Moving forward and upwards

Irenadler

Very good progress on the financials, every time I read it, I think (like my old school reports used to say) 'Must do better!' ha!

I saw on Gardener's World, the couple who were largely self-sufficient on fruit & veg, and had a twinge of grower's envy! Those boxes of apples, sigh.... Looking forward to hearing of your adventures in veg-land...

Rain is still going, this place might turn into an ark, at this rate....

MovingForwards

Ren, it took starting over to be in the position I am now, otherwise I wouldn't be on here, still drowning in debt, depression and a marriage which was never going to change and wanting more from life.

From the minute I moved I set about changing everything so I would never be in the position I was and had been nearly all my life. Change came from within and it had to be me who wanted it; believe me I wanted it badly.

I know next year the financial constraints will ease a little, I will have some everyday budget spending and not have to save every penny.

At some point I will be 'mortgage neutral', where I have the same amount in the bank as what is outstanding. But I'm still on track with my 10 year clear it plan.

I'm sorry my diary is finance focused at the moment. That should settle quite a bit next year. It's all very exciting for me, aside from when I was saving for the mortgage deposit and associated fees, I've never had this much money in the bank.

Next year will probably be all about the garden and little projects around the flat, with a monthly financial round-up. Again, this is very exciting as I've released a dream ☺️

My diary serves a purpose of giving people hope, that big money isn't needed, compromise is free and dreams can become reality.

MovingForwards

My babysitting duties are done for the weekend, I got a bag of waste for the compost out of it.

The sun has been out all day, thankfully as my car hasn't liked the amount of rain. Opening her up blew the cobwebs out and dried her off, in readiness for TomBo in a bit.

I've not got much planned today. Will be mainly reading my mags, feet up and a potter round the garden later.

My new phone contract will be ready / starting this month, apparently. I've budgeted for it being next month.

I might do spicy noodles for lunch. Tea is steak in a tomato and veg sauce.

savingholmes

Steak sounds yummy. I have abandoned my veg patch currently. I am hoping I still get some potatoes out of it and I have leeks growing well- but haven't been good at watering. I do have tons of apples though.

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Ren, it took starting over to be in the position I am now, otherwise I wouldn't be on here, still drowning in debt, depression and a marriage which was never going to change and wanting more from life.

From the minute I moved I set about changing everything so I would never be in the position I was and had been nearly all my life. Change came from within and it had to be me who wanted it; believe me I wanted it badly.
That's huge - and a courageous step.
I know next year the financial constraints will ease a little, I will have some everyday budget spending and not have to save every penny.

At some point I will be 'mortgage neutral', where I have the same amount in the bank as what is outstanding. But I'm still on track with my 10 year clear it plan.

I'm sorry my diary is finance focused at the moment. That should settle quite a bit next year. It's all very exciting for me, aside from when I was saving for the mortgage deposit and associated fees, I've never had this much money in the bank.
No need to apologise, I keep reading because it motivates me both ways - on the finances, and on the garden...
Next year will probably be all about the garden and little projects around the flat, with a monthly financial round-up. Again, this is very exciting as I've released a dream ☺️
This is just as interesting for me!
My diary serves a purpose of giving people hope, that big money isn't needed, compromise is free and dreams can become reality.

Then it works -  I get excited about how you have done it, as well as reading you doing it. Got to work on finding my new dream now....

MovingForwards

Think of all the things you can make with apples, pie, crumble, baked, toffee, jam! Your patch will be waiting, ready for next year SH, it did you well this year.

I'm hoping to create an irrigation system, that will free up some of my time to tend / maintain / grow and learn a lot more. 

I need to:
- Lift my spuds this week and plant the garlic (I remembered when I got downstairs).
- The last few runner beans I will leave to turn to seed rather than eating them.
- Take the toms and peppers off the plants and compost the plants (can't quite bring myself to make a pesto from the tom leaves).
- Watch my carrots, parsnips, beetroot, lettuce, spring onions and eat as required.

Irenadler

Definitely feel that irrigation is a great move, on the amount of watering (or in my case over-watering) that gets done.

I am interested in irrigation too, for all those pot plants I have... really keen to try the home-made self-watering pot that GW broadcast, or it may have been BGrove... I am still eating home-grown greens....

MovingForwards

I will find a link on how to make one and get it sent to you. I've been in the "it's in a pot and must be watered every day" camp, but having seen how much easier people in my gardening group have made their lives, I'm very interested in getting it set up for next year, then my time is free'd up to focus on planting, harvesting and checking as at some point I will be back in that office and trying to be self-sufficient with the few hours I have.

I've sussed why I'm forgetting to do some of the tasks I set myself in the week. Normally an idea pops in my head, I write it on a note and stick it to my monitor, sticking it to my phone when I finish then when I'm home I take my phone out and there's my note! Unfortunately, I don't have any sticky notes at home and I'm thinking some kind of cork board with pins may be the way forward 😃

Today seems like the weather may hold and hopefully I will get the garlic and tulips in!

Irenadler

I use the write on the back of the hand trick, however, it's not failsafe, as with rain, and handwashing, and showering.... hmm, might need to revise that! 

Ah, much appreciated, I tend to kill plants with kindness, or forget completely and find a withered curled up something... maybe my green thumb hasn't fully developed yet...

Good luck with the garlic, that reminds me, didn't I buy some....?

savingholmes

I am like Irene - either over or under watering. DH bought me an irrigation kit for my birthday but we never got around to fitting it - perhaps next year.