Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

L9XSS

Great news all round. How lovely is that your focus towards charities and foodbanks over these increasingly difficult periods for those less fortunate than ourselves. You have got me looking at myself and thinking “what can I do?”. I think supporting a local food bank by donating from our weekly shop is our first port of call in the L9XSS household. 
Car repairs which were budgeted for and came in around our old mortgage payment of £800. Ideally keeping our “workhorse” mobile for another few years. EF is only at £1500 this month and don’t see it progressing much to the end of the year. Have budgeted this month and have withdrawn remaining cash for this month. It seems to be working well, car tax, factor fees and breakdown cover all fell this month which were covered. Had a lovely Sunday along the coast to Gullane and North Berwick, beach walks, ice creams in this lovely sunshine. The youngest is on holiday this week, so no juggling school runs etc.

beanielou

How lucky L9XSS to be able to spend time in Gullane & North Berwick.
Food for the soul.
I hope the ice cream was Lucca's~~best ice cream in the world.  Fact.

mark55man

My OH says it's Mackie's that is the best - is that going to cause a problem on here

savingholmes

elantan said:

what are the plans for the fruit ? I badly need to get back into my garden, just now it looks like a jungle 

Most will just be eaten raw. I might make an oaty crumble.

Humdinger1 said:

Fab news on your sister @savingholmes! I hope the worry doesn't put a strain on your relationship.   So glad that the PIP is enabling you to make your life even more productive and enjoyable love Humdinger xx 

Thanks @Humdinger1 I think the experience has highlighted the importance of growing my savings as you just never know what's around the corner. I feel very fortunate to be in a position to do so - as this time last year that felt close to impossible. On my sister - it's made me wary of accepting any future help. I do think I will repay her some of it - but had thought I might do that on the sale of this house or if I accessed some of my pension at a much later point rather than any time soon.

savingholmes

L9XSS said:

Great news all round. How lovely is that your focus towards charities and foodbanks over these increasingly difficult periods for those less fortunate than ourselves. You have got me looking at myself and thinking “what can I do?”. I think supporting a local food bank by donating from our weekly shop is our first port of call in the L9XSS household.

Glad it inspired. 

Good you managed to fix the car within budget. Glad you had a nice time away.

Beanie and Mark - not had either ice cream so will need to consider a future visit... 

My financial life is going well. Work is full on again but that is more stimulating so has its rewards. Having more help from the cleaner today and the handyman yesterday is making life feel far more under control even when things happen.

DD came off her bike today after a car nudged her - so I had to go and collect her. She seems okay but is worried it may have damaged her e-bike. I think her front tyre has either punctured or needs pumping up. I don't know if that's connected or not to her not feeling her bike would work after she came off. She hurt her ankle slightly. She thinks the battery suddenly went from 3 bars to 1 so is panicking she'll need a new battery. Ironically I told her last night to wear a high vis coat and she refused - even now she says that wasn't the problem... and has been hit by a car before even when she wore high vis. The car didn't stop which makes me angry.

I'm hoping to go to my balance class tonight. Tomorrow I just have work but Friday evening I have a surprise party to go to. While that might sound nice in theory - I'm semi-dreading it. I also never know how much to give as a gift either - particularly as they are now people I see 2-3 times a year rather than anything more... DD is due to go with me and we've already said we'd go late...

Hope you are all doing well despite the current 'interesting times'.

badmemory

It sounds like time DD got a camera on her bike.  It should be reported to the police too.  Although if she won't go hi-vis the police may (only may) write it off as her error - not fault. I must say I would be very worried if this isn't the first time this has happened.

savingholmes

badmemory said:

It sounds like time DD got a camera on her bike.  It should be reported to the police too.  Although if she won't go hi-vis the police may (only may) write it off as her error - not fault. I must say I would be very worried if this isn't the first time this has happened.

I do worry - but she's mainly on pavements she claimed last night - but obviously that wasn't the case today. We haven't reported it to the police - she didn't take a registration and while there may be video on the street it sounds a lot of hassle. It was before lunch so bright enough but she was wearing dark clothing. 

beanielou

mark55man said:

My OH says it's Mackie's that is the best - is that going to cause a problem on here

It may well do 

beanielou

Blimey, how scary for your DD & for the driver not to stop  

Blackcats

Glad DD is ok - cyclists are so vulnerable and as the days get shorter high viz makes such a difference.  I know you know that .... children can be such a worry.

@L9XSS - I discovered North Berwick a few years ago - such a beautiful place.  It featured in the Lucy Worsley Witch Hunter series recently.

great progress on your savings.