Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

thank you SH, SA and Lucielle.
still feeling energised after my holiday but I've been putting off adding up what we spent whilst we were away.  It's interesting behaviour because when I sense I'm on track I like updating my spending tracker and when I know that I'm likely to have overspent I keep procrastinating about updating the tracker.  It's similar to my old habit of not opening credit card bills which somehow meant that if I didn't know how bad it was then it was probably ok 🤦‍♀️.  Good job I'm not the Chancellor .... actually I might be well suited to that role 🤣

savingholmes

I think we'd struggle to be much worse currently. I don't envy them trying to sleep at night - when a mess up costs billions.

Good luck with making yourself do the tracker. I'm like that with dieting and going to SW - happy when things are going well, avoidant otherwise.

ladyholly

Glad to hear you had a good holiday.

Blackcats

thank you SH and LadyHolly.
I've finally added up all the holiday costs .... suffice to say that the holiday pot is completely empty.  We were visiting family who have had a tough time financially during covid and so we covered the costs of eating out.  It was worth it to spend quality time with them, give them some cheer after their relentless financial struggle and memories were made.  No more holidays planned until perhaps a 3 day UK break in early March.

Sun_Addict

I never tot up holiday costs, I save a set amount in advance and if it’s all used up so be it. Sounds like it was money well spent, you can’t put a price on good memories. 

Blackcats

Thank you Sun Addict ... you are an expert on holidays so I will follow your advice 😇

well my new 2 day working week has flown by .... I felt focussed and productive but definitely felt less stressed than before.  

I've used my extra time well by sorting out the hallway.  It's quite spacious and that seems to encourage clutter and use as a dumping ground.  I've cleared the coat cupboard so only the in use coats are there and there's room for our walking shoes.  We have a very large bay window with bookshelves underneath and I've organised the books into sections and arranged them neatly.  This was inspired by a visit to the library and so now I have created "une petite bibliotheque" I've also updated the photos on the shelf unit for "une gallerie de family" 🤩.  I think I've watched too much Escape to the Chateau.  
Tweaked the lighting by bringing some table lamps in from the garage and putting colour changing bulbs in them.  We've now started to close the blinds at dusk and the door curtain is finally up at the door instead of lying on the table.  All in all I'm really pleased with the transformation and all shopped from home!  I found a reed diffuser in my candle stash so it should smell nice too.

savingholmes

Love the French elements. Well done on reclaiming and simplifying the space and making it more beautiful. Even better that you shopped from home!

Good to make memories. Good to be generous too. A cheerful giver is a lovely thing.

ladyholly

Glad to hear you are enjoying your shorter working week. Personally although I enjoyed my job I cant say I dont prefer being retired.

leftatthetrafficlights

Well done on adding up the holiday costs - even if the pot is empty, you had a pot in the first place and you've had a lovely time! It's probably given the family members a huge boost too given their financial situation 😊 

It's nice to hear that you're feeling less stressed now that you're on a two day week- it sounds like it's a much better balance for you...well done on being so productive in your home too - personally I've done very little since I've 'retired' 😳🤦‍♀️ admittedly I've had a lot of unexpected external distractions but I need to make a start so will hopefully follow your lead! 

Blackcats

Thank you SH -  a cheerful giver is a lovely description and I think I managed that whilst on holiday.

thank you LadyHolly - it's definitely a good feeling to have more time.  However, I was very unproductive today .... most of the to do list is now a carry forward until tomorrow

thank you @leftatthetrafficlights.  I must have put a good gloss on my productivity ... I haven't achieved much really.  I think there's an element of re-charging of batteries that you and I are probably doing at the moment.