More WIRE than FIRE, simplifying, saving and savvy spending

Humboldt

BrilliantButScary said:

ShyAndRetiring said:

BrilliantButScary said:

Lovely to hear from you @ShyAndRetiring. 

You know, I have a theory, that sometimes things happen for a reason. You're WIRE light bulb moment, has enabled you to support your husband through the last few months, which would have proved more challenging had you still been working.

It sounds like your husband is on the mend from his operation and that you have been resilient and productive, whilst supporting him.

I would love to see a photograph of your crocheted item for the house. You never know, one day I might decide to do some crochet, (I have bought a book from the charity shop), but I am a bit of a procrastinator at times.

Thanks @BrilliantButScary for taking the time to comment, I think you might be right there! I'm so grateful that we took the step back at the start of the year. I've still been working part-time from home (across most of the weeks) and it's proved to me that WIRE is the right direction for us.

A photo would be a bit tricky as it's quite a unique item  so it would be a bit identifying but I could DM you with it if you'd really like to see it.

Do take a look at some of the Crochet-Along tutorials online, they can be incredibly useful!

S&R x

I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable
@ShireAndRetiring. I too am circumspect what I post online. 

I was taught to crochet as a child, but have never followed a pattern. I would definitely need a refresher. It did go out of fashion for a long time, didn't it. I remember wearing ponchos and crocheted dresses as a child in the 1970's. We also had a crochet bedspread, made up of granny squares.

Best Wishes BBS x

Morning @BrilliantButScary, this post made me smile.  I recall having a red and white crocheted poncho and a knitted pleated skirt with matching jumper in the 70's.  My mam used to knit the whole family a matching cardigan to wear on holiday.  We must have looked like a photo taken for a knitting pattern whilst walking along the sea front!

Savvy_Sue

Humboldt said:

Morning @BrilliantButScary, this post made me smile.  I recall having a red and white crocheted poncho and a knitted pleated skirt with matching jumper in the 70's.  My mam used to knit the whole family a matching cardigan to wear on holiday.  We must have looked like a photo taken for a knitting pattern whilst walking along the sea front!

Ah memories! Mum bought a 'job lot' of some bright red material with small black silhouettes of people on it. Dad and the boys had jackets, Mum and we girls all had skirts. Very handy when I did get lost on the beach, although telling kind 'rescuers' through my tears that Dad was wearing his people jacket may not have been as helpful as I thought it would be!

BrilliantButScary

Humboldt said:

BrilliantButScary said:

ShyAndRetiring said:

BrilliantButScary said:

Lovely to hear from you @ShyAndRetiring. 

You know, I have a theory, that sometimes things happen for a reason. You're WIRE light bulb moment, has enabled you to support your husband through the last few months, which would have proved more challenging had you still been working.

It sounds like your husband is on the mend from his operation and that you have been resilient and productive, whilst supporting him.

I would love to see a photograph of your crocheted item for the house. You never know, one day I might decide to do some crochet, (I have bought a book from the charity shop), but I am a bit of a procrastinator at times.

Thanks @BrilliantButScary for taking the time to comment, I think you might be right there! I'm so grateful that we took the step back at the start of the year. I've still been working part-time from home (across most of the weeks) and it's proved to me that WIRE is the right direction for us.

A photo would be a bit tricky as it's quite a unique item  so it would be a bit identifying but I could DM you with it if you'd really like to see it.

Do take a look at some of the Crochet-Along tutorials online, they can be incredibly useful!

S&R x

I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable
@ShireAndRetiring. I too am circumspect what I post online. 

I was taught to crochet as a child, but have never followed a pattern. I would definitely need a refresher. It did go out of fashion for a long time, didn't it. I remember wearing ponchos and crocheted dresses as a child in the 1970's. We also had a crochet bedspread, made up of granny squares.

Best Wishes BBS x

Morning @BrilliantButScary, this post made me smile.  I recall having a red and white crocheted poncho and a knitted pleated skirt with matching jumper in the 70's.  My mam used to knit the whole family a matching cardigan to wear on holiday.  We must have looked like a photo taken for a knitting pattern whilst walking along the sea front!

I love it that you call your Mum, Mam!

They were different times weren't they?
Both husband and I are from large families, where Mums had to be very resourceful to 'make ends meet'. Women worked very hard, without the benefit of labour saving devices, and in my Mum's case often had a part-time evening job to help with family finances.

ShyAndRetiring

Ahh what a shared memory of those times we all have @humboldt @Savvy_Sue @BrilliantButScary - it was all about making and mending at the time.

@Humboldt my poncho was orange and brown but my younger sister's was red and white and she was overjoyed because it was Liverpool colours (even tho we live nowhere near Liverpool)!

As you say @BrilliantButScary, it was different times although I think the endurance of such needlecrafts across the generations shows that there's always a place for home made fashions (even if not quite fashionable at the time)!   

Particularly enjoying the shared memory of getting lost on the beach @Savvy_Sue, glad you were safely reunited,  this is exactly why my mum dressed us girls all alike for outings! 

