Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maman

A clean plate is always a good sign sugarbaby.  

We're enjoying home cooked meals too. Although generally I eat out quite a lot, it's more the society of friends that I enjoy (and the chance to dress up ). Restaurant/pub food can often be a disappointment. Because I like to eat as healthily as possible I've really noticed how, since the austerity policy,  there's a lot more bread/pastry/batter in meals as they're cheap fillers and vegetables are always thin on the ground. 

Well done on the saving. Although I've spent a bit more on food with eating in all the time and having to source some expensive shortage things (like eggs in Waitrose!) earlier on I think we're doing OK. I pay for almost everything with my credit card and this month's bill would be minimal if it wasn't for my car insurance. I'm glad we've now only got the one car as it's expensive for a car that only gets used once a week!

I managed to get most of our food shopping done yesterday. The few bits I still need, DD1 will get today with her own shop and drop it round after she finishes work. 

One thing I have noticed is that most people are being very polite and friendly. I didn't have to queue for long yesterday but did pass the time of day with the lady in front and the man behind me. Then I noticed how people were thanking the guy disinfecting the trolleys and taking them back to him. It's good to see. 

It's brighter today but much cooler than last week. Hopefully we'll have a bit of a walk this afternoon. It's easy to just hibernate but I don't think that would be good for me.

helensbiggestfan

Wow. SUgarbaby....well done you. That's amazing.   You will soon be rich beyond dreams of avarice.  😂. 

Actually it is very reassuring isn't it when we manage to save a little.  I know money  isn't everything but I have to confess I feel so much better now that I am no longer in debt and I have a little put by.  It's just peace of mind.  

I've not done my May budget yet or worked out my finances for April but I do know I have spent a lot less, both on groceries and general day to day bits and bobs.  I have had a little splurge on buying some furniture but I didnt have to raid my long term savings because of the cutbacks I have made on the day to day spending.   So that was good. 😉

Speaking of savings......My house flowers needed replacing.  I usually buy flowers from Aldi or Asda but this morning I have filled two vases using flowers from the garden.  So at least £5 worth all for free.  

My current account switch has gone through ok so the next step is to go through some of my monthly expenses and make a few tweaks. I have already rejigged a couple and saved myself a bit, just need to look at the broadband.  

Whilst interest rates on savings are so abysmal my aim is to continue to shave my monthly expenses, without compromising my lifestyle of course and then overpay the mortgage, rather than build up long term savings. (I have enough for emergencies and any planned large purchases). My mortgage is tiny.....£198 a month and I'm currently managing to throw an extra £200 a month at it.  Not sure how long I'll manage to keep that up, but it all helps, even if I have to reduce it I will still try to overpay a bit. Also next on the list is to set up some sort of savings/investment plan for my grandchildren.  

Just think where I might have been if I had always been this savvy.......I could have been living on millionaires row.😂🤣. .Still it's never too late to make a fresh start and turn over a new leaf.  

Never thought I would manage to be both frugal and fabulous....but  I'm finally getting there. 💃🥂

maddiemay

Sugarbaby I am so pleased that you are feeling stronger, well done for the savings you have made.
Maman we only have one car now, when we moved from Dorset I intended bringing my lovely little (old) Rover, but it developed a problem a few weeks beforehand which would have been too expensive to fix, we had a motorhome too and 3 lots of costs were quite high, but affordable.  Now down to one car and a caravan, so accounts much healthier.
Helen you are going great guns with your kitchen renovation.  Like you I am so looking forward to resuming massages and Osteopath treatments.
Wednesday some great ideas for your future retirement, nice to have a plan.

Wednesday2000

I woke up with a blocked nose and a cough and I did the 111 test and it said we both have to self-isolate. I don't even feel that bad which I did say but it must be the cough thing. I had a bit of a lie-in but I'm not in bed or anything. I do get coughs quite regularly, I think I'm allergic to something in my home but I have been tested for pet fur and a few other things. Can't work out what it is! That means my husband needs to be off work for 14 days now.

