Dusty's Frugal Fortnights Return!

pollyanna_26

I'm pleased you're beginning to feel a bit better Dusty. I know you've said Mr Dusty goes out to collect  the pay but with winter on the way and the NHS dreading a perfect storm wouldn't it be better for his payments to family in Africa to be made through his bank account?

Better than risking him picking up another bug. Obviously he has a stronger immune system but you don't .

As for Christmas gifts it's a bit late now you've bought the cards and vouchers but your family must have some idea of how hard things are now They would probably. be very upset to learn you're worried about bills.

Christmas is what you make it,

First there was Yuletide. Along came Prince Albert and Charles Dickens . As a child in the 50s  it wasn't all about stuff. My best surprise was a doll my mum had knitted a wardrobe for and my favourite auntie had   sewn  clothes for.

My favourite gift was a book on my birthday and one at Christmas mine to keep on the little bookshelf my dad made for me next to my bed rather than have to return it to the library.

Christmas was less glitzy and in the 70s and 80s neighbours who took mortgages on these  new builds lost their homes or had to sell at very low prices .

It was the time of the Yuppies , Live now Pay later and flash the cards. My mum didn't believe in taking on debt.  It took me time to convince her  I wasn't heading to the dark side by taking on a mortgage .But 25 years  later I did.

Simple things like some mince pies shortbread , trifle etc were contributions to the feast

The Charity Shops are always full of othe peoples unwanted gifts. At least your vouchers should be useful

Some tiny festive tea lights are welcome I love the ones that do smell of Christmas.

If you enjoy baking perhaps a cake, mince pies or fancy biscuits would be a good idea.

The important thing is not to stress about one day. So many still fighing their wsy out of debt fell for all the sales and special offers and lived to regret it.

Take care

pollyx

Auntycaz

Hi Dusty, my post was not meant to offend you and if it did I'm very sorry. 

Katiehound

Nor was mine meant to upset/ offend.

This year in particular probably the only person not counting the cash is Rishi Sunak, after all he is said to be richer than the King!!

My thought would only be that food and fuel prices are on a steep upward hike so that even with budgeting there may be a shortfall & Christmas expenditure is a likely sink hole of cash! The most important thing is to spend quality / fun time with your family / friends but it does not have to cost a fortune.
One of my friends had an agreement with the children a few years ago. Adults get a token present- SIL stipulated that his should not cost more than £1!! The grandchildren get a large present with money pooled from the adults (and some little oddments) so think a new guitar, computer, climbing frame. You get the gist.

Your friends on here have your best interests at heart: that's why we comment

Hope you continue to improve and that all the ills fall back in line or into the background so that you can be bouncing around!

pollyanna_26

I seem to be someone who misunderstood Dustys post about presents. my prevoius post was after her post explaining the gifts and I've only just read that..

Persoanally I have no idea what the future will bring it doesn't look like an easy ride but we've survived all sorts over the years.

Being debt free is an advantage and though I doubt I'd have to I could always sell the house. Pre Pandemic I was seroiusly planinng to move to a bungalow so that may happen . Stairs are getting to be a pain now  and there's one with my name on in the next village easier to look after plenty of space but not so many rooms to maintain.

I hope things do improve healthwise soon Dusty. and sorry for misunderstanding the situation.

Take Care

Pollyx

dustydigger

 Hi people! Cold has now gone down into my lungs,which are full of gunk,but after a lifetime of that I'm used to it.It is what it is.

No,I was not at all offended  by comments about Xmas. You are all kind people who seem to worry about me.

Can I just reiterate that I do NOT struggle to pay my way? The whole point of budgeting is to organize and streamline spending. I am honestly  bewildered by people thinking I cant pay my bills.

