again by then, and we won't be able to go, or the experience may be diminished.   Still pondering.    Be a shame if after waiting all this time, we get locked down again (like Leicester) and plans scuppered, especially if the kids don't go back to school.

As for the economic fall out of another wider lockdown, well that doesn't bear thinking about!!

Stubod

I think another outbreak is inevitable, just look at the crowds on the beaches recently.

The problem is we are expecting people to rely on common sense and it seems fairly obvious that a lot of people don't actually have any and they will spoil it for the remainder....

crv1963

I think another outbreak is inevitable, I have only been to work, the supermarket- for essentials only, I tried to have a look at the "Seasonal Aisle" but it felt odd loitering so I simply go in get what is on my list and go as quickly as I can. Holiday refunded and not planning on booking anything else for this year, most I think we'll do is a beach walk when the weather is poor so we avoid any crowds.

MallyGirl

I have continued to work from home, as has OH, and food continues to be delivered. Daughter pretty much lives in her room which is not good but what else is there to do? She is doing exercise daily, cooking quite a bit, doing some arty stuff, watching far too much youtube and practicing her various instruments. Her target uni are doing zoom gatherings so she is at least making some virtual friends.
We are going for a night away in the camper - to a rally field with exclusive use for the dog breed club. Nice sensible people, socially distant, have to bring own facilities (meant a quick shop for a toilet tent), no food sharing but at least it is a change of scene and some fresh air. We haven't tried taking the dogs in the camper before - could be entertaining, or a total disaster. Our fellow campers will understand.
We are finally able to visit my Mum later this month - I haven't seen her since October but they are too far away for a day trip. It's a big house so we will be able to socially distance inside.
Our holiday will be refunded eventually - they are quoting 120 days for that so I'm glad it is on a 0% card.
Glad the numbers are still stacking up for you Sea_Shell.

RueyE

With Sea_Shell providing an expenditure update for the first 6 months (always amazes me how little this is), I thought that as I continue to be furloughed, and OH has only recently returned to work, it has allowed me to look at our figures for the first six months of 2020. For us this is the cheaper half of the year, as more of the car related bills occur during the 2nd half, as well as two extra Council Tax payments.
Figures are slightly skewed due to the influence of the pandemic (e.g. fuel costs are significantly lower), but we have had a few one of costs along the way. A few of the items will not be carried forward into next year, e.g H2B ISA contributions will be completed by Dec.
Total is £13,921, which is within budget so happy, and gives us a good idea of costing going forward.
Anyway for those slightly interested the breakdown is as follows:-

• Household bills (CT, utility, mobile) - 1959
• Hols / Entertain - 254
• Cars (2) (non fuel) - 501 
• Groceries - 1420
• Household items (new shower, & toilet repairs, laptop upgrades, new carpet payments etc) - 1210
• Health - 260
• Fuel - 461
• Finance Fees - 148
• Pet - 280
• University support costs (for 2) - 2004
• Existing Loans (now finished) - 548
• Gifts - 265
• H2B Isa - 2400
• Misc (including replacing car) - 2211  

Thanks for reading.

Audaxer

Sea_Shell said:

Everything is still ticking along here, and having finalised June's figures, we have spent £4,493 in the first 6 months of the year.   

I continue to be amazed as to how you manage such a low spend figure for the two of you. As that is the equivalent of around £9k for the year, that would be covered by just one full State Pension, which just shows what can be done. I was quite pleased that we, also a retired couple, came in at under £12k spend for the 6 months to end of June. 

Anonymous101

Yes your spend is remarkable really.
I had a quick tot up mentally and our annualised spends on food £4160 (£80pw), Gas and Electricity £960 (£80pm) and Council Tax c£2k plus some sundries like TV license etc pretty much come to your spending. Its amazing that you manage to keep it consistently so low.

Sea_Shell

I really don't know how we do it either?

It's not like we actively TRY to be super frugal.

I've just looked back back at last year and Jan-Jun was £5060 including £800 of holidays, so very similar figures.

Maybe it's my old skool make do and mend side, as I've spent most of today battling my printer, trying to clean/clear the inkjets, where most people would have just ordered a new one from Amazon by now!!

It may still come to that though!!!