tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post5149871413176438947..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: In a better place. Meanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-75561759340586717502018-03-12T13:21:18.606+00:002018-03-12T13:21:18.606+00:00Hi. No, I haven't thought about that, because ...Hi. No, I haven't thought about that, because I don't know enough about it. <br /><br />I didn't know where to start either. In the beginning, I clicked on Blogger and followed the instructions. It guides you through it step by step. You could make up a basic blog with the minimum of features, a profile, a header, plenty to choose from, then add your first post. You don't have to publish anything until you are happy with the layout.<br /><br />From then on you play around with it, adding more features, changing the colours, and writing more posts. Have a go. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-42775383266802396882018-03-12T09:45:47.511+00:002018-03-12T09:45:47.511+00:00Hi Ilona
Jacqui from Doncaster here. Have you ever...Hi Ilona<br />Jacqui from Doncaster here. Have you ever thought of doing some classes on setting up and running a blog. I'm just starting the preparation for my phased retirement and would love to write a blog on my experiences. I just wouldn't know where to start. There are lots of online courses but I'd much rather sit down with somebody like yourself who has been doing it for years xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17606866817413065591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69626137271228324262018-01-30T06:05:12.293+00:002018-01-30T06:05:12.293+00:00Hi Ilona, We are so lucky you decided to blog 9 ye...Hi Ilona, We are so lucky you decided to blog 9 years ago and are still at it! I think I found you around 2011. I retired late 2012 after working 44+ years (like you). I am no where near as thrifty as you but on the right path and a forever "work in progress". Your blog has been such an inspiration and even though I don't comment very often, I am an avid reader (and sometimes a good student)! Nancy from Northern California Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-90086622113855778512018-01-25T20:37:26.524+00:002018-01-25T20:37:26.524+00:00where does nine years go? according to blogger I&#...where does nine years go? according to blogger I've been blogging ten years next month, not as many followers as your blog,which is still a good blog to read, lots of good advice and common sense,not fake or pretentious like a lot of them are, Jo Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307151386938476266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-19404321142006987282018-01-24T03:37:52.085+00:002018-01-24T03:37:52.085+00:00Julie, I'm sorry you're in such a difficul...Julie, I'm sorry you're in such a difficult place right now. Would it help to think about a job as just a way to bring in money for things you want and need? I wasted many years looking for a job that used my talents and seemed worthwhile (although I did any number of things that just seemed interesting and kept me going). I learned a lot from jobs I never would have considered in my previous life, and met many lovely people who I would never otherwise have known. One thing I love about Ilona's blog is her complete openness to the possibility of things working out very well if you just get stuck in. I hope your partner can also find a less taxing job, and that you can work together to find a way forward that is challenging and interesting, not punishing.My heart is with you. Kate in OregonKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448915588546829312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-77305450938688242332018-01-23T15:06:46.153+00:002018-01-23T15:06:46.153+00:00Hi Ilona, I think it was 2011 when I started readi...Hi Ilona, I think it was 2011 when I started reading your blog; we have common interests, cats, vegetarian cooking and hiking. I admire you for continuing your blog, I'm afraid the one I started is sadly neglected. Life is very different for me now as my beloved husband passed away one year ago. But, life has a way of going on.Jenny, Life Goes Onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02112143265460151248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-70895409911644798492018-01-23T11:06:41.518+00:002018-01-23T11:06:41.518+00:00Sounds bliss Hazel. My friend lived in the flight ...Sounds bliss Hazel. My friend lived in the flight path of Heathrow, we had to stop speaking every time Concorde went over, the noise was deafening. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-67168459027741592952018-01-23T11:04:45.297+00:002018-01-23T11:04:45.297+00:00You are my soulmate, I'm with you all the way ...You are my soulmate, I'm with you all the way xxxMeanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-21698027111530136502018-01-23T11:03:20.494+00:002018-01-23T11:03:20.494+00:00Good for you, Kristel. Cut your cloth accordingly ...Good for you, Kristel. Cut your cloth accordingly I always say. Enjoy practicing for your full retirement from work. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-33495359549042877622018-01-23T11:01:32.011+00:002018-01-23T11:01:32.011+00:00You have good times ahead with extra money coming ...You have good times ahead with extra money coming into the house. Save a little, spend a little on treats. