Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

MandM90

Wednesday2000 said:

MandM90 said:

We were meant to have a weekend away to Kilkenny next week but alas the tot isn't sleeping, I'm knackered and we spent £500 on a mesh system in anticipation of full fibre being installed (we both work from home so decent internet is a worthwhile investment!)...so we aren't going and my birthday will instead consist of vegan kievs, lemon cake and alcohol free prosecco. Partaaayyy.

Some of my Irish family were from Kilkenny.:)

What vegan kievs are they? I'm vegan too.

My grandparents were from and moved back there, but I haven't been since my nanny died in 2018 (grandad died in 2002). It's a beautiful city with great craic on a night out. My DH loves it too, we talk about moving there but who knows if it'll happen.

They were the Tesco Plant Chef ones. We really like them but according to the website we are in the minority. I will concede that M&S are probably better texture. Either way a big treat to just have 'oven food' for supper. I've pre chopped/mixed Bolognese for tonight, just need to plug the slow cooker in. Bliss!

Wednesday2000

MandM90 said:

Wednesday2000 said:

MandM90 said:

We were meant to have a weekend away to Kilkenny next week but alas the tot isn't sleeping, I'm knackered and we spent £500 on a mesh system in anticipation of full fibre being installed (we both work from home so decent internet is a worthwhile investment!)...so we aren't going and my birthday will instead consist of vegan kievs, lemon cake and alcohol free prosecco. Partaaayyy.

Some of my Irish family were from Kilkenny.:)

What vegan kievs are they? I'm vegan too.

My grandparents were from and moved back there, but I haven't been since my nanny died in 2018 (grandad died in 2002). It's a beautiful city with great craic on a night out. My DH loves it too, we talk about moving there but who knows if it'll happen.

They were the Tesco Plant Chef ones. We really like them but according to the website we are in the minority. I will concede that M&S are probably better texture. Either way a big treat to just have 'oven food' for supper. I've pre chopped/mixed Bolognese for tonight, just need to plug the slow cooker in. Bliss!

My Granny and her family were from there. Maybe our families knew each other.:)

I have tried those ones, I love most of the Plant Chef range, the Wicked Kitchen stuff is good too. I bought my new friends some WK cupcakes the other week and they liked them.

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday was receiving my £140 Warm Home Discount 

MichelleG123

Hi ladies, 
Well I have been slowly reading this thread from the start and would love to join in! 
I'm 36, married with a 6 year old boy. I love a quieter life, books, massages, cosy nights, shopping trips, family trips out and I'm obsessed with holidays! 
My problem is everything I buy comes with a dose of guilt, sometimes it stops me, sometimes if doesn't! 🤣 this week it hasn't, I have bough a dress, 2 pair of boots and matching xmas pjs for the 3 of us!

I love a bargain and my husband is even worse (but somehow seems to spend a fortune in everything he does) he's one of these ones that finds a good deal on something and has to get it even though he didn't need or want it!

I feel like you guys take the time to appreciate everything in life, big or small, and I do too so can't wait to share my adventures and bargains with you!

I guess I will start with this week's purchases, my boots were 2 for £30 delivered but they actually don't fit so I am sending them back, oh well!

I need to start concentrating on Xmas present buying now, we have just paid off a holiday to the Dominican in January so the savings pot is running low. Its on the red list and I'm kinda hoping it will be cancelled as I'd rather the money back in my bank! 

sugarbaby125

Welcome Michelle, good to have you here with us. You made me smile with your honesty and humour.

helensbiggestfan

Hello. Michelle.  Lovely to "meet" you.  Great first post.....and you definitely need to knock that guilt on the head. 😂.   As long as you can afford your purchases and aren't making your family suffer from want or lack (which you plainly aren't doing) then there's no reason why you can't splurge a little, now and again.  

The aim of the game for most of us on here is to live a life of simple luxury and pleasure, enjoying the good things in life.  I may not have the budget of a "Champagne Charlie".....better make that "Champagne Charlotte" ha ha but I do love a bit of luxury and the finer things of life and why not......

My motto is "why wear a hair shirt, when you can wear silk". 

And as for the old "needs - v - wants". Well what's wrong with indulging in a few wants.  Life would be so boring if it was all about needs and we never allowed ourselves to buy few of our wants......the proviso being of course that we don't bankrupt ourselves in the process.  

Tbh - maybe I shouldn't say this on MSE but often in my life my best investments have been purchases I have made when I couldnt really afford them.  This has happened to me several times and whilst at the time it looked like I was taking a huge risk, each time the gamble paid off, especially when it has  been a house purchase.  

My first house was a classic case in point.  It was a wreck but it was all I could afford.  

