From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Jellytotts said:

…….I fished the whirrlygig out of the garage this morning and have 2 loads blustering around - peek excitement!

Dearest Jellytotts, can I just say I chuckled at this. What have I turned everyone into, getting excited about the whirlygig doin' it's thang 🤣

Jellytotts said:

Our “retirement” came on very suddenly after DH was involved in an accident at 41 years of age. Obviously it’s not retirement but disability but we’ve called it retirement to try and alter the mind set that certain words can have on the brain. We had 2 young teenagers to add to the mix at the time too, it wasn’t easy but you do learn to cope with what you’ve got. Our dual income is much less than a basic wage for one person and when we hit SP age our income will double! What a treat (if we live that long!). DH has taken 2 of his small pensions early due to medical retirement which give a small but helpful boost to the month.

Thank you for being so candid about your story. Whilst I'm obviously sorry for the 'how' and the 'why' of how the retirement came about, I think - even with insurances, pensions, benefits or family help - this situation could befall any of us, and it's sobering to think that it could. But what you've also explained, is that whilst you didn't choose to have this happen - and it wasn't easy - you coped. I just think that is amazing. I mean, I know a short answer is 'because you have to', but that doesn't take away the achievement. Much like I am in awe of single parents - particularly those who find themselves in the situation, not through choice.

Interestingly - and it's important to record the 'good' as well as the 'not so good' - LG had a good day at school today. No triumphs, but no tragedies neither, so that is something. Plus DH was worrying (all weekend) about going into work today - change for change sake and managerial staff who can't …… manage…. Yada Yada ….. and anyway, a big fat nothing happened as it was supposed to, the new broom who was going to sweep in and bring transformation amongst a bunch of ingrates, seems to be nothing more that a featherweight-duster, with nothing more than a 'bunch of paper cer-tiff-kates'……… Time will tell.

I brought the washing in just before the school run. There just started to be the smallest of rain drops in the air. The washing was - for the most part - dry. Not bone dry, but 'good enough'. I have put it on the airer, but didn't put on the dehu. We had the heating on for a couple of hours, so I'm hopeful that most of the stuff will be fully dry by the morning. The weather today was definitely better than forecast, and we had a bit of sunshine too. That makes such a difference - to the washing and to mood.

Tea ended up being lentil bolognese and pasta from cartons out of the freezer for DH and LG, and I had the last small portion of veggie bobotie. I also steamed up some frozen broccoli and some frozen green beans for us all. 3 plates cleared.

I don't think I've achieved much of MSE interest today, but we're all fed, watered, warm and have clean clothes in the drawer. Win.

Ta for popping in, and chatting with me - know that it, and you, are greatly appreciated by me. Thank you.

Greying X

ladybird1106

Interesting discussion on the retirement/reduced hours front GP. As you know this is something we are looking at. At the moment I’m equating any money saved and stashed away with what Mr🐞 earns per hour is an hour less. I know in reality it’s not but at the moment that helps.
love 🐞

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81897014#Comment_81897014

There is value in that line of thought 🐞 And it can be really useful I would have thought if you're looking at 'bridge' figures, rather than full-blown ER at 23……. Dang, missed that target by 12 months……. 😉🤭 And if it provides motivation, then that's a good enough reason to use it, isn't it? And combined with looking at wouldn't be needed if you're not going to be continuing in your present role eg commuting costs, a second vehicle (?), smart clothes (if no uniform), bought lunches etc etc. I can see why there is the train of thought that sometimes you don't need as much as you think, to leave your current employment.

Thanks for posting love, always good to learn what other people are doing - gives me inspo to try things too.

Greying X

badmemory

Always remember that a reduction to a 4 day week from a 5 day one does not reduce the income to 80%

beanielou

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81897416#Comment_81897416

Good point.

edinburgher

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81897416#Comment_81897416

Because tax?

badmemory

Yes tax and NI were over 30% but I believe are now nearer 28%.

Greying_Pilgrim

Good afternoon MFW'rs

So I put a wash on, and it's out flapping in the breeze. We're lucky enough to have sunshine here too - it feels very springlike.

I went to our MrT to look for some clothes for LG and they didn't have the right size in stock. There were no YS'd goodies (all produce had tuppence knocked off 🙄), so I left empty handed. I then decided to drive to the metropolitan town along the way to the big MrT. They had some of what I needed for LG, but not everything. There was no YS'd goodies there in the produce dept, but I did get a couple of packs of wholemeal baps for 31p ea. I did have a look at the World Foods aisle, but nothing stood out as particularly bargainacious - above and beyond the pulses, which I'm still considering whether I need at the mo. I then popped to hB in the same retail park and picked up some yoghurt. I then drove to the other side of town (on the way home), and popped into MrM. Wasn't great timing for YS'd produce, and I only got a stick of celery for 31p YS'd. This particular branch had got a special section for Ramadan, but the brands/selection wasn't particularly inviting, so I didn't pick anything up.

It was marginal whether the trip to the town along the way was warranted. But how do you know what is in stock, where? I had planned to go to that town last week, but when the weather was nice, I wanted us to be out and about, and then when the weather was rubbish, the last thing I wanted to be doing in torrential downpours was driving along the bypass ☹️

Right, I shall amend my siggie figgie and push orf and do something useful.

Greying X

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - hunny if you are shopping at MrT, you can check if a product is in stock at your local Tesco, use the Groceries website and set your local store, which provides live, in-store stock, aisle location, and quantity information. - for most other stores, there is a third-party tool (that I've not used but a colleague has) Stock Informer UK.

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81897641#Comment_81897641

Hun, I tried that (obviously I did something wrong tho 🤔), but - the clothing - was coming up as couriered to your door. I will have another look - it's bound to be operator (me) error! Thank you.

EDITED - rt, do you have to have a MrT account to access the stock/aisle info? I'm not an online MrT grocery shopper. I just looked again, and it was clearly their 'online' ordering page, but I wasn't signed in.

On the theme of what you learn on the forum, I did also notice today (too late) the 'pay what you want' buttons on the fuel pump in the petrol station. I know 🐞 has mentioned it, and I haven't had to put any fuel in the car for the longest while (haven't been going far in it), so hadn't noticed if MrA (usual petrol source), had it on their pumps. But was at MrT today and noticed it. I read the explanation of how to use it, whilst filling my car - and blow me, I actually stopped it dead on £30 today - that never happens 🤣

Greying X