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Comments

  • Superstar is pushing it a bit PiP. 
    Mildly effective atom is more like it
  • Well you're a brilliant mildly effective atom 🍻
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 14,158 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You may well find that it's freeing not to have the allotment, though I can very much understand wanting one. I found that having multiple 'plates to spin', however much I enjoyed them and could see a benefit in them, was too much. As has already been said, the time for that may be in the future. But do get some sunflower seeds! We had just one accidental sunflower this year but now I want to grow them properly next year!

    Keep us posted with your plans. We will cheer you on as you get the flat ready, and perhaps make plans for the garden there as well.
    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
  • WelshmansDaughter
    WelshmansDaughter Posts: 1,842 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 October at 7:14AM
    The mind is focused on life's big questions this morning. Is that smell me or the bus? 
    Quietly happy at charity shop small win. I've been looking for ceramic travel options for my tea and I found one reduced to £1.40. I took it with me yesterday and had two cups of tea in my day that I didn't have to pay for 😀
    £56.91 spend in Mr A which I have divided into monthly and weekly spend. 
    Brain is very much on static mode otherwise so no progress made on flat. Other than working the overtime to pay for stuff 🤷
    This week's random deliveries- ants on Wednesday, worms yesterday.
  • savingholmes
    savingholmes Posts: 29,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Random indeed.

    Allotment decision sounds right for you.

    Is flat decision due to sister's move or your desire?
    Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
    1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.3K Equity 36.55%
    2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
    3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £30.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 35.5/£127.5K target 27.8% 14/11/25
    (If took bigger lump sum = 62K or 48.6%)
    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 £5.1K updated 14/11/25
  • doingitanyway
    doingitanyway Posts: 10,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Mortgage-free Glee!
    The ceramic cup will have paid form itself already...
    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 350/1000
    Buffer fund 100/100
    Debt Free (again) 25/07/2025
  • WelshmansDaughter
    WelshmansDaughter Posts: 1,842 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 5 October at 7:28AM
    Indeed it has DIA, today was less comforting than yesterday as I missed going into the shop for a little buzz. But still nicer to have my own tea.
    The flat decision is technically not mine. Although she did say I was welcome to come with them. It hasn't been my decision to stay with them, I've just been overloaded.
    My intention now is to live in the flat as comfortably as I can for six months while I save up. Either the money will be used to renovate for me to live there or I will repair enough to sell.

  • WelshmansDaughter
    WelshmansDaughter Posts: 1,842 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Today's start to the day was an improvement on yesterday. There was no plan for breakfast (not ideal) but also no earwig waddling across my butter (yuck). 
    I genuinely have no idea what to do today other than not move.
    Ideally I will pick one activity from each of my life areas and move that forward. Hmm sounds like an organising structure. 
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