Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

savingholmes

Thanks MF, @Honeysucklelou2 and @try_harder

Thanks for the encouragement about my art.

I could get reaction lenses but they can be unpredictable in photos which puts me off and you can't control them. At least with sunglasses they are more predictable.

Well I sold 2 out of the 3 and have an offer on the third. So £40 made. Possible £25-45 to come. Now need to list some more but it is easier to motivate myself when it's working.

It's a beautiful day out. Just sat out on the front with a neighbour catching up over a brew which was nice.

Tahlullah.H

The good times often come with the small things, like a cuppa and a chat.  Enjoy.

jwil

Well done on the sales

I might be able to get the which article for you - send me the link and I'll have a go.

Alchemilla

Well done on the sale of the crate, you did well there.

I don't know if they do graduated lenses but glasses direct are very good. Also it's not too upsetting when one's puppy discovers that specs are crunchy.

astrocytic_kitten

I've caught up! 😂 I don't need varifocals but I do have a complicated prescription and I've been really happy with Ace & Tate. They actually ended up cheaper than glasses direct etc because they included add ons I needed like special thinning that cost extra most places - though this was a couple of years ago. I started looking for prescription sunglasses recently and everywhere had got more expensive so not sure how it compares now.

savingholmes

Thanks @Tahlullah.H Jwil Alchemilla and @astrocytic_kitten

Tahlullah - I agree it's often the simple things that matter.

Ouch at puppies eating specs Alchemilla

Thanks Jwil for the help with the article.

Well done on catching up AK!! - You definitely get a gold star - as do my regular posters!

I think my problem with £ is that I'm always fighting not to spend it three times over. I don't necessarily mean waste it. I mean - I want to secure my long term future by investing in pension and mortgage - but I don't yet have all my pots set up that I need to get through this year's annual bills. I'm then surprised / disappointed when my £ won't stretch in all the different directions I want it to go. I'm also reluctant to use my EF even for genuine emergencies - but then feel pressured and trapped - even though the savings were put there for a reason. I need to ease up on myself.

I think as you guys often caution - I need to slow down and stop constantly looking at the future big picture - and look at things in the moment - or even in the month - as otherwise I'm in danger of never appreciating what I have now.

• I get a year's worth of back pay this week for last year's pay rise. Not had my payslip yet - so still estimating what that means. 
• Regardless - I can be credit card debt free this Thursday!!! That's stunning. I need to let that sink in and not just rush headlong into the next thing.
• The gift was given to take pressure off - it only works if I don't then immediately add new pressure by trying to put more than my budget will bear into pension or mortgage or other savings / doing it too quickly.
• Out of choosing between my glasses and doing my brakes - the latter is probably the most critical. I've had a quote of £210. I've booked a garage appointment for a week on Thursday (before I go away). They will do the brake fluid but will check whether the other parts actually need doing rather than just change them because the main dealer said to. I found that reassuring as I hate wasting money.
• When I go on my holiday - a week on Saturday - it will have been pre-paid. I will have a cottage to myself for a week. Bliss!! DD is equally looking forward to being home alone.
• I've allowed around £200 for treats while I'm off. No hairdresser appointment this coming pay month so that will offset some of the extra cost. I've also got a three week gap between my counselling appointments which should help a little. 
  
• I've allowed about £50 in extra fuel this month. While I have to drive to my destination - I am avoiding a 100 mile round trip for DD plus any local travel I normally do so I hope that will be enough. I still have fuel left from this pay period - so that should help offset the cost of Easter travel to family.

I've got to work this week and next - but have the benefit of the bank holidays - so short weeks. DD and I are going to see family on Easter Sunday. I've already bought some Easter treats so shouldn't be any significant spend there. Looking forward to a roast dinner! DD has been feeling ill so still not attempted oven fix yet. We're managing with the hob and microwave for now.

Hope you are all doing well.

Cheery_Daff

Some fantastic things in there, well done you! Excellent news on the back pat, and how lovely to be able to pay the credit card off! Absolutely right to use that gift in the way it was intended to take the pressure off.

Brilliant holiday planning too! 😊

Blackcats

Hello SH!  You are so right that you need to remember to be kind to yourself and savour your successes before you move onto your next priority.  

I also struggle spending from my emergency or savings pots even when it's entirely appropriate.  Strange that I never worried about spending the bank's money via my overdraft or credit cards 🤣.
I got some beautiful tulips from olio too and they lasted a few days.
I've got over feeling awkward about the free food and I now feel good about avoiding food waste.  I got 2 packs of hot cross buns today - popped them in the freezer and I'm going to use them for bread and butter pudding over the Easter weekend.  I also requested a pack of garlic and coriander naan breads - when I collected them they were absolutely massive - I've put them in the freezer too as I felt intimidated by them 🙃

beanielou

That is a really really dire price for the glasses.
My last ones last year I was encouraged to reuse old frames & their was no charge for that.
This was a small independent. 
I am speechless.

Humdinger1

@savingholmes yes; I think culturally, there's pressure to do it all and do it now.  When we stop scratching that itch by unnecessary spending, we move to paying off debt and setting up perfectly organised lives.  You are doing the right thing by appreciating yourself and the moment.  Well done on all your achievements love Humdinger xx