Away From The Madding Crowd
Hello and welcome to my little part of this wonderful MSE community. For almost 10 years I have read the contents of various forums seeking advice and inspiration regarding a multitude of subjects. The help and knowledge that I have gained cannot be underestimated and there are literally too many people to thank individually. Despite being an avid reader of numerous threads, I have never actually contributed, until now.
So, why now? At the age of 60 years old, I find myself mortgage free, debt free and semi-retired. I feel very fortunate to be in this position, but it was not easily achieved. Since making the difficult decision to leave full-time employment due to work-related stress, I have attempted to manage the negative impact this situation had on my health and our finances. However, I am slowly realising that this new chapter in my life is not only an opportunity to heal, but to also thrive. I hope that a diary will keep me motivated and may even help others in some small way.
I have chosen the ‘Over 50’s MoneySaving’ thread for my diary because I think it best fits my criteria. I am over 50 and intend to share how I make the best of our finances whilst also enjoying life.
In terms of money, my DH still works full-time. I work part-time, receive a small work pension and monies from my side hustle (crafting). I do not intend to share detailed information regarding our finances; however, I will include tips on how we keep within our own budget and how we make the most of it. Suffice to say that some have more than us and others have less. We have enough for our needs.
So, deep breath. Here we go.
Comments
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Hello and welcome.
Motivational quote of the week
Today you are the youngest you will ever be again – Eleanor Roosevelt
Money Saving
Our monthly grocery budget for me and my DH is £200 per month. Total spend for January was £196.82. I am currently monitoring our budget with a view to increasing it to £250 per month because of rising costs.
Collected a £5 M&S voucher from Oxfam for donating unwanted clothing (one item must be from M&S)
Purchased items in the Fat*ace sale. 4 x Christmas gifts at vastly reduced prices (my side hustle makes around £400 a year and this is used for birthday and Christmas gifts), plus a dress for me that was reduced from £79 to £24.
Used a 20% off voucher for my haircut this month
This week’s main menu
I am in the fortunate position to have the time to not only plan our menu, but to cook most of it from scratch. I am not averse to buying reduced items and will actively seek out offers/discounts. Our menu reflects our need to make healthier choices, but how poor life would be without a few treats!
Monday – Red pepper and bean soup with wholemeal pittas
Tuesday – Chilli stuffed peppers with salad (beef mince, peppers, and salad were all reduced in price)
Wednesday – Ping Meal - As above (cook once eat twice – saves time and energy costs)
Thursday – A version of Gennaro’s sea bream recipe using cod with roasted Mediterranean veg (cod reduced in price and frozen until required)
Friday – Italian pasta and bean stew (Taste the Difference back bacon currently £2.50 Nectar Price)
Saturday – Eating out
Sunday – Red lentil and aubergine moussaka with salad
Overnight oats in various guises account for most of our breakfasts. I cooked a whole chicken in the slow cooker on Sunday and the leftover meat will provide a few lunches, together with homemade soups from the freezer.
Healthier Lifestyle
Completed 3 free workouts via Fab*lous50s on You*ube last week
Step count last week is 64,031
Completed 4 free meditations
Simple Pleasures
A bunch of daffodils (98p)
Drying bath sheets outside on the line
Saw first snowdrops of the year
Books read 1/2024 - The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop – Abby Clements (book swap with a friend)
Lunch out with my DH and a wander around a local town that we had not visited for a while
Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read my diary.
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Hello @Humboldt. Welcome to the Over50s section of the MSE Forums. Looking forward to reading more. Have you checked your state pension forecast?
Feel free to read through my thread and the 'How Much To Live On' thread also in this section. The links are in my signature.
Looking forward to reading more.1 -
Ahhh this was lovely to read thank you 🙏🏻1
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Visitors! You are so welcome.
@Baron_Dale having been a regular reader of your own thread and ‘How Much To Live On’ for some time, I finally get to say a very big thank you for your wise words. In answer to your query regarding my state pension, I can confirm that it is in hand. I only had a few of gaps in my national insurance record and I paid my last voluntary contribution last month. Once this payment is showing on my NI record, I will be eligible for the full state pension.
@louby40 thank you for your kind words, much appreciated.
Today’s Simple Pleasure - The joy of a hot cuppa in my favourite mug whilst watching Mr Blackbird enjoying his breakfast on the bird table.
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Simple pleasures are the great ones!
I was thrilled a couple of weeks ago when I saw a wren in my garden, especially as this is a teeny terraced house garden with cats everywhere!
Last weekend I spotted that my bergenia (Elephants ears) had wonderful pink flowers hidden under those big leaves.
I shall enjoy reading your thread.Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything! --
Many thanks
-Stash bust:in 2022:337
Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24 bags, 43 dog coats, 2 scrunchies, 10 mittens, 6 bootees, 8 glass cases, 2 A6 notebooks, 59 cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones, 1 knee blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420 total spend £5. Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82
2024:23 Doggy duvets,30 pyramids, 6 hottie covers, 4 knit hats,13 crochet angels,1 shopper, 87cards=164 £86 spent!!!4 -
@KatieHound welcome and thank you for sharing your simple pleasures.
How magical to spot a wren in your garden. Such a tiny bird which according to Goo*le weighs only 10-12g. I am sure that the splash of colour provided by your Elephants Ear flowers is so welcome at this time of year. I am currently enjoying my flowering Primulas in the garden, all of which were originally bought to enjoy indoors and then planted outside after flowering.
Today’s Simple Pleasure - A glorious sunrise that glowed red, orange and pink.
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your posts really resonate with me @Humboldt. especially the simple pleasure. I have subscribed to your thread and look forward to the updates1
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Today's pleasure is sunshine! Lots of clouds but you can see blue sky... and the days getting longer. Wonderful & uplifting.
I have spotted 2 snowdrops in the garden & shoots developing on different shrubsBeing polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything! --
Many thanks
-Stash bust:in 2022:337
Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24 bags, 43 dog coats, 2 scrunchies, 10 mittens, 6 bootees, 8 glass cases, 2 A6 notebooks, 59 cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones, 1 knee blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420 total spend £5. Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82
2024:23 Doggy duvets,30 pyramids, 6 hottie covers, 4 knit hats,13 crochet angels,1 shopper, 87cards=164 £86 spent!!!2 -
@Scott_Chegg_ welcome and thank you for your kind words.
@Katiehound you came back! There is a shift in the season for sure and it is a joy to observe.
Today’s Simple Pleasure – recalling last night’s clear skies that provided an inky blue backdrop for a myriad of twinkling stars
2 -
yes I came back!
Sometimes I forget which threads are which....or which ones I have contributed to..... (or how I should be doing something other than typing on the computer!!!)
I'll be backBeing polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything! --
Many thanks
-Stash bust:in 2022:337
Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24 bags, 43 dog coats, 2 scrunchies, 10 mittens, 6 bootees, 8 glass cases, 2 A6 notebooks, 59 cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones, 1 knee blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420 total spend £5. Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82
2024:23 Doggy duvets,30 pyramids, 6 hottie covers, 4 knit hats,13 crochet angels,1 shopper, 87cards=164 £86 spent!!!1
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