tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post4430138697489545463..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Get a life. You have choices. Meanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-64352027632012095112017-08-24T19:46:08.544+01:002017-08-24T19:46:08.544+01:00So right about the choices! We had a goal of retir...So right about the choices! We had a goal of retirement at 55 and making sure that our three kids will leave Uni with no debts. The first two were easy as the tuition fees were none and a 1000 per year. Now our last one is about to go and we will need about £50 000, but we new that 15 years ago so we planned. Despite having top income we did live in a smaller house, had second hand cars, shopped in Aldi and charity shops. Holidays were camping or staying with family. Now we are 55 and retired we have no debts and money in the bank for our daughter's uni. maruchanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01679078576805377612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-64725457945608024552017-08-24T19:07:06.073+01:002017-08-24T19:07:06.073+01:00What a delight this post was! I like how you refus...What a delight this post was! I like how you refuse to be negative and even turn trying situations into learning experiences. Toodle Pip!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15471639876072617577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-63597617770349450772017-08-23T22:39:28.908+01:002017-08-23T22:39:28.908+01:00OH has just retired and we know that life will go ...OH has just retired and we know that life will go on as before: frugally! It has been our way of life for the last 15 years and I love it. Growing our own veg, keeping chickens for eggs and a few sheep for the freezer. We had our kids late in life and have brought them up on very little, but they both know the value of everything, including frugality. Vintage Maisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00929038050028476580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-82434373062071920382017-08-23T20:31:54.269+01:002017-08-23T20:31:54.269+01:00Yes I was brought up by parents who had lived thro... Yes I was brought up by parents who had lived through the last war. They didn't waste anything. If a thing works why replace it? Mum always used to say it's clean and paid for. Like taking cuttings to grow new plants for free and saving seeds to grow plants. Dad used to do all our shoe repairs with stick on soles and metal segs. Mum and I used to knit my school cardigans between us. There's so much waste now, people work all hours but throw half the food they buy into the bin. New kitchens but buy takeaways. Not a world I would ever want to live in.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281954570227946708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-44360358728060409662017-08-23T20:24:55.100+01:002017-08-23T20:24:55.100+01:00Totally agree. I'd rather work less hours and ...Totally agree. I'd rather work less hours and have time to enjoy my home and garden. Time is far more precious than money.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281954570227946708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-19872806197221430822017-08-23T19:15:19.018+01:002017-08-23T19:15:19.018+01:00Be strong and be l<ind to yourself too.There is...Be strong and be l<ind to yourself too.There is a happy life for you to enjoy after such a <br />tragedy.Your partner would want that for you I'm sure.Happiness of spirit is free xflisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-363438189174713122017-08-23T19:06:50.252+01:002017-08-23T19:06:50.252+01:00I could have written your post. I get exhausted ju...I could have written your post. I get exhausted just listening to what people spend money on. I would like some of the money they waste!ALT58https://www.blogger.com/profile/09863561462074785093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-26958198428683693222017-08-23T16:28:21.117+01:002017-08-23T16:28:21.117+01:00I think that for some people it takes ages to real...I think that for some people it takes ages to realize what is getting them into debt. I was a broke child, there were times when my Mom cried because there was little food in the cupboard and she felt like giving up. But she didn't and I still had a great childhood. And that wasn't from getting into debt or having cable TV. We always had used clothes, there was a sack of clothing that went around the neighborhood from house to house for kids to try on (I wish people still did this, so smart). I only ever had new shoes in August to get ready to go back to school in. We had a garden, raised chickens both for meat and for eggs, and I rarely got to participate in those expensive day trips that schools seem fond of (like downhill skiing). Mom did her best. Everyone is different these days though, yesterday I needed a restroom when out so used a coffee shop, you know, those ones that charge $7 for a small coffee that takes a dictionary to order? I bypassed that completely, not feeling guilty at all for using their facilities. My neighbor constantly complains about being broke but is in that coffee shop at least 2-3 times a week. Entitled is how most people feel I think. People need to go back to paying cash and things might change.