More WIRE than FIRE, simplifying, saving and savvy spending

ShyAndRetiring

 

Thank you lovely visitors for bearing with me, I'm sorry I wasn't around to reply earlier. This week has flown by - it’s been my last week in the role, so lots of handover tasks to complete and in amongst all that I realised that Christmas is almost here! Losing the start of December to illness has made Christmas land very quickly! Mostly prepared now though, I think.

Brief round up of the week so far:

Spending

• All monthly bills have now gone out, Christmas spending is mostly on budget, still need to do a food shop and get vegetables in for a few days. Meal planning for visitors and shopping according (mostly) to the plan is helping.

• I’ve reined myself in a bit on ‘extras’ as I was definitely heading for a slippery slope! 3 No Spend Days (NSDs) so far this week.

• We've mostly sussed yellow-sticker time in the village supermarket and have been buying some of the ingredients we need for today's Christmas cooking session! It means we've spent much less so far than we'd budgeted, so that's great and it means a little in hand for anything we've forgotten.

Saving 

• Also spending + saving, I think I’ve saved a bit by bulk buying this month. We’ve a family Christmas from Xmas Eve to Boxing Day with one side of the family, then the same again over 3 days at the new year for the other side so I’ve doubled up on some food and treat items for the first visitors, so we’re ready for the next lot and can take advantage of 2 for 1 and BOGOF deals. 

• I’ve had a long look at my savings pots (and my wardrobe) and have come up with a cheeky plan to save a bit of money in next year’s ‘stretched’ budget. Ever since I first had an income of my own, I’ve put money aside each month for clothes. Current amount is £20 a month, which prefills an annual clothes pot for the coming year. So this year I’ve been spending the 2024 pot I saved in 2023, whilst saving £20 a month for 2025’s clothes pot. I currently have £30 left in the 2024 pot.                  However, looking at my wardrobe, it’s dawned on me that where I’ll no longer be going ‘out’ to work (but maybe WFH down the line), my whole work wardrobe can be reassigned to usual daywear etc. Essentially I’ll have many more clothes than I’ll have occasions to wear them and definitely more ‘going out’ clothes than opportunities to go out                                           So, with no real need for a clothes pot in 2025, I’m going to keep the £30 left from this year for emergency pant-pot-bra-budget-sock-stocks and charity shop finds  my 2025 clothes pot becomes the 2026 clothes pot and the £20 a month I would’ve put by monthly in 2025 can support the overall budget. Once I hit 2026 and things are a little less stretched, the clothes pot saving will start again. 

• Plus, a relative who is approximately the same size as me, and who loves clothes shopping, clears her own wardrobe at least twice a year and passes her unwanted items to me (often still with their labels on) so I’ll definitely have some new-to-me items at some point anyway. It really doesn’t feel like I’m going without in any way, so I’m happy with this plan.

Sorting

• As mentioned above, I’ve sorted the wardrobe (the aim was to find stashed away Christmas presents, but I distracted myself    ) plus I've sorted a savings pot within my Starling for the £20 a month, so it doesn’t get frittered away but used to stretch the budget if we get a tricky month.

Simple pleasures

• I've finished my main role. I've moved straight into Christmas-prep mode so still busy, but I'm already feeling the pleasure of not having to think about going back in the new year.
• Cooking and baking for family and visitors.
• Being able to ask Spotify to play whatever cheesy Xmas tune I want when OH is out of the house
• Feeling a bit healthier now I'm back to being able to walk the dog myself ~ health really isn't a thing to take for granted, and I'm so grateful to be up and about ~ and out!

I hope everyone else is doing OK, wishing you all well, S&R x

Katiehound

You were talking about a 'free' Christmas. I don't do that but I do try to shop for bargains.

With one friend I have the £5 challenge. You are allowed to buy what you want from anywhere-that includes charity shops & car boot sales! It can be worth £5 or much more, that's your choice. This year I bought her a 6 month magazine subscription for C. & b'day @ £9.99. But because her next birthday is a 'roundy' one I splashed out on a new jumper £1 and an embroidery kit £1 and something else (can't remember what!)
We really enjoy hunting for bargains.

