Friday 13 June 2014

Let's have a natter

Hey my little bloggerettes, hows the money saving going? Have you stopped spending willynilly on stuff you don't need? I hope so. You won't get rid of your overdraft and your credit card bills if you don't pull your socks up and do something about it. You know you can't go on living the lifestyle you want if you keep bashing the plastic, because one day it's going to catch up with you. Best start now and make some decisions. Do you want to be in debt forever or get rid of it? 
I haven't talked much about frugal living, stop spending, living within your means, and money saving, for a while now. To be honest it slips my mind sometimes, I live that way naturally, and I keep forgetting that you are all at different stages with your finances. If you don't have any debt like me, just keep plugging away at keeping your head above water. Watch your spending, study your bank statements, and be careful when you open your purse. If you are in debt and need to make changes to get rid of it, take this as a kick up the @rse and get on with it. No whinging no moaning, that debt is not going to fade away. The quicker you put it at the top of your list of priorities the better. 
Now where was I after that little pep talk, ha ha. Yes, I went to town this morning to pay my credit card bill. Paid on the nail, every month, in full. I took a few books into the Age UK charity shop, and had a look round while I was there. Everything is £1, so there is a good chance I will pick up a bargain. Here I am modelling a pink fleecy, erm, sort of nightie come dressing gown. It looks almost brand new, and fits me like a sack. It will be lovely and warm over my clothes in the winter, not for going out in, silly, but for mooching round the house. I may of course cut it up and make something with it. 
Quite snazzy isn't it.

My friend Barry keeps waking up too early because his curtains are not thick enough to keep out the early morning sun. I thought I would look for some thicker curtains for him. I found these for £1, they are really big. I had to guess the size, these are fully lined. A bargain eh! Sadly they are not long enough. Never mind, I will make some shopping bags out of them.

Here is the pattern in detail. I have enough curtains for my own house, so they will get the chop. The bags will be doubly thick because I will use the lining as well.

Last night was a Tesco Dash night. Haven't been for ages after managing on bits and bobs, so I needed to fill my fridge. I was lucky with the yellow stickers, I saw a scrum halfway up the aisle as they brought them all out. I was in there with the rest of them, getting my share. I got loads of pasta and salady stuff. This is my lunch which I have just scoffed. A plastic box of Red pesto and piquillo pepper pasta salad. I suppose two people could share this but as I got three boxes I ate one in this meal. 
Here is the price, 22p, a bargain. Served with half a bag of salad leaves, five small tomatoes, and two slices of cheddar cheese. The cheese was cheap from the cash and carry as it is about to go out of date.

This is how I mark my receipt when I check all the items and prices. I will be adding this to the page above shortly. Yes, I did buy some Value crisps this time. Only because I haven't had any for months, and I just fancied some. I haven't any potatoes in to make my own, and 66p for a 12 bag multipack isn't too much. I also confess to buying a 4 pack of cider for £2.15, and a cheap bottle of wine for £3.99. Treats for the next few weeks. £11 was spent on cat food. They get what they need, and I have to make do with what I can get,  Ha ha.  

Just while I am in the nattering mood, I've had a letter from my doctor's surgery, inviting me to go for a pneumococcal vaccination. They recommend that all people over the age of 65 have this, as it helps to protect against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. Blimey, I didn't know I was at risk of catching such things. I suppose I ought to go and get this jab, has anyone else been invited and have you had it? I am wondering about side effects, hope I don't feel ill after it.

I'm going to be missing tomorrow, so may not post. Got some family business to attend to. Got to miss the Parkrun again. Last call to Louise in my home town. If you want to meet let me know your phone number in a comment, which I will not publish. That's all for now, have a nice weekend.
Toodle pip

24 comments:

  1. Hello, from Newcastle, Ontario, Canada.I'm so glad that I visited your site today.You have reminded me to stay strong ,continue to persevere as a penny pincher.My DH(dear husband) and I are downsizing and selling our home right now.We are doing this to pay off our mortgage and other debt, so that we can ultimately be debt free, simplify our lives,and find serenity both financially and spiritually.I had the thrift store bug today and decided that instead of bargain hunting I would just stay home, not waste the time, money and fuel.It's easy to get lulled back into acquisition mode and shopping.Really, all I have is all I need.Thank you for the kick!Regards, Destemona Poole

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  2. The only report back I've ever had after the pneumo vax is a sore arm around the injection site. Don't rub it afterwards.

    Pneumonia is a killer in the hospitalized elderly.

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  3. I get the pneumonia vaccination every 5 years so I have had 2 so far. First one was after a bit of a health scare and now it is just routine. Just a bit of a sore arm. Can you get the shingles vaccine there too? In the US you have to be at least 60 to get it right now and I jumped at the chance to avoid or minimize shingles. Hear they are terrible.

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  4. I don't have any debt at all. My spending is always very low. I have to save very hard in the summer in order to pay for calor gas bottles ( have 2 heaters for the house) for the winter. I always pray for mild winters as cold ones mean ice in kitchen and bathroom. I wish the charity shops where I live were as reasonable as yours. Natalie

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  5. Is the vaccine really necessary ? The side-effects really terrify me and I know I'm not up to-date with them but is it worth the risk ?

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    1. From Margie in Toronto - What side effects are you referring to? I don't mean to be insulting and I think you are right to ask questions - but I'm old enough to remember measles, mumps, chicken pox, scarlet fever and even polio - how ill we were and how terrified our parents were. I think folks have forgotten how dangerous these diseases were and it's only because of vaccinations that we've been allowed to forget. I urge you to discuss your concerns with your doctor and get your shots updated.

