Escape to the country & living off savings

MovingForwards

All sounds perfect, a good balance and I'm pleased you've started catching up with your hairdresser. 
Utilities are still a good price and should be more of a noticeable difference next bill cycle.
Condolences about your friend, one day the happier times will appear in your thoughts when walking by.

What's your plans for this week 😁

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks MF and @SuzeQStan

Forest bathing sounds lovely but I don’t fancy trying the grounding!

Can’t believe it’s almost August. Not sure where July went. 

Today I have paid myself from savings £833 and transferred £150 (max allowed) from my 2.37% account ready to go into my 6% account tomorrow.

I have updated my budget for August to include aquafit 4 x £7.90

Phone sim only £10

Tv licence 13.25

Water 48.90

Council tax £97

Union £2.14

Gas & Electric £100

Annual bills £100

Birthdays £50

Car fund £50

Petrol £40

Entertainment £100

Food £160

Aquafit £31.60

Incoming £833 outgoing £802.89

This week DF is helping me paint the hall, stairs and landing. I have a tub of magnolia donated by my niece. May need to buy a new roller. Going out to lunch on Friday with my old school friend 

SuzeQStan

Oh SYA - House Beautiful magazine will be calling at yours any minute now! 

The cheapest rollers - but best value for money IMO - Wilkos do a fab short tray with roller.  It’s much more economical with the paint than long trays I find too. 

Congrats on budgeting for Aquafit & making it a part of your routine - is the instructor nice?

I have to say again that your water rates seem high - any neighbours you could compare notes with?

xx

Skint_yet_Again

SuzeQStan said:

… House Beautiful magazine will be calling at yours any minute now! 

😂🤣😂
Its a comfy cosy home but I wouldn’t expect it to appear in any magazines 

Water rates are same as neighbours but I am considering a water meter

DF arrived to help with painting the hall, stairs and landing with 2 rollers he picked up from tool station. Ceilings were done yesterday and walls today. Looks good after one coat so might not need a second. 

Popped down to my old school friend for cuppa & chat after finishing painting. Goodies from DF allotment today was cucumber, beetroot and a marrow 😁

Planning to go food shopping tomorrow. Out for lunch on Friday after aquafit. 

Skint_yet_Again

Heavy rain here this morning. I have transferred monthly money to my savings pots 

birthday/xmas £50 now £381

car £50 now £850 
(MOT, service, tyres & repairs if/when needed)

Annual Bills £100 now £435
£1200 a year to cover car insurance £170.21, house insurance £256.48, car tax £135, dentist, (eye test free), cheap internet glasses, breakdown cover £68.32, clothes £100, house maintenance (paint/brushes etc as required now the main redecorating/new boiler/roof/new bathroom done)

[Deleted User]

Good morning! Are you various lots actual accounts or virtual ones on a spreadsheet? 

Skint_yet_Again

They are virtual pots. I have an instant access account called gifts/bills/car which now has the total £1961.04 and I keep a note on my phone how much is in each pot. I don’t think it’s complex enough for a spreadsheet 😉

gifts £381
bills £435
car £850
gas/electric £295

Have been shopping at aldee, total this week £38.68 including fruit, veg, eggs, peach squash, large chicken, 2 medallion steaks, 5% fat beef mince, sardines, vegetable oil, wheat shreds cereal, sandwich thins & 9 pack toilet rolls. 

We are having a family meal out on Saturday which I am looking forward to and I am cooking a roast chicken dinner for DF & Sis on Sunday. 

Tonight will be stuffed marrow with beef mince & swede/carrot mash 😋

Skint_yet_Again

Stuffed marrow was ‘lish 😋

Have just done the washing up mountain. I only wash up once a day but it takes a full bowl before the water gets hot. I am considering a water meter but am concerned about wasting water. When we had the hot weather I poured the water onto my plants but as we have had so much rain I haven’t needed to water them! Am considering buying a mini dishwasher. DF has one & his water bill is really low. 

doingitanyway

I like stuffed veggie generally 

Thanks for sharing your budget. It helps as I will be on a similar income, so nice to see you living so well on yours. Like you I am making the choice to have more time to do what I like with, rather than more money.

The dishwasher sounds like a good idea

[Deleted User]

I wouldn’t be without my dishwater.  Very efficient and hygienic. Go for it!