Giving every £ a job

Applewood1

Ha! I was going to mention this in my comment too - each pair comes in tissue paper and it does feel like a little treat!

cuddlymarm

Hi Blackcats
Our downsizing has been a gradual thing. We moved to a static caravan a few years ago when OH was working at Heathrow and the rents were so high. Then four years ago when OH took early retirement we moved the caravan back up North with us and when our one bedroom flat we have now came up for auction bid on it and won. It’s needed a few thousand spending on it (which was finished just before Xmas)
We’ve parted with an awful lot of stuff over the past few years, offered to our grown up kids, sold or donated. It’s been a gradual process but we’re now in a position to live well frugally and any big treats have to be saved up for. We both work part time which allows this.
Our flat costs very little to run basically because it’s tiny. Not everyone would enjoy living in this small a space. You need to make a list of what you absolutely could not do without and what you need and would like and then make your plan.
Cuddles

Blackcats

Hi Fran and Applewood - tights wrapped in tissue sounds lovely. I need to deal with the bundle of tights in my drawer that resembles a mythical sea creature with a multitude of entwined legs.
Good job you asked about a virtuous weekend rather than an exciting weekend. I've been travelling a lot with work so I can't wait to nestle in my own home. I'm going to follow Newkywed's tip and look at YNAB again - surely I'm capable of mastering it?
Cuddlymarm - it sounds like you have got a good balance for retirement. As I've got older I find I want less clutter but I'm still lured in by "things". I confessed a while ago that I was so tempted to buy a sparkly plastic cactus in a pot just because it sparked and looked pretty. I didnt buy it and I really have no idea what I thought I needed it for or where I would display it at home.
I need to sort through another pile of papers this weekend. I'm sure most of it can be shredded. Little and often de-cluttering.

newlywed

Just been paid.... as for snagtights.... you don’t just need to do your stocktake Blackcats, you need to try and find a pair in your size and a colour you like.... that are actually in stock!

I got sold out, sold out, sold out.... so one pair on the way. That’s all. No chance of a mad spending spree though for my size.

Franalamadingdong

Ooh, that does sound virtuous. I love a snuggley home weekend. I had one last weekend. Good luck with mastering YNAB. I'm a paper and pen gal. Probably because I do it all in my bullet journal.

Blackcats

Perhaps we should claim commission for the sale of tights?
I'm feeling that I am startling to understand YNAB a bit now. I woke up this morning thinking "oh I get it" - actually I still don't completely get it but the fog is clearing a bit.
Because my month runs from 5th to 4th I have still got a couple of weeks til I can do my accounts but so far so good and unless I run amok in Jo Malone it s looking like it could be a low spending month.

Franalamadingdong

That's great news. And we know that you are not going to run amok because you want something more than a candle, security.

Blackcats

Ah Fran you are very wise. Yes freedom and security are the goals and expensive candles are just a passing pleasure.
I've had a nice day today. I went for a budgeted hot chocolate at a favourite coffee shop. It's a bit of a distance from where I live but lovely surroundings and good service. I then used a Christmas gift voucher to buy some new placemats. I've got a horrific mismatched array of old and grotty placemats that make me grumpy (albeit briefly) every day. So I chose some lovely new ones in the sale which were further discounted and meant I had enough money left on my voucher to buy .....a candle. Also discounted to £3. No money departed from my my purse - and I think I got great value for money from my voucher.
Have spent some money on the top of the range, luxury seafood cat food that is all my cats will eat. One of the cats was a rescued stray who had lived rough for 6 months presumably eating scraps and whatever he could catch but you'd think he was of royal descent with his food choices now. Still I adore them and they are worth it.

Franalamadingdong

Haha. Pets are so funny. We had an ex stray cat and she loved crisps.

Sounds like you made good use of your gift card. I always figure gift cards are gifts, so they're to be used on lovely things.

Blackcats

A nice family day today despite the horrid weather, grey sky and then torrential rain. Back home by 5 so a nice, long, cosy evening with candles and lots of cups of tea. No money spent today - yay.
Not much progress on YNAB but to be honest not much effort put into it this weekend by me. Tomorrow is another day! I'll try again then.