One year her son-i-l had a £1 challenge. That's all anyone was allowed to spend & some of the gifts were very inventive.

Another friend has a present of several packs of fruit tea (on date) a Woods of Windsor bubble bath (cheapie shop but expensive item) and they are wrapped in a potato bag that I made for free from black cotton & coloured muslin. That will come in handy to store the 8 pence spuds from Aldi!

Don't forget to suss out cheap treats now & again...

ps If you want to change CT to 12 payments ask the office well in advance otherwise you might miss the opportunity.

 

Humboldt

Morning @ShyAndRetiring congratulations on reaching a new chapter in your life.  It was lovely to read that you already feel a bit heathier as a result of leaving your main role.  I personally found that whilst it does take time to adjust, I have never regretted leaving full-time employment.

Great that you are using yellow-stickered items. I view buying reduced items as a win-win situation in terms of reducing food waste and increasing our budget. This Christmas I did buy one item that was not on my list, a pouch of R0ses chocolates.  Despite having more than enough sweet treats, I felt that maybe we should have some 'traditional ones'.  That said, I'm not going to overthink a £3 (Nect@r price) spend lol.

I wish you well in your new endeavours and a very merry Christmas. 

Savvy_Sue

I think perhaps the best thing about not working at this time of year is that I no longer have to fret about the 'best' day to travel to the family for Christmas! Because there is no way I'd want to do so on Christmas Eve ...

Last year we came up on Thursday 21st, avoiding all the weekend traffic. This year I had a concert on Saturday, and then I saw the Dire Warnings about road chaos on Friday, Saturday and Monday. So we came on Sunday, had a really smooth journey, and are now here for the delights of buying Christmas Dinner. 

ShyAndRetiring

Katiehound said:

You were talking about a 'free' Christmas. I don't do that but I do try to shop for bargains.

With one friend I have the £5 challenge. You are allowed to buy what you want from anywhere-that includes charity shops & car boot sales! It can be worth £5 or much more, that's your choice. This year I bought her a 6 month magazine subscription for C. & b'day @ £9.99. But because her next birthday is a 'roundy' one I splashed out on a new jumper £1 and an embroidery kit £1 and something else (can't remember what!)
We really enjoy hunting for bargains.

One year her son-i-l had a £1 challenge. That's all anyone was allowed to spend & some of the gifts were very inventive.

Another friend has a present of several packs of fruit tea (on date) a Woods of Windsor bubble bath (cheapie shop but expensive item) and they are wrapped in a potato bag that I made for free from black cotton & coloured muslin. That will come in handy to store the 8 pence spuds from Aldi!

Don't forget to suss out cheap treats now & again...

ps If you want to change CT to 12 payments ask the office well in advance otherwise you might miss the opportunity.

 

Hi @katiehound

It sounds like you have lots of inventive fun with your present buying  my sisters and I did a £5 charity shop gift challenge one Xmas which led to really thoughtful gifts. Now we all have grandchildren so we don’t buy for each other anymore, just for the kids. 

Thanks for the advice about the CT, I’ve written in my planner to contact them in January.

Sussing cheap treats is a challenge I’ll certainly take up 😁

ShyAndRetiring

Humboldt said:

Morning @ShyAndRetiring congratulations on reaching a new chapter in your life.  It was lovely to read that you already feel a bit heathier as a result of leaving your main role.  I personally found that whilst it does take time to adjust, I have never regretted leaving full-time employment.

Great that you are using yellow-stickered items. I view buying reduced items as a win-win situation in terms of reducing food waste and increasing our budget. This Christmas I did buy one item that was not on my list, a pouch of R0ses chocolates.  Despite having more than enough sweet treats, I felt that maybe we should have some 'traditional ones'.  That said, I'm not going to overthink a £3 (Nect@r price) spend lol.

I wish you well in your new endeavours and a very merry Christmas. 