My income is £202 a week,thats £808 over 4 weeks. My monthly online bills come to £362. I allocate £320 a month for food,including weekly asd@ deliveries,and £40 for takeaways.We regularly eat salmon,lamb,beef,and fresh vegetables and quality potatoes daily. A family friend often brings us pheasant,grouse or venison,and numerous fresh eggs straight from the birds! So we are not starving in any way whatsoever. I could easily cut down the food bills if essential,get rid of the fortnightly chinese,and maybe in the future it will be something to do. Check out all the things the Ninja Saving Turtles do in a drastic way,every month,and no-one is accusing them of starving,they applaud their frugality!

I have £73 a fortnight for daily expenses,and never use half of it,at least £40 goes from the HBB to my savings binder every fortnight.. Of course I saved more when I didnt have that extra £130 to pay for energy,butwe are all in the same boat really.

On the savings front ever since I became debt free in 2018 I have saved. Three years of covid pretty permanent lockdown for me meant plenty of savings. these are my categories

Sittingroom makeover - £2500

Xmas - £600

Household - £600

Energy govt handouts - £220

Health and Personal - £200

Emergency fund - £500

In transit - £120

Credit Union - £640

------------------------

-total savings - £5260

As you can see,I am comfortable enough,no one needs to worry about me I love it that you care and get anxious or irate on my behalf,and I appreciate that. But I am fine!

True,I have held off from doing the sittingroom makeover,since I want to know the full extent of the financial situation before spending thousands. Also I just havent been up to snuff mentally or physically this last year. No strength or enthusiasm in sight . People who dont know about immune system problems wont really understand just how low you can get,but there are plenty of people on here,like beanielou,polly,and lots of people with anaemia,diabetes,thyroid etc who suffer themselves and grasp the downsides.. I really feel for all of you,but truly am surprised at how dire you think my financial situation is!

I hope the frank and open facts and figures above will reassure you all

OK,its time to flake out for a while,then it will be dinner. I slow cooked pheasant yesterday,enough for 4 meals for Mr D.. I will fry up mushrooms and onions as a topping,and carrotsfor veg.Numerous rests,of course,because of the wobbly legs,but I'm on the mend in some ways. Of course I will have coughing and phlegm making life a misery for weeks,probably up to Xmas,thats normal for me for the last 65 years. Nowt new there!

My Xmas money envelopes have arrived today,I will make a start from next week sorting Xmas. I have some nice bottle bags and gift bags from last year stashed away and SOMEWHERE I have Xmas cards ,but heaven knows where I want everything sorted the next 3 weeks.

MrsCD

Me too, dusty! I've got my Dad's Christmas card list ready, and I'll be drastically cutting ours back this year. I want the house all sorted by 1st December, then I can relax and watch my  Christmas movies!
Hope you feel up to doing a bit each day.

dustydigger

@MrsCD

I am still incredibly weak,I will probably need all the rest of this week to even get a little strength together. But from next week I will try to do a little housework,but only a little.

dustydigger

Oh boy,my monthly £238 has been taken by Scottish Power. They have reassessed my monthly payment at £217 a month..This month I used £178 worth of energy.I have been consistently several hundred units a month below last years usage. I've used 12000 units in 2022,compared with the whole of 2021 using 18890 units.. New light bulbs,new mini oven,a long hot summer and careful management have really paid off.

But I dont know about my credit balance. Its up to £800 now,and they are saying they have assessed my payments etc up to March 2024. No mention of the balance. I hope I can pull myself together to fight them on the phone in January,when my normal balance is reassessed.. Every month this year my balance has gone up at least £80. Its just ridiculous.

beanielou

Wow, that is a big credit.

dustydigger

Oh dear,friends in the USA are really worried tonight. Midterm elections due,and hundreds and hundreds of house reps have dug in with Trump lying about the last election being fixed. The Democrats are barely holding on to a house majority of 5.. Once the Republicans get in they will destroy the country in their greed for power.Already they hold the Supreme court,and bigotry and fanaticism are rampant.Truth,honour and integrity have drained away,things are really bad. My democratic friends are just sick at heart and are totally depressed. I havent been able to talk with them these last 3 weeks because of illness,but I know they are worried. What a world........

Anyhoo,I'm off to bed now. Night-night all!