NST April 2023: April adventurising

thriftylass

Toni'sfriend said:

Thirftylass - Hope you're feeling a bit better today. It's difficult to know what to suggest re DH. What works for one couple moneywise doesn't work for another. We do something similar to f0xh0les and it works well for us. But, I guess, it might not be that easy to get him to agree to something like that. Anyway, enjoy your mum retreat.

I think I'll just do my own thing just now, as I have tried before but with the added resolution of definitely not lending him money anymore (which I stopped recently) and not partaking in activities that cause frivolous spending like drinking. Those two will be my main focus for May, everything else is a bonus.

Slow day in work today, so I brought my food inventory with me for a meal planning session and will have a look at mortgage deals, our 1.64% fixed is coming to an end in July   and I'm definitely not accepting the 7.34% they suggest if we do nothing. Hope DH has nothing financial to hide and we can actually get a new deal  .

Just found out more about my new work project and it will be on another level. So sorting my life and health out now couldn't come at a better time. 

grandmanerd

MY ankle is a little bit stronger today -  I can stand on my foot when walking. However I will still be having a taxi to the infirmary as getting all across the car park and civic square to the bus stop doesn't feel doable. When I get to the infirmary I have to walk down the corridor to the lift, go up to the upper floor and round 2 corners to my doctor's to pick up the forms I need.  Reverse all that and  then across to the other building and down the corridor to phlebotomy.  On my way back I think I will call in at the little cafe and see if I can pick up something to eat (normally I'd travel on the bus to the other end of the route and call into Morries. then back on the  bus to the  nearest stop to Home - by the town hall).

I still need to think about accessories (and possibly clothes). I bought a few 'tights and socks options@ when I went to my ex's funeral last June. I sent them to the cs at the end of last year as I can do socks/ 'pop socks' and or leggings but getting tights on (even if they weren't desperately uncomfortable instruments of torture) involves being able to move my feet,  legs and ankles in multiple ways. I've been looking at various options but not going to bother for the Baptism but will keep them in mind. 

I have turquoise bracelet that DS2 bought me many years ago and for DS1's wedding I bought a cheap multi strand, tiny bead necklace which went with my (duck egg) outfit and works as a contrast to jade/ blue/ green/ black outfits. Unfortunately the bracelet broke as I was packing to come back from  the ex's funeral and the necklace gave up the ghost soon after. I recently disposed of some older brooches and bits (I didn't have much). I'd already resolved to look for an additional handbag (my current one is 17 years old) in the cs but I probably need a reminder in the back of my diary and check anywhere I manage to go and if I see something suitable, buy it.

Atm I'm just concentrating on how to get to the Baptism as easily as possible (it doesn't help that the afternoon tea is in a different location - I might have decided to check into somewhere for a couple off nights) with as little fuss as possible. I'm still  considering checking into a hotel or B & B -  just a few days with breakfast and evening meal provided, a clean room and a pile of books sounds like heaven. Anyway today will be an adventure and we'll see how I do. And how mobile I am after Sunday.

I read this yesterday and think I'll make it my mantra for May
'happiness doesn't look perfect. It looks a little dishevelled, a little wild, out of sorts in all of the right ways.

so if your goal is a happy life -don't plan on a perfect life. The good stuff happens when you are willing to make a mess
(/topher Kearby)

So I'm having a messy May - my surroundings are there already.

Grateful for my foot improving, for books, puzzles and series to stop me going bored, vague plans (adaptable according to what my body will do).  I've run out of beetroot, low on broccoli, ate the plum, found the orange, loving yoghurt, feeling hungry and drinking lots  of water (4 l yesterday).

f0xh0les

@thriftylass , as soon as you get yourself locked into a nice new mortgage, have you done the rounds of switch bonuses lately?  Like p/a it is easy money, and setting up a designated switch current account is very easy online...just one to consider once the mortgage credit checks are out of the way, it has been an easy £400 bonus for me this month...  

thriftylass

@grandmanerd glad your ankle is getting better, if slowly.

@f0xh0les, thanks for the tip, I'll look into that. Did it once years ago but am reluctant because of the bureaucracy of new accounts, apps etc to keep an eye on everything. My current account is with the same bank as the mortgage (new one will be too) and I don't want to change because the old one gets shut doesn't it?

f0xh0les

You can open a secondary current account with your main bank.   I have one with 1 X £2 and 1 x £5 charity direct debits a month. Set it up in January waited until they had been taken out once, swapped it, transferred the relevant £xxx in and out until the minimum monthly pay in amount was reached. As soon as the switch money came in, started the next switch  process the same day which should get me another £200 on 2nd May. 
I have my main bank account, I will not be switching that one! but anyone else is fair game.  - but first, the mortgage, even if it is at a pants ( pantser? more pants? pantserer? ) rate for 12 months and hope the rates come down again by then. 🔮 Territory I am afraid.

Oh hooray for the 🍊! I have been so worried ! (Run apple! Run!)

Toni'sfriend

Sounds like a good idea to start with, Thriftylass.

Eye test done. Apparently my eyesight in one eye has improved and the other has stayed much the same. I didn't know it could improve. I thought it just got worse as you aged! So glasses now ordered, Radically different from anything I've ever had but no more nose pads (so uncomfortable and keep falling off). Expensive but I love them. And I paid (minimal amount) to have a scan done on my eyes which picks up any problems really early. Well worth the money, I think.

My two little princesses have just brought me in a bunch of wild flowers that they picked on their way home from school. They hoped I was feeling better. How sweet and thoughtful was that?

Fish pie made. Freezers still full to bursting.

Speak tomorrow. xxx

apple_muncher

I'm running!!!!

beanielou

I'm plodding 

thriftylass

I hope you don't mind me using you as my AA sponsor substitute. I'm reporting this for my accountability.

DH said he'll go and get cat food as we just ran out and would I need anything else. No thank you - You sure? - Yes!
 I guess you know what happened, he bought himself a 4 pack of beers and me 4 ciders!! He lasted one night off as usual but I mentally prepared myself better today and will not cave like usual just because it's in the house. 

f0xh0les

'It is a school night', is always a good excuse not to.   Unless you are a teacher.