tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post5997020468121203779..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Never ever give up tryingMeanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-58035109214192271702011-06-24T20:09:41.936+01:002011-06-24T20:09:41.936+01:00Ilona you are amazing and a huge inspiration to me...Ilona you are amazing and a huge inspiration to me. Kudos to you and the way you live you life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-22593805998847648432011-06-21T23:47:10.470+01:002011-06-21T23:47:10.470+01:00You are a wonderful inspiration to those of us tha...You are a wonderful inspiration to those of us that truly enjoy the simple,frugal life.Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-89950769605223372512011-06-21T10:59:20.474+01:002011-06-21T10:59:20.474+01:00Not at all smug! You worked, you played a bit and ...Not at all smug! You worked, you played a bit and you saved a bit. My pension amount is almost half yours and if I didn't have savings I'd really struggle.When I earned decent money I very prudently put what I didn't need away, luckily.<br /><br /> I have monthly amount from OH but mostly it gets given back to him when his business needs it. For me it'd be better if he didn't give me anything! It's surprising how much men eat! Try telling a man the toilet roll rule too. Also, they put toothpaste along the whole length of the toothbrush. <br /><br />I just don't think men have the 'being careful' mentality that women have. OK he is careful about things that affect him directly but just doesn't think about transferring that to household matters. Ah well!Campfirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06573797205145907726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-87872827864153519132011-06-20T21:26:18.723+01:002011-06-20T21:26:18.723+01:00brilliant as always, smug, no, honest yes, just ca...brilliant as always, smug, no, honest yes, just carry on being you<br />Josie xJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307151386938476266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-45012119649782432292011-06-20T21:12:09.968+01:002011-06-20T21:12:09.968+01:00Hi becky, thank you for taking the time to enlight...Hi becky, thank you for taking the time to enlighten me about your life. Very interesting. You say you don't think I realise that I'm not really that bad off. Oh, but I do. I don't plead poverty because I know I'm not poor, I have enough. My combined pension of £8,000 per year is classed as not very much at all here. Yes I have a house, but have to pay all the bills associated with it. I can't sell it because I wouldn't be able to afford to rent anywhere unless I used the capital, and there would be no point in that. I might as well stay put for the time being.<br /><br />I actually think I am quite well off, I don't have much cash, but through carefull management I have everything I need. I often wonder why pensioners are always complaining about their lot, I have a fantastic life, and it's wonderful now I am out of the rat race.<br /><br />It's very difficult to compare living standards across continents. I am rich compared to those who live in the slums of India, but I am poor compared to the jet setters who live in Monte Carlo. <br /><br />It's a shame that people are judged on their wealth, conflicts arise when people see others with more than they have. Which is silly really because even the rich get sick and die young, money counts for nothing.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-46474693242157226942011-06-20T19:33:50.655+01:002011-06-20T19:33:50.655+01:00Fantastic! (No other comment needed).Fantastic! (No other comment needed).Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-28617263179787001282011-06-20T16:07:14.955+01:002011-06-20T16:07:14.955+01:00love this post. love it that you recognize you'...love this post. love it that you recognize you're living the good life. I need to realize and celebrate this more in my own life: "I am already there, I am where I want to be."Dmariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14689601569495984413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-30955588596724249642011-06-20T15:51:32.828+01:002011-06-20T15:51:32.828+01:00Well said Iiona, as always.
