We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Moving forward and upwards
Options
Comments
-
Going out and having fresh air from The Highlands will be exhausting. It's like having a walk by the sea for me whenever I go (not since lockdown) regardless of the length of the walk I fall asleep with exhaustion. I think our senses are heightened as we are experiencing something that wakes up all parts of you so you get more tired even if we haven't walked as much as you think you should have done. Yum to your tea. Hurrah for payday. Only 7 days left.Aiming for a minimal spend 20222
-
Sorry to hear you are struggling so much after your day out. I know you probably don’t want to but have you thought about a mobility scooter ? I have a wheelchair at work for emergencies fire etc and it took me ages to sit in it 😬
You just reminded me about sauce & chips 😋 I remember it from when I lived in Rosyth.0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 Left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year (until pensions start at 60 & 67).
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p12 -
Thank you SW, it's just so hard when having 5 days off, including the weekend, I'm written off after one outing.
Skinty, OH has been pestering me for a few years about getting a scooter, I've looked into the all terrain ones but I'm too young and it feels like I would have given up if I get one. I'm starting to question how long I can get away with pushing like I am, before I'm no longer able to.
Oh wow, never knew you lived up here. Shame you still don't else we could have gone for a coffee!Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.4 -
Haha I wasn’t there long. Stayed with a friend & then moved to the opposite end of the country. 😆 It’s warmer down south 😁 Lovely in Scotland though, I wish I could have stayed & explored longer.I know what you mean about the scooter. I felt a fraud sat in a wheelchair, felt I wasn’t disabled enough iyswim. I can walk so I refuse to let them push me in it. But I can’t stand for long without pain so I have to sit in it when we get outside.Maybe we should both get over it & realise we need a bit of help 🙂x0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 Left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year (until pensions start at 60 & 67).
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p13 -
I always imagined it to be warmer in England than up here, but oddly enough each year there has been a very nice summer and I do get a lovely golden tan.
Must agree with you about feeling like a 'fraud', often when I post up about doing things in the garden or flat or going out it feels contradictory to me moaning about being in pain, unable to walk etc. If I don't do 'normal' things, I'm worried I will just give up, what kind of life would that be for us then ☹️
I can't stand for long either. It's been horrific going to visit SIL, BIL and mini me during lockdown as we've had to stand outside to see / talk with them. By the time we were home I was white as a ghost, shaking with pain and in tears as I couldn't get comfortable.
Last night I did read your further reply here Skinty, but I needed to think and try to work out a plan of action.
-- I know I've got to cling on to working FT until I've remortgaged to a normal interest rate / lender, plus bring the mortgage down by making O/Ps and try to get a better pension behind me.
For that I've set a deadline of 30 months.
-- I know I should be claiming PIP. That would be a stress in itself based on what I've read.
For that I must start keeping a pain diary as that would also help with Dr appointments.
-- I know I should have a mobility scooter. They keep popping up for sale (previously loved) and I've looked into brand new ones. The awkward thing is they are not light enough for me to get them into the garden (has steps to it) or lift into the car and I would be dependent on OH.
For that I just have to keep looking and start a savings pot.
I've got the flat set up so I can walk around it.
I use the second sofa as an aid to stand up, walls and doors as a walking aid, got my little shower stool but need the proper one with rubber feet.
I can manage getting up / down the stairs because of the handrails and walking stick, it just takes a while.
All the garden plots have a walled garden along the path and therefore something to use as a walking aid.
Get me out of these 'zones' and I'm dependant on my walking stick, although I know I could get something better.
I do take onboard everyone's comments, I just have to digest them and figure out plans 🤭
Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.4 -
I think for me it’s a case of accepting my limitations & making adaptations to live a comfortable & as pain free as possible life. Try not to see it as giving up. Instead it’s fighting back to get 5 out of 5 days of mobility instead of 1 day out of 5.If I’m going somewhere & know I’ll be standing I take something to sit on. I have a lightweight folding deckchair so I took that to my friends house & sat out on the pavement while she stood on her doorstep. If I’m going on a picnic I take it with me as I can’t sit on the floor. If someone stands chatting while I’m out & about I’ve learned to say sorry I have to go my back pain is beginning to build up as I can’t stand for long.I try to plan my walking route so I know where there are benches or walls I can stop & sit on for a rest if needed. I’ve sat on people’s low garden walls before now if I need to.My bathroom is small & we have a huge sink that overhangs the bath so I use that to hold onto to climb into the bath to use the shower. I don’t have baths. I know eventually I will need to get rid of the bath & get a walk in shower & a hand rail, probably with a seat. I will sort that in my new home when I eventually start looking to move. An upstairs bathroom is a must & having a downstairs toilet as well would be ideal.Anyway, sorry think I have waffled on a bit, but I hope you will be able to do more of the normal things if you can find something suitable. 😊0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 Left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year (until pensions start at 60 & 67).
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p14 -
I think part of the problem is I still do not accept I'm disabled. It doesn't feel like long ago I had a proper outdoor life, did my own mechanics etc, but I know at some point that slowed.
I'm going to look at what seat I can get for being out and about. Originally I was looking at a folding camping chair for the garden as I could put my drink in the arm rest, maybe I should go back to that idea, then it can go on trips too.
There's a walking frame / seat thing I've seen locals use, perhaps I should look into one of those!
Maybe I should just have a proper look at what is on the market and would make my life a little easier 🙈
Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.4 -
I would definitely take a chair with you to visit relatives. Get OH to carry it for you. Good that you are getting out and about. Consider P1P tooAchieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/252 -
Thank you SH, OH carries everything for me already! I made my camera bag as light as possible but he ended up grabbing that and all the other bags for the trip.
I've spent the day looking for suitable assistance items. So far I've picked out a walking stick / seat, walking frame / seat and all terrain walking frame / seat (which would stay in the car).
I've started looking at scooters but it is a space / lifting issue with them, but also needing an all terrain one which are not cheap.
Discovered no VAT on disability items, which will help with costs and don't need to have p1p etc to qualify!
Still confined to the flat and tomorrow I will dig out a notebook to start my pain diary, it's a step in the right direction. Had a nap this afternoon but wanted to stay in bed for a few days.
Apparently swimming pools are opening up this month, will wait to see what the booking system is like and try to time it around OHs non-working days so I can have the car or he can drop/ collect me.
Hopefully tomorrow I have enough energy to go outside 🤗Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.4 -
This all sounds like a very positive step in the right direction. 😊 You could maybe check if there is a local mobility shop near you & see about hiring a scooter to try out.I thought this was interesting
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/mobility-scooters/article/hiring-a-mobility-scooter-and-motabilityHope things are better for you today😊0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 Left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year (until pensions start at 60 & 67).
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p13
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards