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2026 - consolidation and calm
Comments
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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 McGee1 -
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
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'aggressive safety shot' Ken Doherty3 -
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 McGee1 -
I've been out in the garden again this afternoon. We now have a patio that looks like a patio, and a path that looks like a path. Neither are particularly attractive, but at least they are no longer weed strewn.
I've tried to grow lavender many times in this house, and it has never survived in the beds. A couple of years ago, a couple of strands grew randomly in the edge of one of our steps. I have no idea where it came from. It is now a thriving bush! It's in a completely inappropriate place, but it's not going anywhere as I love 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 McGee5 -
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?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'aggressive safety shot' Ken Doherty3 -
I wonder if a company that does blinds would have any suggestions?
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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.💪
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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 McGee2 -
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 McGee4 -
Happy July!
I've ordered my parasol and base. Hopefully it will make a difference.
A bit of interest on my accounts today to add to my PAD.
I've finally requested some leave for the summer holidays, so I'm looking forward to that.
"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 McGee7
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