Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Thanks Rebecca - I've just posted on your diary about introvert/extrovert and as a strong introvert  I re-charged by closing in on myself so the crochet and old tv detective shows does the trick for me.

the blog is Fire and Wide - I'm enjoying reading it 
https://fireandwide.com/start-here/

Had a good day at work with fewer meetings and more time for work.  Went for a walk at lunchtime with a flask of tea - good to get out in the fresh air.  And this evening as a real wild child I've had a glass of wine on a week night but it finished the bottle from the weekend and fits in with putting the empty bottle in the recycling bin collection tomorrow 😇

savingholmes

Thanks for the link. I recharge too with alone time.

amber03

I took early retirement at the start of lockdown, had decided the Xmas before to retire and go on our first cruise to celebrate, sadly that didn’t happen and our first year of retirement was not how we had planned due to lockdowns. Anyway loving retirement but it’s so hectic. We do help look after our GK’s and an unexpected one is due next May. I wouldn’t have it any other way as we had help from our parents when our kids were young otherwise we would have struggled and I love being in their lives as I know some grandparents are not so lucky due to circumstances beyond their control. We have this year bought a touring caravan and have enjoy our first few trips out in it, with more to come. All I would say about retirement is don’t have any concrete plans as you never know what is around the corner. Xx

Blackcats

Thank you Amber - interesting to read your retirement story so far.  It's good to know that you are enjoying it and the caravan sounds fun.  I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family too.

starting buying Christmas presents in earnest - it's hard seeing the Christmas pot diminishing even though I know it's what it's there for.  

Doing the monthly grocery challenge is helping focus my mind on good meal planning and shopping habits.

foxgloves

I've really stepped up my Christmas present buying too, @Blackcats. I know what you mean about spending the Christmas Pot. I am just pleased I am now sufficiently sensible to have one! I would hate to go back to those awful pre-LBM January & February bank/card statements.
F x

Sun_Addict

Another one here who paid for Christmas in January and February pre Christmas pot days. Ugh 😩 

amber03

Payday at the end of the month going to sort everything out for Xmas. Don’t have much to buy as mostly give money. Buying GK’s a yearly pass for a adventure farm which is about 30 mins drive away. They love it there so money won’t be wasted and it’s a gift they can use all year round. Will buy them a little present to open on the day. I save weekly for Xmas food but won’t be going mad, so the food is taken care of. Years ago it all went on the good old CC, now I save all year round and learnt my lesson.x

Blackcats

Kindred spirits Foxgloves, SA and Amber - I always funded Christmas on the credit card.  I do remember one year though when the credit cards were almost maxed out, I had to drop the children at school on payday and go straight to the cash machine to get money out to buy the Christmas food shop.  Obviously I was then short of money between early payday in December through to the end of January.  I think I had a glimmer of a LBM that year but it was very dim and didn't really change my habits very much.

I've treated myself to 24 little candles for advent.  They are from a small business and I've got his entire range of seasonal scents.  I'm so excited and looking forward to cosy December evenings with fairy lights and gorgeous smells.  I've funded from personal spends rather than Christmas pot - as it feels to me that Christmas pot should cover spends on other people not me.  

[Deleted User]

Don't feel guilty about spending the xmas pot blackcats as that is def what it's there for!  And the candles sound such a lovely treat!  

Blackcats

thank you Rebecca.  It's not so much feeling guilty but more finding it difficult to watch the savings level plummet after targeted but fast spending.  The candles have arrived - they are gorgeous.   I'm going to put them in a pretty basket (shopped from home) and display them on the sideboard and do a lucky dip each day in advent.

nice quick dinner tonight - chilli from freezer.  Freezer still full but some small gaps emerging.

Black cats v council tax update - I made another payment today which leaves a balance of £350,  I can clear this in December giving jan, feb, March as council tax free.  I might squirrel that money away to get ahead for next year as I think that will be a great help for first partial year of retirement .... a £1000 headstart would be great ....