Dusty's Frugal Fortnights Return!

dustydigger

retiredinfrance said:

Keep keep on going, Dusty, you are doing a great job .
i wonder what would happen if all pensioners wrote or emailed their local social services or Age Concern , for example, to say they can’t afford these price hikes. 
I really feel for you all in the UK, it’s an absolute scandal! 
Keep safe and carry on.

  We would be completely ignored,I'm afraid. Too many people now are thinking all old people are fat cats,with huge work pensions,and just mortgage free people who have trodden down all those young people who cant get on the property ladder.

We definitely should take interest in how the French respond to oppression

from La Marseillaise:

Aux armes,citoyons!

Formez vos battaillons!

Marchons,marchons.

Grab your weapons,citizens!

Form your battalions.

Let us march,let us march.

That is the least inflammatory part of the Marsellaise. I doubt if  there is any national anthem anywhere as bloody and violent as this. On the other hand in Britain we just sing God Save the Queen,and have another cup of tea.

We are doomed........

beanielou

I think we are indeed doomed sadly

weenancyinAmerica

I like your country's way better - Keep Calm and Carry On  - over what is happening here with the ex-president threatening to start a civil war. I'd much rather sit back and have a cup of tea rather than trying to decide how to prep for armed insurrection any day. I have a poster of Keep Calm over my bed - it's not working well yet.

dustydigger

On a better note I have been alcohol free the whole month,so I get a gold star.My target was 27 days. I always leave some leeway in case of problems.

31/27 days

Target reached =

Target beaten =

Entire month =

bet you didnt know I was such a great trampoliner! (neither did I)

retiredinfrance

I have a mug , used all the time which says Keep calm and read on! 

weenancyinAmerica

Good job Dusty!

dustydigger

New month,new challenges. As always,the Ninja Savings Turtles have excellent advice and thoughts to ponder

SEPTEMBER

SIMPLIFY Many of you are decluttering converts but it may be time to look again at your possessions and assess whether they fit in with your life now or in the future. Are you hanging on to things that are sentimental, aspirational, just in case? This is not a major declutter but try to find a small space to sort/ improve or think of some organisation to improve your daily/ weekly routine (no f0xh0les you can't give away all your children). Oxfam is running a second hand September challenge (Can you only buy second hand for one month?) which I've signed up for so I may pass on ideas from that.

ESSENTIALS Pay to your debt or savings first, live on what is left - simple but becoming increasingly difficult for many (50% of the population in fuel poverty by the end of the year). You may need to revise your budgets and keep a close eye on them in the coming months. Spend Free Days Aim for 15 (every other day or save them all up for a shopping frenzy). Check your Goals and improve on them or adjust them as necessary. Budgets should be set before the start of the month, try for basic budgets this month (it doesn't mean no fun, we always have fun).

PLANNING and PREPARATION The seasons are changing, What needs to change in your life, your home, what challenges need addressing. Check out what you have (food, warm clothing and bedding, candles/ alternative cooking set up for the predicted power cuts) and buy (or make) what you need. Autumn harvests can be turned into supplies or gifts, gather conkers, colourful leaves and willow branches for crafting (depending on the age of your children/ grandchildren. Kick your way through the fallen leaves (raking them up is bad for your garden and the environment), show your support for Peppa Pig by splashing in puddles (do it when no-one is watching if you don't have a suitable child to use as cover). Live in the spirit of the season and enjoy your life, whatever the weather.

THINK ABOUT EVERY PURCHASE Is it a need or only a want (wants can be important too but limit the amount you spend or wait before purchasing - 3 days, a month, until you've reached a savings goal). 

EAT to nourish your MIND and BODY and support your IMMUNE SYSTEM. Your body works hard (in some case for many years now). You need to support it by giving it the fuel it needs to work properly and cutting back on things that harm you.

MINDFULNESS My course was immensely helpful and I'll pass on little nuggets that don't take long but can reap big dividends - breathe, spend time in nature, slow down.

BE KIND Life is tough and for some it's getting much tougher. Be kind. Be generous with your time, money and energy where you can. This does not mean saying yes to every request - you need to be kind to yourself and look after yourself first (you're no use to anyone else if you don't)

EXERCISE 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes (broken into 10 or even 5 minute chunks if you need to). Concentrate on what you can do, not the things you no longer can. Do what you can to keep the function and mobility you still have and to ease any aches and pains - that might be ankle circles, shoulder shrugs, stretching like a cat or resting. Listen to your body, don't overdo things but keep moving.

REPORT DAILY (if possible), report things to be grateful for (even a bad day will have some golden moments). REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR, REPURPOSE, then RECYCLE.  Get your brain working on creative solutions, save money, reduce waste

retiredinfrance

Spot on, Dusty.
Especially the R words.
I’m going to have a goal of no charity shop buys for September. I’m a decluttering fan , but have a weakness for books and pretty nicknacks. 
Keep safe everyone.

dustydigger

Brought the kids' toys back downstairs,creating a little more space on the bedroom floor,but still at least a dozen carrier bags of books etc being a hazard to manoeuvering at night.Always banging my ankles again bags

Glad to get a charity bag through the door. From at least two every week we are down to one a fortnight. I feel sorry for charities now,donations to them must be falling drastically,just like donations to food banks.I have donated some t shirts,and Mr D actually got rid of 2 pairs of trousers. Wonders never cease!

Hmm,looking at the Ninja Turtles above. They are conceding that putting away savings first,then living on the rest is getting tough. I dont think I could stand the strain. I use what I need each fortnight,then tuck away whats left. I have a good cushion at the moment. I have £500 put away for Xmas,£160 in the ''in transit'' envelope for birthdays. LOTS of birthdays this month.which I had saved for earlier in the year. Got a horrible feeling that next year will be very bleak indeed.Probably will only deal with great grandkids,and anyone under 18.. ....sigh.......

So,birthdays this month - Mr Dusty,DD1,GD1,GGD5,GGS3,GGS4. EEKWe do have other family in the USA,but gave up long ago on birthdays. Fortunately they understand..Also yearly home insurance quote will be coming through the door probably next week. Last year was surprisingly £20 less than previous year,so no idea what it will be. Anything from £80 - £100. 3 years ago was £120 ,here's hoping its not like that this time!

I have never checked into insurance prices ,probably better off not knowin!

MrsCD

De-lurking to remind @dustydigger not to just pay the renewal figure, but to ring up and ask ever so sweetly if that's their best offer! I got £15 off my dad's insurance a few weeks ago, where he said to just pay because it was lower than last year.