Rebuilding my life.

ManiacalRed

Thanks for your comments @SandyShores @LzzyIsGod @Sarahwithlove. 
I still have me my s21 so thinking of switching back to that and selling the s23. I know it still works, I always kept my old phones just in case. Never used them. Sit in a drawer for years before being recycled. Thinking on it, it's like putting in some cases £1k in a drawer then throwing it in the bin a few years later. Madness. 
I will have a scroll through vinted for latest prices for my collectibles, and make a wee list in my black book, and report my findings.

Tbh with the cat, until my ex left she never really liked me. Never came for cuddles. Never wanted to play with me. That's all changed now though.

In fact out of all the pets we had over the years, 4 dogs (1 dearly departed, 1 had to rehomed) and 3 cats (one killed by a vets negligence, the other by putting a dent in a car), the first 2 dogs, including my old 15yo pup, were the only ones that were joint decisions.

Over the years I would come home and a new pet would be plonked before me. I look back on it now and think all the warning signs were there. I spent thousands on one pup that he bought on the side of the road while visiting his brother that lives in Kent, we both flew down for a visit, I had to be back at work early so flew back and he decided to hire a car and drive back, I thought I was was a strange decision until i was woken up 3 days later in the middle of the night with a wet face, it wasnt what I was expecting. The list of medical conditions this poor we thing had were mind boggling. In the end we had to rehome him with a specialist service, as being partially blind and deaf the behaviourist said he needed to be in a home with someone who stayed at home full time and preferably in a quiet rural location. I believe he's now in the shetlands. Sorry for going into so much detail, but I have to keep saying these things out loud, so that when I get the odd message trying to worm his way back in I'm reminded of how insane things were. And that currently being alone is far from the worst situation I could be in.

ManiacalRed

A few things going through me head that I have to get out in order to sleep. So I'll be quick. 

1. Anyone get Xmas gifts from a relative that the begrudged as a child, but as an adult you really look forward to getting? For me it's my Mum, the gifts - socks, underwear, toiletries. I know xmas is over but was sorting my toiletries earlier and was just thinking how lucky I really am.

2. Looked at my energy usage, on track for £100 in Jan so long as it doesn't get any colder. Amazes me the difference wk1 1 24 vs. Wk 1 25. If the rest of the month holds true I will use £115 less Jan 25 vs. 24. Moved power cables around earlier allowing me to turn off tvs at the wall. Even if it only saves £1 a year better in my pocket than EDFs. Plus you know the planet and things.

3. Decided that any outdoor leisure equipment I have that doesn't get used this year is getting sold come August. I have a mountain bike, inflatable canoe, and a tent. Either way it's a win-win.

4. I grew tomatoes 2 years ago, potatoes and chives last year. I have a garden and a pile of wood. So gonna make some raised beds and get to work. Might add some salad leaves, and strawberries to see how I get on. Luckily I volunteer at a local community garden so lots of expertise on hand.

foxgloves

@ManiacalRed - I'm a keen gardener & we find that our garden veggie plot makea a very decent contribution to our grocery budget. We do have a greenhouse which facilitates growing peppers, chillies, aubergines, cukes, some tomato varieties, basil, coriander & a grapevine, but we also grow most stuff outside. Last year we grew french beans, lettuce, spring onions, garlic, shallots, radishes, courgettes, squash, pumpkins, rocket, strawberries, herbs, potatoes, most of our tomatoes & tuscan kale outside. Rhubarb obviously comes back every year so is worth having if you like it. 
There is plenty of stuff you can salvage for starting off veg plants. Plastic food trays make good seed trays & yoghurt pots are great for potting up seedlings. Plastic bottles can be cut down to make protective cloches & spread tubs can be cut into pointy strips for plant labels. Once you get going, there's loads of free stuff you can re-purpose. I sometimes wonder why, back in the Spendy Years, I spent such stupid amounts of money at garden centres.
Good luck with your debt-busting. It is so worth it for that amazing feeling when you finally make that last payment. 
F

ManiacalRed

Morning all just a quick one this morning. 
First day this week I've woken without the old pup having left a present for me to clean.
Slept well, kettles on. Now waiting on the engineer showing up at any point from 8-1.
Breakfast will be poached eggs, toast, cereal.
Lunch, what ever I have at the cat cafe.
Dinner, I'm gonna have a snacky one since it will be a late lunch and use up the xmas cheeses and chutneys I have left in the fridge with the crackers and oatcakes I have left over.
Hardest bit today to avoid spending will be pre/post lunch with my friend. Although it's her turn to buy, We always go browsing before hand, and afterwards. And something is always purchased. I'm gonna fill her in on my journey and plans, she's very supportive emotionally which I really need right now. However, she's a teetotal dink with a good, rewarding and well paying job and likes to splash the cash. And although there I never any pressure for me to do so, when someone's looking at a £100 automatic fragrance diffuser it's hard not to imagine how nice it would look on the side table.
While I'm pottering about this morning waiting on the engineer I'm gonna tackle the big boiler cupboard/boxroom. It's the part of the house that's least organised, and has multiples of things I've bought because I forgot I already had one. Or couldn't find it in the mess.

redofromstart

Just dropped in to say good luck. 

