La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

helensbiggestfan

Thrifty Thursday. 

(Well it is a money saving website and i want to live La Dolce Vita on my tiny budget). 😉.  

So, from now on, I'm going to make sure that once a week, on a Thursday I shall review my finances, to make sure I'm stretching these pennies as far as they can go.  

Whilst it's lovely having my family to stay I'm pretty sure it's costing me plenty so once they've gone home I shall be going all out for Frugal February.  

Have a lovely thrifty day......

Nargleblast

I'm already trying to keep to the budget that I will have when I stop getting a salary. So far so good, it's just under three weeks before my next pension payment is due. My final salary payment is at the end of this month, then there'll be a small payment at the end of March for unsocial hours worked this month, then that's it, living on two pensions for real. 

I read an article this morning about people who don't use supermarkets. I think supermarkets are great places, and provide employment for many people, but you can easily overspend in them. When I am retired I might try supporting small independent shops more, it will also reduce my consumption of highly processed foods. Not that I eat loads of the stuff, but there are always improvements that can be made.

Jellybaby

Morning all, in the spirit of money saving I am in the process of moving a cash ISA that's been earning 'diddly squat' as the great Martin says, to a much better interest rate.  It was so easy and simple to do and I'm so annoyed at myself for not being on top of this better.  Now I have Thrifty Thursdays to keep me on track 😁

Wednesday2000

Frugal February sounds right up my street. I just checked my bank account today and visibly paled at how much money we have now after the roof spendings. I watched the new Martin Lewis show I recorded and it reminded me that I still haven't opened any of the new higher interest savings accounts. I will do that today as I may as well be getting better returns on the savings we have left.

I am continuing with my new book. I thought it was going to be a self-help book, but it was more case studies of people that have found their passion in life. It wasn't what I expected, but it was fairly interesting so I will probably finish it off today.

I got carried away as it felt quite mild when I got up so I opened all the windows in my house to let some fresh air in. I just went and closed them all again as it isn't that warm! It is bright and sunny though at least. Another day of rest for me. I am about to have a bath and put on clean pyjamas and sit down to read my book. I think last night the Stacey Solomon show was on so that should have been recorded for me to watch later. It was recommended to me on here.:)

Nargleblast

I like that show, but I don't half want to slap some of the contestants, who seem to have problems getting rid of stuff. You love that ornament so much you couldn't possibly get rid of it? Really? This ornament, that you had chucked in a pile on the floor in a room you never go into? And these clothes you wore 30 years and three children ago, when you were a size 10? And you're a size 18 now?

I understand that as we go through life we collect stuff, some of which has links to something special in our lives, but there is only so much room in our homes. Too much and it attracts dust, dirt, bacteria, mould....To me, memories are in your head, not in things, and if an object of sentimental value has been stuffed in the back of a cupboard or dumped in a pile on the floor for years,, then obviously it's not that precious after all. I like Marie Kondo's philosophy of saying to an object "Thank you, you served your purpose at a time when I needed you, but now it's time for you to go, goodbye!"

For the record, I am not into minimalism, that is the other extreme.

helensbiggestfan

Just watched an episode.......

Funnily enough I was tempted to call today "Throwaway Thursdays" to encourage me on my decluttering journey.  Actually I am doing well. I enjoying decluttering.  I have done the worst now Im just refining and tweaking.  I'm not really a minimalist either but I do find I have simplified and streamlined my home decor style too over the years.  Less is definitely more.  

Nargleblast. Interesting what you say about trying the non supermarket route.  I think one of the hardest transitions for me was going from having a house full to living solo, especially when it comes to cooking and food shopping,  old habits die hard and it's hard to get out the Mother equals Feeder mindset.  I have been thinking I want to change the way I eat, cook and shop for food.  

Have you heard the expression "shop like a French woman". More or less doing what you suggest, just shopping for exactly what you need on a more or less daily basis, using local independent shops.    

I have been "a domestic goddess"😂🤣 for nearly 53 years and I'm so done with it all.  I want to completely rethink everything. I have purged my kitchen once, got rid of a load of gadgets and equipment, excess crockery etc.  I am ready to go through again and get rid of some more.  

Nargleblast

My husband was a shopaholic and a bit of a hoarder. After his death I went through the house with my son's help and had a good clear out. It's amazing how light and calm the house is, and what a difference having an empty attic makes. I recommend the Sort Your Life Out programme for motivation and inspiration, and Nick Knowles does a very similar program on Channel 5. The difference is his team have only 48 hours to turn the house around.

helensbiggestfan

Fabulous Friday. 

A concept from the Frump to Fab thread where I make a bit extra effort, with my appearance, with what I have for dinner.  

 Friday, the weekend starts here, so get your glad rags on, and get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy.  

Coxy11

My Thrifty Thursday involved buying two new tyres from a local independent trader rather than pay full whack at the main dealer when the car goes in for an MOT next week. Hoping I saved a bit at least.

Not sure about glad rags, but I purchased a vintage brooch from Ebay (£1.99 last of the big spenders) and attached it to my plain black coat before popping out at lunchtime. I love it! Also we have plans to go to the cinema this evening, so at least we are going out out!!

Bluegreen143

Loving the themed days!

Friday is date night here. At home rather than going out, but we’ve made our effort with dinner today. We normally always eat with the children but they are currently munching some pesto pasta with peas while my husband preps steak and chips for us once they’re in bed 😁