Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

helensbiggestfan

candygirl said:

What a brilliant start LL.I bet you're so pleased 😀 😄 

It was, I am but now I've hit a brick wall.  

How am I going to make my millions.  😱😂🤣 

MrsPorridge

My champagne moment today was getting a big black sack full of stuff to the chazzer! 

candygirl

helensbiggestfan said:

candygirl said:

What a brilliant start LL.I bet you're so pleased 😀 😄 

It was, I am but now I've hit a brick wall.  

How am I going to make my millions.  😱😂🤣 

I'll ponder on it, n get back to you 🤣🤣🤣😘

mrs_slapshot

helensbiggestfan said:

candygirl said:

What a brilliant start LL.I bet you're so pleased 😀 😄 

It was, I am but now I've hit a brick wall.  

How am I going to make my millions.  😱😂🤣 

You know what they say LL - ten bucks a time..... (or as we live in good old Blighty, £10 a time...)! You will get there, you have done amazingly well! And think of all the new skills you are learning - and then you will be self-sufficient. I'm so pleased for you 

Sugarbaby - I think you need to post some hints and techniques on bagging bargains....I have never known anyone like it!! It's brilliant!!

I haven't really had any champagne moments - well, champagne yes but not on a lemonade budget! I think I've spent about £1000 in Ikea in the last few weeks...it will all be worth it. That is my bedroom and my office (well, box room...) kitted out! I absolutely love my bedroom - will post some pics when it's completed (wardrobe to be delivered and assembled, and then some styling to do...).

Ooh I've thought of a champagne moment (or several)! I suddenly decided last week that I would try out The Miracle Morning (TMM) - it's a technique for spending the first (early) hour of your day mindfully. I am by no means a morning person but I can tell you I have been getting up at 5.30 for the last few days (6.30 at the weekend...), and that today I only had one coffee this morning rather than my usual 4 by 11am. I have felt so full of energy, it is helping me focus and get stuff done. I'll write more when I have a little more time about what's involved - but I'm keen to watch an hour of Netflix before an early bedtime!! if anyone else has had any experience of TMM, or any kind of structured morning routine, do post about it   

helensbiggestfan

Mrs S.  sounds like you are making great progress with your house.  Looking forward to seeing the photos.  

Ten bucks at time....yes a good principle. I came across that one from Mr Money Moustache.  Such sound common sense (although maybe a bit extreme for me sometimes) but I definitely approve of his ideas about FIRE and I made sure I pushed my boys in his direction.  Both have taken (some) of his ideas on board and both are aiming for FIRE.  

I'm really pleased at the moment  because a couple of weeks ago I decided I needed to be a bit more mindful of my spending........especially on the grocery budget.  I have done really well this last couple of weeks.  Still eating well, still eating healthy foods but just planning things better, reducing waste and not shopping so often has made a big difference to my spending.  I reckon just by being more mindful I can save myself a nice little dollop this month, and hopefully I can take it forward for the future too.  Even a £50 a month reduction in my personal spending would add up to £600 - not to be sniffed at.  That's a nice little mini holiday or city break.  

Thanks for the reminder about Hal Elrods, TheMiracle Mornings, glad it's working so well for you,  I adopted something similar a while ago, not the whole 6 steps but my version and it works well for me.  He's a remarkable man, overcoming so many obstacles in his life -  a great example of the power of positive thought and the magic of taking affirmative action.  I love his concept of "can't change it". Again something I have always tried to practice.  

I notice, that like me, Elrod has a sales background and I think he must have attended some of the same types of training programmes and seminars that I did. A lot of his sayings and mantras are very familiar to me.   One of his mentors sounds very similar to one of my old bosses who taught me the "can't change it" mantra and the 5 minute rule - i.e  you can't change the past but you can shape your own future and if something bad happens or you get knocked back you are allowed 5 minutes to feel negative emotions, feel sorry for yourself, get angry or whatever you need to do and then it's time to put it behind you and move forward.  Obviously some setbacks might require more than 5 minutes but the principle behind it stays the same.  Don't be a victim of your past, concentrate on now and work towards a better tomorrow. 

I love the power of positive psychology and I often watch motivational videos and podcasts.  I love those by Matthew McConnaughy,  Denzel Washington and even good old Arnie (Schwarzenegger).  They are all thoroughly inspirational people, all from modest backgrounds who have worked hard to be the best that they can be.  They all seem to have daily routines and rituals which keep them grounded and motivated.  

A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a podcast by Admiral William McLaren called "If you want to change the world, start by making your bed". It's a similar idea, basically I think that what they are all saying is it's how you start the mornings which sets the tone for the day.   I actually take it a step further by "setting the tone" for the next day before I go to bed......I make sure I wash the dishes, tidy the kitchen, and straighten up the living room, plumping cushions, folding throws etc.  It only takes a few minutes but it works really well for me because I hate waking up to an untidy house or messy kitchen.  It really depresses me and drains my energy before I even start the day.   

One thing I think is so great these days is that we have all these wonderful blogs, podcasts etc.  People sharing their knowledge and wisdom, all for free.  The internet really is a fantastic learning resource, our young people are so lucky to have such a vast world of knowledge at their fingertips.  