On paper it looked like financial suicide. Interest rates were rocketing by the week and just before we exchanged contracts my lender gave me the chance to back out of the purchase because they feared I was over committing myself.  However, they could not rescind their mortgage offer because I had already accepted it in writing so they were compelled to honour the offer.  I went ahead. By the time I had paid the mortgage and put food on the table I had nothing left. Certainly nothing to pay contractors, so despite knowing nothing about diy I rolled up my sleeves and got stuck in.  

Took me 3 long gruelling years, lived on fresh air, even had to sell my car to keep afloat. It was a hard slog but it paid off in spades. Sold the house for more than double what I paid for it and was able to then buy my little dream house in the best postcode of our city. It felt soooooo good.

At the time my family and many of my friends thought I was bonkers taking what they thought was a huge unacceptable risk.  But, I knew it was for me. It was what my heart truly wanted.  I was coming out of a divorce and I wanted a home of my own.  I wanted security and freedom. 

So here's my takeaway on that.  

Dream big and reach for the stars.  Don't be afraid to loosen the purse strings now and again and spend on what your heart truly desires.  Listen to your heart, it's never wrong. 

Well hello my lovely friends.  How are we all.  Hope you are all enjoying lots of nice little champagne moments, despite the autumn gloom today.    So dark and depressing. Glad I took the opportunity to photograph some items for eBay the other day - especially as they are selling like hot cakes. 

 Oooh I do love it when I make some sales -  that lovely money coming my way,  😂🤣.  

What could be nicer........doing something I love and have a real passion for and  earning a few shekels into the bargain. 

Lots of lovely little champagne moments here.......

After my dentist visit on Friday I treated myself to some jewellery from the chazza.  I deserved it after undergoing the rigours of a scale and polish - my pet hate😱😱. I picked up two necklaces and a bracelet, all for the princely sum of £2.40.

Yep, I'm the last of the big spenders.....

Speaking of Big Spenders......watched Shirley Bassey last night. Wow.  84 and she looks sensational.  And that voice is as big and as powerful as ever.  What with the likes of Helen Mirren, Shirley Bassey, Jane Fonda, and Joan Collins all somehow looking better and better with age there's hope for me yet.  Ha ha.  I want to age like fine wine.  Hope 1951 was a good vintage.  

Interesting chat about the Plant Chef range and vegan dishes in general.  I am a confirmed carnivore but I'm trying to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan dishes into my diet. Partly for health, partly for the planet and partly for my bank balance.  Seeing as you have recommended them I might just give them a whirl. 

Right time to brace the great outdoors and go for my walk,  brrrrr.  Don't fancy it much, but needs must.  If I'm to age well I have got to exercise, end of.  

prepareathome

Someone on local Freegle offered lace from about 1905, small pieces that would be worn at the neck and choose me for them, so DH picking them up later - definitely a Champagne moment for me as since I took up sewing three years ago when I finally accept no more attempting to knit due to hand pain, I fell down the historical garment construction rabbit hole (anything I made cannot be made without a machine) but to have some lace from just over a hundred years ago is so exciting to me.   Depending the condition, I hopefully will add it to blouses or even a dress or three - there are three pieces but if not just to have them to look at makes me very happy to have that link to past garments.

Siebrie

@MichelleG123 "I guess I will start with this week's purchases, my boots were 2 for £30 delivered but they actually don't fit so I am sending them back, oh well!".

Nonono, that should end with "well done, me!"

Yesterday, lovely weather, husband had to check on a truck he is exporting through the Port of Antwerp (we're in Belgium; it's a 45min drive), so we put dds in the car, drove there, checked the truck, then drove a little further sightseeing the port, and parked at the tinytiny fort-city of Lillo, where we walked and saw all the streets and houses in about 10 minutes Lovely view of the river with the cargo ships and the cargo ports. DDs went wild in a small playground, we picknicked on biscuits and orange juice I had brought along, and then went back home. (I was willing to buy them an icecream, but there wasn't any for sale!)

Wednesday2000

Hello to Michelle!

MichelleG123

Hi all!

Prepareathome- ooo I absolutly loovveeee sewing, please post a pic of what you make. I always feel like I never have time for sewing, there's always the pots to do or a pile of ironing so I spend a lot of time day dreaming about it! My dream would be making clothes to sell and teaching. I have quite a few things I have made but don't look too close because they are not always perfect! 

Helensbiggestfan- we are fine financially, I could definitely buy a lot more but I'm always thinking of the next holiday we have to pay for or what will break next so always put myself off ( until every now and again I think sod it and buy lots! 😀).

I was also at the dentist this week £65 for a filling, I guess it is a good thing my boots didn't fit 😅. 

Well I need to take the dog out, he's a German pointer so it's an hours run across fields, any less and he won't get his energy out. 

I didnt mention I am a dog walker so I'm certainly used it but kind of dreading the weather this year. 
I have a quiet week this week because its the kids holidays but that just means swapping walking doggos to amusing a 6 year old, wish me luck! Xx