Living Large, on a Small Income, by the Sea.

doingitanyway

Thanks @beanielou and @savingholmes

My back is a tiny bit better today. I slept with a pillow between my legs and it seemed to have helped. It isn't the root cause of my back issues, but I need a new mattress. This one is old and I can feel the springs. It doesn't help!  They are so expensive!!

I had a good walk along the seafront and into town.

I picked up some lovely greens at the health shop. The R vegbox was disappointing. I have a credit on the account so will use that up in a box next week, then I will cancel. A local organic farm delivers to the health shop. Carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers and apples can all be purchased organic at Mr L. Between them I am covered. I will buy a Mr L vegbox as and when needed and quite enjoy the early morning walk to be first in the queue. Plus, it costs £1.50, an absolute bargain 

Searched SH shops for a desk and a large bookshelf but no luck. The search continues

A lamp shade crisis has been diverted. Someone here makes them out of old French linen for £45. They are hand stitched and lovely. But I found a silk vintage one in cream for £4 in a charity shop and that also looks lovely so will be sticking with that. 

My cc bill ...Yikes! But there is a plan to clear it, so...

My DL went well and I enjoyed it 
I tend to do well with this unless I do it at night when I'm awful...proof that I have a better brain earlier in the day!

I used a voucher for a NT property after being alerted by someone on here using theirs. I saved £11. I will be visiting a property on Friday, with 2 friends. I am baking a cake and we are taking flasks so we can have tea and cake in the gardens.

Today is the day I will finally finish the small bedroom in terms of decluttering and giving it a good clean.
Other cleaning task is the seagull poo on my bathroom window!
I have the washing under control due to the good weather and everything drying with ease

Threw veggies, a turkey thigh and loads of veggies into the SC and a lovely curry emerged. 

I am in good spirits and relieved that my back did not 'go' it felt like it would...

I hope everyone is having a good day

redofromstart

BYO tea and cakes at the NT place with free entry sounds like excellent value to me. I am still dithering on which one to go to with my voucher. 

Skint_yet_Again

It’s good to hear your back is feeling a little better. Hope it’s a lot better soon. Have you thought about trying a mattress topper? Some people swear by them and some of the good people on here may be able to recommend one. Might be a help short term until you can afford a new mattress. 

Lampshade sounds like a great bargain and glad to hear you are back in good spirits 

doingitanyway

Thanks @redofromstart I'm looking forward to it. 
Thanks @Skint_yet_Again I have a really good mattress topped bought to make sleeping on a sofa in previous 'wanderings' it is made of wool but I can still feel the springs  

Got to the cs early as they had some bath products I saw in the window. Pipped to the post by a woman who put a note in overnight reserving it! I did not know that was an option. Now I do!! In another cs I found some cutlery. Got 12 pieces for £1.20. Looked up the set and they retail for £100 for 16 pieces (Royal. D) Pleased as it can go in the DW. I have knives with bone handles that cannot got in the DW (gathered at various car boots) I want to make it easy for myself when I am hosting. Some less nice metal cutlery in the bag to give away. 

Bins done
Plants watered
Coffee out (treated myself to chocolate covered brazils (£2.10) to go with it.
Scoured places for a bookshelf and a little desk

Going for a walk into town along the seafront. I need to keep moving to stop my back seizing up. Also I want to see if I can find a mattress protector for the spare room as short term lodgers will be using it soon. I've been thinking about cheap, nutritious, meals as I have to provide breakfast and an evening meal. The guidance notes say cereal and toast. So, all breakfasts will be porridge with peanut butter and/or banana. Then, toast and jam or peanut butter. 

Later today I will be baking a cake (polenta and almond) with 3 of my eggs and a wild garlic and chorizo tortilla with the other 3...

It is cold here and dull...but I will still go for a walk...

Hoping all is well in your world 

doingitanyway

Do you remember there used to be a BT advert that always finished with 'it's good to talk?' well, it is also good to get away. Even if it is a day trip to a NT property with friends. I feel I have had a mini holiday! I must do more day trips. I enjoyed the walk to get there (lovely hedgerows and birdsong) the station (beautifully planted) I even enjoyed little things like choosing postcards at the end. 

The bad news is I did not pack a lunch so I came home starving. Luckily I had a slow cooker meal waiting for me 

I am tired now, as I walked a lot and saw a lot.

I looked at duvets and pillows. I want washable anti allergen ones, they are both expensive but look good so I may have to suck up the cost. If I add mattress protectors it adds up to £180. I might have to accept it will cost money to set myself up for hosting...

Tomorrow I have the excitement of an early morning walk for a Mr L veg box, followed by a jumble sale. How is that for thrifty? Later, I will visit a friend. I haven't had a physical paper for a few weeks so will treat myself to one.

I hope everyone has had a good day.

Tresinia511

Your day out sounds wonderful. A much needed tonic for the soul.  I think nice bedding is such a luxury,  and I think you are right to prioritise it.  Remember when you were sleeping as a guest under the roof of others? What a relief to climb into a bed at the end of a stressful day away from home comforts, to find someone has provided this very simple but thoughtful pleasure.  Standards are still appreciated by most.  And consider it as a business cost - one must speculate to accumulate!

beanielou

Sounds like a good wee day. 

savingholmes

Hi DIA - if your credit limit is big enough and you can afford the monthly repayments - I'd go ahead and buy a decent mattress for yourself. It is an investment and should last years. You already have health issues - it is better not to exacerbate them. 

It was one of the first things I did after my divorce but it was worth it. You may also be over-estimating how much a new mattress will cost. I got mien from Bnsns for Beds but there are also the Swedish shop options.

As Redo said - the other bedding you are looking at is a business expense. On the breakfast side of things - if you are having regular guests - I'd offer a broader range of cereals. Not everyone eats porridge. You could get a selection of cheap ones from Lid! or get some of those mini variety pack ones from places like HBargain etc. 

doingitanyway

Thank you @Tresinia511 I was wobbling about expensive duvets and pillows but I am going stick with it. I have been so uncomfortable in other people's beds (although thankful of course) So, I will buy the best. 

I don't have business costs as planning to host under the tax free rent a room scheme. But, yes, I agree, speculate to accumulate 

Thank you @beanielou it was a most lovely wee day!

Thank you @savingholmes for reminding me of the importance of a good mattress for myself. I am going to prioritise one. I will buy it on my cc and allow my debt to go up. I should be able to clear it over the summer! And yes, I will buy alternative cereals too, just in case...

Last week I bought some tortilla from the deli. A small slice cost £7 ish. This morning I made my own with feta, chorizo and mushroom. The whole thing was sub £3 and will serve 6 very generous portions. Already had some with coffee for breakfast   I will buy a tub of olives from the deli as they were gorgeous and I can't recreate those!

I've changed my mind about the jumble sale. I am going to buy a paper and wander along the seafront, then onto a road with a few cs and secondhand furniture places instead. A Saturday saunter, as the much missed @HairyHandofDartmoor used to say

In the background there are church bells. Such a beautiful sound. Happy Saturday everyone

jwil

Sounds like you had a lovely day