Back to basics.

Good morning. I had this video in drafts, I store them up to maybe pull out later and use them in a post. This blog started out as a money saving, living within your means blog. I documented my money in and money out, because I was skint and about to finish work and move onto a state pension. Hence the name Meanqueen was born. 

Now I am in a better place because of all my years of being frugally astute. If you can save a few pennies every time you shop, they add up into £'s. People laughed at me for being so tight. Why bother they said, it's only 10p.

I hung around in Tesco at 7pm waiting for the reduced trolley to be wheeled out onto the shop floor. I joined in the scrum with the rest of them to grab my share of what was available. A full load for less than a tenner. I lived on last date food for a long time. 

I was frugal with my gas and electricity usage. Only switched it on when it was needed. Make a meal for less than £1 in one pan. For three years I had no central heating, couldn't afford to get it fixed. Put lots of clothes on first to keep warm. Always on the look out for money saving tips. Buying and wearing second hand clothes. All tips that my mother taught me. Thank you mum. 

I can allow myself a few treats now. I can afford to spend money on a decent car, new clutch a few months ago, and keep three cats, vets fees and food. I had an old garage taken down at a cost of £1,000. I had a new roof on the house, saved up for it, paid £7,000 cash.

I have been debt free for 13 years now, when I paid off the mortgage. But, old habits die hard, I am still careful with my spending. 

I watch money saving videos, because it's wise not to think it's all over. The high cost of living will not suddenly go away, it will carry on creeping up. To keep on top of things I don't take my eye off the ball. Always looking for new ways of becoming even more tight. 

I was on Rip off Britain. I believe that programme is still going. Not sure because I don't have a tele. That's a hundred and something £'s saved a year because I don't have a licence.  

Now is the time to be more vigilant as the Government tries to force everyone onto Central Bank Digital Currency. There are so many scams out there. I keep my banking simple. One account, paper statement once a month, two direct debits a month, pay everything I can with cash. 

Try this video as a reminder that it's still important to watch the pennies. 

Thanks for popping in. Have a good, cheap, weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Going for gold

Good morning. It's a bit dull and cold outside at the moment, but there is a good chance it might brighten up later. I want to go out, there is a local 'do' on so maybe a short drive out this afternoon. 

Keeping track of personal finances is quite a simple affair. It is for me because I follow my mum's golden rules. If you can't afford it you can't have it. If the purse is empty there is no money left. If you don't need it, you don't buy it. Wants have to wait until later, after all the needs have been covered by the money you have coming into the house. Knowing the difference between a need and a want is paramount. If you can't work out those basic principles you are going to fail. 

This is a simple way of looking at things. It starts getting complicated if you are easily influenced by watching others, how they live their lives, and why shouldn't you have a new sofa because next door have just had one delivered. 

We are bombarded by influential advertising. It take a person with a strong resolve not to get sucked in by the hype. I remember the first time I got seduced in by a window display in a fashion shop. There was the most gorgeous camel coloured trouser suit in a prominent position at the front. It was beckoning to me. I so wanted it, but I didn't have enough money. I asked my mum if she would come to the shop with me, and sign as a guarantor so I could pay for it over a period of weeks. She agreed. Every pay day I walked across the road to hand over the agreed amount and was chuffed when I had paid it off. That was a learning curve because other spending had to stop until the debt was paid. I never did that again, until I had to get a mortgage to buy my first house. 

My simple way of managing my finances is easy to comprehend. But the further along the line you get, the bigger the company, the much larger amounts owned by large corporations, is when it gets incredibly complicated. 

People ask me 'who are they', when I talk about the Globalists who are poised to take control of every aspect of our lives. I don't understand all of it but I am trying to educate myself. From what I understand Blackrock owns just about everything. Along with Vanguard, the Rockefeller Foundation, and others. They market themselves as Philanthropic Organisations. You need to read up about them to form your own opinions. 

To cut to the chase, because I have things to do today, take a look at this video. It explains a lot. 

Here is a description

.

BlackRock and other financial giants are quietly remonetizing gold—not to stabilize the dollar, but to profit from its collapse. In this video, I break down how gold is being used as collateral to create money, how BlackRock is positioning itself to benefit from both war and economic crisis, and why they’re stockpiling gold and silver like never before. Former BlackRock insiders are sounding the alarm. The Federal Reserve is trapped. And war in the Middle East could trigger the next financial reset. Are you ready? 

I have a video coming out later on to show my shopping haul from Aldi. What did I spend my money on. If only the worlds finances are that simple, but they are not. All we can do is put our own house in order, even when all around us crumbles.

