Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

themadvix

Morning all,

I have been terrible at updating lately, but I think that's probably because I've not much to report (and feel like a bit of a fraud re money saving).

Cheery, I might take you up on that one day - it would be lovely to meet you!

Work continues to be busy (another reason not to be on here) - both my work and the Cambridge stuff, which is great. Have also done a couple of large platform jobs, which is the first time for a while. I'm having a bit of a busy week with cat sitting too, although I've avoided being booked for next week or the week after Easter, which is nice.

We have secured (and picked up the keys for) a rented garage in the next road along - Mr MV is planning on building a tiny teardrop caravan for the Mini, so this will be stored in there as well as other bulky items (kayak and tent, I'm looking at you). This will certainly improve accessibility to our utility room (and get the kayak box out of the living room, where it's been since it arrived!). It's not cheap though (see money saving fraud comments above), although we didn't get one with a parking space, so it's cheaper than it might have been.

Mothers' Day was lovely, although MIL was ill, so it was just Mum and Sis in the end. This means there's a roasting joint in the freezer ready for another occasion.

Conversation has turned to possibility of moving - or at least knowing whether we're going to or not - within the next 18 months (that's the time frame for deciding rather than doing). Mr MV doesn't want to be working until he's 60+ to pay a mortgage, so it's more about considering our options than actually actively dashing out there to look. Judging by the costs of anything suitable/desirable enough around here (rather than just another bedroom and a bigger drive), we would be looking at £600k which is ridiculous and so it's unlikely to happen. We will keep an eye on the market and see what comes up though - we don't want to spend anywhere near that (our house is worth about £350k). We've agreed that it would probably be in our town as we quite like the facilities here - this has made me far less stressed about the possibility of moving, it has to be said. Anyway, it's a possibility 🤷‍♀️

MS things:
* We have both opened cash ISAs (me before the EOY, Mr MV after - in consideration of the fact he is now a higher rate taxpayer and doesn't want/need to put any more into his pension)
* £50 from Nw received this morning with thanks 😁
* PA surveys have been ticking over, despite the busy workload
* Garden stuff is growing well - toms are well up, first earlies in, celery seedlings are up, cukes sown yesterday, lots of marigold seedlings showing their heads, have sown spring onions, carrots, parsnips and radishes, have picked the first lot of rhubarb
* Received my perennial veg from Incredible Vegetables - walking onions, saltbush and perennial kale. Currently these are being pampered in the greenhouse (the saltbush and kale need hardening off before planting out), but I am looking forward to getting them in the ground and having constant supplies. I think the asparagus is also beginning to sprout, which is extremely exciting - 3rd time lucky maybe?

* Claimed £25 WR voucher from RM survey (already spent)
* YLive cheque is on its way

Gratitudes:
* Glorious sunshine - isn't it lovely
* A great weekend - saw a band that Mr MV and I have loved since we were 18 on Saturday night and saw friends and their girls on Sunday at an NT place
* Have broken the back of a rather urgent and overwhelming Cambridge report which was bothering me.

Better get 'back' to Cambridge now before my run of Wednesday meetings start. Have a good day all!

TallGirl

I know know tricky one about spending but still wanting to cut back so you can work less. The garage sounds like a sensible idea as it will get stuff out of your house and make you fell less inclined to have to move immediately. A sleeping pod for the minu does sound exciting do let us know how you get on I would love to see it. 

Well done on catching up with work it is always nice to have that feeling when your total to do list has been ticked off you will get there soon I am sure. 

The perennial veg sounds really interesting I have not really started a lot this year as I got so fed up with the slugs last year and the poor compost not retaining water. 

themadvix

Hi Tallgirl,

The garage will help in some respects, but I think the big issue is location, which is uninspiring. We love our house, just wish it was somewhere with a bit more outdoor space and nicer surroundings (grass verges/trees, less weed-smoking neighbours (not immediate neighbours, they are lovely)).

This is the plan for the camping pod: https://phieldbug.co.uk/ - but we're having difficulty getting a response from them currently 😔 We can always download the design and source our own CnC, but it's not quite the same and Mr MV was hoping they might still have some trailers in stock too.

I am very excited about the perennial veg - anything to be a lazier gardener! Totally understand your feelings about growing after last year's impossible weather and slugs. Can only hope that this year is much better!

Watty1

And now I want a camping pod

TallGirl

That is just so cute I can see why you want to build one so much fun to be had with on of those. 

rtandon27

So nice to hear that work is busy in a good way!

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, that's an exciting project, what fun! 😃

You've reminded me to check for our £50 too 😊I've not seen a letter - but then I have several letters that looked like they were from banks sitting in a pile waiting to be opened, so... 😬

themadvix

Morning all,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, RT, it's great to be busy - it's never guaranteed in self-employment, so there's always a bit of a scarcity mentality. I'm glad you all approve of the camping trailer! Unfortunately we've still not heard back from the company, so it's looking likely that we'll have to source the CNCed stuff ourself (and the chassis).

Work is still busy - it seems never ending - but I am feeling rubbish today, so trying to be kind and take it gently, while also getting everything done. Walked to cat sitting this morning - I would normally cycle, but felt a bit dizzy first thing (I think I have a cold coming on), and didn't fancy that on my bike! It was a good walk though - through the bluebell woods by my allotment and popped in there on the way back too. It looks like the carrots and parsnips I sowed are coming up. Mr MV will be back with the car by this evening, so I may just drive to the cat then.

Also need to pick up a garden shredder this evening - I asked on Freegle as the 4 at the library of things are all either booked out or unavailable (I wonder if they're being serviced?) and we're attempting to clear my mum's garden this weekend. It was a bit of a half-hearted request as I didn't think I'd be lucky, but a man came back straight away and offered two(!). They're a bit further than I'd like to go really, but equally it will make such a difference to our progress that I think it'll be worth it. Just hope I can fit it (I really only want one!) in the car. Expect Mr MV might come for the drive with me as it's a bit further than our usual stomping ground.

R'ford delivery has arrived - I really ought to bring it in and put it away, but just lacking energy (on top of feeling ill, I also had a terrible night's sleep, courtesy of work whizzing round in my head and cat disturbances).

MS things:
* PA surveys
* Dinner last night was a use-it-up special - the fridge is a bit clearer now.
* £2.10 TCB withdrawn
* Mr MV has also received the Nw thank you - into our joint a/c

Gratitudes:
* The birdsong in the woods this morning - I had to get the merlin app out. Nothing special, but listening with that definitely hones my birdsong skills.
* A lovely chat with our neighbour - she was on the way to the bus stop as I was heading out.
* A very appreciative email from a Cambridge colleague - he'd asked me something and I knew the answer!

Have a good day all!

earthgirl2

TMV I've enjoyed reading all about your growing your own successes. I know I'm further north in Scotland but mine are nowhere near as far along as yours, even with the warm weather. I'll have to get back to the drawing board and plant more inside I think! 

themadvix

@earthgirl2 the vast majority is inside (our dining room is looking more like a greenhouse at the moment!) or in the actual greenhouse (which, so far, has been a great purchase - so much more room without it actually taking up more room. I'm currently hardening the tomatoes off for life in the greenhouse - they stand outside in the sun during the day, but I'm bringing them back into the house at night (same with peppers and baby basil). Think I'm probably being too soft really, but the nights are still quite chilly (we had a light frost last night) and they are doing so well I don't want to stunt them. They'll have to stay out in the greenhouse soon though as I'll be getting squashes and courgettes in the propagator and there's only so much room in the house!

The perennial kale I've bought is hardy down to -10 - would that work for you?