Giving every £ a job

savingholmes

I have chopped up sprouting potatoes before and planted them and got a really good harvest... There is a risk of blight however.

Glad you managed to shop from home for your food and that it was tasty. It sounds like you are supporting your dad well while looking after you... 

Blackcats

Sunaddict your potato story is exactly W the sort of thing that would happen to me.  I was amazed when I felt around in the pot and found actual potatoes.  Thanks for hint on jersey royals Foxgloves.

busy sorting out various things for my mum's funeral.  I listened to some hymns today and the tears started streaming down my face.  Music always makes me emotional but mum had chosen a particular piece of music that is so exquisite that it only took about 2 notes to set me off crying.  

Retirement countdown - 49 weeks to go 😃

savingholmes

While grieving is hard - I think if you can find something that lets you unblock some of the dam of grief then that can be healing... It's nice that your mum got to choose some of the service. Hugs.

Sun_Addict

My mum chose The Flower Duet as the main music for her funeral- she told DS she wanted it not me. Although he was 15 and had a head full of hormones and girls he remembered what she told him thankfully. I still can’t listen to it, upsets me too much and it was 21 years ago at the end of this month 😢

Blackcats

Thank you SH.  SA your DS did well to remember your mum's wishes.  You must miss your mum very much.

some money saving for me today .... I've just finished my latest audib*le book - The Carer by Deborah Moggach - I really enjoyed it so read it very quickly.  I'm not due another credit until next month and nearly used the offer to buy 3 extra credits for £18 but because I've still got the hump about not being able to return a title I decided not to give over any more of my money.  I am a terror for bearing a grudge even though I think that Nelson Mandela's wisdom is right I can't always apply it ... "if you bear a grudge it's like drinking the poison yourself and hoping it kills your enemy"
anyway .....the money saving bit of my ramblings is that I discovered a range of books that are included as part of my membership including the inspector Wexford series, so that's what I'm listening to until my next credit and the £18 still belongs to me 😃

Blackcats

had a day off work today which was much needed but quite productive.  I've finished the booklet for mum's funeral and I think I've done a good job to reflect her wishes.

made a fakeaway tonight.  A nice spicy curry with home made naan bread.  A glass of chilled wine ready for the weekend.  All in all a fraction of the cost of dinner out or a takeaway.  The smell of the curry bubbling away in the kitchen was fantastic.  

My little whatchamacallit for generating the codes to access online banking has given up so I can't check my payday bank account until a new one arrives.  I think I should be able to pay £365 to council tax which is a 10% overpayment.  

foxgloves

Hello Blackcats - I think during stressful times that a productive day off is just what is needed to feel a bit more in control & up-to-date with things. Deeply sad as it was at the time, I did find it quite helpful in a 'mentally processing' kind of a way to work on the order of service booklets for my Mum & Dad. My sister & I chose the music & readings together & I wrote the eulogies for both services as I like writing & my sister was happy for me to do them. It can be difficult at first to get the tone right, can't it, but we went for a combination of short life history & one or two funny stories. I found both services difficult but they did go very well & we felt we'd 'done them both proud' as people often say at these occasions.
Good to hear you are finding enjoyment in the normal domestic stuff like making lovely curry, etc. The overpayment on your council tax sounds good. Ours is paid monthly over 10 months & I did enjoy adding extra money to the ISA during Feb & March when there is no Council Tax payment. I think we both know where it would have gone back in the day.......straight to the cosmetic counter with the women in white coats & assorted purveyors of boots! I just couldn't go back to the insecurity of all that now.
Take care m'dear,
F x

Blackcats

Hello Foxgloves - I'm going to write the eulogy tomorrow.  I've asked for contributions from my siblings but haven't received anything - I'm not surprised but I am a bit disappointed.  

I'm just reducing the council tax mahoosive bill as quickly as I can so I can have an end of financial year boost into savings in the council tax free months like you.  I thought if I overpay by around 10% each month then I should be able to shave a month off relatively painlessly.
yes indeed any "spare" money would previously have gone to the posh cosmetic counters, handbags and costume jewellery and any surplus I would have just wasted 🤣

I'm writing a shopping list for Lidl - will go there on Tuesday which means I will get my £10 voucher.  I enjoy getting as much shopping as I can when using the voucher - usually a top up shop of milk and fruit and veg.

although the sun is shining here it's definitely chilly but I refuse to change out of my summery dress and sandals, but I might put my pj's and dressing gown on when I settle down for tv at 9 tonight.  

Blackcats

Retirement countdown - week 48
This month I'm going to try to have a super scrimpy September. 

I've got a week away later this month so will need some spending money for that.   It's self catering so I can take general food stuff with me and then have some eating out treats.

my building society is offering a monthly savings account with a relatively good interest rate so I'm going to set up an account.  I'm going to aim for £250 per month which will be tight but will give £3000 plus interest for the start of retirement.  I might need to recycle other savings into the account but they are at a lower interest rate so I think it will be worth it.

Sun_Addict

I do a monthly saver via my bank, the interest rate is good in comparison to many out there, I commit to the maximum allowed of £250 a month. At the moment it pays for home improvements but will gradually become retirement savings.