Catch ya later. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Comparisons (edited)

 Remember my photo from 26th April? I was walking past the factory in Hull where they make wind turbines. How the heck do they transport these huge columns and the blades. Obviously they have to be assembled onsite. But where. 

There they go. On a boat and out to sea. These photo's popped up on my screen. 

Photo credit - Fort Paull Battery Heritage Site. 

Photo credit - Alex Russell. 

Photo credit - Craig Marriott. 

Another platform in the North Sea. All part of the sustainable energy plan. I wonder what happens to them once they have reached the end of their useful life. I have seen photo's of the blades being buried in the desert in some far away land. It would be interesting to know in 50 years time, if it all had been worth it, compared to other forms of energy. Cost of manufacturing them, cost of transportation, cost of maintaining them, and cost of disposing of them. Will they be dismantled and brought back onto land and recycled, or dumped. Has it saved the planet. I wonder if they have even worked out the true cost. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

YAY, I found some answers. Read Watt-Logic.  Basically they are robbing us blind in the push to line their own pockets. 

New report: The true affordability of net zero

My report sets out all of the additional costs applied to bills as a result of net zero policies which in 2023-24 amounted to over £17 billion, and are projected to increase to over £20 billion per year in 2029-30.

In the meantime, the UK wastes large amounts of money through a failure to properly manage net zero investment. Windfarms have been deliberately built behind grid constraints in the knowledge that the electricity they produce cannot all be used.

Renewables are not and never will be cheap

The public has been seduced by narratives that renewables are cheap, believing them because the wind and the sun are “free”, and ignoring the fact that the machines necessary to convert their energy to electricity are very far from being free, and for the most part are actually very expensive. That renewables are not cheap should be clear, based both on the evidence that after 35 years of subsidies, we are yet to see any benefits through lower bills.

Money saving revisited

Good morning. It's looking dull outside. Oscar cat was waiting at the back door to come in as usual. He has his beds in the garden and likes it out there. Now he has eaten and settled down for a snooze on the pile of maps on the desk in the small bedroom. Micky is having a lie in on my bed. I have served breakfast, he will eat it when he is ready. Mayze is still asleep on the posh office chair. Her breakfast is next to her on the table, when she can be bothered to open her eyes and get it. 

I recorded this video yesterday. Someone asked me how they can save money. A 22 year old living in London is struggling to make ends meet. I passed on what I know. There is no quick and easy fix. It needs a change of mindset. The problem youngsters have today is that their parents are not like the parents we had a long time ago. Everything is moving at a much faster pace. The internet has pickled people's brains. Spending now takes no effort at all. It's all there at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a screen. 

I put this on my channel last night and there has been a good response. If you go over there and watch it subscribers have added their own money saving tips. Click on youtube on bottom right.  

For those who don't need money saving tips, I'll pop these photo's on here. I took them on Thursday while I was out researching suitable park-ups. My version of course, not to be taken seriously. 

The last two photo's are upside down. Pointing the camera down into the water to capture the reflections. 

Todays task is washing the car and cleaning it inside. Not looking forward to that. I need to take it to my garage for an inspection. There is a problem with the clutch. The outcome of the inspection will depend on the cost of the repair. Do I hang on to the Focus, or do I search for another car. At least finding a replacement is sort of easy with the internet. The new one will be exactly what I want. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

A DIY haircut

All you need is a pair of scissors, a hairbrush, and two mirrors. Free haircut at the Back Door Salon. 

Not bad if I say so myself. The long hair was wearing me down. Didn't suit me, difficult to manage, getting tangled, needs lots of brushing. Now all I have to do is run my fingers through it. Much easier to manage. 

Visitors to the garden this morning. The ducks are back. Had their breakfast then flew off. Hope they keep coming. 

The weather has been awful today. Wind and rain. I have been working on the Mandala. Almost finished. Thank goodness for arts and crafts and sewing and yoootooob. Indoor hobbies are a godsend through the winter months. 

More interesting posts from Rachel. Go and have a look. 

Thanks for popping in. Rushing this, Mayze is waiting for her night time cuddle. 

Toodle pip.  

Hair today

I put this video out today. What do you think? Curling tongues from a charity shop £3. Is curly hair  better. It's such a faff. In my face, in my mouth. Don't like it tied back, uncomfortable pulling on my scalp.  

Stuff it, let's get it off. 

