We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Watty's Awakening
Comments
-
We've had fireworks going off here every single night since the SM started selling them I don't mind the quiet ones but the loud ones are startling us non stop for hours on end, they sound like we are on a gun range so I sympathise deeply with you.
Emergency Fund goal - £1000/2000
Mortgage OP goal 2026 - £800/£4500
Read 24 books this year 6/24
No Spend March- 5/314 -
Our dog is in turn, furious and terrified. While the cat hides for hours afterwardsSave £12k in 2026 #2 I have banked £2870.61 so far, against a £10k target The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2026 I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026 - currently £568.34 and most of my March purchasing made
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here3 -
I was reading a news item online about a petition in Manchester to ban fireworks because people are using them throw at the police. Yet another reason they should not be sold. I doubt politicians will have the oomph to tackle the matter however.
The laurel hedges are still avoiding us, which is a good thing at the moment as a new person has been found to cut the remaining hedges. Same price but he would take everything away with him, and he could start immediately. The garden feels so much bigger as all the hedges have now been cut. He has not touched the height, which I would love taken down but he has very aggressively cut the hedge sides back. The last time I did this the laurel hedges came round to complain so in recent years I have only undertaken a delicate trim. This year there are holes, I can see into their garden, they can see out. (They cut their side hard in the spring). I care not. It will re-grow and after the fireworks I am confident they will not complain. Like most that love fireworks, they are nice people, just self centred, like most of us are from time to time.
On the off chance they do I will major on how fabulous it will look in the spring with all the new shoots and hand them the firework debris that is in the hall (collected from my field and left there "in case").
Now all hedges have been cut the garden and back drive "feel" so much brighter and lighter and joyful.Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!10 -
Good tactic on the laurels!
Lovely that you are getting pleasure from the new look areas, great to gain back space. And the hedges will be back bushy in no time, they need a close cut from time to time
Dxx22: 3🏅 4⭐ 23: 5🏅 6 ⭐ 24 1🏅 2⭐ 25 🏅 🥈2⭐ 26 🥈 Never save something for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. The diff between what you were yesterday and what you'll be tomorrow is what you do today Well organised clutter is still clutter - Joshua Becker If youre not already using a thing you won't start using it more by shoving it in a cupboard- AJMoney The barrier standing between you & what youre truly capable of isnt lack of info, ideas or techniques. The secret is 'do it'3 -
Tentative steps taken towards freedom. Planning consultant of choice came round for the site visit and talked me through what needed to be done. Sadly we may not be able to apply until next spring if a full bat survey is needed so we agreed I would speak to the firm I used before and see what they think as the current survey is out of date.
He went point by point through the preApp letter and he had a plan, addressing each of the councils points (the design is too modern, biodiversity on the site, water neutrality, listed building in vicinity and so on). He centred on get what we can get easily with minimal fuss then if I decide at a later date, I want to stay and do the build, we can amend things, but, for now get the build through if we can. He did listen, he had a plan and carefully explained the stuff we need to do that I did not understand and once I understood he said he had someone who could do what was needed.
I'm not getting excited as I have been here before, but, I am better prepared this time I think and more realistic.Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!16 -
I'm not sure I'd describe it as fabulous. It'll be nice and peaceful though, there's really nothing there.Watty1 said:@northwlesed is Foel as fabulous as I have decided it is in my mind????? (Save me a long trip just to find out please!)4 -
Love all of that ludicrous property except for some reason pic 16 is giving me heebie-jeebies! You'll have to let that property go Watty, deffo got a haunting
I am trying not to be a spoilsport about fireworks but I said to Mr PIP earlier (who is much less grumpy than me) that it feels like it's been constant for about three weeks now and he pondered for a moment then replied that that's pretty much accurate. No wonder everyone in this country is so stressed
Excellent calm but effective plan re the Laurel Hedges
Sounds a wonderful meeting with the planning consultant 🥂https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael5 -
Oddly pic 16 gave me a moments pause PIP (but im happy with a few ghostys around though place so I didn't let it stop me contemplating buying it)
Dxx22: 3🏅 4⭐ 23: 5🏅 6 ⭐ 24 1🏅 2⭐ 25 🏅 🥈2⭐ 26 🥈 Never save something for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. The diff between what you were yesterday and what you'll be tomorrow is what you do today Well organised clutter is still clutter - Joshua Becker If youre not already using a thing you won't start using it more by shoving it in a cupboard- AJMoney The barrier standing between you & what youre truly capable of isnt lack of info, ideas or techniques. The secret is 'do it'3 -
I don't mind ghosties going about their business @daisy_1571 but that picture had vibes that they'd be going about the owners business which is an entirely different thing!https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael5 -
Blue shrieky face emoji once again greatly missed !
Dxx22: 3🏅 4⭐ 23: 5🏅 6 ⭐ 24 1🏅 2⭐ 25 🏅 🥈2⭐ 26 🥈 Never save something for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. The diff between what you were yesterday and what you'll be tomorrow is what you do today Well organised clutter is still clutter - Joshua Becker If youre not already using a thing you won't start using it more by shoving it in a cupboard- AJMoney The barrier standing between you & what youre truly capable of isnt lack of info, ideas or techniques. The secret is 'do it'3
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.2K Spending & Discounts
- 246.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.2K Life & Family
- 260.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards