Beating Lifestyle Inflation and Staying Mortgage Free!

earthgirl2

Some frugal updates this week I've collected clothes and sandals, and a huge food collection from a person who collects from mr T which I will use to make things for the picnic/party I'm hosting next week so it will save loads. As well as a few meals for us. Even included a cake for 16 people for free!! 

Also collected 18 gorgeous geraniums that someone had surplus on olio too, and love that my garden looks so flowery. I got a free glass topped table which I'm going to put sides on and use as a cold frame. Hope to keep the geraniums alive for next year! 

TallGirl

Lovely with the free food and flowers always a plus and your idea for a cold frame sounds really good hope it works. My gran used to keep her geraniums on a window ledge in an unheated room in the house and it was my job to take all the dead leaves off them in the Spring. I therefore hate the small sadly so they are just not got me but they are pretty. 

Great you have done some pension calculations it is so hard to know isnt? Good to have some figures and options and agree your DH should pay more you do work for him too so only fair.  

apple_muncher

Go, earthie, go!!!

You may 'retire' but I somehow don't think you'll stop generating income!!!

And do check those old accounts. I thought I knew I had about £70 or £750 in one. Nope. Over £26,000!!! Hope you find the same

Watty1

£26,0000 "found"  omg what a find!

beanielou

I’d be lucky to find £26 quid. I’m speechless. 

earthgirl2

I was also hoping to find around £26 if I'm lucky!

Im not sure if I mentioned it but I'm on a waiting list for neurologist as I have nerve pain. It's very difficult to see a doctor- I think it's hard everywhere.  A nurse changed my medication on Thursday. 1 tab per day, and the second day I felt incredibly ill -never felt anything like it - and passed out. Because i knew it was linked to the tablet I'd taken 2 hours before, and because of the way my body was shutting down, I was thinking "this is it" so I was very frightened. Anyway, I had a lot of thoughts about life and If I were to "go" now... I managed to shout for help and was at physio with my son so she was able to take care of me,  and I came around and I was fine. A doctor phoned me very quickly after that!

The quick, severe reaction confirms a lot of things to me and hopefully to the neurologist when I eventually see one, so it's been a blessing in disguise!

So why am I writing in my money based thread about it? It's another wake up call, I don't want to be working forever - I want to retire and work when and where I want. I want to cut down spending and save for retirement without damaging my health now. And now, Working really, really hard is not an option anymore. High Stress is not an option any more. 

Also thinking I was going to die, just for 1minute or so, also made me see what's important to me. It's not expensive holidays, nice house etc etc it will be different for everyone I know but the thoughts flashing through my mind were regarding relationships with family. In particular thoughts about supporting my boys to be happy. 

It's also made DH more on board with moving things off my plate financially. 

So I'm tired but relaxing and totally up for a chilled out existence where my spare pennies now provide more opportunities for chilling out it the future! 

teapot2

How scary for you EG but I'm glad someone was there to help and support you.  That sort of event definitely gives clarity to what the priorities in life are going forward so I hope you are able to put those in place for you and your family.  Take care and fingers crossed you see the neurologist soon x

beanielou

What a scary thing to happen & very thought provoking. 

TallGirl

Very scary indeed but glad you were able to get help. Yes life is too short and we are only here once (well most think we are) so good you can use this to reflect and map out the right route for you and the family. Glad DH can take some of your load that sounds very positive. Take care

earthgirl2

Thank you, feeling a lot better, just slightly dizzy every now and again and very tired!

But really enjoying a relaxing holiday. Tuesday night we went out for a meal with DHs family and they bought our meal as it's our anniversary - It was our 20th anniversary yesterday and I managed a really frugal feast of a picnic for about 20 people, most brought something to add and everyone brought drinks, it stayed dry and we were able to sit by the coast which was lovely. I made quiches and cakes when eggs came up on olio and froze them, spent £3 on sausage rolls, got short date crisps and some on bread rolls and fillings, think it cost me about £15 - much cheaper than paying for catering somewhere. It was really good fun as well! 

Today has been frugal too-  as well as catching up on naps I taught a new tutoring client, went for a walk and picked brambles and raspberries. I got instructions for cat sitting on Saturday when I return. 

Having a wonderful holiday with my little family and really treasuring the slow pace of life.