Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

MovingForwards

Swimming ear plugs will help keep the noise down. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Used to be called Gro blinds... looked on amazon, most similar match now looks like 'easynight portable travel blackout blind' for £33.95.  They are really good.  When we did our extension, we ordered shutters and had to wait 4 months for installation, we had one of these left over from our youngest being a baby and it was a life saver. When our kids were little we always had one of these as if you visited rellies it was handy for daytime naps etc  

savingholmes

Thanks MF, BH30 and Ohsh...

I will look into the blind thanks for be specific 

I am dreading going out today. Will wait for wind to ease. Judging by noise in the night I think I have lost tiles. Neighbours bin blew over and mine moved but seemed like more than that. Sounded above.

Worst case covered by insurance but long term usually cheaper not to claim

Humdinger1

@savingholmes slightly late to the party, but have to say that the situation you describe is healthy.  In my view, a lot of debt builds up because people are living in a fantasy and use spending to keep themselves there.  You have done the right thing by facing the facts and getting your feet on the ground.   Scary I know but we are all applauding you; I hope you're congratulating yourself too.  Good luck with the PIP.  Love Humdinger xx 

EssexHebridean

Bargainhunter30 said:

Savings, I would speak to your Dr about eating and fitness. My mum had a general check when turning 60 and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The Dr gave her a package that would've normally cost a fortune and included scales, an app and support on eating and exercise. There was a leader and group of other ladies who were doing the same as my mum and they had daily support. The app gave so much nutritional information and it really helped her.

It's pretty unlikely for most folk that their GP will actually have much more than general knowledge around nutrition, often dating back to the time they did their original med school courses, and a lot seem to perpetuate misinformation because they simply don't know any better. (as an example, consider the many Drs who still insist on using BMI as a measure of health when it is now well known to be wholly unreliable on an individual level, or who insist that you "just hop on the scales" every appointment regardless whether you've gone in with an ingrowing toenail or a sprained ankle). Getting a referral to an NHS dietician would be the ideal, but those are like hens teeth. You *may* be lucky and find a GP who's been interested enough ion the field to do further study, but to be honest it's not terribly likely.

Similarly - if looking at personal trainers, remember that the vast majority have NO formal training or qualifications around nutrition, but this often doesn't stop them plugging things like keto as the holy grail. A PT who immediately assumes that you want weightloss as a goal, or who conflates weight-loss with health should be an immediate red-flag, and there is NO reason why a PT needs to weigh you, or even know your weight. Similarly if they start talking about "detoxing" run for the hills!  

Something worth bearing in mind on this subject - in the UK anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, or claim to have training in the field (and a lot of PTs do), there is protection around the use of "Dietician" though. Lots of good info on the BDA website. 

Didn't OhSh.... do a great summary on your list though! Definitely consider the cleaner to be money well spent - you're so much happier after she's been the value there just shines through. Similarly the counselling - and i agree that only you know where the balance is on that one. 

The NT membership could well be a great thing to invest in - remember access to green spaces is now well known as one of those things which brings measurable health benefits! 

As for worrying about the cost of energy etc - I think we all are at the moment aren't we! The "unknowns" on it are the issue I think, but definitely cut yourself some slack about the worry - it's just being human! (And frankly if you weren't concerned that would probably be more worrying!) 

beanielou

Agree that the cleaner is a great investment for you 

savingholmes

Thanks @Humdinger1 @EssexHebridean and @beanielou

Thanks for your comments. I have had 1 good PT in the past and 1 really bad who like EH said made things worse rather than better.

I haven't had my form yet. Apparently they are taking an average of 22 weeks for a new claim!!! However if it was awarded I would get back pay and would help clear any remaining debt. Can't count 🐔🐔🐔 though!!!

I have dared to view my roof. I have lost at least a couple of ridge tiles. It could have been a lot worse.

Ironically I bought this top yesterday....

Made me laugh when it arrived. 

badmemory

Oh I like that.  I suspect if I wore it some people I know would be sitting there quietly nodding.

A few years ago I had a lad up on my roof cleaning all the moss off.  He got to the apex & every single one of my ridge tiles was lose.  He showed me so I knew they were, it seems most of my neighbours were too.  I had them all stuck (the technical term) back on & was I glad.  It is the damage they can do when they come crashing down also.  I wish I could track him down now.  He's the son of one of my neighbours & suffered from depression & needed 3 prozac just to get out of bed.  Anyway they threw him out.  They weren't very nice people before that.

Tahlullah.H

Loving the top!

lucielle

I like the top. 

L