Thanks all for stopping by, and for the memories!   

ShyAndRetiring

Last update for July

Raining here, which seems a bit sad after such a lovely June / July really! Bit of a working and doing week which has flown by, can't believe it's August tomorrow. 

Extra £ / Surveys etc

Ongoing: £6 / £10 so far this week.

Spending

We've managed a NSD yesterday and today, nothing went out which wasn't budgeted for. 

Saving 

Pup has had his nails clipped via the Vet Plan offer, saving us from having to take him to the groomer which would have cost £. We're finding the Vet Plan does save us money at the moment, but aware this may change as he gets older.

Sorting 

• Sorting out bookcases, in preparation for some decorating. Found a few treasures I'll be wanting to re-read if this weather continues!
• Sorting out a few goals to help me keep on top of MSE-ing, which I'll post tomorrow for the start of the month.

WIRE stuff

• Organised log-in for a pension provider - I'll need to log in and complete paperwork to apply for pension which becomes payable in the new year.

All Good Things ...

• After such dry conditions and hosepipe restrictions, the rain is kind of welcome. Always makes me think 'nice weather for ducks' as we live near a duck pond and they're cackling away delightedly when it rains!
• Logging on and seeing lovely chat on here, makes me realise that although I started this to be accountable, I'm so enjoying the connection with others too, thanks to you all. 

   S&R x

ShyAndRetiring

   AUGUST AIMS & ACTIONS

Getting the month's aims laid out here, so I can be a bit more accountable than I have been lately.

Extra funds

• Aim for £10 pw (at least) from surveys (Sat to Fri).

Spending

• Aim for 4 / 7 NSDs per week (Sat to Fri).
• Decorating spending challenge of £100 (see also Sorting section) - rugs are not included in this as that £££ has been sourced from MOT underspend!

Saving

• Find a suitable alternative savings account to replace one which has just matured and downgraded to an instant saver with piddly interest. Move the funds across once opened.
• Monitor fuel spend closely this month and Sept so that:
•          (a) savings from petrol pot can go towards transport cost for wedding in Oct; 
  
•          (b) we'll have a realistic idea of what we're spending currently, which will help with decisions about our next car (have no idea about economical cars etc)!

Sorting

• Sort all cupboards and bookshelves in living room / dining area, as prep for decorating.
• Sort out paint to find the left over paint that some of the redecorating will be done with, as we want to keep the same colour on those walls, just maybe extend the area using that colour a bit.
• Source some more white for walls and ceilings from trade outlet which welcomes non-trade, as it's very MSE compared to a certain orange-signed shop!

WIRE stuff

• Send in paperwork / online form for pension claim in Jan, as the provider has stated it needs to be in 6 months before the pension starts (at age 60).
• Start looking at costs to replace car and make decision about whether this would be best coming out of lump sum due with pension starting in January.
• Run some more spreadsheet / savings drawdown scenarios based on decisions made about lump sum above.

Debt

• Clear 50% of rug debt (currently 0% interest).
• Start looking at costs to replace car and make decision about whether this would be best coming out of lump sum due with pension starting in January.

All Good Things 

I'm truly blessed that good things happen every day for me. However, after everything that's gone on with OH since March, I have had very little social contact outside of the home, and I'm now struggling with this a bit.

So, in August I aim to see / speak to / contact a friend (or one of my siblings) each week. I'm including my siblings in this because although they all live relatively closely (two towns over) we barely see each other lately, if we're not busy with our own stuff then one or another of us is busy helping the Older Ones, which makes it hard to catch up, so I must make the effort.

There we go then! Hope everyone else has an awesome August, S&R x

Humboldt

Morning @ShyAndRetiring I hope that you had a good weekend.  Great update!

Just sharing that whilst I have been decluttering I have traded cd's, DVD's and books with W0rld of Bo0ks.  I just downloaded the app, scanned a few items and left them in my basket until they sent me a further discount code before trading 😉 The amount that they offer is minimal, but given I was just going to pass them to the charity shop or community library, any amount was a bonus.  Postage is free and several options are available, including home collection.

Since retiring, I too have found it important to keep in touch with family and friends in order to ensure that I do not feel socially isolated. We as a family have a group Wh@tsApp and chat, share pics daily. I maintain meaningful relationships with friends who do not live close to me by chatting on Wh@tsApp a couple of times a week.  I leave the house and volunteer once a week, or more if needed. I meet up with friends who live close by every month, sometimes more.  

It's very wet and windy here today so I will be preparing a soup to go in the slow cooker and then enjoying some quality crafting time.  Hope that you have a great week.

ShyAndRetiring

Humboldt said:

Morning @ShyAndRetiring I hope that you had a good weekend.  Great update!

Just sharing that whilst I have been decluttering I have traded cd's, DVD's and books with W0rld of Bo0ks.  I just downloaded the app, scanned a few items and left them in my basket until they sent me a further discount code before trading 😉 The amount that they offer is minimal, but given I was just going to pass them to the charity shop or community library, any amount was a bonus.  Postage is free and several options are available, including home collection.

