We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Debt and Caring

19798100102103210

Comments


  • I see Dad in nature now. Face turned up to the sun in wild daisies in the park.
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,821 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I love the thought that you are making a garden around your Dad's rose. I have a rose that I rescued from my parents' garden, along with some of my Mum's primroses and a tub of Dicentra. They are treasures and get watered even if other things get neglected.
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,821 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    P.S. I've just seen your daisy photo. Aren't they wonderful!
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • doingitanyway
    doingitanyway Posts: 10,391 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Mortgage-free Glee!
    I love the daisies. The garden is a lovely idea.
    If you have built castles in the air, your work should not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them

    Emergency fund 3501000
    Buffer fund 0/100
    Debt Free (again) 25/072025
  • savingholmes
    savingholmes Posts: 29,087 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Love the daisy. What a lovely way to think of your Dad.
    Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
    1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.8K Equity 36.37%
    2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
    3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £27.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 34/£127.5K target 26.6% 10/10/25
    (If took bigger lump sum = 60.35K or 47.6%)
    4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
    5) SIPP £5K updated 10/10/25
  • I bought a sledgehammer.
    Not a metaphor.
    It's either a great mourning tool or I'm going to end up with a broken foot. 
    Making dad's memory garden has escalated. I'm now painting walls and filling in holes. I've also discovered that the previous landscapers just covered up the rubbish instead of picking it up. They also didn't take up any rocks. 
    Couldn't tell you how much I've spent this week. But I bought a 70 euro hammock from lidl yesterday so you get the idea
  • savingholmes
    savingholmes Posts: 29,087 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi WD - sledgehammer sounds therapeutic. 

    Grief spending is a thing. Maybe still set a budget for it though so it doesn't run away with you.

    Hugs.
    Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
    1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.8K Equity 36.37%
    2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
    3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £27.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 34/£127.5K target 26.6% 10/10/25
    (If took bigger lump sum = 60.35K or 47.6%)
    4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
    5) SIPP £5K updated 10/10/25
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,821 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Perhaps you need to get yourself some steel-toed boots? I will want to see photos when it's all done, please! Or even while it's in progress.

    Is your Dad's rose in flower yet?
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • Dad's rose is perpetually in flower it seems. Although I did knock a stem off which I am now attempting to propagate.
    Grief spending is very real. I can't budget at the best of times SH, however I have now downloaded revolut at least so work payments are now easier. 
    Mostly wandering about these days. Have just finished the learning part of a landscape course and am thinking about the final project. 
    Have started the next course on interior design. 
    Work today.

  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,821 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I hope you manage to propagate the rose stem! I somehow never got any rose cuttings to take but I know a lot of the roses my parents had by name and where I can buy more if I can get my garden under sufficient control to plant them.

    I wonder if propagating plants is a way to channel some of the grief spending? As in, you get more, but not necessarily at cost. You could have a plant stall at the gate!

    The landscaping course sounds interesting - possibly a skill you will use in the future?
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.