Turning Straw into Gold: Creating Long Term Security & A Solid Home

MillQueen

The rice and lentils turned out ok. I've got another 4 portions.

I'll make the spaghetti and tomato sauce tomorrow as I can work at home.

I might try for a week of this. If I can make it to Friday that will be an achievement.

MillQueen

I was watching something about minimalism that said "everything is junk". Most of what we buy ends up discarded, in landfill, in charity shops, or on a shelf. It talked about how all of the clutter used to be money and all of the money used to be time. It's time over and over, because it includes the time we spent making the money to buy it, the time we spent shopping for it, the the time we spend managing it, moving, sorting, cleaning it. This was a good reminder as I am buying much less stuff these days, apart from necessary items.

I have also been watching the videos from Atomic Shrimp and Money for Couples, recommended on here.

I was hoping to be able to see how much I owe on my mortgage and update my net worth today, but it's not showing the right number on my account yet.

MillQueen

My plans tend to disappear when work gets busy and my head gets full, and work is always busy, so I wasn't able to make the spaghetti - evidently preparing two different types of food was over my limit (I find it hard to do even one 😂). I have managed to bring some of the leftover rice and lentils to work though, so I won't have to buy lunch. I forgot to eat the overnight oats for breakfast as planned, as I rushed around this morning and automatically ate weetabix (hey the plan to automate daily repeated weetabix has evidently worked though!)

I have updated my signature with new mortgage balance (into the thousand and that's very satisfying 😀) and new net wealth. The latter is sadly going to decline a lot over the next month due to the roof repair costs.

A decision… I saw a wooden cupboard on marketplace for £25. it's good value and a lovely cupboard. It would be perfect for at the top of the stairs in the attic. Do I spend the £25 or save it? I keep coming back to what I said yesterday about "everything is junk" but I do actually need to have items at home sometimes 🤔

in_need_of_direction

do you need storage currently or would it just be to house more stuff?

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82019778#Comment_82019778

I don't have anything to put in it. I would be buying it because it's pretty (an old looking one made of reclaimed wood with an arched door, like a vestry cupboard). I think I probably need to say no to the pretty cupboard and pay £25 off my student loan so that future me is better off even without a cupboard. I am looking forward to there being a point where I am debt free and have disposable income to spend on pretty things for my home.

ETA: I have a £5 note that someone gave me ages ago, so i would only need to take £20 out of my account. Not sure. I don't know that it would add much value to my life if I have a nice looking cupboard.

vampirotoothus

Have you a space that you are looking to fill, or have you found a cupboard and a space to fit it?
If it will add enjoyment to your life then for £25 I'd say go for it. especially if you were looking for something. V x

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82020404#Comment_82020404

I don't particularly need one, it just thought it would have gone nicely at the top of the stairs. I decided to leave it, as I am cautious about buying second hand things for my home now. There's always a risk something is going to stink (I learnt that lesson with a sofa), and it's probably cheap for a reason!

MillQueen

I saw a meme that said “when you realise that routines are actually rituals of devotion to yourself and your dreams, they become much easier to follow”. It made me think of all of us and our money saving efforts.

Our future selves will benefit from the habits we are building 👍️

Chocolatefund

That monthly habit that I've developed into a ritual has become my 'Great Monthly Money Shuffle' 😆

So true. It's become a habit for life now.

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022482#Comment_82022482

Aw I love the money shuffle too. Seeing assets go up and debts go down is so satisfying.

Updating my spreadsheet makes me so happy.

I am hoping within the next couple of years all of this will mean I am comfortable rather than just surviving from pay cheque to pay cheque.