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  6. We're fortunate not having debt too. I've become a much more careful shopper lately, but you get such bargains at Tesco near closing time...maybe I'll have to change the habit of a lifetime and go to Tesco occasionally! Like you, I have a pink fleecy thing I wear over my clothes in the winter - husband hated it until I pointed out how much heating money it was saving! And also like you, our dog gets what he loves while we have what's the best bargain - usually tasty, to be fair and with occasional treats!

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  7. Your dinner looked very good Ilona and liked the look of your shopping receipt. That night shirt must have been for a rather large person, I know you will make use of every inch of it same for the curtains, I am saving money by not being able to go shopping after my operation and living out of the store cupboards and freezer. I did stock up before the hospital stay knowing I would not be able to drive or go out for some weeks. My next door neighbor is a gem, he comes in daily to check on me and does bring perishable things for me if I need. I have never taken the Pnuemo Vax, I have the Flu one and thats enough for me. I know some seem to get re-actions others seem ok, we are all different. Good Luck whatever you decide Ilona.
    Danneke

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  8. Please, please, please have the jab. My mum has just come out of hospital with pneumonia, it very nearly killed her. It infected her heart muscle as well as her lungs. It came on quite sudden and completely knocked her out. It's the leading cause of death amongst the elderly and seriously ill. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/21969416. Debbie.

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  9. Your dinner looked scrummy..... you are going to be a busy bee with those curtains!! I would agree with the last poster who said have the jab. I had it last year as I have pulmonary fibrosis and have to be very careful about getting infections as they can be very serious for people like me. By the way I did not have any side affects. Kathy

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  10. Loving the new nighty, very snazzy and it will be great in the winter months. Shame the curtains are too small but great for your bag making at least. Can't help about the jab hun. My thought is always prevention is better than cure.

    X x

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  11. Hi Ilona, I've had the pneumonia shot (what they are calling it here in US) and I had no side effects from it. I was worried too but the dr. said there won't be any but you might feel a little sore on your arm where the shot went. I did have a sore arm for a few days. Just thought I'd let you know that I had no ill effects from the shot.

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  12. Love the nightie but you may want to rethink the boots! Well done on the frugal side, most impressive.

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  13. That nighty is going to be very cosy...I love my fleece jimjams!
    Hubby came shopping with me yesterday,he was shocked at prices.$6 for a cauliflower...no, I didn't buy one!!
    Jane x

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  14. I've had the pneumonia vaccine. In the states we get it once we reach 60. I had absolutely no after effects or side effects. I was glad to have it after having pneumonia about 7 years ago--never want to go through that again if possible.
    You should also consider the "shingles" vaccine, if you have had chickenpox when you were a child. At least here in the US they recommend it. To be honest I've been dragging my feet on that one.

    Gail :)

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    1. I have had both the flu and the shingles vaccine. No ill effects from either one. I had pneumonia when I was in my late 30s and it was the sickest I have ever been. Now that I am in my late 60s, I can only imagine. One out of 4 people will get shingles in their lifetime. My husband's aunt suffered from shingles in her eyes for 30 years. Since I've had chicken pox (only people who have had chicken pox will get shingles--it is the same virus), watching Aunt Mary and others with shingles prompted me to have the shot. So, I'd say, take the jab for pneumonia and ask about the shingles vaccine. Pneumonia can kill you--shingles will only make you wish you were dead...FOR MONTHS.

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  15. I'd be careful about the vaccine. I know two nurses working with the elderly who are now refusing to give flu vaccinations because they reckon that they are not effective, and in many cases the patient ends up with a worse - sometimes fatal - case of the disease they were trying to avoid. This is such a touchy issue, but my own philosophy is to avoid disease through excellent nutrition, sunshine, exercise in the fresh air and avoiding stress. I'd never tell anyone not to get a vaccine, but I would suggest researching it thoroughly and not just blindly trusting your doctor.

    Madeleine

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    1. Those nurses you refer to have no right refusing to give an injection that must be ordered by a doctor to be given in the first place. Their job is to advise their patient of the risk and benefits of the injection and let their patient make up their own minds to make what is known as "informed consent".

      I work with the elderly and have never encountered what you have described.

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  16. My SIL was too young at 62 to have the jab. She was taken into hospital with pneumonia which damaged her heart and she died on Christmas Eve of a heart attack. My father also died of pneumonia . He wouldn't have the vaccination. Please have the jab.

    Sue R

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  17. I seem to be living off yellow sticker items at the moment. I try to pop into the local Coop whenever I'm passing just to check out the reduced to clear and I usually come away with something. It all helps.

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  18. My money saving isn't going well, i've got to spend it at the mo.
    I've just bought a car but the added on the road expense of insurance makes it pricey.
    The cooker seems to be on its way out and will soon need replacing but the kitchen layout needs altering to make room for the cooker my wife has her eye on.
    Still, you've got to spend some now and again.
    Dave.

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  19. Thank you for the kick up the bum. My frugal habits and behaviour often need your hand of wisdom to pull me back into line.

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  20. Been following your bargains... do you have "must haves" in your kitchen and pantry? I ask, because I read an article today about 20 pantry and kitchen staples, only four of which I regularly stock. Listed were such things as Greek yogurt, honey, quinoa, canned olives, ground chicken and turkey... even frozen shrimp an herbs d' Provence! By the way, those curtains are going to make stunning tote bags!

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  21. I almost died of Septicaemia while pregnant with my first child at age 22. It was frightening and progresses rapidly. Do yourself a favour and get the shot.

    Love your money saving posts. Always encouraging. Thanks!

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