Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

MovingForwards

I'm currently looking at metal raised beds, no use to sit on as the walls are thin, but they're a lot cheaper than other types.

Your HM would be able to knock up beds from pallets.

Sounds like you had a good productive day.

WelshmansDaughter

 Friend of mine has the wooden ones from quickcrop, they look lovely.
If using pallets remember to check the code on them as some are chemically treated and not suitable for food growing. I had that problem with a couple of mine.

savingholmes

Thanks MF and WD. I've been looking at some of the metal ones as well. I also saw some sturdy plastic ones you could get lids for today when I went back and bought more cyclamen.

I've planted up a Hellebore - Christmas 'Rose' with 2 bright red cyclamen - and plan to plant up another couple of pots with those tomorrow - ready to give my parents at Xmas. I'll then keep another set for me. I tipped some lavender out of a pot I had. It was sopping wet which isn't good for lavender anyway... I also bought some new orchid pots and orchid potting compost - and have potted on 3 plants. I'm hoping it helps.

I've batch cooked a load of food today. Some soup, a roast beef dinner and veggie pasta. That should put me on for a few days. Potentially need to blitz some of the soup to make it thicken and then put it in the fridge.

I succumbed to buying 6 months of half price KU - but I love reading and it makes me happy so bargain.

I'm not planning to buy any other gifts - or if I do they'll just be token ones. I bought DS a couple of things he asked for - so I have something tangible to give him for Xmas and birthday - although I gave him £ earlier in the year and am trying to resist spending on him multiple times over. I managed to use a 20% off code and they were reduced in the sale as well - so worked out okay so far. I need to make his room more welcoming for his return. DD has spread her stuff into his room and I need to move more of it out. I have time yet though and finish a few days early for Xmas so should sort it then.

I enjoy giving - but at the same time it's so much less stressful now I buy for less people and have a stricter budget. I'll just top the little kiddies up with cash to go with books that I've already bought... I will see what else I have that they may like.... That way I hopefully bless them and declutter at the same time!

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

savingholmes said:

I bought an ex-display potato planter/compost bin with a hinge opening and ex-display 1.8m long raised bed which will be delivered Tuesday for me. I got £5 off delivery by taking out a free loyalty card. I bought some plants for my parents for xmas. I also picked up compost, manure and cyclamen. I had the window open driving home!! I've been watching Huw on YT and his strongest advice is to save yourself money by making your own compost. He's not wrong so I am planning to use cardboard, green waste, manure etc in layers to create a 'hot bed' to give my veg a boost / quick start next year. Once I've created the veg bed area  - I'm planning to cover it in plastic to help it rot down quicker. I can't start though until the handyman/gardener has finished digging out the bamboo.


While plastic isn't ideal - I'd hate to spend loads on a wooden planter and then have it rot to nothing within a few years. I could  source free pallets and see if I/he/DD could make some for me which would be a lot more satisfying. There's someone round the corner that looks like he has spare pallets - I might knock on and ask. There are always free ones on FB too. I've put a drill and bits on my xmas list but who knows whether anyone will buy me one... I doubt it - but could always get one in the Jan sales. Even paying for the tools and then using pallets would be cheaper than buying the other planter I saw - and an enjoyable little project... I've never used a drill but DD has... 

Hi Savingholmes, found your new diary, always followed your old one, even if I didn't comment, you have done amazingly well over the last year not just financially but in all areas of life, what an inspiration.

I would definitely look at using pallets in the garden, we have used them for allsorts in ours, seating, planters, woodshed and a huge compost bin with hinged doors at the bottom to access the compost.  As mentioned, just be careful as to what type you get.  We have stained ours a dark brown and they are almost unrecognisable as pallets.  We have just built a corner seating unit from them for a friend as they liked our so much.

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing what this new diary/year brings.