Oh well, better to be safe than sorry.

I am just in my pyjamas, couldn't really be bothered to get dressed. I was watching The Daily Connoisseur YouTube video just now and she was saying how important it is to have presentable sleep wear and she had all these ladylike outfits and I'm wearing spotty PJs and a t-shirt like a tomboy. Ironic.

candygirl

Hi Girlies
Had a bad day yesterday, as it was my estranged DDs birthday, as well as the day I got baby Zeus two years ago Lots of photos popped up on fb , of then both, n it really hurt me 😭
Anyway, today's a brand new day, n I'm enjoying reading your list of goals WEDNESDAY. Can't believe you've never ridden a bike though! It was compulsory at our house,  n my Dad took my stabilizers off when I was 4, n spent ages running behind me,  holding the saddle.I loved my bikes , n had one until about 10 years ago

LL me n my friend were just saying how we're missing our chazzers, coffee n chatty afternoons Will never take simple things for granted again,  after this
Did anyone watch The Real Marigold Hotel the other night? It's really good, n made me want to go back to Goa

helensbiggestfan

Hello Lovely Ladies. 

Hope you are ok Wednesday.....Fingers crossed for you it's just an allergy and nothing more sinister.  

Candy, sorry to hear you had such a rough day.   Sending hugs.   

Tbh my day hasn't been that great today either. No idea why.  I woke up feeling tired and lethargic, just couldn't face any more painting.  I have had a sore throat and blocked ears for a couple of days - (no cough). I think it's down to the paint fumes, paint fumes often affect my throat, .....Anyway I just couldn't face doing much so I decided to take the day off....and then felt guilty for not being more productive.  Honestly we are our own worst enemies sometimes aren't we.  

Also had a really frustrating day....went to Aldi's but the queues were ridiculous so just went to the local Tesco metro. Then thought I'd try and do an online order......no delivery slots for 3 weeks.  So I'm going to have to try Aldi again.  

I know it's not the end of the world but like you Candy I am really starting to miss the spontaneity we had before, the freedom to just go into any shop whenever we wanted, go meet a friend for lunch or a coffee.  What I wouldn't give for a mooch round Ikea followed by a cheeky Nando's.  Hardly life in the fast lane but how I miss that kind of freedom.  

Hey ho.......really shouldn't moan.  There's folk far worse off than me, and there's worse things in life than not being able to browse the chazzers.  

Yes I watched the Real Marigold Hotel......it looked a really pretty area.  

maman

Quick post : As your DH is a key worker Wednesday, could you both not go for a test? My friend had symptoms and they did because her DH works for BBC. Their tests were negative (back in 2 days) so he could go to work. Worth a try and would give you peace of mind. 🙂

Wednesday2000

OMG, I still cannot work out the quote thing on this new style forum. Grr.

Candygirl - I'm so sorry about your beautiful Zeus.xxx I miss my angels too. So many lovely rescue cats that died that I took in over the years.

Lol, it is a bit shameful about the bike thing.  

Maman - we don't drive so we can't go to one of the testing places. My husband does qualify for a test so I will have to try and call next week and see if I can get one delivered to our house. I have heard it is very difficult...

maman

Wednesday2000 said:

OMG, I still cannot work out the quote thing on this new style forum. Grr.

Candygirl - I'm so sorry about your beautiful Zeus.xxx I miss my angels too. So many lovely rescue cats that died that I took in over the years.

Lol, it is a bit shameful about the bike thing.  

Maman - we don't drive so we can't go to one of the testing places. My husband does qualify for a test so I will have to try and call next week and see if I can get one delivered to our house. I have heard it is very difficult...

I think they've 'ramped up' the postal tests in the last few days with the help of Royal Mail and one of the courier companies. ETA: Yodel.
Hopefully that'll help you. 🙂

helensbiggestfan

Face Masks.    

 

Thought this might be of interest .......

I do actually have some disposable use once face masks but was thinking of making some washable ones.  When tidying up today I came across my eye masks that I take when travelling - they fit ok.