Since retiring, I too have found it important to keep in touch with family and friends in order to ensure that I do not feel socially isolated. We as a family have a group Wh@tsApp and chat, share pics daily. I maintain meaningful relationships with friends who do not live close to me by chatting on Wh@tsApp a couple of times a week.  I leave the house and volunteer once a week, or more if needed. I meet up with friends who live close by every month, sometimes more.  

It's very wet and windy here today so I will be preparing a soup to go in the slow cooker and then enjoying some quality crafting time.  Hope that you have a great week.

Hi @Humboldt, thanks for stopping by!

That's a very useful way for decluttering CDs and books, thanks for sharing. I decluttered lots via Z1ff1t over the past few years and especially CDs once Spot1fy became more of a thing in our house! I've not wandered back to it since they became WoB so I must take a look again sometime. I too especially like that they pick up from the house rather than carting boxes to the PO. 

A family WA thread is a lovely thing isn't it? It's good that you maintain meaningful contact. I'll definitely focus on the 'meaningful' side of that, including finding the ways which make the communications easier for others, eg: a friend who prefers email to WA or SMS, I shall make the effort to email her weekly and include photos as she loves seeing others' gardens as she is housebound. Our contact is erratic to say the least at the moment, so thank you for reminding me about making it meaningful!

Your slow cooker-ing and crafting creates a lovely snug backdrop against wild and windy weather outside! Hope the weather's improved a bit now and you have a lovely week too!

S&R x

ShyAndRetiring

  Mid-week round up - is it me or is this week just flying by already? 

Extra £ / Surveys etc

• Surveys: £5 / £10 so far this week.
• PB win of £100, which is fab!

Spending

2 NSDs since Saturday and today should be too unless I cave in and buy chocolate later (def a want, not need. I’ll try not to but can’t promise! Edited to confirm that no choc was purchased, so 3 / 4 NSDs.

Saving 

• PB win of £100 has been reinvested into PB (this is our emergency fund and will also be extra pension draw down when we need it from next year). 
• Relative has passed me a bag of clothing from a wardrobe clear out, so my wardrobe is now boosted without spending a penny. Will buy her a thank you gift tho!

Sorting 

• Sorting out wardrobe to accommodate new-to-me clothes, as above. The items I didn't want of hers, plus some from my own wardrobe, will go to another relative who uses Vinted to boost her income, so hopefully she will also gain from it. Approx 20 / 365 items out of here so far and happy with the recycling / sharing-the-love aspect of it all!

WIRE stuff

• I have submitted my pension request to provider, for claiming in January! The 'thanks, you'll hear from us nearer the time' response was a bit of a damp squib but hey-ho, so long as I do hear, all will be good!  Speaking of which ...

All Good Things ...

• The wild geese using the local nature reserve have now resumed their morning / evening flights between grazing and roosting areas. I've just been treated to a fly-past of approx 40 geese in formation, fabulous!
• Courgettes are almost finished now but tomatoes and beans are still going strong.
• OH is yellow-stickering in his shop pops! 

All the best, S&R x

Humboldt

ShyAndRetiring said:

  Mid-week round up - is it me or is this week just flying by already? 

Extra £ / Surveys etc

• Surveys: £5 / £10 so far this week.
• PB win of £100, which is fab!

Spending

2 NSDs since Saturday and today should be too unless I cave in and buy chocolate later (def a want, not need. I’ll try not to but can’t promise! Edited to confirm that no choc was purchased, so 3 / 4 NSDs.

Saving 

• PB win of £100 has been reinvested into PB (this is our emergency fund and will also be extra pension draw down when we need it from next year). 
• Relative has passed me a bag of clothing from a wardrobe clear out, so my wardrobe is now boosted without spending a penny. Will buy her a thank you gift tho!

Sorting 

• Sorting out wardrobe to accommodate new-to-me clothes, as above. The items I didn't want of hers, plus some from my own wardrobe, will go to another relative who uses Vinted to boost her income, so hopefully she will also gain from it. Approx 20 / 365 items out of here so far and happy with the recycling / sharing-the-love aspect of it all!

WIRE stuff

• I have submitted my pension request to provider, for claiming in January! The 'thanks, you'll hear from us nearer the time' response was a bit of a damp squib but hey-ho, so long as I do hear, all will be good!  Speaking of which ...

All Good Things ...

• The wild geese using the local nature reserve have now resumed their morning / evening flights between grazing and roosting areas. I've just been treated to a fly-past of approx 40 geese in formation, fabulous!
• Courgettes are almost finished now but tomatoes and beans are still going strong.
• OH is yellow-stickering in his shop pops! 

All the best, S&R x

Morning @ShyandRetiring great PB win for you this month. Lovely to read the ways in which your family share and help each other. It must feel good to have submitted your pension request, another milestone achieved.  The fact that your OH is yellow-stickering on his shop pops made me smile.  Have a great weekend.