Escape to the country & living off savings

doingitanyway

The weather is gloomy and soggy here. Yuk! But I have a sunny day due on Saturday so I will make the most of it.

It is sad when high streets go through a tough time…

I had to dry soaking wet washing (wm not working properly) overnight with the dehumidifier. Roll on summer…

Skint_yet_Again

Sorry to hear about your washing machine dia. Have you tried doing an extra spin? I expect you have, I have to give jeans an extra spin at 1400 as my quick wash only does a low powered spin.

Had a lovely fry up & cuppa with my friend. Bought a sympathy card for a friend down south whose dad passed away last week. He had been poorly for some time but it doesn’t make it any easier.

The sun came out this afternoon & there was a bit of blue sky so I walked to the postbox to post the card using a second class stamp from my stash. Did a bit more of the jigsaw puzzle. About half done but it does give me back ache 🙄

Butternut squash & lentil soup in the slow cooker for tea. It’s ok but a bit salty. I will add some double cream which should help. Will get some when I go shopping in the morning.

SuzeQStan

Hi SYA - been catching up on the last week or so of your diary and decided to take a leaf out your book - stew is in the slow cooker! 😋

Your comments ring true for many high streets now sadly - but we are so lucky to be close enough to a town centre that is thriving with its market, cafes, family run businesses - along with ubiquitous franchises of course - but the smaller businesses seem to be keeping up!
It has the feeling of a high street from a different era - people talking to each other, a nice relaxed feel with a great buzz of people.

In fact this particular town centre lays claim to 23x CS!! It’s a great challenge to get around as many of them as possible in a visit - so hard to be MSE in the face of so many bargains 😂

Oh and none of their high street banks have shuttered yet either - it’s astonishing - but probably just a matter of time sadly.

Skint_yet_Again

Mmmmm stew, my favourite Suze 😋 I must admit that I have it at least once a week in the winter

Your high street sounds amazing. 23 charity shops 😳 wow!!

The only remaining bank & cash point here is the H fax. My bank closed last year.

Forgot to mention my car tax bill turned up today £165. I will pay that in the morning on my credit card & then pay it off from annual bills pot next month when the bill arrives.

SuzeQStan

it’s great how your cash pots are just waiting for these bills - no nasty surprises! I know it’s not a competition but my 2016 Toyota Yaris car tax came in at £35 this year! It has only gone up by £5 in the 8 years I’ve owned it.

Re bank closures - I wonder if these are all open in our near town centre due to the large amount of cash businesses - well attended indoor market (they have an area you can eat your purchases with friends/family), regular outdoor markets etc. long may it carry on whatever the reason.

My poor MiL only has a N@tionwide & post office in her town which is similar size. They closed 2 of their post offices only leaving the one.

badmemory

Do you do your jigsaws sitting at a table. I used to but it used to give me backache. I now do them on a jigsaw board on top of a very tall ironing board standing up. Much easier on the back, it also encourages me to walk up & down every so often.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks badmemory but unfortunately that wouldn’t work for me. I would probably get neck pain from looking down and I am struggling to see the small pieces. I probably need varifocals but the optician advised not to get any due to my neck & back issues. I want to finish this one now I’ve started it but I don’t think I will be rushing to do another. It’s a shame because I enjoy it but I think I will stick to reading

Skint_yet_Again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877444#Comment_81877444

I will be looking for a cheaper car tax when I change my car Suze ! It’s only a 2012 hiundi !!

Skint_yet_Again

Is anyone else finding it cold tonight 🥶 I can’t seem to get warm despite 2 bowls of soup. Thermostat says it’s 18 degrees. Am wrapped up in 2 jumpers and fleecy throw.

Am not going to aquafit tomorrow. Can’t bear the thought of the cold water 😬 Maybe leave it for a couple of weeks.

KajiKita

I’m feeling cold. I thought it was because I’m tired after three nights of disturbed sleep. I have given myself permission to skip mum dance tonight so I can COMPLETELY relate to not wanting to get into cold water tomorrow!

KK