Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maman

I tried the hoodies on briefly this morning. I think I like both of them but plenty of time to decide. 😊

It's a glorious autumn day here so hoping to get out even if it's for a walk around the block. I was surprised that even my shopping trip yesterday was almost 6000 steps but that was ambling around rather than a brisk walk.  I'm not going to get obsessed about a step count but it does give a guide.

I had a Premium Bond win yesterday too. 😀 Mine was only £25 but it all counts! I'm not really sure what to do about Premium Bonds. I'm closing some other NS&I accounts as the interest rate is dropping at the end of the month but premium Bonds are a bit different although the odds are falling there too. 🤔

helensbiggestfan

Savings are a nightmare aren't they.  Capital just sits there, earning nothing and not even keeping up with inflation.  I darent even look at how my shares are doing - fingers in ears, La,La, La - I'm not listening.  😂

I did wonder whether to transfer some of my savings into premium bonds.  Rather than add to my savings each month, I'm actually overpaying my mortgage.  My mortgage rate isn't particularly high but as it's higher than any savings rates I can get I figured it made more sense. 

I was pleased this Mornjng.....had my bill from EDF. I'm £300 in credit so that means I shouldn't need to increase my monthly payments, that surplus should be more than enough to see me through the winter.  I also now have my calor gas stove (which looks fab) and plenty of coal and wood for the open fires so I should be nice and cosy and still have extra to throw at the mortgage,  

I am also in the process of switching broadband and my mobile phone, I should saving a bit there too.   And of course I'm still not going out or on holidays so hopefully I should be quids in.......😂🤣.  

I've set myself a target to clear my mortgage in 5 years (assuming I don't move house and downsize before then). It currently stands at £41k so should be doable. I like a challenge.

Still undecided about what or where my next move should be.   I reckon it will be 2022 at the earliest, more likely 2023 when my fixed rate expires and I won't incur any exit fees,. Although I can port the mortgage if I did spot my next dream home. 😁.   But there's no hurry, I like it here.  

Better get cracking DS1 and the gang coming over later. Going to go for my walk now, whilst I can.  

chanie

My commute into Central London was pretty busy today.  Many of the coffee shops and sandwich shops are open.  Plus the shops like B&M, The Range and Home Bargains are allowed to stay open because they sell essentials (alongside the crap) - it barely feels like a lockdown to me.  

Wednesday2000

I was thinking the same Chanie when I read the new rules. It's much less strict than last time.

You can even sit on a park bench now, oh the excitement. I remember last lockdown seeing the police going up to people in the park (when I was on my one hour walk) and telling them to move if they were sitting on a bench or even on the grass. Hopefully we won't need to go back to anything that strict again.

I checked my bank account today and saw I have won £20 as well, weirdly. It looks like a few of us had some luck.

I started using my light box as therapy for the darker days today. You are supposed to start gradually and then build up the time. I did jump on my trampoline for 5 minutes too. It has brightened up a lot here weather wise.

One of my new art prints arrived today. The seller included a free print with the one I bought so I will leave them a good review. 

helensbiggestfan

On my walk I noticed that there still seemed to be plenty of traffic around......I don't think this lockdown is going to be as strict as the first one.  Lots of shops and businesses seem to be open as usual.  

chanie

Wednesday, Pixie and Maman congratulations on your wins (its a shame you won't be able to spend it in store for a while!!!).  I think I'm 'entitled' to a win on the Premium bonds.  I was given one solitary Premium Bond when I was born and have never won a penny.  Ever.  I'm already spending my win in my head......

maman

chanie said:

 I'm already spending my win in my head......

🤣🤣🤣

I think they have thought through some of the more illogical things about the previous lockdown like the park benches! 😀 It's a shame they didn't open garden centres last time as so many bedding plants were destroyed. They're open this time but it's not really gardening season.  I think with the coffee shops chanie, they chose to close last time because they didn't have the footfall to make them viable so furlough was a better option. Take away places  have never been told to close.  I'm not even going to try and think  about the detail of what's open and what's closed as so many items defy logic.

We got out for an hour's walk. It was more of a gentle stroll but it was good to be out in the fresh air. 

I've set myself a task of using up some of the samples and freebies I have in my make up/skin care stash. I'm in the position now where I know which products I like . About the only thing I'm using which I won't replace is a Nivea facewash. It works OK but it makes my skin feel tight, as if I've had soap on it . I'll go back to Clinique when I've used it up. I think t's worth the extra expense. 

I put socks on for the first time in months yesterday sugarbaby. Mine are bamboo. they're beautifully soft even when dried indoors. I was glad I wore boots when we went out last night as the temperature fell to 2.5 degrees. 

thepurplepixie

Lovely to hear I'm not the only winner this month.  We had a picnic lunch today, it was a beautiful day here bit chilly but sunny and no wind.  We drove to a local beach, not our nearest one but into a local town beach and sat in the car on the front watching the sea and the boats.  There were loads of people around and we struggled to get a parking space.  After our picnic I went for a brisk walk while DH waited for me.  There was a coffee and doughnut kiosk open, a burger & chips place and a fish and chip shop so we didn't need a picnic!  I didn't imagine so much would be open and so many children playing, loads looked school age so not sure what was going on.  It was nice to see so much going on and I think we will try to do it on all reasonable days, I might even get a latte next time, there's decadence. 

sheilavw

Morning, Fairly cool but dry here. Well done on the premium bond wins. Me and my siblings were bought a £2 premium bond each in 1964 by our Grandparents, none have ever won! My Brothers just bought some more. I think in addition to the savings account that I set up for my Grandson I will purchase him some. Yes, feels less of a lockdown this time with schools open, me in work every day instead of on a rota. Apparently it was manic in town Wednesday. Work colleagues who stayed a bit later in school struggled getting home, they said it was like Christmas Eve. I heard from a friend who's friend works in M and S that the food hall was bare! I don't food shop until the end of the week so haven't stocked up, no point, everything open as normal. I cannot understand all the panic.

Enjoy your friday everyone

maman

I don't understand the stocking up/panic buying  either  sheila unless there are people who are trying to go out as little as possible during lockdown just to feel they're doing their bit. My problem is that I always keep a store cupboard especially from shops I don't visit every week. For example, I always buy tagliatelle in Tesco because it's the best value around.  I hardly ever shop in Tesco so when I go there I try to buy several bags along with a few other items I like in there. Since March I've felt very guilty whenever I've bought multiple items anywhere. 

It certainly doesn't feel like lockdown here. Perhaps when we walk around shopping centres and see non essential shops, restaurants  and pubs closed it will feel more real. It's early days yet though and the sun is still shining. 

I'd thought of taking a picnic to the seaside too pixie or at least a flask of coffee. We put off going in the last lockdown because when schools were closed, the car parks were full but it might be easier this time. Probably best to avoid weekends though. 

Nothing more exciting than food shopping today. I suspect  (and hope) it will be just like last week. When 1 metre+ was introduced along with compulsory masks, supermarkets really dropped their level of Covid security IMO so I'd be surprised if it changes. It's a shame that we don't have detailed testing/tracing  information to show exactly where the infections are occurring. As a law abiding citizen I'll do my bit and hope that we're still in Tier 1 in a month's time so that the new normal can resume.  

I've used all 'freebie' skin products this morning, mainly Clarins sample sizes. i know they're meant to be useful for travelling but no plans to go anywhere any time soon. 😉