Thanks @humboldt for your kind wishes. My well-being has already improved just from the weight that’s been lifted from leaving a difficult work place! As you say, a period of adjustment will follow and I’m looking forward to the possibilities it will bring.  

Glad you’ve been finding a few treats to fit the time of year 🎄wishing you all the very best for Xmas and the new year too, and thanks again for your kind support. 

ShyAndRetiring

Savvy_Sue said:

I think perhaps the best thing about not working at this time of year is that I no longer have to fret about the 'best' day to travel to the family for Christmas! Because there is no way I'd want to do so on Christmas Eve ...

Last year we came up on Thursday 21st, avoiding all the weekend traffic. This year I had a concert on Saturday, and then I saw the Dire Warnings about road chaos on Friday, Saturday and Monday. So we came on Sunday, had a really smooth journey, and are now here for the delights of buying Christmas Dinner. 

Hi @Savvy_Sue that’s a good point you make about travel, and it’s one which also applies to many things, including appointments. Not being chained to the work desk means I’ll have much more flexibility, even if I can do some WFH later on, and will be very helpful when supporting the Older Ones.

So glad you’ve had an easy trip … enjoy your break and your Christmas 😁

ShyAndRetiring

👋 

I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas already. Today’s been spent prepping for family visitors and getting the pup out as much as possible to wear him out a bit in advance of said visitors! 😁

I did have a ‘for goodness sake’ (or words to that effect) moment today when my boss contacted me with work queries and a moan about something he’ll have to do now that I won’t be there, even though he’s not in the office as it’s Xmas break! Don’t mind being helpful but there are limits. 😳

Spending

Pleased to report no rogue spends and plenty of thinking about £££ plans for 2025. NSD goal for this week is 5 as we shall be looking after visitors rather than spending anything. Today was NSD 1/5.

Saving

Trying to forward plan a bit, as car insurance renews early Jan. Tasked OH with getting renewal quote and getting some others for comparison, so we can be ready to go with the best value policy and hopefully save a bit too, rather than leave till last minute and renew in a panic!

Sorting

General household and pre-festive sorting today, nothing MSE-specific really although have sorted a page in my planner for 2025’s MSE goals.

Simple pleasures

• Walked the dog twice today, which I haven’t been well enough to do for months. 😁
• We walk a lot on a nearby meadow and today a Pheasant joined us (well, ran ahead in a haphazard fashion, luckily the pup is more of a bemused onloooker than a hunter) and a very large flock of Greylag flew over, nature is just the best tonic!
• Hamper gift from a friend, with lovely thoughtful touches, feels really special.
• Finishing a festive blanket I’ve been crocheting. It’s a crochet-along pattern which started in November but I got way behind. I also went rogue in order to use up some of my stash but I’m pleased with how it’s turned out. 🤩 It also involved no spends as I used stash yarn and the pattern (and FB group support) were free. 

I think this may be my last check-in for a while as we have plenty of visitors over the next few days. Whether celebrating Christmas or just taking a peaceful break, I truly hope everyone has a lovely time and all the very best for 2025.

🎄Thanks again for all your support, S&R x 🎄

Organgrinder

If all else fails on the renewal front, try quidco's comparison.

If you're not a member you'll get a £20 sign-up bonus plus £45 cash back on insurance if you take out a policy.

I found they were about £5 more expensive than my best quote but with the cashback they were the cheapest.

ShyAndRetiring

Organgrinder said:

If all else fails on the renewal front, try quidco's comparison.

If you're not a member you'll get a £20 sign-up bonus plus £45 cash back on insurance if you take out a policy.

I found they were about £5 more expensive than my best quote but with the cashback they were the cheapest.

Thanks @Organgrinder ... I investigated via my old Quidco but we couldn't find anything to beat our current provider quote (T*sco) so I think we'll go with them. Good point to factor in the cashback too though. I can see me doing a bit of a comparison between Quidco and TCB in 2025, so I get the best cashback options as we move through the year. Appreciate the heads up    S&R x