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2026 - consolidation and calm

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Comments

  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 23,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    That sounds great. I can never find clothes that I like, so I love the idea of making my own, but I know in reality I wouldn't manage it 😆

    "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee
  • PennysIntoPounds
    PennysIntoPounds Posts: 7,047 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper

    We've been looking at retractable awnings to attach to the brickwork for shade and while not cheap, neither are good large parasols and these would give much more coverage, something to ponder. Definitely need to start purchasing things with long term climate in mind these days sadly

  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 23,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    I'd love a retractable awning, but I can't see how we could put one up. It's a single storey extension with french doors and the guttering is above the doors. The patio is only small, so I won't be able to go for anything big anyway - I was just thinking today that probably half the things I was looking at yesterday wouldn't be suitable. I agree though, I'm definitely thinking about how I can future proof things for the future.

    "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee
  • PennysIntoPounds
    PennysIntoPounds Posts: 7,047 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper

    Ah yeah definitely don't compromise the guttering, climate might be changing but this is still Britain 😂

    Maybe one of those side angle parasols that look like what they use to take pics for photo shoots so you can block out where the sun is coming from rather than just over where you're sitting?

  • liselle
    liselle Posts: 400 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Posts

    I wonder if a company that does blinds would have any suggestions?

  • ArtyJ931
    ArtyJ931 Posts: 289 Forumite
    100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper

    I’m planning a pergola and growing lots of things over it to provide natural shade. Could that work?

    DFW info LBM: March 26

    Total 03/26 69,481

    "You put one foot in front of the other and one day you look back and see that you have climbed a mountain" Ready for the climb.💪

  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 23,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    Yes, when we did our guttering a couple of years ago we got the deeper one to future proof against the heavier downpours!

    I've ordered one that can be tilted.

    When I'm a bit richer in the future, I'll probably look into it a bit more. I'd like to do something external for little jwil's room too as it's the hottest in the house.

    That sounds lovely. I'd love something like that but it wouldn't work here. Our garden is only around 5m deep with the patio being around 2m sq. The house behind has huge leylandii against the fence, and as a result our garden gets no sun in winter. I want something that will be removable so that I can still get the sunlight when it's not so hot!

    "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 23,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    PAD (Payment a Day)

    Today's PAD - £7

    Jan - £172

    Feb - £203

    Mar - £143

    Apr - £67

    May - £108

    Jun - £188

    Jul - £7

    Car balance Sept 25 - £11,031 - now £7,408

    "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee
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