Pulling my frugal pants on.

earthgirl2

Hi 🐞 I just read your diary all the way through (my Mother's Day treat, more motivating than a book!) You are very inspiring and I love your writing style! Glad you are getting back into the plot, your meals sound amazing! 

ladybird1106

Thanks earthgirl2 for your lovely words.
 Been very busy at the plot these last couple of weeks as fil is not up to his usual activity levels. To be honest I can’t see him returning as mil is reluctant to let him go up. So it’s been pretty full on as last year it was pretty much abandoned due to health issues. OH is currently off work due to ongoing back/shoulder/neck issues, so is also unable to help out. I’m shattered. I’ve enjoyed sorting out all the crap that fil has been hoarding up there and we have a massive pile of crap to go to the tip at some point. 

We are considering OH dropping a day at work in the hope that he can continue to work in his current job which he loves but it is a very physically demanding job. His boss is retiring later this year due to ongoing health issues, so OH is going to apply for it which would mean a day or so in an office. That would mean he wouldn’t have to reduce his hours. However if he doesn’t get it he will have to if physio doesn’t help. Not sure I’ve explained that very well. 

We’ve calculated how much a month less we would have. We then times that by how many’s years he’s got left till retirement. So to start with I’m going to put  that much into a saving account for the next 6 months to see if we can manage on a reduced wage. We will have hopefully by then have my inheritance  but it won’t cover all of it. We’re short by £21,000. However, OH is looking at his side hustle job as there is the possibility of picking more work up. 

We have talked about downsizing once the 5years of rampgate is done. We had to sign a contract with the council saying if we moved in the next 5 years we would reimburse them the cost of the ramp-£5000. 

We have discussed me returning to work if and when the youngest moves out 🤣. 

We discussed him looking for another job. He did a management role a couple of years ago and he hated it. He became very down and couldn’t stand being cooped up in an office all week. So he got the job he’s currently in and took a pay cut. Unfortunately the work he does is specialised and not many come up and would probably require us to move. But we will keep looking. 

To start the ball rolling, we have cancelled 2 dd which gave us nothing 🤣as our dentist has decided to go private, so the money from the 2 dds cover this new expense🥴. Other than cancelling our wildlife trust and NT subscriptions ( which we are keeping as we use them a lot, for now ), there is nothing else we can get rid off. So it’s a case of cutting back and using less water/electric/gas. Growing more of our own and not buying food etc that align with our values. This will be incredibly hard as we have eaten this way for 20 odd years but it’s just getting more and more expensive. In my head I feel very down about the whole situation but trying to put a positive spin on it for OH as he is really struggling at the moment. I’m so glad that we paid our mortgage off. Right best get my frugal pants back out the cupboard and get them on. 

Love 🐞

ladybird1106

OH car is ready finally (again), hopefully the bill will be small🤣. Only just finished paying for the last bill last week 🥴. Hopefully dropping off the youngest at my mums once they’ve finished having a wobble🥰.
love🐞

Cherryfudge

It sounds like a difficult tine, and probably made harder by all the time spent sorting out the allotment (though free vitamin D). I hope the car bill is harmless. I'm sure that given your practical approach of preparing in advance and trying out what will work for you, you'll find a way.

For changing diet, can you make small adjustments - e,g. more beans in the casserole, bread with the meal to fill you up? I'm completely guessing there as I don't know how you prefer to eat. We've swapped to a lot more vegan meals via DH discovering a love for curry, but that wouldn't work for everyone.

earthgirl2

Your frugal pants are very seriously effective so I'm sure you will come up with the money you need. Sorry you didn't get the airfyer but glad it's coming, it seems to save us a lot of electricity. 

ladybird1106

Not sure you’ve got the right diary earthgirl2🙂. 

Cherryfudge thanks for reading and commenting. Just writing it down as garbled as it was, has helped me to focus on what needs to be looked into. 

Not done a lot today due to feeling under the weather.
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

Sometimes all you can do is try to take the pressure off yourself and wait for days when you are feeling better - and I hope you are feeling better soon.

It sounds to me as though you already have the basis of a plan. And of course you have us lot cheering you on.  

ladybird1106

Thanks cherryfudge. 

Frugalness for yesterday 
1) didn’t eat much as I felt ill yesterday, probably not the best way to save money 🤣.
2) car programmed to charge when we have cheap tariff, plus dw timed to come on then to.
3) Bath water saved to flush the loo. 

4) OH and I have agreed the only organic food we will buy will be meat and dairy ( ethical reasons). We each get to pick one thing that we already buy to keep on the list. Mine is organic carrots 🥕. OH hasn’t decided yet. 

Love 🐞

Cherryfudge

How are you feeling today @ladybird1106?

Is it any help to know the Easter discounts on supermarket veg start mid-week? I think only L1dl and Sains have published their lists as of yesterday but there may be more to come. 15p for a bag of potatoes is pretty good!

ladybird1106

Still struggling to cope with bright light cherryfudge. We’re supposed to be going to in-laws later to celebrate a big birthday 🎂. Not sure I feel up to it to be honest , but I feel a bit guilty as I know they will have catered for my dietary needs. However i don’t think they want this either. 

Frugalness.
1) Since having the ramp put in, our back garden hasn’t been secure due to no gate. Last weekend OH and his dad rehung the old gate after adapting it and made another gate for the other side rather than buy one. He’s painting it now. Repurposed an old curtain hook, so the drop bar can be secured when the youngest opens the gate. 
Love 🐞