Just edited to add.....I also use style as part of my arsenal of weapons to be the best I can be, and achieve my goals. The Hollywood costumier Edith Head said "you can be anything and anyone you want to be if you dress the part".  Like the old saying "you have to dress for the job/promotion you want".  You really do have to "dress for success".   

So I dress as well as I can, wear make up, style my hair etc...... some might say it's just vanity but I think it's much deeper than that.  It's positive psychology, part of the visualisation process, showing up as if you had already achieved your goals and the success you want.  Same with your home. If you style your home, to make it beautiful and comfortable, it becomes not just your sanctuary and refuge but also your launching pad to success.  

And of course, as SUgarbaby has proved so dramatically this week, you don't need to be rich to be stylish.  Great clothes, fabulous furniture, delicious food, and when covid allows, fun, travel and adventure can be ours on even the tiniest of budgets.  

# Champagnelifestyle/lemonade budget. 

helensbiggestfan

Well good Morning my lovely friends.  

One of my early Mornjng rituals is I like to hit the chazzers first thing.....the early bird and all that.  Well today I did just that and have picked up an amazing haul.  Went to the  chazzers that have been difficult to access for the last few weeks due to road works.  They still had a lot of winter clothes, hardly any spring/summer so obviously the road closures had affected them and they need to shift the winter stock first.  

So, as crazy as it might sound I stocked up on winter clothing, 4 sweaters, two skirts, one a fab  black velvet boho style number, embellished with jet beads, embroidery and lace, gorgeous.  Also a  pair of lined wool trousers, and the most amazing navy pure wool  Windsmoor coat.  Also bagged some cute bright lime green leather Mary jane shoes, and finally a pretty bracelet.  £25 the lot.    A winter champagne lifestyle wardrobe for a pittance.  Feeling well chuffed.  

Although this early bird wasn't quite early enough......a lady before me beat me to it and nabbed a fab faux leopard skin coat for £2.  Grrrrrrr 😂🤣.  I sooooo want one.   Never mind I'll keep looking.  

So now it's time for breakfast, and then hopefully cut the grass before it rains.  Don't fancy it but needs must.  Meant to say I had a gardener round the other day to give me some ideas.  He said no need to replace the turf, he says it's good high quality grass and it can be rescued, it just needs some serious TLC.  So we've set up a treatment plan.  Will cost around £120 in all, 3 treatments over the next few months.  A lot cheaper than new turf. 🤞

MrsPorridge

The Miracle Morning sounds interesting Mrs. S.  I have not heard of it - will do some research.

I'm another one who needs to watch her spending.  I'm a great one for buying tea and cake/biscuits when I go out.  I will try and cut down and take my flask and hm cake with me.  With summer on the way, then that's something that I can easily achieve.  I would rather have more breaks/mini holidays and to do that I need to make a saving somewhere.

My champagne moment today, I had my hair cut.  First time someone other than DH has cut it in over  a year.  Boy it felt really good.  I am very pleased with it.  I have had a bob and it looks great a bit like Esme from the Sewing Bee.  She did go to a great length with blow drying and using the hair straighteners, so I'm never going to achieve this look at home, but it was a really good cut, so I think I can get pretty close to it when I next wash it.  I have booked up in 8 weeks time.  I'm determined now to keep a good hair style as I am sure it makes me look better   It cost £30 and I thought that was really good value, I had budgeted for £60.

Wednesday2000

I have read The Miracle Morning too, but I can't really remember it. I didn't wake up feeling very miraculous this morning. I fell asleep early last night and then woke up at 1.30 and then couldn't get back to sleep until my husband got home at about 7 in the morning!

I washed my makeup off in the middle of the night and used a serum and then woke up with a rash so at least I worked out what the culprit was. I will have to use it up as body or hand lotion. The joys of sensitive skin.

I thought a walk might wake me up so I decided to go and look in the chazzers this morning too. I was planning on looking for light coloured tops to dye as I have two colour dye pods left but I couldn't find anything I liked. I did buy more autumn/ winter things too. I bought a brown short cordoroy skirt for £2 and quite a smart black trench coat for only £1!

I did get two pairs of sunglasses from Barnado's too.

A young black guy on a scooter smiled and said "Hello" to me as he went past on the street. God knows why as I am not looking my best today!

Oh yes. The green boots I bought yesterday came up fine after being cleaned and dried.

I might go out for another walk to try and clear my head. I'm still feeling fuzzy.

helensbiggestfan

Having a well earned rest now, have cut the grass, could do some weeding but I think it's about to Chuck it down.  Maybe later, after a little snooze.  

My DS2 gave me his old lawnmower to try.......so much better.     Did the job in less than half the time it usually takes, and it gives a much better finish too.  I was beginning to think maybe I should engage a a gardener because I was starting to find it a struggle but I think the trick is make sure I have the right equipment and tools.  Saves money and allows me to remain independent.  

Wednesday. Get you attracting the guys ....😂. Why not, it's nice for our morale when it happens.  Go You.  

Mrs P. Well done on the haircut.  Makes all the difference doesn't it.  

sugarbaby125

I took delivery today of the used solid oak nest of tables that I bought from an eBay seller yesterday for £10. I have given them a complete clean with Flash lemon gel and hot water and they look great.