One eye on the future ..one eye on the past

elly68

Hi enthusiasticsaver ,I do three short days and monthly pension adds up to the same as i was on before .Still paying dd rent as she was too unwell to sit finals but 2 exams to go and she will finish in August  then will split money 3 ways into 2 lisa's for kids and an isa for me why not .She has absolutely no idea what to do but im sure she will discover .9 days and we are on holiday we all need it. Will make a decision on starting gym when i get back or just swim outdoors for the summer .
My arts not really selling in the shop the cards pay my way but would really like a painting to go too i enjoy my volunteer day that you do every 4 weeks as its a co-op meet lots of wonderful people who are on holiday xStill considering art fairs but think that will be next year .
i'm ignoring the declutter house and body have 2 days to work then  off for almost 3 weeks so can concentrate on that from wed onwards .
going to book tip run for next tuesday so lots of bags to fill wish me luck hope you are all well x

elly68

well managed 5 black bags of clothes to go to clothes bank might manage another 2 bags before i go so more decluttered than i thought there would be before the holiday.
refused to order more clothes had them in the basket and i just didnt press go so 120 quid saved did that a lot during covid and saved thousands so back on it .i also did the clothes challenge one year and that was the same 
im going to have to lose weight after holiday as some of my shorts no longer fit . determined to embrace the declutter of house and garden as part of my exercise routine 
Doing well on the money front really struggling to no buy camper caravan but hoping to get house looking like a place i want to spend time and take advantage of the free accomadation being offered by family .
Considering using inflatable bed in car and caming stove for the odd overnighter dont know if anyone has done this if you have would welcome ideas 

jwil

You've done really well with the decluttering.

I've slept in a car before and it wasn't comfortable 😆  How often do you go away though?  Camper vans aren't cheap.  If it's only the odd night now and again, you'd be better off looking for a cheap night in a hotel. Or maybe a small tent if it's just the two of you and you want to be more rural?

elly68

Thanks JWIL think ive gave up on the camper/caravan and will book pods/lodges as want a more outdoorsy feel .ive got a small pop up tent determined to do one night on a beack might regret it not sure ive got the balance anymore for pooping outdoors lol

elly68

My god I missed the whole of 2025 well well lots changed . 
1. Took pension down to 3 short days .
2. paid off mortgage wonderful feeling
3. neighbours sold and new neighbours are great we might be the noisy ones now.
4.Bought a touring caravan will keep the house and hubby has been booking country house and beach sites so happy mix 
5.Daughter graduated has a job no more rent to pay 
6.The declutter continues
7. I have an art studio out the back so new dining table wont get painted on 
8.we were debt free until hubby bought a new car and caravan lol 
9.I have been diagnosed with stomach cancer rare type seemingly wont kill me but i will always have it they will just cut bits out as it grows so focus this year is getting healthy lose weight probably stop drinking alcohol and walk/swim every day 
10.Whoohoo made it to 2026 
I'm away to find some challenges to keep me out of trouble in 2026.

elly68

so started my own challenge linked to the declutter my art/craft stash and sell to make some cash .tomorrow is clear the hall day x

Scott_Weiland79

Vinted and Webuybooks will be your mates 

Keep going your doing welll

elly68

Thanks Scott daughter keeps telling me vinted is the way to go off to have a look Cheers 

elly68

Well I was going to sort out the hall today but have been invited out for drinks and given inpending op im going the new me starts on the 5th as id be kidding myself with the amount of junk food from xmas thats lying about . away to dye my hair and pull on a dress of some sort as will meet hubby later for drinks so the new me is going to make an effort .
Hope everyones new year plans are going well ,as Scott suggested im away to look at vinted my bedroom is overwhelmed with clothes couldnt find the no buying clothes challenge does that not run anymore ?
Ill be allowed tights and underwear this year unless i make a dramatic shift in the weight say down to size 16 then ill need to buy otherwise ill use vinted as the clothes get too big and bank that for when the size 16 are required .
Had a read of cheerys diary and my  house needs a revamp  did some of the garden last year so will continue this and update jobs as they are tackled .
away to find the hair dye bye have a lovely day x

Scott_Weiland79

What i would do re Vinted sell the stuff you think nope i am never ever gonna wear again. 

Then open a lil saving account, as your sellingstuff and the moneys coming in from vinted stick the bulk of your earnings off debt but 10-15 percent put in account build it up and occasionally treat yourself to something new. Paying off debt yes its a pain and it can be such along time to get shot of it but its a matter of staying positive and time.

remember with Vinted you can sell all sorts on there not just clothes, I have sold all sorts:

clothes
blue tooth speakers
big packets of baby nappies
baby teething toys
headphones
car cleaning stuff
storage cubes
rucksacks
padlocks
unwanted packs of razor blades.
packets of mini discs 

Getting debt free is time, getting as much to your debts as you can, setting a budget and sticking to it consistently and staying postive.

If building 25-50 quid in an account helps then occasionally treating yourself helps do it lol