I have been intereste...Well said Iiona, as always.<br /><br />I have been interested to see my two sons, now young adults, change from the peer pressured "I want it now!" philosophy into one of being frugal and careful, yet enjoying the simple things. I`m thankful that they and their partners get pleasure from a free walk in the country instead of an expensive day in a shopping mall. <br /><br />Your positive approach is such an inspiration. Long may you stand on your pedestal!Dartford Warblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352965211143836326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49202558127610937972011-06-20T15:43:09.837+01:002011-06-20T15:43:09.837+01:00Another thought-provoking post, I dont know about ...Another thought-provoking post, I dont know about failed projects, the biggest mistake that I made was to think that I could borrow a whole heap of money and then stick my head in the sand about paying it back!! xRebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08683100048095202350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-72584045326967658412011-06-20T15:24:28.721+01:002011-06-20T15:24:28.721+01:00Oh Ilona you are an inspiration...no one should ev...Oh Ilona you are an inspiration...no one should ever think you are being smug...you've helped so many of us change our ways a bit at a time...my grocery shopping has changed because of you...no more mindless tossing things in to the basket...<br /><br />All the little things add up to being able to put more towards my student loans each month...and it's fun trying to find ways to make do and save more...<br /><br />Love your blog and don't comment nearly enough...thanks for helping me get on the right track!kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02779214730910867764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-3828142527887371512011-06-20T13:29:34.073+01:002011-06-20T13:29:34.073+01:00Great post Ilona. I would love to be in your situa...Great post Ilona. I would love to be in your situation but being born in 1955 looks like I will have to work till I am 66 which is a drag as I have so many things I would like to do (inexpensive) but never have the time.<br /><br />However the fact I can read about you doing all these things warms my heart, so keep it up girl!crl2ambhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13024434550798023401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-4553502765211241422011-06-20T10:38:02.856+01:002011-06-20T10:38:02.856+01:00You do talk a lot of sense Ilona!
I think sometim...You do talk a lot of sense Ilona! <br />I think sometimes when people seem to be pouring scorn on us,it is really envy in disguise.Old She dragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13154001132679090442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-84958605939527301702011-06-20T09:48:11.753+01:002011-06-20T09:48:11.753+01:00Wow.. another great post Ilona. Stand high and pro...Wow.. another great post Ilona. Stand high and proud on that pedestal I say!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-10523050246144869802011-06-20T07:46:35.240+01:002011-06-20T07:46:35.240+01:00If only we knew then what we know now, hey.
Many ...If only we knew then what we know now, hey. <br />Many young people could do worse than listening to your advice. It`s only through making mistakes earlier on that we seem to learn for the later stages of life. You have a lot of good wisdom and we all love you to share it! Life is what we make it, and we better learn to make it a good one! Learning is never really going to stop. You certainly have taught us that!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-22295505632447021672011-06-20T04:40:47.118+01:002011-06-20T04:40:47.118+01:00No, I don't think you are smug at all! I drop ...No, I don't think you are smug at all! I drop by now and then, but today you go on my blogroll/blogroll. I really enjoy your blog.Practical Parsimonyhttp://www.practical-parsimony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-4199532140532408442011-06-19T23:36:53.533+01:002011-06-19T23:36:53.533+01:00Humm, I look at posts like this and think that som...Humm, I look at posts like this and think that some people don't know how easy they have it. I am not sure how much money in dollars your "top up" and pension is but I bet it is more than we will get here. We don't have any type of retirement where I work and getting another job is not an option right now. Leaving any job is not an option and mine (for this area) is not that bad. <br />We don't have any mortgage to pay off because we never have had any credit because we can't afford to take on any type of loan. Just paying the bills is all we can afford. <br />Schooling would have been nice but my mother couldn't afford any type of college for us. I did go back to a technical college at 40 but with the economy the way it is now, only the best with the most education are getting hired. <br />Afraid I don't have any projects to tell about where I have lost money because we have never had any money to invest in any type of project where I could lose money. <br />I did get married to a man who I felt was on the right track and he got back on the wrong track and I spent 10 miserable years with him getting no where. <br />I now have a great guy (14 years) and we started all over but basically are still in the same place but we are happy. You don't have to have money to be happy. You can have your bills paid and live in a falling down crappy house and as long as you manage to cover the basics each week you can still be happy. <br />So do I think you are smug, no, I just don't think you realize that you aren't really all that bad off. So there's me being honest. I read a lot of these blogs where people "think" they have no money and I