The hardest challenge yet

elantan

yeah, after I saw your last post I told hubby to go check his, he lost his leg in details so has ordered new ones ...

I'm in a SIPP with H&L and CSD so have their apps, I also have a small nest, 2 old pensions and a current work one ... so 6 pensions all together all small but add up to being ok, nothing great but it all helps along with OH SIPP and pension, his are worth much much more than mine ( about 6x the value atleast )

but none of them would be enough if we dont get on top of the spending, particularly food drink and takeaways

elantan

Its Hogmany,

have a great one whatever your doing, I managed to have two meals saved from last nights leftovers, so they are both in the freezer, still have the same amount of money left but I reckon Mr El will be spending some today.

We had thought of kayaking to an island and camping, we had thought of a bothy visit, climbing a hill and staying in a bothy, we had thought of taking the caravan to one of our favourite places and having a fire and star gazing, we decided a fire pit on the verandah with the wood burning stove in the living room, a couple of recliner chairs pointed up to the sky with the hope of seeing the bats that fly around about us, some tunes and watching the fire worls the neighbours let off every New year, before heading to bed

I have a couple of bottles of prosecco left over from Xmas and a box of after 8 chocolates ...

what's your plans ?

lessonlearned

Hi Elan......stopping by to wish you happy Hogmanay. I'm South of the border so for us it's just plain New Years Eve. :rotfl: but as it's a new decade I am super excited.

I will be celebrating with my family, a fab meal cooked by DS2 - he's a great cook.

I'm taking a Casino Night game......Yep complete with roulette wheel.:rotfl: I bought each of us a pack of chocolate coins in the post Christmas sale for "gambling money". :rotfl: it should be a fun night. I'll get dolled up and we will have a great time without spending a fortune.

boultdj

In my case a glass of cider, watch a film with other half, the cat will come for a cuddle and most likely both be asleep for 10pm if the last couple of year's are anything to go by.
Have a good New Year's Eve everyone.

elantan

lessonlearned wrote: »

Hi Elan......stopping by to wish you happy Hogmanay. I'm South of the border so for us it's just plain New Years Eve. :rotfl: but as it's a new decade I am super excited.

I will be celebrating with my family, a fab meal cooked by DS2 - he's a great cook.

I'm taking a Casino Night game......Yep complete with roulette wheel.:rotfl: I bought each of us a pack of chocolate coins in the post Christmas sale for "gambling money". :rotfl: it should be a fun night. I'll get dolled up and we will have a great time without spending a fortune.

that sounds like a fun night ... great way to bring in the new year xxx

boultdj wrote: »

In my case a glass of cider, watch a film with other half, the cat will come for a cuddle and most likely both be asleep for 10pm if the last couple of year's are anything to go by.
Have a good New Year's Eve everyone.

that's what we do most of the time ( except the cat bit ... we miss having a cat)

then we usually get woken up by the fireworks that go on from midnight till about 12.30 and then try and spend hours going to sleep again


one of the best Hogamny's/ new years celebrations I've done is the Stonehaven fireball festival... it's an awfy long drive to get there... but I am deff glad I did it

boultdj

The firework's will wake OH up, but I've slept through thunderstorms and a little earthquake before now,:eek: but if the cat is sick?......that will wake me up...…...:o:o

elantan

Just counted spends on food takeaway and alcohol for the month £757 which yep is far too much, but considering the whole xmas day debacle it could've been so so so much worse.


Next month WILL be better ( cash only will make sure of that lol)

I've also decided that I am gonna put the wish list in an order, I think top of the list is getting the spare room done, so that gives me something to focus on atleast

dreaming

Good luck with the 2020 plans elantan. I don't take much notice of New Year to be honest as I am always embarking on a new plan or project. There isn't even anyone I fancy watching on Jools' Hootenanny but I rarely go to bed before midnight so will no doubt hear any fireworks going off round here. I had some work done on the kitchen just before Xmas and am looking for some new wallpaper for the dining end, plus maybe the bedroom which hasn't been decorated since I moved here in 2010! The next few days will see me reviewing 2019's budget and setting the new one. I will try to claw back some of the expense of the kitchen, although it was planned for and is now paid. I can easily cut down on food as I have plenty in and only have me to please. I plan to grow a bit more to eat as well. I pretty much fell out of love with gardening over the last couple of years due to some family problems which sapped my energy. Fingers crossed they are resolved as much as they can be so I do feel a bit more energised. Having said that, I am just off to make a cuppa, sit on the sofa, and start a new book. Best way to end and start the year in my opinion. Best wishes.

eamon

Just read all 12 pages. Loads of really useful & helpful ideas.



Your family spends too much on food & alcohol? You need to start a detailed spending diary (spreadsheet) to understand where and what the money is being spent on. Only then will you be able to implement changes that are sustainable. Of course you are also dealing with extended family issues so don't be too harsh on yourself.


Its 2020 tomorrow and everything to look forward to.

Lastly I've done the WHW twice. Still don't like the devils staircase. I was up in Greenock last week and came across this long distance walking route Clyde Coastal Path

http://!!!!!!/2SHlIfi
and futher research tells me that it is part of this

http://!!!!!!/37jUPC2


I only had few hours spare so only managed to explore the Greenock Cut section but you still get a good view of the Clyde (even better on a sunny day).

elantan

eamon wrote: »

Just read all 12 pages. Loads of really useful & helpful ideas.



Your family spends too much on food & alcohol? You need to start a detailed spending diary (spreadsheet) to understand where and what the money is being spent on. Only then will you be able to implement changes that are sustainable. Of course you are also dealing with extended family issues so don't be too harsh on yourself.


Its 2020 tomorrow and everything to look forward to.

Lastly I've done the WHW twice. Still don't like the devils staircase. I was up in Greenock last week and came across this long distance walking route Clyde Coastal Path

http://!!!!!!/2SHlIfi
and futher research tells me that it is part of this

http://!!!!!!/37jUPC2


I only had few hours spare so only managed to explore the Greenock Cut section but you still get a good view of the Clyde (even better on a sunny day).

Hi Eamon welcome

will look at those walks in detail as I'm looking for more places to go

yep the plan is to change it this year so that we can get on top of it.

yep the devils staircase is a slog.... but those views ... I actually shed a tear at those views ... stunning walk i cant wait to do it again myself