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-32084285364683326752018-01-23T10:19:17.441+00:002018-01-23T10:19:17.441+00:00Happy Blogaversity Ilona. You got me thinking as ...Happy Blogaversity Ilona. You got me thinking as to why I like and read your blog, I think it's because it is so real. You tell it how it is warts and all, give great tips on how to stretch available funds and you always get pleasure out of life. I became a single parent in my late 20's with three children including a new born, my choice, I wanted a husband who was mine and not have to share him with the next pretty face that came along. Life wasn't easy, I couldn't afford to work, but once my youngest got to school life started to change. I always saved something and now many years later I have just stopped working over two years before I get my pension. My husband still works but that's because he loves his work and chooses to. Old habits die hard though, I still budget carefully and that means I can have treats and enjoy my hobbies. I let my husband pay the bills but I don't take any money from him, I value my independence too much. If everything in my life crumbled I can still survive. There is always pleasure in life if you look for it and believe me I have had my difficult times and then some. Keep on doing what you are doing, and thank you.Kate @ Smiles From Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17525561534884021883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-59295481831076990282018-01-23T04:50:10.183+00:002018-01-23T04:50:10.183+00:00Happy blogiversary, Ilona, and thank you for all y...Happy blogiversary, Ilona, and thank you for all you do. I start my days with your blog, and I walk every day thanks to your walking club.Your blog has taught me so very much. We are debt-free, we own our house, and I try to live as frugal as possible. I would love to make meals like you do, but my husband insists on more "traditional" food. From next month on I will get my pension, now we ´re living on my husband´s, and I surely will save every cent of it, because if we got by without it until now, we don´t really need it.<br />All the best to you from Hilde in GermanyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-22149142173135109682018-01-22T22:08:37.319+00:002018-01-22T22:08:37.319+00:00Thank you x the accident this week makes u realise...Thank you x the accident this week makes u realise how quickly things can go wrong. After the operation his feeling in His arm didn't come back until about twelve hours they said six at the hospital. It was a dead weight his right arm, and u start thinking what if it doesn't come back. What job options are open to him then. Scary. Luckily it was fine. I'm very frugal but as we are home a lot we do have sky tv which is a want. Have a few nice job possible coming up. Job hunting seems harder at the moment I used to get interviews most of the time now not so many. Hey ho interesting thread to read.Jouleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747138494777768051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-77161976231254309122018-01-22T21:18:40.576+00:002018-01-22T21:18:40.576+00:00True, so true!True, so true!Onevikinggirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07332629675054714173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51870795493446238982018-01-22T21:15:58.477+00:002018-01-22T21:15:58.477+00:00Congratulations on your blogging anniversary and m...Congratulations on your blogging anniversary and many thanks for all the time and effort you put in. Yours is my favourite of all the frugal blogs I read mainly because of the varied posts and the fact you are living on a limited income whereas some bloggers aren’t. My time will hopefully be my own in another 18 months or so but in the meantime I’ve managed to make a further reduction in my working hours so life is good. KristelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-72197203376204273052018-01-22T19:46:47.025+00:002018-01-22T19:46:47.025+00:00Simplesista beams proudly!
Happy anniversary Ilon...Simplesista beams proudly! <br />Happy anniversary Ilona, you’re a true inspiration,xxxxSimplesistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13790483626848450152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-39835753193233784782018-01-22T19:28:14.924+00:002018-01-22T19:28:14.924+00:00But you would have, if you could have. So sorry yo...But you would have, if you could have. So sorry you've been through that already.My Cottage Diaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17169424355289862453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-43812750395946253842018-01-22T18:37:07.213+00:002018-01-22T18:37:07.213+00:00Thank you VC. Happiness to you too! NatalieThank you VC. Happiness to you too! NatalieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-2602880524307665252018-01-22T18:02:58.476+00:002018-01-22T18:02:58.476+00:00Congratulations on your blogging anniversary Ilona...Congratulations on your blogging anniversary Ilona, it's no mean feat to blog for so long, it's a big commitment I would imagine. Am still checking in most days but don't comment as often as I have to use my old desktop computer - for some reason my tablet will no longer allow me to comment on google account. Anyway, I guess the biggest thing that's happened to me in 8 years was realising I could manage if I took early retirement. I gave up work at 56, far earlier than I'd ever imagined I would, but my job in a big store had changed beyond all recognition and physically I was finding it hard to cope with. Late nights and lots of lifting etc didn't bother me when I was young, but I'd had enough by my mid fifties. Also had less patience with rubbish management and poor working conditions. I love retirement and feel extremely fortunate that I no longer have to work. I'm never bored, there's always