Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

EssexHebridean

Great news on the car!

On the food costs - can you try to break down what you're buying differently to fit in with the diet, that might help you establish why it's costing more as generally speaking using more fruit and veg in your diet shouldn't really work out that much dearer. Remember that tinned and frozen veg often works out cheaper and has the same or sometimes even better benefits as fresh, too. I find that checking out the "loss leader" type offers in the supermarkets (super Six, pick of the week etc) then planning meals around those ingredients often works out cheaper too. Consider something like a veg box delivery too - it isn't necessarily cheaper but can encourage you to try different things and save you slipping into a rut of always picking up the same things each week. 

jwil

Congratulations on the weight loss, that's a great result.  I find it more expensive too.

Also great news about the car - what a relief!

savingholmes

Thanks DIA, jwil, EH, Beanie, MF and @greent

I need to go back to online food delivery to control my costs and check what I already have in rather than buying new on auto pilot. However, my experience of SW in the past is that it's easiest to lose weight at the beginning so I am trying for a big push - of eating 'super-healthy' by my standards knowing that later on I will cheat more. I also find salad and fruit much easier to eat in summer and it's cheaper - whereas soups and similar choices in winter tend to be less effective for me.

I had a hospital appt today which I found super-distressing because I hate any such appointments... That's going to generate a raft of other appointments and while it's positive as I'm focusing on my health - I already want to run and hide etc. Nothing 'major' - so no need for any of you to worry just unpleasant. Of course with that appointment came the instruction to lose weight.... trying.... It will be fresh evidence for my P1P claim if needed so useful regardless. I went to bed for a few hours when I came home to 'reset'. I didn't go to my balance class.

DD is now back home again - she hasn't enquired after me even though she knew about the appointment - but DS who lives away has... She isn't feeling well herself though so it may be that.

I spilled a scalding cup of coffee over my foot and a new fake fur rug yesterday. I missed my desk when I went to set the mug down. It spilled half over my desk too and I kind of jumped back. Thankfully my foot is okay again now and the stain came out of the rug in the wash. My cleaner has also been today and worked her magic which also makes life a little easier. 

jwil

Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Blackcats

Hope you are doing ok.
perhaps you could batch cook some of the meals and get some economies of scale as well as convenience?  Also extra costs at the beginning whilst you kick start your weight loss and re-calibrate eating habits might be worth it and then look towards lower costs and sustainability.
current self and future self choices again but your health and well-being is very, very important.  The return on investment for you now is worth thinking about.  As the famous advert would say "you're worth it"

savingholmes

Thanks @jwil and @Blackcats
I think my impending P1p interview is also getting to me. It's revolving around in my head and won't let go. It's such a big deal financially.

Generally today was better. I'll be better hopefully after the appointment. Just have to get through until then.

doingitanyway

I hope you are feeling a bit more settled.

mark55man

good luck with PIP - remember answer every question as if it was your worst day, not the days when you are super brave and coping - focus n the days when it is all too much and you need support.  when DS PIP came back it was really fair but surprising, in that they awarded some categories we didnt think would be applicable and denied some we thought were slam dunks.  so I'm sure youve done you homework but there are websites that help with the interview element in terms of what words trigger a tick in the box  

Alchemilla

I LOVE the dress! Good luck for the interview.

savingholmes

Thanks DIA and Mark

@mark55man - I assume that means you didn't appeal?

It's really hard - in that I work at being positive. But if I take yesterday as an example - I hurt myself on steam from something I put in the microwave - and then hurt myself on steam when I reached past the kettle to get something. I always put my clothes on back to front or inside out etc... I didn't attend someone's leaving do at work and cancelled at the last minute etc  and those are the things I'm willing to comment publicly on!!

I can see arguments for all different levels of award so it is really hard to work out what I will be entitled to but I would be very shocked and appeal if I got nothing. I was awake from 6 today with it going round and round in my head - another aspect of my conditions. That's partly due to my light sensitivity too as even with a blind and blackout curtains it's all too bright for me.

This month I overspent - probably by around £350 as once I turned the spending tap back on I struggled to turn it off again and got rather carried away. Worse is that I'm not completely sure of what I bought - and some of that was therefore fritter spend rather than something genuinely worthwhile.

At the same time - I'm building fairy castles in my head with what I could do with the £ if I get it. Debating about what to put into AVCs, savings, mortgage, fun, help etc. One thing I am clear on - is that I don't want to be still paying this mortgage at 74.5 or having to work too late in life. However, I would like the option of being able to stay in this house - even if I choose not to at some later point. I don't want the huge mortgage to drag me down. The house is also now over 20 years old and things are starting to break and need replacing. I want to have a fund that can allow that to happen.