Escape to the country & living off savings

Tresinia511

Sya, that makes so much sense seeing it laid out like that. You haven't had a proper "normal " for a long time so perhaps it is just that which is it's own thing. Sounds as though you're figuring it out x

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks @bubblycrazy and Tresinia 😊

Haven’t done much reading but made a start. There is quite a bit of rain in the forecast this week so that may be my bad weather pastime.

Have had a lovely time at my sisters and at my friends wedding. We did a few day trips along the east coast as well as Whitby we went to Bridlington old town for the historic architecture antique shops and cafes and Hornsea for fish and chips and the potteries museum. It’s been a mix of sunshine and showers so my new raincoat has come in handy (bought on last day out with niece and little lad). Thankfully it didn’t rain on the afternoon of the wedding.

Arrived home and chucked all my washing in the machine then hung out & dried on the line in the afternoon. Went to see my friend for a chat & sat in the garden under the gazebo with a cold drink, it was pleasantly warm with a nice breeze.

Today I am going to the little high street to have my new glasses fitted. The old ones haven’t been the same since I fell on them last year & sprained them. I need to get some shopping so may call at aldee on the way home. This afternoon I am back at my friends for tea & cake. Rain is forecast from 9am 🙄. I am planning on getting back to healthier eating but will still allow cake once a week. I will be away most of next month at DS’s and am looking forward to catching up with them and the dogs 🐕 🐕 and seeing my friends.

Remaining in current account £173.94. That will include petrol down south. “Payday” on Monday

Skint_yet_Again

Was very disappointed with my new glasses after paying to have the lenses thinned they didn’t look any different to my current ones which are not thinned. It probably looked worse as they were only a half frame round the eyes so the bottom part was lenses only. However after pointing this out they allowed me to choose a different pair of frames which they will reglaze. Sunglasses were fab so I have those to go on my hols down south. Just need some sun now ☀️ The others will be collected after my hols.

I popped to local asd@ yesterday for chicken fillets, cooked ham and beef, bread, coleslaw, apples, bag of salad leaves, 4 ready meals, peach squash and southern fried chicken fillets and tomato soup, total £27.89. Heavy rain started on the way home. Niece and little lad came over and I made a sandwich for lunch with salad and a cup of soup each. I had beef stew for dinner. It feels like soup and stew weather! I will get back to batch cooking when I have been away.

Bit of sadmin to do today after some advice from my union free legal advice line, which means I can give DS some of my inheritance without it being counted as a “gift” for tax purposes. My friend is popping in on Sunday for cuppa. The rest of the time I am going to be packing.

SuzeQStan

Sounds like you had a nice time on the beautiful east coast SYA - glad the rain held off for the wedding.

Frustrating re the new specs - do you think you will eventually be able to get on with them?

excellent work on the sadmin - putting these things into place takes away a lot of worry. Also have to say that for the small monthly sub you pay, the union advice has really come good.

Excited you are having such a nice long visit with DS - happy packing. 🥰🥰

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks Suze I rejected the specs as they were not what they told me they would be and I am waiting for the new pair of frames. 🤓

I’ve spent most of the day online researching but have got the documents prepared to take with me. I’ve also got the big garden parasol dry and put the cover on, spread some of dads poppy seeds on the garden and raked over them, got the garden electric hedge trimmers out to take with me and put dads wheelbarrow in the shed to stop it going rusty.

Tomorrow I need to put the garden hose away and just do a general garden tidy up. I will do some pruning when I get home. I also want to sort out cleaning products and put back under the sink as they’ve been all over the kitchen since I removed them all (for BinL when he sorted the electrics for the new washing machine) and left them out for easy use after my op. It’s now 8 weeks post op. Time has just slipped by. Not 100% yet and still get tired but I’m getting there.

KajiKita

That’s quite a milestone, to be able to put the cleaning products away, out of easy reach again 😊

KK

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks KK ☺️ I appreciate how lucky I am to have found my breast cancer early and a steady recovery so far.

I’ve been trying to sort through cleaning products but I’m struggling to part with some even though I know I will probably not use them. 🙄 I think I will put a basket of items right at the back so I can pull them out if needed but they will be out of the way, caustic soda from dads, 2 spare bottles of mould & mildew remover which I rarely use and already have a bottle, star drops pink stuff paste cleaner left by previous owners of my house (over 3 years ago) that I have never used 🤦‍♀️ Might all come in handy one day! 😉

I’ve also hoovered the spare room and stripped the bed ready to wash on next dry day. Also hoovered my downstairs rugs and am now relaxing with feet up ☺️

Skint_yet_Again

I have been looking at financials and working out my annual bills as the next lot due in November are Car service and mot

Car mot & service £190

car insurance £225

house insurance £215

breakdown cover £60

car tax £165

dentist £28

Boiler service £60

TOTAL £943

Budget will remain £100 per month x 12 which should cover any increases

I am considering increasing my monthly budget to £1000 a month (from £10000 to £12000 a year from March) to give me a bit more in the entertainment & treats pot now that I have a bit extra to keep me going until my pension 1 starts at age 60.

SuzeQStan

That’s a good idea SYA - especially when you consider inflation since your budget began. And you deserve more treats and entertainments 🥰

Arrietty

Hello,

8 weeks already since the op! It does sound as though your recovery is progressing at a steady pace which is exactly what you want; not too speedy and trying to do things you shouldn't and not to cautious. You're doing great!

We have finally had rain here in the South East but I hope you get some nice dry and sunny days for your holiday with DS- the temperatures are still in the twenties and being by the coast with loved ones s always cheerful. I hope you have a lovely time.

Absolutely give yourself a bit more money for entertainment and 'playing with' you've been so dedicated and sensible and if you have it available then why not!

x