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-80409437567046766722017-08-23T15:35:16.793+01:002017-08-23T15:35:16.793+01:00Ive just been out with my 18yr old lad whos headin...Ive just been out with my 18yr old lad whos heading for uni in two weeks. I quite enjoyed it to be honest, first time hes gone shopping for kitchen items, and its nice to see him choose what he likes (only in asda mind you) colours etc. There is so much he needs though, and as we have been going along ive pointed him in direction of bigger towels for less, reasonably price items etc, spent a whopping 92pound today, but hopefully it will mostly last the three years or more and we had a lot already in the house. once ive kitted him out and he gets his student finance, hes got to look after himself then, bar a bit of food, which I did with my daughter which worked well. Hopefully they will both be independent strong minded, sensible with their spending.Jouleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747138494777768051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-12135824179243819222017-08-23T10:55:14.653+01:002017-08-23T10:55:14.653+01:00There is something a little juvenile about grown p...There is something a little juvenile about grown people needing stuff they can't afford to impress people they don't like. My brother is like this. He is bankrupt and had his house repossessed. He hasn't learned a thing. Back to his old habits.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222548444777098486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-27376045319108951262017-08-23T10:03:19.510+01:002017-08-23T10:03:19.510+01:00Good points made here, I have to say this, sorry, ...Good points made here, I have to say this, sorry, I have spotted Christmas stuff in shops now. I laughed. I got off that treadmill and merchandiser's dream years ago. Then my determination not to get sucked in to the never-ending 'spend' philosophy spread to every day living. It's a real challenge but well worthwhile. I think Ilona somewhere in her blog said she treated it as a 'game' and one she wants to win: I agree with that. AmandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-17648761098922869462017-08-23T08:55:43.231+01:002017-08-23T08:55:43.231+01:00Well what a timely post, and me with three more wa...Well what a timely post, and me with three more wages, including this month, until I take retirement a couple of years before I get my pension. I was just thinking yesterday of when I was a single parent many years ago, I never went shopping without a list, and stuck to it rigidly, and planned months ahead for shoes, school clothes, and all the essentials that go with having children and running a home. As the years went by and I remarried I got out of a lot of those habits, but we have no mortgage, savings for retirement, and no debts. No halo to polish though, I still spend more than I need, not on smoking and we only have the odd bottle of wine a week, no expensive holidays abroad either, neither do I have a big wardrobe full of expensive clothes or a big car, but it is amazing how much goes on little things. My biggest personal expense is fabric for my hobby, and books, then there is food shopping, we are vegetarian, how do we spend so much? But we do. So I am treating this as a challenge, and I do like a challenge, no more books this year for starters, apart from the one that has been on pre order for six months and is now half price and due out next month, it is rather large and will take a good bit of time to finish though, and I know I will re read it too, so I'm making it the exception. No more hobby spending either, I have plenty to keep me going. The biggest challenge is the food shop, Make a menu, make a list, see how much I can save there, and lets start by eating from the cupboard and freezer. I can see the bank account increasing already.Kate @ Smiles From Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17525561534884021883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51919477894954843592017-08-23T07:55:17.211+01:002017-08-23T07:55:17.211+01:00Hi I agree with everything you said. We have been ...Hi I agree with everything you said. We have been retired for fifteen years have a reasonable pension and manage very well, but I am fed up by peoples comments about how rich we must be because we can afford to travel. We never buy coffee out always take a picnic buy our few new clothes at sales, my coats were my mother's waste not want not. Small things like that save us money to spend on what we enjoy. We are experts at free days out shopping is not a hobby. Continue to enjoy your life your way not how the marketing people want. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-65415042250318761252017-08-23T07:40:26.640+01:002017-08-23T07:40:26.640+01:00Another gem Ilona, I agree with every word and can...Another gem Ilona, I agree with every word and can honestly say I've done exactly the same over the years. I can afford to shop wherever I want to now, but still won't be ripped off - old habits die hard. I do enjoy a few "non compromise" deals with myself, such as always using a certain brand of butter and loose tea and I also mostly buy locally produced food where possible. Those are my luxuries. I had to work full time until I retired and now have a decent pension, but having spent most of my life struggling to keep a home and family going I find my decisions are still based on whether I need something, not whether I want or simply can afford something. Looking forward to "our" next trip together - have you decided where are "we" are going yet? Elaine Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-2951450609549809852017-08-23T07:05:30.988+01:002017-08-23T07:05:30.988+01:00Really interesting post,Ilona. Thinking and planni...Really interesting post,Ilona. Thinking and planning your choices are really important. I love spontaneous but not where money is concerned. Once it's spent, it's spent. I live simply and have reduced what I actually own and buy personally over the years and am more contented and happy. <br />alicesavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395878787684950096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-33582870042402672442017-08-23T04:31:15.395+01:002017-08-23T04:31:15.395+01:00THANK YOU, ILONA!THANK YOU, ILONA!ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376645220662546020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-68381252062644001022017-08-23T01:54:15.397+01:002017-08-23T01:54:15.397+01:00Care to run for U.S. president in 2020? We Yanks c...Care to run for U.S. president in 2020? We Yanks could do with more financial maturity and less negativity right now. Some adult supervision would be nice too. I can hear your answer as you read this, but thought I'd ask anyway. R/TimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-32001716855051189262017-08-23T01:06:13.131+01:002017-08-23T01:06:13.131+01:00I know this is what you do, but thought I would al...I know this is what you do, but thought I would also add, when you buy something you only need to buy it once. Say you buy a set of dishes. You get tired of using the same dishes over and over. So what? Don't buy new dishes. Use the ones you have and be grateful for them. You don't need new. The same goes for anything with which you are tired. Use everything till it falls apart. You don't need new sheets or towels. Use what you have and be grateful. Don't get rid of the old, just use it up and wear it out.tana50https://www.blogger.com/profile/04610911774620693819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-34542130970722814092017-08-22T23:39:06.180+01:002017-08-22T23:39:06.180+01:00Well said! I get quite frustrated with all the se...Well said! I get quite frustrated with all the self induced misery folks are talking about. Our choices in life make a huge difference, both in terms of money and health. It took a me a long time to learn how not to spend money but it is possible, and gets easier over time ;)Traveling Oltmanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15703550588711913428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-16487187169174921612017-08-22T22:37:41.747+01:002017-08-22T22:37:41.747+01:00YIKES £60 a month for a mobile. I have a servisabl...YIKES £60 a month for a mobile. I have a servisable phone and pay £8-£10 per month.Use whats app to send picture messages and the like.If I need new clothes I only shop in the slaes and when jeans become worn patch them. Same withsheets split down the middle and put the good edges together. Hollidays are not on the agenda for many reasons. I live in a beautiful part of the contry so make use of whats on my doorstep. It amazes me what people do and and then bemoan the consequences.I an not advocating living a life of scrouge without redemption just be kinder to yourself long term.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12384910681491031983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69337889698899618602017-08-22T22:33:48.891+01:002017-08-22T22:33:48.891+01:00That's so good to hear - you must be relieved ...That's so good to hear - you must be relieved to live such a happy satisfying life .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-36144870935701602012017-08-22T22:30:42.622+01:002017-08-22T22:30:42.622+01:00Really good reality check. At one time I wanted t...Really good reality check. At one time I wanted to be Emma Orbach but that's so extreme!! I am happy to live my life in the footsteps of Meanqueen instead. Such a wise way to see the world x<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-24794778326093417252017-08-22T22:14:17.927+01:002017-08-22T22:14:17.927+01:00Well said, IlonaWell said, IlonaJo Annhttp://www.minimalistjoann.wordpress.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-88505858873442838932017-08-22T21:49:08.178+01:002017-08-22T21:49:08.178+01:00I come to your blog everyday for a peep and a boos...I come to your blog everyday for a peep and a boost of moral. And, in this day and age with everyone competing for the next 'big' thing and trying to out do one another, I need every bit of boosting I can get. I live the life I aspire to. I spend little, save as much as I can, and make do with what I have. I feel blessed that I can see beyond the fluff and glitter of other peoples' lives and feel no envy or desire to have what they have. At the same time, I am becoming increasingly concerned about rising prices for energy and food. Increasingly, I hear stories of people who have worked all their lives earning an honest living in jobs that didn't pay well finding themselves in housing and energy stress because their pension incomes are not enough to pay for basics. Often these people are women who raised families and found themselves divorced in their later years with no home or financial security. Life can be very hard and unfair. We are not all blessed equally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51915190648125137612017-08-22T21:14:48.360+01:002017-08-22T21:14:48.360+01:00It's exciting to simplify and also to save for...It's exciting to simplify and also to save for something X best wishes col xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com