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

doingitanyway · 17 September 2025 at 4:52PM

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds the walk turned into 3 hours with friend!

I confused everyone. I am not on WA at all (and don't intend to sign up) DS told me the family WA was ablaze!

I ended up walked bleeping miles yesterday as my friend lost her phone so we had to retrace our steps. At least she found it...

I came back late from a meeting last night.
No new news on the family situation...

I cooked butterbeans. They taste beautiful when cooked from dry. I made a stew

So, I am practising deferred gratification. I have decided to treat myself to the dressing gown at Christmas. I need to pay for some jobs in the house instead

Today, I had the new handyman over. He was nice and I am happy to use him again.

fix air extractor
put up two shelves (on is leaning on the counter) ALL DONE
put up old vintage mirror

A little Victorian shelf I have had for 20 years now houses all my herbs and spices. The whole kitchen feels more organised and it has freed up valuable counter space

I popped into my local cs... I came away with 3 beautiful forks and 4 water filters that retail at £25. They cost me £3. I'm pleased as It is these are little bits of spending that disappear my budget...when I would prefer to spend it on chocolate

I have felt well today

I intend to spend the evening reading and catching up with a friend on the phone

I hope your day went well reader

Seasidegal58 · 17 September 2025 at 10:55PM

I rather like the sound of the Victorian herb shelf......😀

doingitanyway · 19 September 2025 at 6:26PM

Thanks @Seasidegal58 it looks lovely. I'm pleased to have it up

So yesterday was lost in stress and phone calls relating to my family. Sigh. I felt too stressed to even eat in the evening so I had a bath and went to bed.

Today I woke early, had a good breakfast...washing done and out as weather is dry and warm!

Friend called to go out for a coffee. I always feel awkward about just paying for my own so generally pay for both of us but it isn't reciprocated. So..not going anymore, we can go for a walk instead...

The light on the sea was beautiful today. It looked silver and made me happy

I picked up a beautiful small fruit bowl today. I might use it as a large soup bowl (as I am greedy and eat lots of soup) It is Poole and a pale green. Unbelievably I paid 30p

MSE!

Marksies are selling BN squash for £1.50 each. I bought 2 huge ones!

My veggie box continues to be excellent. It is expensive but I will be keeping this going

I have worked out I need to set up an account to benefit from Oct....benefits. I am late to this but will do it this weekend.

Welcome to the weekend

Seasidegal58 · 19 September 2025 at 6:41PM

Sorry to hear that family pressures are ongoing. Hopefully things will sort out soon.

Re your non-coffee buying friend, why don’t you suggest to her that in future you just buy your own? You can tell her gently that you’re on a budget and it would suit you more. I do this with my particular friends that don’t have a lot of disposable income. Occasionally I will get the coffee bill as my income is a bit more but all in all they are happy ( and I think relieved) to do this.

PennysIntoPounds · 19 September 2025 at 7:16PM

Well done on doing walk instead of paying for non reciprocal 'friend's coffee. So nice that you're getting your sea light joy too 😊

That 30p bowl sounds a brilliant find.
I'm envious I don't have similar shops nearby but it's probably a good thing, you find so many lovely bargainous things, I would definitely be overspending. You do so well in only buying the mse bits that enhance your home and life

To what extent in actual reality rather than feeling guilty or left out, do you actually need to be involved in this family issue? Being too stressed to eat dinner is not okay when it's your own sh*tshow, it's certainly not acceptable when it's someone else's

doingitanyway · 19 September 2025 at 7:31PM

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds I appreciate the post. It is hard for me with family as I really feel it when family members are ill or distressed it doesn't feel like 'someone else' However, I am doing well and resisting the urge to overextend myself. And today I feel much calmer about it all (this may not last!)

Thanks @Seasidegal58 for the coffee buying input

if I'm honest I don't want to sit in a coffee shop. I want to be walking by the sea unless it is raining or cold. It has started to become habitual instead of an occasional treat and I am not enjoying it anymore...

liselle · 19 September 2025 at 7:58PM

Very best wishes with the family issue.It is so hard, isn’t it, not to be disturbed by it.
I had a non-reciprocal coffee friend, the problem with that was that we usually went for a walk pre the coffee, when I always got landed with the bill.I cured the situation by not being available,until a charity event came up, where a small donation gave you a cup of coffee as well as entrance.There were a few similar occasions, then, she asked me to meet her for coffee and immediately gave me her share!!It took time but got there in the end!!

doingitanyway · 20 September 2025 at 4:44PM

Thanks for sharing your coffee success @liselle ...you are more patient than me. Glad you both got there in the end!

I spoke to a medical practitioner yesterday and will be trying something new.

Today I met a different friend for yet more bleeping coffee. We ended up going on to a makers market. I bought a vintage cape. It was the sort of thing I rarely see so I bought it. It cost £50. I also bought cake and coffee that came to £11. A bit of a spendy day. That said there were sooo many nice things that I resisted. However I am massively overspent this month and need to rein it in. I am doing ok with food and mostly eating from the freezer combined with (pricey) veggie box.

Rain and sunshine today...

Not as worried about the family situation today...

I used the dehumidifier. The house felt damp and the dehumidifier water collection showed it is indeed very damp.

I have been lazy with To Dos and Frogs as I have been distracted by family issues but tomorrow I will post on both and do a financial reconciliation too

Happy Saturday

liselle · 20 September 2025 at 5:29PM

Oh that sounded like a good Saturday.

Well I’m not really that patient, we are both volunteers in the same place and she was quite relentless in asking me for a coffee date.Some people just never give up, do they!

doingitanyway · 20 September 2025 at 5:34PM

Thanks @liselle it was a good Saturday and took my mind off myself for a bit. I hope you had a good Saturday too.

So, just updating as I signed up for the free electricity sessions from Oct....I only knew about it due to you lovely lot ion this corner of the MSE forum

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

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