Living frugally in 2025......

Justcrackingonwithit

I'm not the most confident of drivers @jwil although am getting a bit better, so probably wouldn't dare drive to the coast, as much as I'd love to.  Maybe that should be one of my resolutions to get braver behind the wheel.  
Glad you are enjoying French on Duo, I think it'll be a bit addictive! 

Justcrackingonwithit

I love going to NT places @jwil although not been anywhere for ages.  I need to look into the membership prices.  I'm not the most confident driver, so although would love to go to the coast for the day, I don't think I'd dare drive that far.  Maybe that should be a new years resolution for me, be a braver driver!  Oh I'm going to get into French on Duo I think, do you do the free version or have you paid for the upgrade?

Justcrackingonwithit

Morning all, hope you're all well.  Another terrible nights sleep here, I was up at  2am watching the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, which was fab by the way!  Made me think I might re-watch them all over again! 

But, it did get me thinking, I've spent far too much time this Christmas break mindlessly scrolling the internet, social medial, TV and haven't done anything meaningful.  I won't say it's been a waste of time, because I've needed the down time and to relax, but I've not felt very fulfilled by it.  So, I woke up this morning determined to start to make the days count.  I've got a subscription to headspace which I've not used for ages, so did a really good meditation this morning, it talked about what you could do to make yourself just 1% happier, it really resonated with me. 

Taking inspiration from @lilian1977 I've started a list of 25 things to do in 2025.....

First on the list is to walk (at least) 25 miles per month. I do love walking, or I say I do, but then can always find an excuse not to go.  So my first challenge is to walk at least 25 miles every month.  I've got the strava app, so will be able to monitor this easily. 

Second on the list is to meditate (at least) 25 times per month.  Headspace do a run streak on your home page so again it'll be easy to track this.

Third on the list is to practice french (at least) 25 times per month.  I can see I'm going to get addicted to the streak on Duo!! 

Fourth on the list is to volunteer at our local community cafe.  I saw a post on social media yesterday that I thought was meant for me to see.  So I will email them before Monday and register my interest. 

That's it for now, I want to try and make the list useful and something that will help me grow, maybe challenge me a bit and push myself out of my comfort zone.  

Right, best get up, early start today as I've got to nip into town.  Last day of annual leave today so I really want to make it count.....oh and I am making a promise to myself that I can browse in the shops but not buy.....

Four_Seasons

Hi, forgot to mention if you volunteer at NT after so many hours you get free membership to all NT properties for a year so if you have time it's a real bonus. Love your '25' challenges you have given me food for thought. Have a lovely day x

Cara_

I like your list of things to do next year. With the driving, perhaps you could break the journey to the coast in to stages so drive a quarter of the way there a couple of times and then a bit further and so on. You'll soon get there and you'll feel amazing when you do.

Good news about the blind and rug and with the other items, we just have to go with it and take the hit - annoying though.

Good luck with compiling your list - I'm interested to see what else you come up with.

jwil

Justcrackingonwithit said:

I love going to NT places @jwil although not been anywhere for ages.  I need to look into the membership prices.  I'm not the most confident driver, so although would love to go to the coast for the day, I don't think I'd dare drive that far.  Maybe that should be a new years resolution for me, be a braver driver!  Oh I'm going to get into French on Duo I think, do you do the free version or have you paid for the upgrade?

It would be a good challenge to become more confident driving.  As Cara suggests, try it gradually rather than doing it all at once.  I'm no real fan of driving so take public transport if I can, but I will drive if that's not possible. 

I started on the free version of Duo but once I knew I'd stick with it I paid for the subscription as the ads were too annoying.  Plus with the subscription you can do as much as you like and are not limited to when you run out of hearts.  I paid for the family plan as my kids wanted to do it as well.

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @FourSeasons that's definitely something to think about.  Car parking at NT places is so expensive, well parking anywhere is.  I'm going somewhere on Sunday and the carpark is 6.00.  I'm hoping I can find some on road parking somewhere. 

@Cara_ I really need to be more confident in my driving that's a good idea.  I've recently started using google maps, even if it's somewhere I'm familiar with, its a bit like a comfort blanket having it on.  I've been down 2 dual carriageways today, which is a big thing for me. I've never driven on the motorway either.....

@jwil Bonjour!  I'm loving duolingo, I did it ages ago and I'd forgotten about it to be honest, but it's coming back to me surprisingly quickly! 

Justcrackingonwithit

Evening everyone, hope you've all had a good day.  Mine has been okay, I've finally managed to use up the last of the parsnips and carrots before they got too bendy!  Made some soup, more soup, my freezer is full of soup!! I'm debating on getting a soup maker, has anyone got one, what do you think of them?  At the moment it's a pan and a trusted stick blender, but I don't always get the consistency I want. 

So I've started early on my 25 miles in a month and walked into town today and then walked to the chemist this afternoon.  6 miles clocked up and I feel better already!

Talking of town, I was very, very good......did lots of browsing, could have done lots of buying, but restrained myself, until I saw a pair of lovely Office shoes, perfect for work, hardly worn and 3.00, so they came home with me.  

Not much else to report, quiet night in for me, and an early night, praying I sleep better tonight.

Sun_Addict

I love my soup maker. It seems to make the soup more creamy somehow. Mine’s a Morphy Richards and would definitely replace it if it died. I do eat a lot of soup for work lunches as I find it quite filling and I tend to make a batch on Sunday to see me through the week. It’s so good to bung in all the ingredients in the soup maker and leave it to do its thing so would highly recommend. 

I can also recommend Get Fit With Rick on You Tube if you want to get some indoor steps done. 

The shoes sound like a great bargain so well spotted. 

Hope you get a better night’s sleep tonight. 

Justcrackingonwithit

Oh thanks @Sun_Addict I'll have a look at morphy richards soup makers.  I've got amazon prime for a month so I'll see if I can spot a bargain on there.  I do love a good soup, and it's such a cheap and nutritious meal, I made lentil the other day and had that for lunch today.  Got broccoli and stilton for tomorrow. 

I think I might have tried a get fit with rick workout, I used to like Team Body Project I think they were called on Youtube too and Fitness Blender.  I always start off doing the Yoga with Adrienne as well every January, but I don't think she's doing one this year.  

Time I was off the laptop, I'm sure this is not helping me sleep.....