We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

Glad its not just mine taking their time then @foxgloves. Thanks

Yes, good idea @Sarahwithlove. Might do that. 

Aah, good tip @Blackcats. Wouldn't have thought of that. 

Makingabobor2

Ok, quick question. Has anybody ever used one of those SAD sunlight lamps? If so, which one did you have & is it effective? 
I have one of those clocks where sunrise wakes you up in morning, but thinking of getting one of those that you can put on at any time to help. Such a huge choice though

Makingabobor2

Afternoon all, what a weird one it is today. Started off misty, then sun came out but cold, then went cloudy and warm....can't make its mind up. But it actually feels warmer outside than it does in the house. Gosh we could really do with a smaller, cosier house. 

Well not much going on, still plodding along with saving money where we can. Starting to feel cold when we get up in the morning and again in the evening, but still being good where we can.  We have one of those living flame gas fires in the lounge, so we put that on for about 20 mins after dinner and it warms it through (lounge is the coldest room), then we snuggle under blankets and if I'm really cold, I put a hoody top under my dressing gown. We eat in the kitchen, so that's a lot warmer. We do have a dining room, but TBH, its hardly ever used as such. Only when the GKs come to visit. The rest of the time, it is the room with the tumble drier and treadmill and used to store a few bits.  If it wasn't so expensive, I'd turn it into a utility room at one end and put in a false wall and a smaller dining room. Or a lovely garden room.  Its also the extension and very cold, even though there is a radiator.   t Anyway, enough of my stupid rambling.

Just about to do a meal plan for the rest of the week, as I forgot to do it. We have plenty of stuff, the only thing I may need to buy later this week is a bit more veg.  Tonight's dinner is some mince/veg from freezer and I will do some pasta and sauce to go with it.  Just remembered that Mr S's Christmas delivery slots are out today, so might see if I can get one. We are away for Christmas, but want a delivery the morning we go, as we are going self catering.....can't wait.  So think I'll sign off from here and take a quick look. Then I really need to get my self into gear and get things done this week. Seem to have been having a "can't be bothered" tired time lately. Think it must be the dark mornings.  Still not found a good sun lamp yet. So if anyone has any ideas, let me know. 

Have a good evening. 

Sun_Addict

Going away for Christmas sounds lovely. The Christmas Day we took the dog to Skeggy just before Mr SA became ill is one of my best memories. We walked on the beach and took a picnic. The weather was sunny and quite mild, it was lovely. The roads were really quiet too. 

Makingabobor2

Oh that sounds amazing @Sun_Addict, Christmas dinner picnic on a beach would be great.  We are going to Yorkshire, so no chance of a beach....lol.  Last year I was so fed up with everybody not wanting to visit, or not wanting us to visit them and all the hassle of presents etc that we just decided to book for this year in a lodge we have been to before. Just going to do nothing, walk, play Scrabble, drink Prosecco and watch TV.  

Sallyforth

Your Christmas plans sound amazing.

amber03

I never fancied going away for Xmas, but now give me the chance and I would be off in a shot. Last year we did go out for Xmas dinner for a change but it was a waste of money. Doesn’t matter what the weather will be like, will be nice for you to be away from everybody and have a Xmas as you want it to be.x

Makingabobor2

@amber03, I think going out for a meal on Christmas day is always going to be overpriced and probably so many people and not enough servers. We've never done it, but did go to a NYE thing once in a hotel, where they had bagpipes and dancing after dinner. That was quite fun
And you're right, it doesn't matter about the weather as long as we can get there and get home again, we can stay in the lodge all week if we have to. Or maybe I should pack my wellie boots in case of snow.....lol

Makingabobor2

Afternoon all.  I'm here again...that's a surprise. 
Walked to the village and found 2 decent books in  the library this morning and also 2 nice ones from CS as well.  Then came home and planted my spring bulbs as its so nice out there today, and tidied up & cleaned the bird feeding bits & bobs.  Also got a line of washing blowing in the sun, that was only washed on 30c. Not needed any heating on at all today, not even first thing. So very pleased about that. 
Today is DH's payday, so all pots and accounts checked and just about to update my signature. DH had a dental check up this morning and says he needs them cleaning as well, so a bit more money needs sending to him from the Teeth/eyes/medical pot.
Just about to tidy round and run the hoover over and then a few bits of admin on computer need doing. I'm going to start a new way of writing my TO DO lists, so I actually get round to doing it all and not carrying stuff over to the next day. I also need to start lists to make sure I exercise, eat properly, don't eat cr*p etc.  I seem to have slipped off the wagon a bit lately and I can tell the difference in how unfit I am feeling. Not sure if its old age or the weather....lol.   Really must get back on it.   Although I am tempted to do some jigsaw puzzle as the sun is shining in the front room at the moment, and I am in the kitchen, where we get sun in the morning. 

We are still debating whether to have a smart meter installed by the tentacled ones.  I'm still a bit unsure about these money saving sessions they run.  Is it right that sometimes they want you to use as much as possible at a certain time, and other times you need to use as little as possible?  I presume they tell you which is which.   There seems to be a lot of difference in the amount of money people seem to be saving/making.  What are people's thoughts on it?   And is the free coffee thing still going?  Think we might get one. I'll talk to DH again tonight and ask him for his thoughts.....although like with most things, he just says he doesn't care and lets me make the decisions.  

Oh well, onwards and upwards. Hopefully I'll be feeling more organised by the next time I post. Have a good afternoon all. 

Sun_Addict

We've had a smart meter for years prior to being with Oct0pus and never had any issues. They've only just started doing the free electricity hour where anything you use above your normal use is free. The energy saving hour is usually in winter and you have to try and use as little electricity as possible, it's only ever resulted in a few pence for me as Mr SA flatly refuses to switch the TV off 😆