We had a really bad run some years back and I found that leaving my cards at home was a really good idea. I had £20 in cash each week and that had to cover fresh food and anything else we needed. It was hard because the boys were little and wanted things but I had no choice. It's amazing how you can stick to it if you really have no choice.

If you haven't got your cards with you then you can't impulse buy. Take any contactless payment things off your phone. Make it hard to impulse spend. 

The gardening sounds like a great idea, especially if you can make it cost neutral. It's the compost that really adds up for me. Or getting suckered into magazines and expensive seeds. Last year my most productive seeds were from a Lidl multipack (6 mini packs for £1 I think) which paid for themselves many times over. 

redlightbulb

How is your rent so low? that's great of course just seems mega cheap even given your salary. 
With the bills I can see it is a tight squeeze. 

vampirotoothus

Hi I just wanted to say harness that feeling of disappointment you got with the phone upgrade, remember how you felt when you got it and then considered the ongoing cost impact, that could really help you with decisions going forwards.
I still have an S21 bought refurbished and still takes great pictures. I agree with your thoughts, maybe sell the new phone and pay it off your debt. 
Good luck with this V x

ManiacalRed

Engineer showed up today in has van got out took a pic of my front door got back in van and drove away.  I called youfiber to ask what was going on and they said he attended the property and no one was home. I have him on my ring doorbell, he doesnt come near my door I was just off the phone with youfiber 25 mins before he attended as I was concerned that time was getting on in my appoinment slot and I had plans in the afternoon, I was told he was on his way, I was on the lookout, seen his van pull up so I secured the dogs, and by the time I got to the door he was away less than a minute had passed I didn't even know he got out his van until I checked the ring cam.
Not best pleased with the set up process, over a month and 4 appoinments, and still no broadband. I have raised a complaint and was to get a call back regarding the engineer coming 2moro but I dont think thats happening.

The going rate for 1 bed in my area is £500, I simply haven't had a rent increase since i moved in 2 years ago. I believe, according to my neighbour, that the flat is owned by a retired lady who lived here previously and rents to me through a small local property management firm, apparently the last Tenant was a nightmare, im relitively quiet, and like to think im a good tenant, I freshened up the flat with a few tubs of paint when i moved in and stay on top of basic repairs and maintenance myself so long as there no cost to me. I grit my elderly upstair neighbours path, take thier bins out, I keep the place tidy,  It's not the best location, on a main road in the rough part of town, but my neighbours in my part of the street are all nice older retired couples, and a few young working families. The best part about my flat is that although it's a 1 bed it's the same size as the other 4 in my block that have all been converted to 2 beds. I have 3 massive cupboards one of which u could squeeze a single bed in with some room to spare if you really wanted. 
Cat cafe was amazing, such a calming experience. 
I did spent £16 after lunch on pluggins and dog treats. 
We're both fully booked till Feb and have arranged beach dog walk with packed lunches and flasks. So that will be a no spend day.

My ex came by to see the dogs and get his packages that he "accidentally" got sent here. It didn't go well, resisting the urge to get my chinese comfort food. 

SandyShores

That's a bit strange re. the packages.  Hope you are okay and managed to resist the urge for comfort food.

You are doing so well, and its great that you can be honest and upfront with your friend, I'm sure she'll support you.  Its only temporary those 36 months will fly by.  Have you thought about some free treats that you could turn to when you're feeling the need e.g. a bubble bath, hot choc with marshmallows, some meditation/relaxing music with a nice smelling candle?  Its just getting out of the habit of spending.

I used to love spending time in my greenhouse in the summer.  Sadly MrShores knocked it down and changed the garden when I met/married him.  It really was my happy place and I'm intending to create a little veg plot raised bed this year so I'll be reading for tips  

ManiacalRed

Hey had a poor day yesterday. The only things I managed were a dog walk, hoover the livingroom, and finalised plans for taking my mum for her CT scan on Tuesday. The rest of the day was spent on the couch feeling sorry for myself. However the plus side to that is I didn't spend a single penny. And used a lot of leftovers. Today, I'm running out the door for work and not organised a thing for lunch I grabbed some oatbars from the cupboard and some fruit, so that will have to do. Fridays always a busy day, and lunch I usually eaten on the go anyway. Will have to pop by Mr Al on the way home from work as I need bread and milk. Have taken mince out of the freezer. I discovered lasagne sheets in the cupboard that are 1 year past best before. But there sealed and look OK and have all the ingredients I need to make a big one. So as long as the sheets are OK I will be making a lasagne.