This weeks shopping was from Booths.
As you can see I didn't buy much, apart from not really needing too much I am quickly running out of available cash as I crawl slowly towards my first State Penson pay out in May. The money I made from my Facebook Marketplace sales is just about keeping me on the straight and narrow, as the interest on my savings is also going down and down each month. I am now paying for all the necessary things for the renovation as Alan's account has virtually emptied.
We are not destitute by any means ... as the next paragraph clearly shows, but I am determined to stick to my guns and make it to my first pension date by using cash.
I called into Booths because Alan wanted me to pick up a bacon bun and a takeaway coffee for him while he was hard at work in the bungalow. I had been to the hairdressers so I was in the vicinity. I got myself a coffee too and we sat on the back step discussing garden plans now that we know the way the sun hits the garden at various times of the day.
It going to be a long time until the garden looks anything like a garden. This photo was taken at the start of the month, but apart from a few weeds appearing on the soil and rock pile nothing has changed ... but we can make plans. 😄
The front garden is very similar.
Sue xx
Hang on in there, Sue, May is almost upon us and you will have achieved your goal!
ReplyDeleteI fancied an iceberg lettuce this week but the one Sainsbury's delivered leaves much to be desired. The first few outer leaves hit the compost, they were so limp and horrible. Yours looks lovely.
Angie
Seemingly I will get a pro-rata payment near the end of May and then my first full pension payment near the end of June. 😀
DeleteI've not unwrapped the lettuce yet, but it's firm and heavy. 🤞
With the prices going up on everything it's truly hard to make ends meet. I picked up a few things at a couple of grocery stores and $100 later, and like you I bought things on sale, reduced items. Thankfully we have a stockpile of stuff, but even so, still crazy.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how a seemingly small basket of shopping adds up to so much when you reach the checkout isn't it. I'm really glad that I don't eat any meat, some of the prices Alan is paying for his usual pork chops, steaks and mince etc are eye watering.
DeleteWell done, you are almost there. Prices keep going up and even finding on sale and reduced prices is getting harder and harder.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I am finding that there is a real mix of people in the supermarkets at the moment, those that seem to still be shopping with abandon and those that are really searching for bargains. I am trying to just be careful.
DeleteWe used to sit on our front doorstep when we were renovating our house and garden and the neighbours thought we were very common! Catriona
ReplyDeleteWe're safe then ... although we still have a front doorstep in place for the moment, there is no door behind it. :-)
DeleteIf anyone can turn the “garden” into a thing of beauty you two can. This time next year? June
ReplyDeletePotentially, hopefully, maybe ... I really do hope so.
DeleteI too have been counting down to my pension and they have moved it back again! My 66th birthday is May 25th. From 1st April this year they have moved it that anyone born from 1960 onwards has to wait however many months past April they were born. Luckily for me it's only one month but I was still mad that I got so close when they moved it again. I have my letter and I get a part payment in August and full payments from September on.
ReplyDeleteYes, that was already in place for me, hence me not getting a full pension payment until June. I did a pension forecast a couple of years ago and this was my date. I think these staggered dates are a much better idea than the sudden switch that they did for women's pensions being aligned with men's, from 60 to 65. Now that was just cruel and affected so many of us.
DeleteWhat a pain all the pension malarkey is, because I’m 65 this year I have to wait until I’m 67.
ReplyDeleteIt’s lovely planning things like the garden isn’t it, it’s going to be so nice.
Alison in Devon x
I'm sure you will be able to make your cash last until you receive your pension, Sue. Looking forward to seeing how your garden grows in the coming months. :)
ReplyDelete