Beating Lifestyle Inflation and Staying Mortgage Free!

earthgirl2

I think it's to do with the number of children in that year group- its too many to be in the hall with the other years- and they used to have to keep them bubbled too. 

The madvix I loved your comment about vitamin D! And I noted that not buying vitamin d tablets would save me about £20/year! Not to be sniffed at 😆 

themadvix

earthgirl2 said:

The madvix I loved your comment about vitamin D! And I noted that not buying vitamin d tablets would save me about £20/year! Not to be sniffed at 😆 

😂😂 very true!

earthgirl2

A pretty good 24 hours
Tuesday is anti procrastination day where I try to do anything I'm avoiding. It spilled into today (I procrastinated about it 😆) but I have finished processing windfall apples, made crispier cakes with more of the Easter eggs, and sorted out some passwords that I lost. 

Today I've properly done my morning routine and started my marking pile.

Found a great app by accident - NHS meal planner app. I'm going to go through my 4 week meal plan and replace some of the more expensive meals with some from this and see how it works.

coconut prawn curry in slow cooker, it's lovely but quite expensive to make and it's not that healthy. One to swap out I think!

earthgirl2

A NSD so far. Ds2 has invited friends for dinner tonight - I'm doing spag bol so quite a cheap easy meal.

I had three work things cancelled today at the last minute. Irritating, but whilst I was waiting, and then doing more waiting, I did a little bit of research.

 My neice is due to have a baby in April and then plans to get married - she lives in Australia. We were thinking if we went to visit, we would have to go at Easter time (School holidays - December too hot, Summer too cold) and try and cram everything into 2 weeks at Easter. I know long haul flights are bad for the environment and not to be undertaken lightly so I'd want to use the time well. But as Australia is so big, there are also places that are warm - tropical even - in July and August. So it is possible to go in the summer and see the family, visit a few places and still enjoy some warmish weather - I suppose it's too much rain that could be the issue!

OH and I were discussing life again this morning. His pension is due in 6 years - mine's not due for another 23.5 years! I am all for living for the moment and not waiting for pensions to arrive etc.he is the opposite. What we decided was that we are definitely going to both work for another 6 years and then as long as we both love our work, we will continue, but if we don't we might do something adventurous like move abroad for the winter then, instead of now. 

This balances perfectly with the way I want to live. I enjoy living frugally - want to live even more simply and frugally and enjoy it even more. We are so fortunate and I should smell the roses more! I also like having things to look forward to and work towards as well.

earthgirl2

So now we have some big life goals sorted out -

1. Live simply and frugally - including teaching the children to be frugal and look after the planet.
2. Live healthily 
3. Enjoy life- be grateful and enjoy the opportunities we have - but do this simply and frugally - the best way
4. Save for retirement - need to flesh this one out - have zero inofrmation on this.
5. Save to possibly visit neice and baby in Aus and friend in NZ.

So living frugally -
I have an electric car booked next week for work, and I've tried to sort out as many lift shares as I can for the kids. 
I've cut down their clubs and will try to find alternatives
I will keep trying 0li0 if it is on my route
I have negotiated with school that we can send in washable bottles at lunch.
I am using up all toiletries before buying more.
I am doing free workouts on fiiton and walking everyday and haven't rejoined the gym

Still to sort out:
Re do meal plans to be cheaper but still healthy
I want to go through grocery receipts and organise a downshift for some items I know I pay too much for (kids vitamins, herbal teas spring to mind!)
restock presents from charity shops

Enjoy life
Book ferry for free Easter break - staying at SIL caravan.
Use up clubcard voucher thats nearly expired - can I get some sort of swimming voucher? we haven't been for ages.If not use for February break.

Get DS2 involved in local horsemanship

Pensions
I have no idea, but need to work this out.

Karmacat

I love the way you're thinking this through and planning ahead!  Sounds like there's quite a big age difference between you and DH?   Thinking about having time together when he's fit and well is important - that six year goal sounds great (as well as holidays before then!).

earthgirl2

It's a 12 year age gap but he has a very good early pension, and we are in similar health! OH runs most days and keeps fit and healthy. But yes, sometimes our needs and wants don't match and that might become more apparent in the future! 

themadvix

Well done for the success at negotiating with the school on washables! 

Great plans there!

Karmacat

earthgirl2 said:

It's a 12 year age gap but he has a very good early pension, and we are in similar health! OH runs most days and keeps fit and healthy. But yes, sometimes our needs and wants don't match and that might become more apparent in the future! 

Sorry, I just wanted to check the way I was thinking - that's not a big age gap at all!  And needs and wants can match and not-match at any ages  

EssexHebridean

Good work on the bottle thing - and quite right too! Also the planning out - this is the way I have to work too, getting things to focus and work on noted, as that means it’s all laid out in front of me and I have something to refer to. Goldfish memory kicks in otherwise!