wonder.becky3086https://www.blogger.com/profile/01026872543168452124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-85384271759280300892011-06-19T22:34:14.069+01:002011-06-19T22:34:14.069+01:00Bravo Ilona♥ Brilliant post. I don't know wh...Bravo Ilona♥ Brilliant post. I don't know why but the song "I am woman, hear me roar by Helen Reddy popped into my mind. I have never thought you as smug, you are caring, kind, considerate, helpful, wise and the list could go on. Linda xxxManchester Lass, Now and Thenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04946068658998389838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-83479578943120897802011-06-19T21:37:05.364+01:002011-06-19T21:37:05.364+01:00Great post as usual.Great post as usual.Campfirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06573797205145907726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-84095637901937032562011-06-19T21:27:43.116+01:002011-06-19T21:27:43.116+01:00you never come across as smug at all. I just love ...you never come across as smug at all. I just love reading your blog, seeing pics of your travels and posts like this are really encouraging :)Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08524541468790905722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-58527165591909762612011-06-19T21:05:55.419+01:002011-06-19T21:05:55.419+01:00Magnificent and inspirational. I am new to your b...Magnificent and inspirational. I am new to your blog. A link was sent to me by a friend who I think saw some of what you have gone through in what I am pondering - specifically the route you talk of. All power to your elbow, what a great life you appear to be having and thanks for your MAGNIFICENT blog, it really is inspirational! It couldn't have come at a better time for me so cheers and do keep filling the internets with your wisdom, great tips and great photos.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11163458985188374531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-71795945457424459572011-06-19T18:08:44.815+01:002011-06-19T18:08:44.815+01:00A brilliant post.....you deserve your place on you...A brilliant post.....you deserve your place on your pedestal, jump up whenever you feel the need, it gives you a clearer persepective anyway when you're up there!!<br /><br />I love it that your 'sorted' that you know where you are going and what you are doing. The fact that you strive hard to get there makes the arriving all the more satisfying.<br /><br />Loving your Blog at the moment.<br /><br />Sue xxSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177854521955532744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-80946165951821828972011-06-19T16:50:46.846+01:002011-06-19T16:50:46.846+01:00I really enjoy reading your blog, there's some...I really enjoy reading your blog, there's something for everyone. You're spot on with what you say and no I don't think you're smug. You talk a lot of common sense which is a refreshing change compared to some of the stuff you can come across on the internet these days. We've all made mistakes in life, I know I have. All that has gone before is what makes you what you are today. What doesn't break you makes you stronger. I enjoy reading your blog, viewing your pictures and pearls of wisdom, info and tips, etc. It's like having a virtual "big sister/friend" and it certainly cheers me up to have a browse through if I've had a below par day. Thank you!! Love the photo you have at the top of your blog of the poppies, very pretty.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16889679002939684183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-68998280555056711252011-06-19T16:37:30.031+01:002011-06-19T16:37:30.031+01:00You're not smug. You use your resources wisely...You're not smug. You use your resources wisely and it seems as if you always have except for one or two adventures that didn't work out, but even those were attempts to increase your income rather than just frittering for the sake of it.<br /><br />You're not saying, look I got myself a real shit heap of uselessly accrued debt, aren't I clever now that life is forcing me to economise!<br /><br />You go way beyond me - and I cannot write small to save ink! :O) - but lots of your ideas are truly excellent.<br /><br />Jane<br />RattleboxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-85259191042419419182011-06-19T16:18:37.156+01:002011-06-19T16:18:37.156+01:00Not sure if I have commented too late for you to s...Not sure if I have commented too late for you to see this but I would love more of this kind of advice and wisdom.<br /><br />So many of us (I'm nearly 40) need to reassured that being frugal now is the right path forward... that we can OPT out of this ladder of consumerism and materialism and find contentment in ENOUGH. <br /><br />I read a great quote in the book I am reading. It said:<br />WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME IS ALREADY MINE.<br /><br />Sft xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545087114808861192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69490826603083086482011-06-19T16:11:42.620+01:002011-06-19T16:11:42.620+01:00I couldn't agree more Ilona. We have worked ha...I couldn't agree more Ilona. We have worked hard all our married life and cannot understand the current trend of wanting everything now. There's nothing like the excitement of buying something that you have saved hard for, and looked forward to. We have made financial mistakes in the past, but like you, will reap the benefits of careful budgeting and spending. Enjoy what you have worked hard for and do not feel you have to justify your lifestyle to anyone. I judge people by the way they treat others and not by the money in their pockets. You are fun, kind and thoughtful, an all round good egg. SallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com