Midlife Musings and Measurable Goals

HairyHandofDartmoor

It's easy to get low with this virus around, being back in lockdown, gloomy winter weather, etc. Plus selling a house is a very stressful experience. I think a lot of people are struggling at the moment. I always get despondent when I'm overtired. I hope you feel better soon.

It always seems a shame when people stop posting on here because it's so full of supportive people, gives me great ideas and keeps my finances on track. The new forum is okay when you get used to it (I do miss my debt free badge and the old moving emojis though).

doingitanyway

Thanks everyone for your kind posts. 

You are right again @another_casualty  I am in a stressful situation so I will try not to beat myself up!

Thanks for your understanding @H@HairyHandofDartmoor All the things you mention are mood downers for me, especially the house. Never has the saying, ‘I don’t know whether I’m coming or going been more true!’

Haha at @moneyonmymindsam We should never underestimate ate the power of chocolate!

Thanks @RosaBernicia  I am feeling a bit brighter already. I was already using Street View but I still find when I go to the actual house I see things outside previously missed.

House news? My potential buyer has applied for and paid for his searches. Got to be a good sign? I am not going to instruct my solicitor to draw up contracts until after the survey. I spoke to the EA and I should hear about the survey this week. Will chase on Thursday if I haven’t heard…

I’ve worked out where I can buy in the new area by looking at sold properties. The road I can (sort of/not quite) afford (hoping to negotiate) is slightly further from the centre but still only 15 minutes walk to the station so ok. I just need to hold my nerve and wait for something to come up…

The key to keeping my mood even at the moment is getting up as soon as I wake up and going for a cycle. I am much better at cycling somewhere rather than no one in particular so I’m cycling to L1d1. I might change to daily shopping for a while. I get there before the shops open so not coming into contact with many people. This won’t last, just until I begin to feel more even…

So today I have been busy. I had a cycle, put a wash on and it is out drying. I have been complaining about the sugar and modified starch in baked beans for ages so today I stopped moaning and made my own! I used herbs, fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes, onion, spices and blackstrap molasses (good for iron) They came out brilliant! 

I am back frog eating as I need to keep pushing on. I am giving myself 3 frogs a day for the foreseeable. 

My frogs today are all financial. I’ve put them off as they involve holding on the line FOREVER and being asked ENDLESS info about myself. (What is your inside leg measurement?)

Sort out missing payments to BB Chase bank and BB provider (+£37)

Cancel evening and weekend ‘free’ calls that I never use (+£5.22 per month)

Cancel packaged account (+£17 per month)

Okay, I'm more productive in the mornings and time is getting on so best be getting on.

Back later to catch up on diaries.

Wishing you all a productive, positive day

another_casualty

Great t see you back on form DIA 😼
It sounds good with potential buyer 🤞as he is showing commitment paying for searches etc . 

Your ideal home will come , whether you have to rent first or not . 

I remember when I was moving around similatr time  frame bizarrely  , ( yes that first diary again ) . I was struggling to find anywhere to stay in rented accommodation let alone finding somewhere to buy .  Then after recovering after a really horrible health month, I had looked at quite a few places . 

Keep plodding along ..🐾

doingitanyway

Thanks @another_casualty I saw your post whilst holding on for the BB provider. (Finally got through and saved £7.32 a month £2 more than expected)

I forgot you were going through this in November.  As you say places may come up in the NY. 

I don't think I can afford to rent for a while after all as the houses are stretching my budget as it is and the cottages feel gloomy with low ceilings and small windows so my criteria has changed...this adds an extra layer of stress to be honest...

Off to tackle the bank now and see where the missing payments are...

doingitanyway

I ate all 3 financial frogs on the menu yesterday. (Does cartwheels)

However, my attempt to get rid of the rewards element of my account with Sillyfax took an hour, involved being credit checked and listening to reams of rules and regulations. I buckled at the final hurdle and could take no more, so I am going into the branch today to close the account instead. I still have a main current account and a backup account and a CU saver. That will be enough I think. 

This morning I cycled to do a mini shop as soon as I woke. Cycling as soon as I wake up is definitely helping my mood, as is keeping active.