Dinner tonight. Sweet and sour stir fry. Mushrooms, broccoli, spring onions, spinach, noodles, and a cheese and onion roll in the pan to warm it through. Blooming lovely.  

An interesting post on Rachels blog today. You might want to have a look. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Have a good Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Hair removal.

Washing pet beds, or even your own bedding if a pet has been sleeping on it, can clog up your washing machine with gunge as the hairs become massive hairballs and block the filters. Best to get rid of it first. I use an old washing up brush to gather up the hairs, then give them a good shake outside before putting the items in the machine. 

Could save you money in the long run, by not having to call out someone to sort out a machine that has ground to a halt, and is leaking all over the floor. 

That's all. Toodle pip.   ilona

Money saving at it's best.

We always wore hand me down clothes when we were kids. Mum got them from rummage sales. Family passed on those which no longer fit, to be worn by someone smaller and younger. I got my aunties clothes because she was six years older than me. 

Charity shops have pretty much taken over the second hand clothes market now. There are some people who would not step inside one. Sad really that so many turn their nose up at wearing something that someone else has worn before. I don't care as long as the garment is clean.

But what do you do with something that is well beyond it's expiry date? It's stained, it looks scruffy, and it is not worth putting it in the washer to get a bit longer out of it.  

Mayze cat is not bothered, she will lie on anything. The fleecy top cost me £1 years ago. Now on it's third life. Next stop maybe the bin. Or should I cut it up and stuff a cushion with it? 

A sunny start to the day here. Enjoy your Friday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Save your money.

Are you thinking about getting an electric car? If yes, please watch this first. It could save you a lot of money. Have you swallowed the bullshit like this man did, and bought one anyway, beware. 

Best stick with petrol. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Get rid of it.

Here is a short pep talk from me. If you have debt it will bog you down. If you don't pay it off it will escalate and become bigger and bigger. Interest rates will mount up. Throw every spare penny you have at your debt. Make it a New year Resolution to get rid of it. 

When it has gone you can enjoy your debt free freedom. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Contracts

 Martin Lewis says. . . . . . . . . . 

Mid contract price hikes on broadband & mobile:

Ofcom just announced a proposal "to introduce a new rule requiring that any price written into a customer’s contract would need to be set out in pounds and pence, prominently and transparently, at the point of sale."

This is a definite improvement, though based on this proposal I'll be asking it to consider changing it so the rise should always be the "lower of CPI inflation or a fixed pounds and pence smount" so the rises can never be above inflation. Clearly another option is ban mid-contract rises (though that may inflate the initial contract price) but I'm guessing its decided against that, so tweaking what it proposes is the most likely influencing point

I won't have a mobile phone contract. Pay as you go suits me, top up when the credit gets low. Only need it for texts and phone calls. My home broadband is tied in with my landline.  

Video coming later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Can you afford it.

Start the day with making a video. My response to a comment on my channel. 

I've been busy sorting and pricing up my artworks for the Christmas fair tomorrow in the Village Hall. I haven't booked a stall, because I don't want to appear desperate for sales as I stand in one place hoping that someone comes along and shoves a few quid in my hand. Instead, I have volunteered to be the meet and greet person at the door as the visitors arrive. I will have a clicker and tot up how many cross the threshold. My pictures will be scattered behind me on the bookshelves and laid on the desk, and any other places I can put them on display. I will make no attempt to sell them. If someone shows an interest I will smile sweetly and say, all my own work. 

I need some shopping and considering whether to go now to Aldi. Surely no one will be going out now in this freezing fog. Maybe I will, maybe I won't, but I desperately need some food. 

Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Trendy me.

 A news item caught my eye this morning, if you can call it news. The Independent have a feature about  ladies wearing men's boxer shorts. Apparently they are a fashion trend right now. 

 The trendiest fashion accessory of the year has been plucked from men’s underwear drawers and thrown onto the runway. Briefs, tighty whities, trunks – whatever you call them, women are wearing them.

Well Miss Ellie, I own up, it was me that started it. Maybe not boxer shorts, but boys pants. And I wear them under my clothes not on top of them. Pics from 2011, 2016, and 2018. Maybe I ought to do some updated ones to show I am still wearing them. 😜😂😎

Coffee Morning this morning, so I must get ready for that. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.  ilona

No thank you, not joining in. (edited)

I started to write a blog post about this, then changed my mind, and made a video instead. 

 I was accosted by two young men at the exit door of Aldi yesterday. There was no escape route to avoid their determination to sell me their charity. They had a little desk, and a form to fill out, with a pen at the ready. 

