Frugal, thrifty, make do, mend! Let this debt come to an end!

WinterWarrior

Will he sleep under your desk on a blanket? Mine does that every day, despite having the whole house to choose from. She sleeps with her head on my foot so she knows when I move and can ‘come with’ 😁

Elisheba

Evening, all, 

@winterWarrior No, no chance of that with my dog. He gets super excited around people so would never settle. He seemed fine in the car in the shade, and I gave him lots of water and a long walk at lunchtime.

The daft dog jumped into a pool of mud when we were out a lunchtime. He was absolutely black and it had dried by the end of the walk and was never coming off naturally, so he had to have a bath this evening. I don't normally bath him so he is currently beside himself, running round the house half soaked, telling all the furniture about this strangeness.

Money wise, the petrol to this different office probably works out a little less than my normal Friday train ticket would have so that's fine. I might go into that office more often, in addition to my Friday office days. I like it there and it might be good for my mental health to see people more regularly. It would be an added expense though, and it's an hours drive each way which is fairly tiring, so I'll need to think on it.

Only other expense today was one of the Kindle Daily deals - an historic murder mystery set in Inverness just after the '45 Jacobite rebellion. Quite lookin forward to reading it, and it's always nice to learn a bit more about my country's history, as it normally historic murder mysteries set in England that I read.

Listened to a lot of Radio 4 in the two hours of driving I did today. More or Less was saying that our current high interest rates are in fact directly comparable, in terms of cost and effect, to the high rates in the 70s and 80s as people borrow so much more to buy a house these days. They said if interest rates ever went over 10% again our economy would basically collapse. A programme on this evening on my way back was saying if tomorrow's interest rate increase doesn't curb inflation then it's actually desirable to go into a short recession next year to try to sort it out.

Guess we will see how that one plays out. Only the UK seems to be having a problem bringing inflation down - I wonder what could possibly be causing that?? Can't think of anything the UK has done in the last 2 1/2 years that could be negatively affecting our economy, that noone else in Europe is having to deal with, can you???? 

My lunchtime walk (where my dog got so muddy) got me to 10000 steps today. It was really hot in the midsummer midday sun though, so I'm pretty zonked this evening. There were lots of cakes in the office so don't think I'll be having a big dinner tonight!

Hope everyone enjoys there Midsummer Solstice evening tonight. No running naked through any forests though! We don't want to bring the MSE forum into disrepute! 

WinterWarrior

As long as there are no naked pictures I think we’ll be ok 🤣
I’m not really sure how a short recession would cure it, I think I need to educate myself on how that would work. The interest rates are so worrying for anyone at the end of mortgage deals and it’s terrible that interest rates on savings are being kept deliberately low 😖

Elisheba

@winterWarrior I think the basic theory is that inflation happens because there is too much money in the system, so a recession would bleed some of it out the system. I'm sure it's much more complex than that, but that's what I picked up. 

fionaandphil

I've just read an article on twitter by Richardjmurphy about that radio 4 programme yesterday. He is basically saying that by putting up the interest rates the bank and government are actually fuelling inflation. He goes into it in lots of details but it's quite an interesting read, saying they are trying to crash the economy to bring inflation down and get things back under control

Elisheba

Evening, all, 

I'm hot and grumpy this evening. I got bitten by about a million mossies yesterday and they all flared up over night, including a particularly lovely one on my face which is very sore and swollen and uncomfortable. I didn't want to take antihistamine until I finished work as it makes me sleepy, but I succumbed at lunchtime as I felt like tearing my skin off. It has helped a bit, and probably saved me from murdering someone, but will need to take more for it to properly help.

I do seem to moan a lot on here recently I've just realised. Sorry about that! I shall try to be more positive. 

Frugal win today as I got around to mending my dog poo and treat bum bag belt thing, so that now all sorted for walks without pockets. Beats stashing bags in my bra which is what I have been doing, and then finding them again when I get ready for bed!

While hunting for my sewing kit I found my little heater/fan so I had that blowing on my face this afternoon which was a blessed relief. Not good for the old energy bill, but needs must.

Speaking of energy bills I had a look at my app. They only say what your bill is so far this month, but the charging cycle runs from the 25th to 24th rather than monthly, so it's all a bit of guess work until the bill arrives. Still, it's at about £50 for the month so far, which will probably mean about £70 for June - maybe more depending on how often I use the fan!