My 3 financial frogs for today are:
Closing Sillyfax account
Write to HMRC 
Move a payment from Sillyfax

Yesterday I phoned a friend's Osteopath. He wants £80 for the first appointment and then £60 per session weekly, so I left it. I will concentrate on self help such as my own exercises, getting my weight down and eating non inflammatory foods...

Lots of decluttering planned for today as bin day coming up and if the bin isn't full I feel I haven't thrown enough stuff out...

In other (non) news I need to tackle a dental appointment and a hygienist's appointment. A BIG FROG as I really don't fancy all the Covid rigramole. The pre appointment alone is ridiculous. Sigh. Will have to do it as I like teeth...

Have a good day everyone

another_casualty

Eating frogs is probaly not doing your teeth any favours tbh 🐸( sorry 😸) 
Sorry to hear about your woes with Halifax . That's something I've always dreaded..credit checks and anything related to questions of affordability for loans/ credit cards etc 
In your case obviously it's different and it's just a case of " computer days no !" When all you want to do is something straight forward . When I have the misfortune of catching an advert on tv, I see all these young , trendy advisors . To me tha is wrong , and imho the banks should take a step backwards to go forwards by having older experienced bank managers like we had back in the day . They told me how it is whether I liked it or not , but you got proper help and advice instead of the staff phoning for advice when they are clueless these days .
That osteopath seems very expensive , maybe acceptable for people living in London .
When I was going to accupuncture back in 2016, it was about £40 iirc and if you have block bookings it worked out a lot cheaper  . If you do go with someone , I'd recommend an introductory one where you have a proper assessment etc and if you like the look and get a feel for the practice then book a 6 week course ( which should be cheaper ) . If you are not happy then at least you know . I always looked forward to my acupuncture sessions and always felt great when session ended . That's the feeling you should be getting with an osteopath or whatever you choose . Hope it works out whatever you decide .
I'll leave it there ..
Enjoy your day 😼

beanielou

Boo to the Hellifax. 

What a blooming plaver. 

enthusiasticsaver

Nice to see your sale is progressing nicely DIA but sorry you have not yet found somewhere to move to.  I am not convinced a house has to be perfect and you have to fall in love with it as we have always found  we have had to compromise usually due to cost.  We just remembered you can always change the house but cannot change the area so went for nicest areas we could afford and for a house which ticked as many boxes as possible.  I hope you find something soon.  I know you said you cannot afford to rent but it does give you an opportunity to wait until something which is almost perfect comes up for you.  I guess you would miss out on the stamp duty holiday then though. 

doingitanyway

I agree @enthusiasticsaver I will need to compromise. The house doesn't need to be perfect but it does need to be well situated for the things I need to have close by. I can't afford to rent but if I don't find somewhere I might stay with friends, put everything in storage and take it from there. The house I need is going to cost more than expected so I really need the stamp duty saving and will have to review if I miss it. Of course, the heat might go out of the market after the stamp duty goes so it may work out after all. Who knows??

doingitanyway

Yesterday Hellifax (thanks for the new name @beanielou) had a broken machine at their counter and despite it being morning the assistant (not that she assisted) said it would be the same all day. ‘Try another branch’ I said I would come in and close the account tomorrow, but she advised they lose on Wednesdays. Annoyed as I paid out fares to get there. Anyway, I now know the account will be closed so I have more time to close off standing orders. I should have done this ages ago. I’ve literally been throwing money away due to inaction. Ah well, better late than never…

I was so peed off I did not eat all my financial frogs…

Today, I did not cycle and woke a bit later. Joints not as bad as I can do stairs without holding on.  I will walk or cycle later today as I feel worse when I don’t exercise at all.

The £80 Osteopath sent a text dropping price to £50, but too late as I have lost confidence in him. We both know he overcharged me…instead I called a training college for Osteopaths I used to go to to see (4 years ago) if they are still running clinics. They are! Lots of form filling but I have an appointment tomorrow. They are third year students overseen by a qualified teacher and they are excellent. It will cost me £15 and another £10 for fares. I will need to go for 6 weeks. They can also provide migraine prevention. Very pleased.

I sorted some bank payments out and checked everything is balanced. It is. 

I got rid of some paperwork. I need a little shredder…I don’t think they are expensive anymore?

House news

No new houses on the website. Note to self ‘don’t panic.’

Chased EA for buyer’s survey

Only 1 frog for today

Clear out under the stairs (still not complete)!

Hope everyone is okay