Now I think The Air Ambulance do a wonderful job, and I have supported them in the past, but now I cannot because they can't/wont accept cash donations. This is the way most big charities are going now. One of the young men pushed the direct debit option very hard. The more people try and push me in one direction, the more I rebel. 

EDIT

Nigel Farage has had his bank accounts closed by his bank. No explanation. They don't want him as a customer any more. He talks about it here.  So it can happen. 

I have not been doing enough walking lately. I am noticing I have the beginnings of a podgy belly. This morning I cut my time down at the coffee morning and only had an hour, and I didn't have any cake. I went in my walking gear so I could go straight out of the village on my usual footpath. It was warm and breezy, perfect for a walk. I sat on the bench, a white horse came by. 

I have put a shout out for somebody to bring a mower and get the grass cut. It is getting quite difficult to wade through it. 

The three hedgehogs are still coming every night. As soon as it starts getting dark the first one arrives, then two more follow. 

That's all for now. Toodle pip.   ilona

Talking about retirement.

Aye up me ducks. this video has had 1k views in four hours on yoootooob.

A subscriber commented on how the retirement age has been changed, with the result that they have to keep working for a few more years. I make some suggestions about how they might bring that date forward. 

You might have noticed that there are massive protests in France because Macron wants to raise the retirement age there. The people have had enough of him and are making their voices heard. France is burning. Short video here, put the sound on, they are all singing together. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Sock it to me. Money saving tip

Here is a little money saving trick. I always wear holes in my socks under the heel. It seems a shame to throw them away when this happens. I wouldn't want to darn them because I would feel the stitches every time I stepped forward. To walk five miles with lumpy bumpy socks would be very uncomfortable. 

So what I do is to put them on with the heel at the top of my foot, and the top of the sock underneath my heel. It's like wearing a new pair of socks again. Doing this trick doubles the wear of the socks. 

You can turn the sock inside out and sew across with the machine from one side to the other. 

Or you can fold the heel over so the hole is tucked inside, and hand sew the two sides together. 

Or you don't need to sew at all. Just put the socks on and fold the excess fabric flat. Check out the video for a demo. Your socks will last twice as long. No need to buy new ones until you have worn a second hole in them. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Stretching the meat. Money saving tip

Good morning. Windy and wet up here in my neck of the woods. I hope everybody is back at work now and I can get on doing what I need to do, which will inevitably involve spending money. I need to get some quotes for work on the house, pay for car insurance, and book car into the garage. These tasks can be done on the phone. 

I knocked out this short video yesterday. A little money saving tip for you. 

I use my large scissors for different cutting up jobs in the kitchen. Here I show cutting up meat into small pieces for the cats. You can also cut up your own meat like this and stretch it that bit further. This method is much easier than using fingers and a knife. Safer as well if you are prone to slicing your finger with a sharp blade. 

I use scissors for cutting up a slice of buttered toast into bite size pieces, then eat it with a fork. Saves excess wear on the teeth and sticky fingers. I also cut up buns and crumpets, and sandwiches. I use scissors for cutting up spring onions and celery. Also useful for opening packaging which doesn't respond to tearing apart with the hands. 

That is my little tip for the day. What do you use scissors for in the kitchen?

Catch ya later. Toodle pip. ilona

Money worries

 I don't do many money saving posts these days, that's because I am not skint and don't need to worry about how I am going to pay for things. I have built up a buffer to cover bills, whether they are expected or unexpected. In the next couple of months the road tax and insurance for the car will be due. These will be paid in full for the coming year. 

I am well aware that many people have a lot of money worries. Anyone who wants advice can find it all over the internet. There are money saving bloggers, forums, and Facebook groups to find help. 

Martin Lewis has a good site, Money Saving Expert, he also Tweets every day and is very much in demand for TV programmes. He has just Tweeted asking people send in their money saving tips, some of which will be broadcast on BBC 5live tomorrow. He has received 1300 replies. If you need some money saving ideas check out this Twitter thread. You can add your own money saving tips here if you so wish. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Coffee chat with money saving tips.

Hello. Here's one just out of the oven. It's late so I'll whack it on before I go upstairs. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Listen to Lilly.

Back again. I am sharing this video because Lilly has a good handle on where we are at in Europe, regarding the challenges of surviving what is to come. Inflation, recession, will affect us all. Best to take note and prepare. Watch it on yoootooob and read the comments for more money saving ideas. 

She talks of a distillery, she means an oil refinery. 

See ya later. Toodle pip.  ilona