First Steps to Solvency

MovingForwards

@alt80 my garden is about 8x11m and boiling the kettle outside means I don't have to pop back upstairs to my flat to make the drink, to pop back downstairs with it; we all have private gardens in our block of flats. It adds a touch of magic and reminds me of doing beach, and other locations, BBQs. Also doesn't break the happy moment, probably would be different if I was in a house or maybe it wouldn't.

I've actually got a little wood burning camping stove, plenty of twigs and thin branches, the ash is left for a few days to go cold and added to my garden. The kettle is an ex-army saucepan type thing. I also have a BBQ, but haven't yet used it.

What I'm aiming towards is having nearly all year round use of my garden. Have a naff day at work in November, then I can get the BBQ on the go for heat and cook at the same time. Cold, but dry, Xmas day I can throw a nice steak on.

I value my private outside space and jumped at this flat because of it having a private garden, not a shared one.

alt80

Day 22. Off to York a little later for the weekend. Don’t really want to leave home rn but know I’ll enjoy it when I get there. Spending has been planned I have a good idea what we will spend which is a bit of a revelation tbh ha.

We all have bad hay fever this morning fml hope the York pollen is less potent get a break ha. My son is really suffering and when you’re that age nothing seems to pass quickly. 

@MovingForwards that makes a little more sense but actually like the camp stove idea now I’ve thought about it as I say my son would love it! I love my open fire fml that sounds so !!!!!! wrong but you know what I mean ha pain to clean but on a cold day nothing beats hot choc and a film in my sitting room so love the idea of your wood burning camp stove. Was it expensive?

Sun_Addict

Enjoy York. You need to go the coast to get a break from the pollen. Well done on getting to day 22, you sound in a much better place this time around.

alt80

@Sun_Addict trying to keep as positive as possible and actively avoid the temptations. Yeah that’s true have to book something for next month or maybe go on way back Sunday. Not setting off until after school so my Mrs is taking me to a nice cafe for lunch and out for a good walk this morning. Dog is going to in-laws so have to face them for a few minutes before school finishes lol.

getmore4less

Enjoy York, we finish our little break today, we did think of adding a couple of nights but fancy going home.

Need to plan one for July now maybe we should try York.

I have been less affected by pollen this year so far aiui it's grass that's high.

A camping den in the garden could be good practice for cheap holidays

RelievedSheff

My other half has been really bad with his hay fever this year. He is bad most years but this year seems especially bad.

Enjoy York. We love it there. Not been for a long while.

And well done on Day 22.

lady1964

You sound so much more positive Alt, it’s so good to read your posts now.

I’m lucky enough to live about 20 miles from York after moving from the south 18 months ago. I’m sure you’re aware but York can get a bit rowdy after about 9pm, lots of stags and hens, when we go there, we tend to have an early dinner and be heading home by 8 or 9pm. That said, it’s a fabulous place to spend some time, great sho….(or maybe not 😂), plenty of lovely places to eat, the railway museum is excellent. Have a great, relaxing time.

Purplelady65

Enjoy your weekend in York. It is a lovely place and as I don’t live too far away I visit there fairly regularly. I know you’ve been working on plans for while you’re there. I would definitely visit the national railway museum and the Jorvik museum - your son will love them. I was over there on Monday and Clifford’s tower was totally covered in scaffolding so if it was on your list maybe give it a miss? As you’ve said you like history then you’ll love a walk down the shambles. Just looking at York Minster which is next to the shambles from the outside is also an amazing sight. Finally you can walk around York City Walls for free - it would take you around an hour. Again something I’m sure your son would enjoy. It’s a good time to visit as there are normally a lot of overseas tourist in York so it should hopefully be quieter than usual. Have a lovely time. 

efes_shareholder

Have a great weekend and well done on your milestones.
Your outlook sounds much more upbeat , put the past behind you where it belongs and start loving yourself too.

alt80

Thanks all just wrote a decent response but on my phone and lost it fml. 

Things you’ve all listed are on the plan no shopping planned though haha! We’ll see if wife’s no off plan spend 2 months fails at the first hurdle lol. She’s already asked me if I want my credit card back for the weekend tbf I’m not going to do anything stupid with it on a family trip but told her no. I’m going to leave access to money until sept then just company money for a few months. That’s my plan anyway.