Getting the balance right

savingholmes

Hope you manage to eke out your budget. 

Is there anything more you can do to bring in new money to make it easier?

elantan

Thanks saving, we will get there, I'm not overly worried about it, more observant where the spends are going 

I can do agency and overtime with my job,  I did this last year when we had a lot to do to the house, the intention was I would do extra till we retire so we can get the house finished for retiring, sadly after covid I just cant, not now anyway, maybe in a few months, just now I'm too tired as it is never mind adding more stress and hassle to myself ( I have a very stressful job) 

I did also try selling stuff months ago,  have a fair bit to sell as well, but it wasnt making anywhere near the value  so will keep a hold of ot till the world is in a more settled place, unless and  huge emergency arrives ofcourse then it's a case of sell everything... but we ain't there yet 

peb

I was so pleased to see you back, had been wondering how things were.  I remember Mr El and you on the Chinese cooking course...

Sorry things aren't easier - sadly no magic wand.  I really, really get you need money for retirement but I really think an Adventure budget is totally essential.  However I don't know where you are having coffee and maybe the tenner includes fares but I would hope £3 for coffee and a tenner for lunch unless it's a really special one.  I blew £55 plus service charge for lunch on Sunday at a very special place I go to once a year, this Sunday I'm going somewhere also really nice and £23 for three courses.  

Hugs.

elantan

peb said:

I was so pleased to see you back, had been wondering how things were.  I remember Mr El and you on the Chinese cooking course...

Sorry things aren't easier - sadly no magic wand.  I really, really get you need money for retirement but I really think an Adventure budget is totally essential.  However I don't know where you are having coffee and maybe the tenner includes fares but I would hope £3 for coffee and a tenner for lunch unless it's a really special one.  I blew £55 plus service charge for lunch on Sunday at a very special place I go to once a year, this Sunday I'm going somewhere also really nice and £23 for three courses.  

Hugs.

Hi Peb, 

long time no see, chinese cookery course oh my that takes me back so worth the money and I'm really glad we did it, I would recommend it to anyone. 

Coffee with friend turned out to be nice and cheap, I paid last time, this time friend insisted on paying so a wee 4 hour chat over coffee and cake in the company of a really good friend was a braw way to spend a day and free ( apart from diesel )   

Came home put diesel in the car, I couldve cried, during covid when people were grounded and not allowed out unless they were emergency services etc diesel was half the price it is today, I would fill my car up putting £45 into it, the roads were quiet so no traffic jams saving a wee bit on diesel usage as well. Today I was £92 to fill the car up, I couldve cried, will need to re look at that budget as well by the sounds of things.

Picked up some meatballs for dinner tomorrow and got a wee saving of 1.75 there ( multi buy and discount due to work) 

I have decided in the short term to save these spends towards my adventure budget, it isnt enough, now where near enough, but it is a good habit to have anyway,  this may also help me look better for bargains knowing me I kinda doubt it, however you never can tell. 

peb

Good. Adventure away 

savingholmes

Good luck with budgeting. Hopefully as you track more where your money is going it will get easier to rein it in when needed.

elantan

savingholmes said:

Good luck with budgeting. Hopefully as you track more where your money is going it will get easier to rein it in when needed.

After that shock on Beanies post I think its gonna be a necessity and much more strict than planned, the diesel today scared me, paying nearly £400 a month for gas and electricity petrifies me 

savingholmes

It's enough to scare anyone El. 

On the winter heating - I moved to using an elec blanket during the day and just used a few hours in the evening - and it paid for itself in the first month.. Read Martin's heat the human not the home post... 

beanielou

At least there are two of you............

elantan

savingholmes said:

It's enough to scare anyone El. 

On the winter heating - I moved to using an elec blanket during the day and just used a few hours in the evening - and it paid for itself in the first month.. Read Martin's heat the human not the home post... 

the wood burning stoves will be getting a pounding this winter, I have a cupboard with blankets so will be using them in the morning I think ... have a couple of thos electric ones in the wobble box, will bring them in the house I think ... thanks @s@savingholmes I had forgotten about them