Escape to the country & living off savings

KajiKita

I think receipts lurk because, before the digital age and access to our accounts online etc., we needed them 🤔🤷‍♀️

Well done on the sadmin, the aqua fit and the food 😊 It seems, from here, that you are getting back into your life-rhythm again (albeit, a somewhat differently shaped one)?

KK

badmemory

I used to keep all my receipts for when the cc bill came in the post.  I now keep a spreadsheet version until I get the full bill.  I am not going to be the person that finds after 5 years some company has been slipping a bill in there.  The really annoying thing is that those till receipts do not go in the paper recycling

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks KajiKita & badmemory 😊

My breakdown cover renewal arrived today 

last year uk national recovery £63.84
renewal price (no breakdowns) £143.36
😵🫣😳😱
Online new customer quote £63.84
phoned to complain & quoted £59.36

Totally speechless over £143.36. Will go ahead with £59.36 as other quotes elsewhere have been higher (but nowhere near £143!!)

Pork chops with peppers and courgettes and butternut squash in the AF for tea sprinkled with Chinese 5 spice. 

KajiKita

It really is intensely irritating how insurance companies deliberately hike renewal premiums. I think,it should be banned! Well done for challenging it. 

I’m not a meat eater but that tea looks lovely 😊

KK

Tresinia511

You dinner looks lovely.  The insurance is why you keep your bills pegged year on year, well done

SuzeQStan

Are you enjoying the air fryer SYA? Food looks lovely x

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks KajiKita, Suze and Tresinia 😊 

I don’t really enjoy cooking Suze 😉 Im more of a bung it all in the slow cooker kinda gal 🤣 I’m just using the AF where I would have used the oven. Haven’t made anything different yet. I think it will come into it’s own in the summer when I don’t use my slow cooker and I can quickly cook chicken etc in it to have with salad without heating the house. I will buy a whole chicken tomorrow when I go to aldee and try it in the AF when I go to aquafit on Tuesday. Should be cheaper than a hot roast chicken from asd@. I take it they are safe to leave on when you go out??

Cold morning again thermostat says 12.5 this morning but I’m still snug & warm in bed. The wolf moon is glowing outside. 

Forecast today is -2 and sunny but not much wind so I might not wash as it would probably freeze on the line. 🥶

Today I need to look at house insurance. Last year £176.02. Renewal £239.07 🙁 I used to enjoy getting deals on insurance but now it is a chore that makes me feel anxious. I will be glad to get it sorted then all insurance/ breakdown is done for another year. 

Quick update 

Monthly interest
DIY pot 0.22p
Living off savings pot £3.20
Savings pots £2.01
Regular saver (5k) £23.54

I have transferred £23.54 into my current account. This will cover the gloves I bought during my trip to town 2 x £2 and £4.20 parking (cheaper than the bus) with a bit extra for January entertainment pot. The small amounts in other accounts can stay there. 

Skint_yet_Again

Eek just looked up AF and Fire & Rescue say never leave unattended. May have to have a rethink 

Arrietty

Good morning and Happy New Year!

Food pics look delicious as always and for someone who doesnt' 'enjoy' cooking, you certainly make the best of of your ingredients, I would happily pop round for a meal 

I haven't made any resolutions or declarations of intent for this year either.  2025 was pretty much survival, trying to work out where I'm going and how I'll get there and then sowing the seeds of that.  

You don't have to have grand plans for every new year; especially if you already enjoy the life  you had before and now just need to make some adjustments to get used to the changes that 2025 brought.  

I enjoy your diary because you do come across as someone who is living the life they created for themself and happy with it 

You're a beacon of hope, determination and resilience.

A 

Doris17

Skint_yet_Again said:

Eek just looked up AF and Fire & Rescue say never leave unattended. May have to have a rethink 

There was a programme on AF on Channel 5 I think, just before Christmas., was an interesting watch, all the wrong things people do. They also gave good advice on the right things to do. Have a look, I imagine its still on catch up.