MvTMM

MeandO

Happy new diary SavingHolmes xx 

LeighofMar

I've just caught up on your new diary. Congratulations on all your hard work. It's paid off and this will be a new an exciting chapter in your life. 

savingholmes

Thanks @Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain @Meando and @LeighofMar

Always nice having people to cheer along. Thanks for the encouragement.

On the pallets - yes they are definitely a good way to go... I may buy a drill in the Jan sales and bits so I can have a go. At least if I am practicing on pallets I'm not destroying walls or anything expensive as I get used to it. Not sure I'll cope with the 'whine' but it may be different if I'm the one controlling it... 

I did a bit more planting at lunchtime today. I've decided to keep the (small) troughs I planted for me and planted 3 altogether between yesterday and today. I emptied a different pot and planted that up with a much bigger white flowering hellebore I bought a few weeks ago and with 3 red cyclamen to give my parents. I also planted up a few more bulbs. I've moved some lavender out of pots into the main garden - they were quite waterlogged. I need to add more soil/compost with them really. I also planted an aquilegia into a pot - so I can decide where I want it next year - it was growing in one of my new paths... Next year I am planning to grow veg but intertwined with lots of flowers too. 

I've used one of the bags of compost I bought already. I need to buy more... I found a possible source of £40 bags of bark (730l) on FB - I may try and get some delivered - I could then use that towards my paths - and potentially my compost too. I may get some one-off extra £ in January - although a huge portion of it will disappear in pension, tax and NI it all helps. I now feel less guilty over what I spent on the garden. I've bought a slimline water butt but may buy more - being on a meter it should help over time and I'm doing a bit to reduce my carbon footprint. I'm not very good at visualising space though - so want to see it in its location before deciding what size I need for other areas.

I've offered to help DD buy her first banger car so will be dipping into my savings once she passes. Spoke to DS - he's not yet in a position to pay back my loan (I didn't expect him to be yet) but has a few irons in the fire. Hoping they turn out for him. He's nearly cleared his biggest debt that was costing him £350 a month after which his financial pressures should ease a little. 

I've still got a horrendous sounding cough from a few weeks ago - so if it doesn't shift soon may ring the GP about it.

beanielou

Agree about enjoying giving but giving less is so much less stressful.

MovingForwards

Sounds like the gardening is boosting the 'be kind to me' batteries.
Do call the GP or have a chat with the chemist next time you're getting meds.

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie. It's difficult isn't it - as giving is fun when kids are little etc or someone is in genuine need - but otherwise it just feels routine, a kind of tit for tat. I enjoy giving hand made things - but again not everyone appreciates those.

Thanks MF - you are right on both points. I need to collect a prescription from Mr A so could ask.

My new planters arrived today that I ordered Saturday. I still need to clear where they are due to go though. Looking online they suggest I seal any gaps with silicone and seal the units first. A bit wary of doing anything that would risk food growing safety though. I thought the handyman would have been back by now - but not heard from him. Part of me wants him to delay into next pay month - part of me just wants the area sorted. He's due to come back with a relative and take down a tree. Again I just want that done if it's happening - he also emptied behind my shed last time he came - and said he'd come back with a van for it. But it's just looking messy on view - so I just want that cleared and the rest of the bamboo dug out. 

My sis and family are coming for Sunday afternoon again as their bathroom still hasn't been fitted. That will be lovely - but I need to order/buy some food as they have food intolerances so can't just have anything. DD is going out with a friend so will be different again. Her best friend is home for the weekend and they are also planning to go clubbing. I may see if the littlies want to help me decorate my xmas tree.

I have used the heating more recently - hoping I don't regret it when the bill comes - but trying not to be Scrooge either.

I'm due in work tomorrow - but should come back to a nice clean house. DD is at the dentist but then off for the day. Thursday I'm seeing my counsellor in the evening. This has been a better week - I think gardening helped and reading stories again. It's nice to know that 3 weeks today I'll have finished for xmas too. I do owe time again though - so still need to address that. I have to start earlier than normal for me tomorrow which will hopefully help.

My mortgage payment goes out in a couple of days - and then I'll update that too.