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From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future
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Same here - day out and about 12k no problem. Days working from home, now with an elderly dog who puts the brakes on more often than not when I'm trying to drag him out, and it's more like 3.5K.
So I've decided to have a minimum target instead for those days when 10k just isn't going to happen. It balances out over the week if I am doing a 10 mile hike, so swings and roundabouts really.All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.5 -
Just a warning not to necessarily aim high on steps. My daily target is currently set (on my watch) as 7500. However, I do struggle with post-exertion malaise, and some days my limit can be around 500 steps (this is what I was set by the chronic fatigue service a few years ago). So exercising isn't always the right thing to do. Listen to your body!7
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The OT had me ignore steps last year and instead go for time and/or distance, working up to 30 consecutive mins of movement is still the goal, I can get to 10-15 at the moment but in small chunks through the day. On a good day I can walk a mile without having to stop and on a bad one I'm happy to get from the car to the train platform before stopping! It's all individual - there is no joe-average that we all have to strive to be!4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Sep 2038 (reduced by 3 years)4
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This is exactly it - and also remember that stride length, height and leg length all make a big difference too. We mostly recall the lovely Mrs Stripes/Pippi from days gone by over here of course - she and I went for a lovely long coastal walk years ago - digs in tow, of course. On the course of that walk - which was in the region of 7 miles, she recorded 22k steps, whereas mine were only 18k. We're almost exactly the same height, wear to within an inch of the same inside leg trouser length, and yet our stride length is massively different! Comparisons are just totally invalid around this stuff - just because someone else is recording X number of steps that certainly doesn't mean that another person should feel either less, or better than them based on their own count!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her6 -
My Fitbit thinks that I’m walking when I’m driving. So on the days when I’m driving 30 mile each way to and from work, my step count is amazing. 🤣All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.8 -
What did you do with the carrots in the end? It reminded me of the carrot and cashew biryani that I used to make regularly, must have that this week.My mortgage free diary: +++ Divide by Cucumber Error. Please reinstall universe and reboot+++
GNU Mr Redo6 -
Hey sweetie, the carrots are still in the fridge. Yesterday was a bit of a write off in terms of doing anything concrete - we had a bit of a situation at school to address, and I didn't go shopping as intended. The school issue has all been sorted, the member of staff I dealt with is extremely professional, said I was right to follow up the issue and steps have be taken to address the matter with the adult concerned.redofromstart said:What did you do with the carrots in the end? It reminded me of the carrot and cashew biryani that I used to make regularly, must have that this week.
Funnily enough, I have a bag of cashews in the cupboard, as I didn't make R1ck St3in's Sri Lankan cashew & green bean curry at NY as I had intended.
Right, I've got to do the food shop today. I'll admit, I am not liking this having to go hither and yon for 6 things here and 4 things there. But it is only for this month, and it is very much a First World problem, so I best hitch me blooming huge knickers up and just blessed get on with it.
I've a wash to peg out and stuff to do. Only homework been completed as yet this morning. I'm all behind..... best hitch them humungous knickers up and shift-a-tail-feather.
Greying X
Grocery Spend May 2026 £195.52/£200
Grocery spend April 2026 £199.95/£200 +5pence
Non-food spend May 2026 £58.44/£80
Bulk Fund 2026 Month 5/12 - £5.98/£93.54 (reducing balance - start £120 pa)
""Mother Nature don't draw straight lines
The broken moulds in a grand design
We look a mess but we're doing fine
We're card carrying lifelong members
Of the union of different kinds..."
"Union of the Different kinds" - R Christie & T Gilbert, Fisherman's Friends9 -
Best of luck with the laundry, very heavy frost here
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@Greying_Pilgrim - so sorry to hear you had a trying day & terrible to hear that an adult was involved. Hope you have recovered from that situation & have the energy to get back to your usual schedule - being behind is not a nice feeling, especially when it is not of your own making!4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Sep 2038 (reduced by 3 years)3
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Hey RT - we're fine. Whilst it shouldn't have happened, I think part of the issue is - as in any workplace - people get cosy, get 'used' to their work, and follow most of the guidelines, rules, protocols, whatever; and then sometimes they forget, or get overtaken by other factors/emotions and let themselves down. Naturally, in a school, with little kids, the impact of those missteps can be amplified, and potentially have long-term impact. I think the school handled it well - if 'nothing' occurs today, well then it will have been handled very well by all parties (I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but 'nothing' really is the best outcome). This particular individual wears several hats; obligatory, after-schooley, voluntary, departmentally and domestic. I think they may have muddled up their outerwear.........
ed - I count us as lucky. It isn't that warm, but we are in plus figures for the temperature, but the breeze is definitely making it feel below zero. I think (if the rain holds off), the clothes will dry, but it'll be a guessing game to try to pick the point where they are at their driest, before they start to go colder than drier IYSWIM.
So, shopping finally done. Traffic is chaotic as utility companies are 'digging up the road' (P3ppa p1g reference), on at least 2 of the main arterial routes this side of Greying Town 🙄I ended up coming home via the bypass, which did save me time, but meant I had to use a large traffic island and a route that is notorious for accidents - particularly on a Friday.........
I have already altered my siggie, but the scores on the doors are; £16.28 spent in cash - which did include 2 bottles of wine (one lower abv), and some mushrooms and easy peelers from the PoTW. I did also pick up a punnet of their 'plant based' mince. It's not a product I have tried before, but it was 50% off, so I thought I would give it a go for 89p. I think I will make a 'shepherdess pie' with it - most likely deconstructed. The £16.28 does also include the £1.62 and £1.26 i paid to 'top up' the vouchers I spent in MrT and MrS. MrT was far busier today, but with the exception of the 'butter' aisle, I was able to navigate quite well. I did also spend £5.25 on lentilles verte in M&$ - they were the cheapest price I have seen, and I bought 3 bags and that money was from the 'bulk' purchases fund. Siggie amended accordingly. MrS was £5 voucher used - I now need to build up to £2.50 to be eligible for my next MoC, and I used £10.50 of vouchers in MrT. No, I didn't get alot for my money, and yes, I am wondering how the next 3/4 of the month will pan out..........
I did also put fuel in the car, but that doesn't come from the grocery pot anyway.
Ta for popping in and chatting, lovely to *see* you, as ever.
Greying XGrocery Spend May 2026 £195.52/£200
Grocery spend April 2026 £199.95/£200 +5pence
Non-food spend May 2026 £58.44/£80
Bulk Fund 2026 Month 5/12 - £5.98/£93.54 (reducing balance - start £120 pa)
""Mother Nature don't draw straight lines
The broken moulds in a grand design
We look a mess but we're doing fine
We're card carrying lifelong members
Of the union of different kinds..."
"Union of the Different kinds" - R Christie & T Gilbert, Fisherman's Friends7
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