I'd love to fill this post with lovely photos.....words about all the lovely things I've made. Behind this blog however, is a real woman, with a real family, and living with real challenges!
I've told you over this past year, about some of those challenges. Another big challenge for us as a family, and one that's needed quite a lot of thought recently, is how to be On Budget. How to balance the books!
We are very lucky, our mortgage has been paid, and we don't owe a bean to anyone, debt free.....a lot of people dream about this. I also know how difficult some of you are finding things in this economic climate. I do not take any of this for granted, not for one moment.
We've always wanted to pay off our mortgage early, as soon as we worked out how much interest we were paying to the bank! Occasionally Mr Bea would moan about how much we were saving, can't we spend some, please!!! I would tell him, you'll be so pleased when we've paid it off. We are soooooo glad we've paid it off! (Separate note, why don't they just accept we know what we are talking about!!!)
When I was diagnosed with MS a few years ago, it became even more important to have a sense of security. As the main income earner, we knew I might not always be able to contribute to the household income. Paying off the mortgage became a priority, and within a couple of years our home was paid for.
Then last year, after my health took another dive, we also knew it was time for me to give up the stressful job I had, take some time out, look after myself. It wasn't a decision we took lightly, we knew the impact it would have on our finances, the impact it would have on our future hopes and plans.
Initially our budget was spot on then we got a little complacent, we wanted a holiday. We do save each month for holidays, but we save towards camping holidays where we cook most meals on our little cooker! The wet spring really put me off our usual camping holiday....so a cottage was booked. Then Florence, well that certainly wasn't even on the horizon, very much an impulse holiday!
Funny thing is, I don't regret any of this! We've had a super, super summer, loved every minute and it was worth every penny! So although I have no regrets, I now need to be extra, extra careful! Every penny that comes into the household is accounted for, we've cut back on everything we can think of! No more yarn buying for me!!!
So, if you don't mind, every now and again, I'll let you know about my 'On Budget' progress, share what I'm doing, ask for help and advice along the way! There's some excellent budgeting blogs out there, and I'm certainly not planning to change the feel of Vintage Sheet Addict!
So my dears, whilst we were being 'complacent' we booked 2 nights away in London for the four of us, we're going next week! We're stopping in a Premiere Inn on the outskirts of the city. 2 nights bed and breakfast, 4 of us, £100, now I don't think that's too bad! We are excited, it's the girls first London experience!
We had planned to see a show but that's out of the question now. So it's The National History Museum (Eldest Beas choice), The National Art Gallery (Little Beas choice) and we must of course see the famous landmarks! If I get chance I'd like to go to Liberty's....just window shopping of course!
We need to do London 'On Budget'......any tips anyone? Places to eat, places to see? I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Thanks for popping by, and thank you all so much for your comments on my last post! I shall endeavour to post pretty pictures next time!!!
Bye for now,
Ada :) xxx
Ok! Just a few pretty pictures!
:) xxx