Winter is coming

cuddlymarm

Thanks Blackcats
I aim to knock off at least £200 this month, maybe more. That and eating healthily is what I’m going to concentrate on. I’m not in work until Tuesday now so I’m planning on a lazy day tomorrow.
Look after yourself 

Sarahwithlove

How long do you have to go before you can retire? I feel a bit like that and I'm only 32 🤣🤣 but with the way job security is at the moment I'm reluctant to move 

cuddlymarm

Hi Sarah 
I’ve 7 and half years to go ( well providing the government doesn’t change their mind again)  I can retire at 67 at the moment.
I think a bit of the problem is now our kids are grown and gone we tend to holiday in winter and a bit of pre Xmas sun perks me up for winter. We were going to Florida last September and should have been packing to do a New Zealand cruise at the moment ( we’re gradually getting the bucket list done by saving up, it’s taken 5 years)  Both have moved forward a year so we’ve still got them to look forward to so far, as long as they can happen.
I’m the same with job security too, if I leave I doubt I’d get another job now.
Oh I do sound bleak, life isn’t that bad really, just a bit yuck at the moment 💛

Blackcats

Sarah - you made me smile thinking about your retirement while in your 30's 🤣 your approach to your finances is so sensible that you'll be in a great position when the time comes. 
I'm looking forward to retirement too - my plan is that by middle of 2022 I will have retired or be working my notice.  It doesn't seem very far away and it's really helping motivate me to be sensible with money - better late than never I suppose.  

Sarahwithlove

Blackcats said:

Sarah - you made me smile thinking about your retirement while in your 30's 🤣 your approach to your finances is so sensible that you'll be in a great position when the time comes. 
I'm looking forward to retirement too - my plan is that by middle of 2022 I will have retired or be working my notice.  It doesn't seem very far away and it's really helping motivate me to be sensible with money - better late than never I suppose.  

That's not very far at all and will be on you before you know it. 

cuddlymarm said:

Hi Sarah 
I’ve 7 and half years to go ( well providing the government doesn’t change their mind again)  I can retire at 67 at the moment.
I think a bit of the problem is now our kids are grown and gone we tend to holiday in winter and a bit of pre Xmas sun perks me up for winter. We were going to Florida last September and should have been packing to do a New Zealand cruise at the moment ( we’re gradually getting the bucket list done by saving up, it’s taken 5 years)  Both have moved forward a year so we’ve still got them to look forward to so far, as long as they can happen.
I’m the same with job security too, if I leave I doubt I’d get another job now.
Oh I do sound bleak, life isn’t that bad really, just a bit yuck at the moment 💛

I dread to think what the state pension age will be by time I get there. They already have provisions in place to eventually increase it to 69 so I think it will probably be 70 tbh and a lot of private pensions are following trend and increased to state pension age whereas you used to be able to take them at 60.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Its a shame that all we can do is look forward to retirement at the moment. Never mind,  spring isn’t too far away and the news is that the Oxford vaccine seems to be stopping spreading the virus as much which has to be a step forward.
Today Ive made veg curry soup in my soup maker. Odds and ends of veg , with pepper, herbs and curry powder. It turned out rather well, similar to a korma but with a kick. It’s definitely warmed me up. I’ve checked the contents of the fridge and managed to knock a couple of pounds off my shopping list. It all adds up.

Blackcats

Glad you are enjoying your soup maker - the options are endless for soup and it's so good to use up odds and ends and increase intake of veggies.  I made a yummy tomato, pepper and onion concoction in mine on Monday and then used the remains as a base for a veggie chilli which was scrummy, and I froze the remainder of that to top jacket pots.  

cuddlymarm

Ooh that sounds nice Blackcats, I’ve got leftover broccoli soup for lunch today, but I was thinking about trying a tomato based one. I don’t buy fresh tomatoes at this time of year because I think they don’t have enough flavour, but I always have tinned tomatoes in.
I’ve started taking my scruffy knitted blanket to bit to reknit. Mainly to give me something to do, but also to save buying wool cos I’m running out. 

OH is enjoying his new job and it means I get a little time to myself. I spent some of it looking at the M and S sale as it said there were new reductions but nothing I want ( I still have vouchers left from Xmas)  I only need undies and will wait for a suitable offer, I object to paying full price unless it’s for something special.
My online delivery arrives today so I’ve rotated the fridge and freezer and still need to do the cupboards, years of working in shops has meant very little ever goes out of date. Not a very exciting skill but useful 😂

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Not much has happened today really, just a bit of housework and then carried on unraveling the scruffy blanket.
I finished the curry soup from Wednesday for lunch ( it improved over time so I must get the freezer portion out the day before I want to use it) I’ve still got a pot of broccoli soup to use up yet which I might just have with a sandwich for tea.
The fridge, freezer and cupboards are nicely full again and I might have enough in to just do a small shop for necessities next week and knock the rest off the credit. I had £20 left in my account last night so paid that off last night and then more this morning when I’d been paid.
We’re supposed to be going to Disney World in Florida in September so I’m keeping a watch on how they are doing COVID wise. Florida has given 1st doses of vaccine to 8 and a half percent of the population so far so they’ve a long way to go. We will leave it until August probably to make a decision on whether to move it again or transfer the money we’ve already paid to a different holiday. A small problem by normal standards but it’s nice to have something to look forward to.
Im on work tomorrow and then I’ve a week off, I’m hardly there at the moment because we have to use up our holiday entitlement before the end of March and there’s not many hours anyway. I’m quite happy though because the weather is supposed to be cold 🥶  According to the BBC if all goes well I should have had my jab by April/ May. I suppose it depends on how they call you in eldest to youngest or by address. Either way there’s nothing I can do so I’ll just be happy when it happens.
I weighed in this morning and had lost two pounds which I’m really happy with, the weight I’d put on is all on my tummy, bum   and legs so I’m starting to change shape already. I’m currently wearing the life out of two or three outfits because there’s not much point using up my nice stuff when I’m not leaving the flat. Good luck to all you dieters,I hope you’re all feeling positive and are doing well.
Keep well guys
Cuddles 

IzzyBee

Well done on the weight loss I have just spoke to my friend on the phone and I said the same about wearing the same clothes I can’t remember the last time I got dressed up