Simple living in the country - back to basics

Elisheba

That's a bit rubbish of the Co-Op bank.  They are the ones I'd like to move to (also due to their ethics) once I've finally got rid of the need for the overdraft etc. with my current bank, but that doesn't sounds encouraging at all!

I see you like the Down to Earth blog.  I'm a fan as well, and have a couple of Rhonda Hetzel's books. Was so sad to hear her husband had died about a month ago. They had made such a lovely little life together.  I'm glad they had the time together all their frugality and financial freedom allowed them. I guess once the debt has gone and the bills are paid that's what its all for at the end of the day - why we want to live frugally and simply, to have the quality of life you get when you don't need as much stuff.

Cheery_Daff

Indeed, that's definitely what I'm here for. Yes, I do love that blog, and also have a couple of Rhonda's books. I emailed her when I started writing my own blog back in 2008 and she was very encouraging. I laughed this morning as I was poking about reading some old posts of hers, and found a comment I'd written myself back in 2017 😂 Was so sad about her husband though. I regularly read her old posts when I need some encouragement to get on with the housework... 🙄

Don't be too put off by my experience with the bank this morning - I've been a loyal customer for almost 25 years. They were excellent when they spotted some fraud on my account last year. This is only the second international payment I've ever made, and while their system is quite clearly ridiculous, it's not something I need to do regularly so won't really guide my choice of bank, however stupid it is!

Hoping my email earlier will encourage them to change their ways. The building society we have our mortgage with didn't offer online banking for the longest time, and I moaned at every opportunity, and now it does 😁 Not claiming full responsibility for that, but... 😂

Karmacat

Ooh, the jam and the chickens and the ceiling sound great!  I really admire that level of multitasking!

Agree on your level of regard for the bank - I went to them originally because instead of giving me 1% cashback, they gave that 1% to the RSPB; they don't do it any more (and I still don't get cashback  ) but the heart is in there, somewhere.

beanielou

I would move to HSBC & pass go & take the £170 quid.

Cheery_Daff

We'll see Beanie - the dosh is tempting, but I've never given into a bank switch before. Not sure I could stand the messing about - even if they do some of it for you, I imagine it won't be everything... 

Well, I am pleased with how many things I got done today! Not everything from my list, but since my list is now on the previous diary page nd I can't see it on my phone, who cares? 😂😂 So, today I have

* changed sheets

* hoovered elm seeds from bedroom floor

* dusted downstairs

* cleaned bathroom

* spent 47 minutes on the phone to the bank doing a job I've put off for months

* reconciled budget and all bank accounts

* Happy wheel (down quite a bit today, pah)

* put up some more awkward tiny bits of ceiling, screwed in battens for a couple more, and painted some other panels while Mr Cheery was having a nap and I was trying to be quiet 😂

* had a cafe trip, where I planned out the rest of the summer in terms of weeks off, some visitors, where the gaps are to invite other people, where gaps are I might actually be able to get something useful done

* made rhubarb jam, which i slightly overcooked, and which I suspect may be currently setting into rhubarb toffee, or maybe one giant, jar-sized boiled sweet 😂😂 Fortunately there's only one jar of it so not too much of a disaster! 

Also some general cleaning and pottering, an errand, some cooking, some consoling Mr Cheery after an uncomfortable trip to the dentist, some chicken supervision.

Overall a nice day off 😊 and a nice end to my 6 day weekend - something which I believe should be standard issue for everyone who wants it 😁

The rest of the week won't be so exciting. Working at home tomorrow - I'll do some washing during the day, and a bit more ceiling in the evening.

 Wednesday I'm in the office - and I mist remember I have no parking permit and will NOT be paying for parking, so need to make a plan! (Ending the day in town, not at the office, so I might park at my friend's house and get some steps in walking to and from there).

Thursday we have some kind of staff away day - not the fun kind, the 'external facilitator and serious conversations' kind, but people are going to the pub afterwards.

Friday some friends are throwing a joint birthday weekend - we've got a kind of bunkhouse centre type thing, people are taking food, other people are playing music, and fun and jollity will be had. We have booked a couple of bunk beds 😁 but it's not that far from here, so we'll be coming home on Saturday afternoon to check on the chickens...

Right moneysavers, I will spare you any more of my waffle (didn't take me long to get back to normal service after Internet free May, did it?!) 🙄😂

beanielou

They do everything for you Cheery.
I switched to FD last year.
Fab.

Karmacat

That's a really productive day, and your 6 day weekend is absolutely wonderful!  The one that's coming up sounds amazing too - and you're *so* good to those chickens!

Cheery_Daff

Thanks KC, and good to hear you had a good experience Beanie! 

More positive experience on the Happy wheel this morning - up about £44, bringing June's total to £195. Will it tip back over £200?? Or will it plummet again to below £150?! Fingers crossed for the latter...

No word yet about the smart meter, not going to chase.

Working at home today, and I confess I've had to put the electric heater on as it's so cold! I'm sat with a hot water bottle and a shawl, but I've got an online meeting in a minute and don't want to be wrapped up like a snowman 😂 

South_coast

Cheery_Daff said:

Will it tip back over £200?? Or will it plummet again to below £150?! Fingers crossed for the latter...

Fingers crossed for the former, surely 🤣!

Cheery_Daff

South_coast said:

Cheery_Daff said:

Will it tip back over £200?? Or will it plummet again to below £150?! Fingers crossed for the latter...

Fingers crossed for the former, surely 🤣!

😂😂😂 Yes 😂😂😂 Although knowing my luck I will have just jinxed myself 🙄😂