Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes.  I keep wanting to be over debt neutral and over the top of that hill, so I can be on the downward slide of paying off the mortgage being the only target.  It will be here soon though.

Good going on the decluttering.  I've managed to declutter one bag and so have a bag full, a box full and a few large items to drop to the charity shop.  Feels good. 

I've now got 17 items on the ToDo list - very positive

savingholmes

Well done on the decluttering. I am half way through another box full of photos and cards from uni days and early marriage

SandyShores

Well done to you too savingholmes.  My photos are all just in a large box and then several thousands more on an old computer.  I keep saying that I must spend some time downloading and printing them, otherwise they will be lost.  I'd like to put a few into albums that could sit on a bookshelf.  I find it so hard to throw away photos, even when they are awful, but who looks at them, and I don't want to leave a problem behind for the next generation.  I've got a couple of drawers of stuff that need a sort through - not as many as before so I must be getting better at it.  

I managed to tick one more item off the todo list.  Not as many as I would like to have ticked off, but its a step forward - and I am feeling the difference, especially with less clutter around.  Its been a long journey and I do wonder if losses in life make you more inclined to want to keep stuff.

LadyWithAPlan

Exciting news re your LTV and a possible mortgage in full, what a great 6 -8 month goal to aim for.

I also had my first month in Premium Bonds (£13k) and no wins for me but who knows what next month may bring,

SandyShores

Thanks @LadyWithAPlan.  It was a huge step buying somewhere, and then borrowing so much, but slowly and surely its all working out.  Its more ours every day.

Shame about the PBs, but yes, we've got next month to look forward to.

I think I had the winter blues today, bit of a sore throat and cold, but the weather has been pretty grey.  The wind is whistling tonight and the rain coming down.  Glad to be snuggled inside tonight.

SandyShores

Well it feels like winter has arrived here.  I'm amazed at people who are getting along with a blanket on their knees all day, but I have had a bit of a cold so maybe that hasn't helped.  The bills are definitely going to be higher here, with us both working from home at the moment - I miss the freebies from going into work (heating, coffee etc) but don't miss the journey.  

I've been considering getting rid of my car, but am definitely going to keep it until I no longer can.  Its reliable, cheap to run and the approx £4k it would raise wouldn't really bring my retirement much closer.  Plus if I got another job which needed a car I wouldn't be able to buy anything near as nice for £4k.  Feels good to have made that decision though and I do value the independence I feel a car brings.  If I ever buy a car again it will probably be electric, but that seems a long way off.

It seems like my cold is on its way out now, so hopefully by the weekend I will be fully better.  The ToDo list is stagnant at the moment - 16 items - so I need to get a shifty on.

savingholmes

We've gone down to one car in the past - but like you I missed the independence of separate cars. 

Hope you feel better soon. We've had the heating on for a couple of hours - on the 2 coldest days but other than that have been managing with a quilt over my knees and a cardi or hoody. My body temperature is permanently at the low end though so it would seem to be genetic. My kids over-heat easily too...

On the photos - it's been more seeing what's there. Getting rid of some and then dividing others between the four of us. I am trying to group them together in one place - that way there's no sudden surprise finds - and I can go through them at my leisure.

SandyShores

Thanks @savingholmes, I am virtually better now.  Just having to pop a cardi on today throughout the day.  I used to feel the cold badly, so can sympathise - menopause changed all that for me.  I need to sort through all my photos too, I just can't bear to get rid of even the awful ones, but I need to do it.  And I need to sort out the ones on the almost defunct computer, before they are lost forever.

Well, its been a slightly strange few days.  I've been trying to observe and think, rather than being reactive, so I'm not sure if that's it.  Its easy to forget yourself though, and I find that I'm having to pull myself up and think.  You just get into a habit I guess.  I'm also trying to work out a way forward.  I've gotten to a certain point in life and I can't be bothered to spend time with people who make me unhappy.  I've spent a lot of time smiling and nodding at MrShore's family when really I just want to be away from them.  And I don't want to argue with them, not that I wouldn't, just that I'd rather not interact.  Just writing this down makes me feel a lot lighter - some people will probably think I'm awful, but if you've ever spent time with a family who seem to just wind each other up and pick holes, you will know what I mean.  I don't want Mr Shores to stop seeing them, but I'm always on edge in their company, so in future I'm going to be busy at certain times   Freedom!!  Its amazing what we put up with sometimes.

That sounds quite negative, but it isn't meant to be, just another corner turned.  The ToDo list has hit a big go slow.  Sent some emails today to try and get one of the main items sorted but no luck yet.  Managed to get my stretches done today, and went out for a walk - it feels good to put yourself first.

Anyway, enough of my rambling.  

Chiglepig

SandyShores said:

Well, its been a slightly strange few days.  I've been trying to observe and think, rather than being reactive, so I'm not sure if that's it.  Its easy to forget yourself though, and I find that I'm having to pull myself up and think.  You just get into a habit I guess.  I'm also trying to work out a way forward.  I've gotten to a certain point in life and I can't be bothered to spend time with people who make me unhappy.  I've spent a lot of time smiling and nodding at MrShore's family when really I just want to be away from them.  And I don't want to argue with them, not that I wouldn't, just that I'd rather not interact.  Just writing this down makes me feel a lot lighter - some people will probably think I'm awful, but if you've ever spent time with a family who seem to just wind each other up and pick holes, you will know what I mean.  I don't want Mr Shores to stop seeing them, but I'm always on edge in their company, so in future I'm going to be busy at certain times   Freedom!!  Its amazing what we put up with sometimes.

That sounds quite negative, but it isn't meant to be, just another corner turned.  The ToDo list has hit a big go slow.  Sent some emails today to try and get one of the main items sorted but no luck yet.  Managed to get my stretches done today, and went out for a walk - it feels good to put yourself first.

Sandy, that sounds far from negative, it's a positive choice to protect yourself from negativity. I'd struggle with a dynamic like that too - I actually have the opposite problem with my Mum sometimes, who will not say or hear anything negative about anyone - but when she loses patience with someone, they are done for!

SandyShores

Thanks @Chiglepig, reading it back it does sound more positive.  I always think I should keep the peace, and then if I ever don't want to be at an event with them, Mr Shore's is like 'oh but you'll upset them' (not that they worry about upsetting me ever ).  They know how to behave, because they don't behave like that with their friends, so I guess I've allowed it to continue, well goodbye then   I do think about things too much sometimes I know, and don't want to get cross at stuff that doesn't really matter, but I definitely can't be bothered to waste my precious time anymore