I'm paying £175 a month now, so that'll be about £100 towards the £150 arrears I'm in, and then next month will start building up credit again.

I'm supposed to be having new potatoes, quorn fillet and veg for dinner, but I feel in need of some comfort food so I think I'll make marmite pasta instead. Got a yogurt and fruit for pudding if I feel like it.

I read the twitter thread by Richard J Murphy you mentioned @fionaandphil. It's hard to say really, not being an economist, but he does make some good points about how these days increasing interest can actually be inflationary because of how embedded debt is in our society. He gives examples of how that works that make sense, but it would need actual figures on what percentage those examples are of the total figures to be able to say conclusively that increasing interest is actually an inflationary measure in the current day and age, rather than a deflationary one. I think he's being a bit headline grabbing by calling it a war though. 

Once I've had my comfort marmite pasta I think I'll read the new book I picked up from the library this week. Not feeling very motivated to do much else, but I hoovered yesterday (or maybe the day before) and the dishes are up to date, so no need to stress over anything. I have definitely managed to book my Simply Be return collection for tomorrow, so hopefully the refund will be in the bank by the end of the month. 

Take care all and have a good evening. 

SuzeQStan

Oh no Elisheba so sorry to hear about the mozzie bites! I feel your pain as the flies have been biting here and I got a bite the size of a small orange on the back of my knee so very painful.
if the bites get too bad you could just pop into your local walk in for a cortisone injection. mine always get infected even though I don’t scratch (horrible deep itch). I’ve been spraying myself in the morning and in the evening with bug spray and I also got a wristband from home bargains that is supposed to keep The critters away.hope You feel better soon xx

Elisheba

Morning, thrifty friends, 

It's going to be a quiet day at Casa Elisheba. Don't need to go into office today, so that will make things much more relaxing. I did think of one thing earlier that I should buy from Tesco but I can't for the life of me remember what it is, so it can't be that urgent.

Thanks @SuzeQStan. The antihistamine has reduced the swelling on my face a bit overnight. It's much less uncomfortable. Weirdly, although mine always swell up massively and get all nasty and weepy and leave horrible red marks, I don't think they have ever gotten infected. I don't think I have a local walk in - is that like an emergency doctor, or an A&E? I will definitely be packing bug spray in my bag where ever I go now! Although how the beasties were able to bite me through leggings I do not know.

It's hm soup and toast for lunch today, and I will have new potatoes, quorn fillet and veg for dinner tonight. No going off piste with buttery, marmitey goodness. I should probably give the house a quick once over tonight, so I can relax over the weekend. As well as getting fitted for new walking boots tomorrow, I am going out to my local city for birthday drinks and dinner with friends (not my birthday - one of theirs).

So that will be Saturday, and then Sunday I doubt I'll feel like doing much if I've got a hangover - I normally just want to have lots of naps. Even if I don't feel too bad, it will be good to have a quiet, relaxing day.

I haven't looked at the forecast for today yet, but it's currently cloudy. Hopefully that will mean a cooler day than has been the norm recently. I am getting a bit heat and sunned out and starting to long for Autumn 🙄. 

I'm really hoping the interest rate rise won't cause me any problems. The people who own my house have only put the rent up by £25 over the last 5 years. I don't know much about them as its estate agent managed, except that they are farmers and seem very nice. I'm hoping this a little paid off nest egg for them, rather than on an interest only mortgage, and therefore my rent won't suddenly jump massively at some point.

WinterWarrior

I am also a bug magnet, the midges have form for flying up my trousers legs and inside my sleeves to taste my delicious blood. I love cooler weather anyway, but I expect part of it is that I can’t enjoy summer floaty clothes without being eaten. I don’t think I swell up as much as you, but I do get itchy and bumpy. I use witch hazel gel on them, it’s not a cure, but stops the itch a bit.
Was it a bag of chocolate Revels that you need from Tesco? Or an almond croissant? Or some Feast ice lollies? 😁
I have everything crossed that your rent doesn’t increase. Have a lovely day ☕️

weenancyinAmerica

Hi, can you get Avon's Skin-s0-Soft over there? We use it here to keep the mosquitos away.