Pulling my frugal pants on.

KajiKita

Hi 🐞

Just thought I would say hello as I was thinking of you when I was riddling compost for the veggie patch this afternoon 😊

KK

ladybird1106

Hi KK, we’ve been on holiday so not posted. Holiday didn’t go exactly as planned due to injuries but we made the best of what we could. 

Family upheaval on return which might affect future plans we had, so need to rethink plan and alter it the best we can. Potentially a house move (downsizing) could be on the cards sooner rather than later. However, we shall wait and see. CC bill paid and paid the balance of mums holiday (she paid my car bill in exchange). 

Went to the plot, only lost a few seedlings. Lots of weeds, especially bindweed poking through. Done lots of hoeing, last of the potatoes are in, harvested rhubarb ( crumble) and asparagus (added to risotto). 

Very tired
love 🐞
P.S set up a pot for loose change which will be used for doing something fun.

Cherryfudge

Goodness Ladybird, it sounds like an eventful time! I hope the injuries and upheaval turn out to be less than they threaten to be.

KajiKita

I’m sorry that the holiday wasn’t as relaxing as it could have been and you have returned to so much uncertainty. Has everyone recovered from their injuries? 

Glad the allotment is going okay and I’m with Cherryfudge in hoping that the upheaval is less than it initially seems … 🤞

KK

ladybird1106

Thanks KK. The eldests adult child’s leg is slowly recovering. They’ve managed to get into uni yesterday . Hopefully it’s just a pulled muscle.
OH and I have discussed our current situation and neither is particularly happy. We’ve come up with a plan on how to tackle things.
1) I will ring the youngest social worker and inform them that we are looking for the youngest to move out within the next 2 years and to put their name down on the waiting list for a particular housing project. 

2) I had to sign paperwork on behalf of the youngest (as we have a LPA- finance) for the ramp the council provided and there is a £5000 debt attached in relation to house. Basically if we move within 5years we have to pay that back. So I will insist that money is put into a separate account that the youngest will pay from their savings/benefits. 

3) As soon as the youngest is allocated housing we will move house (down size) . Neither of us is attached to the house, it was bought solely for the youngest needs. 

4) After we get back from supporting our in laws on holiday we will audit the house on what needs doing to get it ready to sell. The plan is to tackle a job a month.
5) By downsizing and with my inheritance OH will definitely be able to still drop down to 4 days a week. It will just take longer to get there.
6) I will focus on supporting the youngest to learn how to live as independently as possible ( they will require support when they move out but I’ve decided it won’t be me, which means I won’t get carers allowance.). In my previous work life I worked with adults with learning disabilities to become as independent as possible. So will be able to break down tasks into smaller components. Anything I can’t tackle I’ll ask for  a referral for OT support 

7)The internet will be going off at 8am and will go back on at 5pm. This hopefully will encourage them to get off their backside and do something🤣.
8)Set up a moving out savings account. We have said they can take whatever furniture they have in their room, but will need to save up for other stuff.
9)Remind ourselves we are do not have to constantly walk around on eggshells and be someone’s emotional punch bag.
10) and breathe

OH and I both feel that having a plan (flexible) will help keep us focused and will protect our mental health as well.
Frugalness for yesterday 
1) Free exercise. Walked up to the book swap place with miss giddychops. Took some books to swap and picked up a few more to read.
2)  2 Sm shops came to £106.36. But forgot 🥴 pectin and a nail brush. Paid in cash
3) Loose change in fun pot.
4) Using bath water to flush 🚽 
5) Used natures tumble dryer 
6) Visit to the plot where I either potted on or sowed my future food. ( cabbages, kale, cucumbers, lettuce , summer psb and courgettes).
Well after that mammoth list I best get miss giddychops out for a walk.
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

A very solid and objective set of plans, ladybird. Your work background and mine are very similar so there won't be any advice I can give that you've not already thought of.

The only thing that comes to mind is that the house is already adapted for youngest's needs, so could that turn to an advantage? If, say, a housing association would be willing to take on the house for supported living? A family I know bought a property for their daughter to live in with other people all of whom need support. That could mean youngest is still using the ramp and other adaptations, it would be you and your husband moving out.

I hope the injured leg heals up soon. It must be debilitating trying to do Uni while hobbling round.

ladybird1106

Thanks cherryfudge, that’s something to consider. 

My early sown peas germination has been more miss than hit. Not worth the extra effort. Just taken me an hour to hand weed, re-sow, water, put in pea sticks and put protection up. But hey if you don’t experiment you don’t find out what is possible and what is not. 

Right time to get my mangy touts in.
love 🐞

debtfreewannabe321

Hi 🐞 that's a big change for you and youngest but sounds like something that you need to do for your mental health. I hope the changes are easy to navigate for you all. 

ladybird1106

Thanks dfwb321.
Almost lost the will to live making rhubarb and ginger jam. It’s took over an hour and I’m still not certain it will set properly in the jar, might be more a preserve than a jam. Anyway it will be used in puddings in the winter.

Frugalness for today 
1) Bought seed compost ,reduced strawberry 🍓 plants and lemon balm ( going to use this to make herbal tea) at q of the b.
2) Mangy tout are in, mangy sticks in and glass protectors up. Peas are in, pea sticks in and glass protectors up. 

3) Leftovers for tea
4) Free exercise-walked miss giddychops and 4 hrs at the plot.
love 🐞

VintageHistorian

Sorry you've had a less than relaxing holiday, and what sounds like some very difficult conversations over the last few weeks. Hopefully having a firm plan will give something for everyone to work towards and will improve moods all around.