Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

PennysIntoPounds

Gorgeous garden pic, and I'm sure the mice were very grateful to Mr F 😂
Nice to hear that he was firmly in favour of you not categorising an upgrade on useful household things you do, as a treat for yourself, more men need to learn this!
Your relative having bought a sewing machine with her first pay packet and having left you money on her death that you've spent on a sewing machine has brought a wee tear to my eye (I am a right soppy thing sometimes) x

Blackcats

MrF has hit the nail on the head about the sewing machine and now you've managed to sort out a win/win solution.  He was also very thoughtful towards the mice.  

BrilliantButScary

@foxgloves, it's me being 'nosy' again! 
Which sewing machine did you buy?
As I said before, it is something that I am thinking of buying, with a similar budget. I don't want something too basic, but something I can 'grow into'.

Your border is looking lovely, we also have a 1930's long and narrow garden, but a smaller house, by the sounds of it. I'm currently enjoying oriental poppies and aquilegias.

ladyholly

The garden looks lovely.  We only have pots and gravel but I would love a nice flower border. It is something I might get when/ if we ever get some money (dont tell Mr LH as he doesnt approve of flowers or even gardening). I would have to get someone to create a border as I couldnt.

On the subject of the sewing machine I think it is a household item and therefore not a personal spends item.

Sun_Addict

Garden looking beautiful Mrs F. What a lovely story re the sewing machine and quite rightly it should be classed as a household item. 

rtandon27

What a beautiful border @foxgloves!

I'm absolutely loving the marital discussion and do see the logic in MrFG's reasoning.  Like you I'd have taken it out of personal spends!

Moorviews

The garden is looking beautiful! I love to see a wide border like that, although I know they are a lot of work to maintain. 

Interesting about the sewing machine budgeting. I asked for mine as a birthday present and yet I also sew/mend for the family and do all the household sewing. On reflection, although I had always thought the same as you, I have changed my view to that of Mr F. I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it anyway. There are so many independent pattern designers now, making it easier to find something for our own height and shape and a lot online about making adjustments. I have learned more recently than through my lifetime of sewing. It’s great that you have your sister as a knowledgeable resource too.
Any animal food has to be very securely stored here as we have all the rodents around unfortunately. No doubt your local bird population will have enjoyed the current feast though!

Coxy11

I'd much rather have little mice eating my fat balls than having to fish a dead (drowned) rat out of a watering can - ask me how I know.....

Good decision on the sewing machine funding stream.

ladyholly

Coxy11 said:

I'd much rather have little mice eating my fat balls than having to fish a dead (drowned) rat out of a watering can - ask me how I know.....

Good decision on the sewing machine funding stream.

Better a watering can than the toaster as happened to friend.

lucielle

Lurker alert. Beautiful garden. 

L