15months to debt free - I hope

Sun_Addict

It’s been overcast here today too. No rain yet though. 

ladyholly

A sunshine and showers day today but not enough rain that I havent had to water the garden tonight. I did feel sorry for one of our neighbours who had hired a bouncy castle for their childs birthday and i rained several times. This wouldnt have been quite so bad but a couple of weeks ago they held a 40th birthday party and it threw it down. They arent having much luck.

We have a square green outside the house (a bit like a small village green) with a road only on the far side from us so it is great for all kinds of social occasions. No-one minds others having gazebos, bouncy castles or whatever on the green so it gives everyone the chance to have larger parties than would be possible otherwise. People are considerate and keep the later noise down and are finished by 11pm at the latest. It is strange as I love living in the area yet the houses are cheaper than the ones just up the road where there is no green area. Similar houses and roughly the same age. The only slight disadvatage is we dont have a road outside the front though we have never found it a problem and it certainly much quieter.

A no spends day today and really a nothing sort of day as I really havent done much. A bit of ironing this mornng and a flick round with a duster and then a nice long reading session. Usual dog walks where we met a couple of friends with their dogs. It such a shame to watch the little one when the others are playing as she looks as though she would like to join in but really doesnt generally have the energy. Today doesnt seem to be a good day. Mr H doesnt understand dogs playing so we have to be careful he doesnt get stroppy with them though today he showed the first sign we have ever seen of him wanting to herd. He hadnt got a clue what to do so quite funny to watch.

Nothing money saving to report except I managed to make the veg water make gravy, stuffing and instant mash so no kettle use.

Right back to my book now

Blackcats

The communal green space sounds lovely - as you say it gives scope for larger gatherings.

I would count a bit of dusting and ironing as quite productive 🤩

foxgloves

We wilt in high temperatures too, @ladyholly. I'm slightly less wilty than Mr F, but there isn't much in it. In my teens, I'd happily slather myself in sun lotion & lie out in the sun with a book but I've become increasingly intolerant of very hot weather. I'm happy to sit out for half an hour or so then I find somewhere shady. 25°+ is too hot for me especially if there's no breeze.
F

ladyholly

Just a quick one. Busy morning. 2 loads of washing done - well one done and hung up the other is still in the machine but it will finish soon, cleaned outthe fridge, cut back a rather spiky shrub that is growing over the fence from my neighbours garden and changed the bed. Usual early dog walks and will be going out soon for their longer walk with Mr LH.

I have made a big decision this morning. I never go anywhere except to see BiL but I have noticed that Joseph and the Amaazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is on soon in our nearest city so I am going to book to go. I have seen it several times but it is a show that makes me feel happy. More than that I have decided that I am going to put a small amount away each month towards theatre tickets. I wont be able to afford to go often but even a couple of times a year will be a real treat and something to look forward to. Our local coach company does theatre trips to London so I will have a look at those as well. I am getting quite excited at the thought of going out. Fortunately I dont mind going on my own and sometimes that can be an advantage in getting cheaper tickets I am told by my BiL who also loves the theatre. Anyway I just thought I would share my plan and am now going to look at what the coach company are doing.

Sun_Addict

Theatre trips sound like a great idea, something to look forward to. 

foxgloves

Great idea, @ladyholly. Theatre & concert tickets can be expensive & we also have to factor in travel to nearest city centre & parking. We like live performance though & so this is mostly what our Leisure & Entertainment savings pot money gets used for. We've recently booked concert tickets for December & the funds from the aforementioned pot came from a box of books & DVDs we sold to Z*ff*t, a month of cancelled Netflix subscription & a grocery budget underspend! While I'm not able to fund this pot as consistently as more essential ones such as House & Garden, Car Maintenance, Appliance Replacement, etc, I do trickle-fund it as we do both value music & theatre and like to support the Arts. There is a theatre in our local town & we've seen some good music & stand-up comedy there, but their programmes are a bit too heavily weighted towards tribute acts & talks about steam trains for us to visit frequently.
I think it's lovely that you've booked to see a show you really enjoy.
F x

ladyholly

Thank you Foxgloves & SA. I am lucky in that tickets will only be me and I wont have any travel costs as I can use my bus pass. There are advantages in getting old. I have also found that the main theatre in our nearest city not only has reductions for pensioners but on top of that they have additional reduction for the midweek matinee. This suits me down to the ground as I dont fancy walking to the bus stop through the city centre after the evening performance so I win all round. I just wish I knew this a while ago as I have been thinking theatre tickets were too expensive for me. I just need something desnt to wear as I really do not have any nice clothes for going out as I dont go anywhere that warrants it.

On money saving did some shopping at Al** rather than S so a few pennies saved even though their prices are rising as well. Parcels posted this morning and the money transferred to the relevant accounts. I also noticed I transferred some money to the wrong account last week so that has been corrected.

I have noticed my cougettes are turning yellow so need to have a look for what to do about it. Probably to late for this year but a lesson for next. For the first time this year I saw a couple of bees on my lavender. In previous years there have been loads so am feeling rather sad at the lack. I must have a look to see what else I can grow to attract them. I love bees aand if we didnt live in the middle of a housing estate I would look at keeping them. Most of my neighbours have young children so I dont think they would be happy. I have also thought of chickens but Mr LH would never agree.

Shopping day tomeorrow so I must go and do a meal plan and shopping list. A quiet evening to all.

Blackcats

Lovely to read about your theatre trip and how much you are looking forward to it.  I took my children to see Joseph many years ago when Jason Donovan was in it.  It is a happy, uplifting show.  I love concerts and shows too - they can be expensive but a great treat.   We went to 2 concerts in the last 2 weeks (one was delayed because of covid from a couple of years ago).  Such fun evenings.  Have booked a concert for next May! 

Do you lie the cinema?  I hadn't been for years until last week and now I'm planning to go again to see Elvis.  There can be cheap deals there too or sometimes our local theatre shows films a while after they've been released and can be a bit cheaper than the cinema.  

ladyholly

I saw Jason Donavan as Joseph with my DD in London. I have also seen it with Mr LH three or four times. This production also has Jason Donovan in it but as Pharaoh not Joseph. Pure coincidence!

I am not too keen on the cinema as I find our local one has the sound up at distortion level. My hearing may not be what it was but I am not deaf.  I find the level uncomfortable. I might try one of the mid week showings if something comes along that I fancy.

My theatre trip decision has two reasons behind it. One my BiL loves the theatre and often tells me about his trips and it reminded me how much I used to enjoy going and secondly with the wedding invitation on its way it occurred to me that other than trips to see BiL and visits to the hospital I have not left our small town for years certainly long before covid and when I last went to the hospital and thought I might do a bit of window shopping in the city I found I was actually scared of all the people and the general busyness. That is not me so I need to face the fear as one day I would like to go to London again and at the moment I just cant face it so this will be the first step. There are several museums tht need visiting.