something to be interested in. Both my parents died in their early 70's and I know they wished they'd stopped work earlier - I didn't want that to happen to me, I wanted some good years where I still had the energy to do lots of stuff etc. Perhaps the biggest challenge for me is feeling a bit isolated sometimes, especially in the winter when there's not so much to get out and about and do. A lot of my friends are busy caring for elderly relatives or have health issues and so on, even though most are retired, they don't have as much spare time as I because they have families. However I do a lot of stuff on my own and get out to a lot of places, even though I don't drive. I'm a great believer in adapting to circumstances, what might have worked when I was young or in my 40's is of no interest or relevance to me now. <br />One thing I don't miss are the ups and downs of romantic relationships!! I like the calmer waters of later years, I'm done with drama and like being single most of the time.kateonthecoasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891902076668283146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-82253728519862027602018-01-22T16:37:52.273+00:002018-01-22T16:37:52.273+00:00Buying out my ex idiot is the reason I'll be w...Buying out my ex idiot is the reason I'll be working at least half a dozen years more than I intended. It's annoying but I try not to let it ruin my life. He's caused enough heartache and hardship already. Good for you that you are enjoying life despite your ex.VChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326477975870777023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-23464198170927979552018-01-22T14:39:20.981+00:002018-01-22T14:39:20.981+00:00My income has always been low. Every year, I earn...My income has always been low. Every year, I earn less. I’ve always had to be super tight with money. I’ve got none of the trappings of life (apart from a computer). I’ve no mobile phone and I get by with no washing machine/dryer. I can’t have a car. However, I make damn sure that I do lots of enjoyable things - sewing, embroidery, drawing, walking in the countryside, visiting museums. I too had to buy out an errant husband. I was left some money in a will (the main benefactor was the solicitor) and had to give ALL of it to my husband to buy my him out. Natalie Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-91137357196972134042018-01-22T14:24:42.061+00:002018-01-22T14:24:42.061+00:00I Love reading your blog Ilona lots of sensible a...I Love reading your blog Ilona lots of sensible advice. I am certainly in a good place now after moving from a stones throw from Heathrow airport after 79+ years to a lovely little bungalow in a quiet village with a wonderful view.<br />Have enjoyed reading all the comments. Hazel c ukhazel c UK https://www.blogger.com/profile/01638654030434369177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-850151522373372732018-01-22T11:37:47.097+00:002018-01-22T11:37:47.097+00:00Happy Blog birthday Ilona! I found your blog in 20...Happy Blog birthday Ilona! I found your blog in 2011 when I was none too well and had gone from a good salary to living on a very reduced income. Forward to 2018 and I am now working full-time although the job is very physically and mentally tough. I still only earn about half of what I used to before I was ill but my time of living on very little means that I feel rich nonetheless. I'm also married to my partner who I met in 2007 and a grandma to 3 lovely little boys. I too am in a much better place and I'm so glad you are too. We have relied on public transport since 2006 and have just saved up enough to buy a car which should make our lives easier (particular my husband who is self employed and works strange hours sometimes). VChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326477975870777023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-9446841631520663902018-01-22T01:12:18.830+00:002018-01-22T01:12:18.830+00:00Happy Blogiversary, Ilona! I enjoy your posts so ...Happy Blogiversary, Ilona! I enjoy your posts so much, especially your lovely travel pictures and photos of your creative projects, and of course the walking club. My spouse and I had to retire early due to health, but we own our home, and I do some gardening and food preservation to help the food budget (no yellow stickers here in the USA). Our budget is very, very tight, but I love the inspiration to make life fun and creative as well as frugal.AThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13639009477217730886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-81361648579593905952018-01-21T23:21:24.253+00:002018-01-21T23:21:24.253+00:00Ten years ago I broke my back in an accident. My h...Ten years ago I broke my back in an accident. My husband at the same time left me. Lying in bed with a brace on alone, puts life in perspective. Our daughter at university, which was left to me with payments. I did manage to get better, and divorced him. Money poured away from me. I had to work full time with a lot of pain. Kept paying the mortgage and debts, I had to buy him out. Work was stressful and I do believe that I had a break down. Took early retirement, paid the house off with lump sum, paid for daughters masters degree. Now years later I am thinking about me. I helped pay for daughters wedding, and I feel utterly drained with all the paying out I have done. I now live on a pension, this blog has taught me how to stretch it. What could have been with the right husband? Absolutely rinsed. It’s my time now. Thank you Ilona. Happy anniversary.xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com