Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Better weather today for humans and cats.  Went for a walk to a local open space and we were lucky to see a kestrel flying above us.  Incredible that in the windy conditions it was able to hover, almost motionless.  We took our flasks with us and I wore my new coat so was nice and snug.

bank accounts checked following the start of the month direct debit frenzy.  By about 6th of the month all the outgoings have gone out and then it goes quiet until 18th when I receive a pension payment.  Still thrilled by the receipt of money that I haven't had to earn that month.  

I've used a chase savings pot to collate the various funds to pay the whopping credit card bill on 25th.  Makes me feel better to see that the bill is offset by existing funds.

did a couple of surveys and sewed up 2 seams on my knitting.  I'm getting a bit better at finishing off garments and I've forbidden myself from starting my next project until this one is done, otherwise I know it will stay in 4 sections in my knitting basket.

foxgloves

I love knitting, but share your feelings about sewing up! I have decided I am going to unpick the cardi I knitted earlier this year & re-join it. I just wanted to get it done at all costs as I don't enjoy sewing up, & I now regret not taking my time & making a better job of it. Don't know when I'll get round to it, but I am definitely going to earmark it for a wet weather task over the next few weeks.
F

savingholmes

Love the kestrel image. 

Love the idea of receiving £ accumulated in yesteryear on a monthly basis.

Blackcats

@foxgloves - I'm glad it's not just me with the finishing off of knitting.  Unpicking and re-doing must be even worse but if you aren't happy with it then it's best to do it again.  Drink plenty of tea while you are doing it.  I did another seam today but couldn't face any more.  My mum mostly did my finishing off - she made it look easy.  I wish I'd taken more notice of how she did it.  

@savingholmes - I know you are preparing hard for your future self.  It's so worth it!  I know I paid into my pension for years but honestly it's still miraculous to me that I get this money every month.  No alarm clocks, no meetings, no reports, no work travel - fabulous.

beautiful sunshine today so I got the bedding washed and dried.  I do like fresh, line dried bedlinen.

we used some of our "fun money" today to buy bits and bobs for a picnic from our lovely local deli.  A cheese and potato pasty, turkey and avocado wrap, Greek salad and beetroot & orange salad and MrBC indulged in their very special scotch eggs.  We took crisps, grapes and apples from home.  The gardens we visited were stunning in the Autumn sunshine.  They feature in a historical TV drama and I can understand why.

Sarahwithlove

One of good things about working for council is the pension scheme. I'm pretty sure state pension will be means tested when I get there in 30-35 years depending what the retirement age is at that stage! Being on these boards has really helped show me importance of paying off debts, mortgage and saving a pension pot for early retirement. 

tunathe_cat

I also loath the sewing up knitted toys etc., some of the faces resemble the blow up dolls from fools n horses episode!I have a selection of Rabbit Wedding toys waiting for faces and flower accessories.  also a nudinit Vicar struggling with a comb over hair.  Advice welcome xx Andrea

Blackcats

@Sarahwithlove - you have had your financial lbm in plenty of time to build for a great future.  I remember being within a whisker of opting out of my work's pension scheme because money was very tight and my friend who worked in payroll urged me not to and explained all the good reasons why I shouldn't.   I didn't really take much notice of her but was too embarrassed to opt out because she would have seen my paperwork when processing the payroll.  I'm so, so grateful that I didn't! 

@tunathe_cat - that made me laugh, especially the Only Fools and Horses image!  I am trying not to visualise that vicar but I might be tempted to swop my sewing up for your Rev Comb-Over as I made a right pig's ear of it tonight and will be unpicking a chunk of it tomorrow.

we went to watch our local amateur football team yesterday afternoon.  Really enjoyed it and it brought back memories of going to similar matches with my dad when I was a kid.  Paid our admission and spent another £5 on 2 teas and 2 kitkats from the tea stall which are compulsory at such events.  

Nearly succumbed to a takeaway chicken kebab tonight but stuck to the meal plan and rustled up fish tacos instead.  

Sun_Addict

I used to enjoy knitting when I was a lot younger and made quite a few jumpers for myself. Having said that I wasn’t exactly an expert and often ended up sewing up the dropped stitches 🤣 

Sarahwithlove

Blackcats said:

@Sarahwithlove - you have had your financial lbm in plenty of time to build for a great future.  I remember being within a whisker of opting out of my work's pension scheme because money was very tight and my friend who worked in payroll urged me not to and explained all the good reasons why I shouldn't.   I didn't really take much notice of her but was too embarrassed to opt out because she would have seen my paperwork when processing the payroll.  I'm so, so grateful that I didn't! 

@tunathe_cat - that made me laugh, especially the Only Fools and Horses image!  I am trying not to visualise that vicar but I might be tempted to swop my sewing up for your Rev Comb-Over as I made a right pig's ear of it tonight and will be unpicking a chunk of it tomorrow.

we went to watch our local amateur football team yesterday afternoon.  Really enjoyed it and it brought back memories of going to similar matches with my dad when I was a kid.  Paid our admission and spent another £5 on 2 teas and 2 kitkats from the tea stall which are compulsory at such events.  

Nearly succumbed to a takeaway chicken kebab tonight but stuck to the meal plan and rustled up fish tacos instead.  

I'm really glad I pay into mine and seeing the quoted figures it's nice to know that if I continue paying I would be fine. But my hope is that I will be able to afford to go part time or reduced hours the closer I get to retirement. Especially if they raise pension age to 70 as planned. 

Blackcats

@Sun_Addict - I resort to sewing up dropped stitches too!

@Sarahwithlove - I chose to take my pension a bit early with a relatively small reduction and I then "retired and returned" on a 2 day a week contract for a year.  It was a great way to phase out of work and ease into leisure.

took 2 grandchildren to the library and signed them up for their own tickets.  They both love reading and it was a joy to see them choosing books and starting to read them before we were even out of the door.  Will save their parents a fortune on book buying too. 

Today flew by in a frenzy of excitement including a trip to Lidls, housework and unpicking my knitting that I bu*gered  up yesterday.  

Cooked Thai basil pork and jasmine rice which was very tasty.  We have a monthly subscription to simply cook which gives us spices and flavours for 4 recipes.  We really enjoy them and get lots of inspiration for meals which often become our Saturday night fakeaway.  Personally I find it better value than the hello fresh type arrangement where you get exact sizes of all the ingredients.