If this whole adventure (a.k.a. the mad idea) is going to work, I know that I'm going to have to tweak my spending a little bit further. Basically I'm going to try out the financial regime that I'll have to follow now - while I'm still working. If it doesn't work then I know then I've got time to think of other options. The only REALLY bad habit I have at the moment involves coffee shops, cakes and magazines. I love sitting in a window, watching the world go by with a strong black coffee steaming in front of me. Just add a piece of cake and a foodie magazine and that's it.... I'm in heaven!
Yesterday I walked down to the local Garden Centre just for a bit of fresh air. I wandered through the festive section (completely un-inspiring) then decided that a restorative piece of flapjack would be nice. I was just about to buy a magazine and 'do the whole thing' ...when my Small Voice of Moving On squeaked "That's going to be the best part of 10 quid!"
So I came home and made the same effort in my own front room. I looked out some pretty china that I don't use regularly and popped a slice of Plum tart and cold custard on my favourite plate. I made plenty of strong coffee, looked out a Woman and Home Christmas Food magazine from 2006 and sat in the sun in my lounge. It was lovely.
(The magazine also reminded me of some 'old-favourite' recipes that I will be able to resurrect for this Festive season. Can't argue with that!)
Jx
Isn't it wonderful how good special china can make us feel!
ReplyDeleteWell done for resisting the temptation and I'm sure your slice of plum tart and your coffee were just as restorative and it's always nice to go back to old magazines with recipes in or even a flick through a favourite cook book you've not used for a while.
ReplyDeleteOur spending habits have changed completely since I stopped working. When I look back now, I can't believe how easily I frittered away my earnings. I wish I'd been in the same mindset then as I am now, I'd have built up a nice little nest egg with all the money I'd saved. I do still splash out on fripperies once in a while, I'm not too strict with money, but I know what my limits are. It's amazing how some pretty china can make all the difference in your own home, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHello Jan. Nice to see you here on your new blog. Sorry you've felt the time is right to give up your job but it does sound very stressful and your health has to come first. I'm looking forward to following you on your journey. Thankyou for your comment on my recent post by the way. :0) P x
ReplyDeleteI'm here to follow you on your journey! x
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this post so much! You are going through the same process as I did a few years ago when I first retired and before I had my full pensions. I was VERY badly off them and I had to live off my savings. I had to learn to say no to myself and I found that very hard. However, what I want to tell you is that now that my pensions have fully kicked in I have an income of about half what I used to have and yet I am better off. I had been living in a very large tied house but then I downsized when I retired so my expenses went down. I became much more savvy when I spent anything and everything was carefully considered. What really made the difference was that my mind set had changed through that period of poverty. I hope you manage to sort out a way of life which makes you contented.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sensible course of action Jan. I slashed my food budget 8 or 9 months before I knew that I would absolutely have to and it helped enormously.Your treat at home sounds even better than that you would have had in the garden centre. I love looking back through my old 'home' magazines that I've found at carboot sales.
ReplyDelete