As there there were no big extra expenses this month I decided it would be a good month to sort out a new settee and armchair. The family have been nagging me for several years as both are old and saggy. There's a replacement bit of foam on the settee that moves forward and back cushions that have pillows behind them to prop them up and the huge patchwork throw over the bare fabric underneath is also so old that it's starting to fall to bits. My armchair has 4 cushions under it's throw on top of the actual chair cushion and another at the back to make it sit-able. Yes - they really are old and saggy!
There is a family run furniture shop in Diss that is easy to get to with a really good choice so that's where I went, first for a look a few months ago and then for choosing design, fabric and colour. I'm very excited and looking forward to delivery in a few weeks. - And that's why there are no frugal notes because I've paid half so it was a very un-frugal month!
There was another expense for August that I'd forgotten - the half year bills for water and sewer, but now I have a meter they are much more manageable.
Nice to have new furniture to look forward to. What colour-way are the sofa and chair?
ReplyDeleteGlad you solved the problem with your home grown peppers. Slugs are beastly things and like horse-flies, I cannot think they have a purpose in life except to annoy!
We've had to have our heating on in the evening for an hour or so, as Keith feels the cold so. Meanwhile I swelter in a t-shirt!
The heating has clicked on a couple of mornings this week but then not on again but I've been adding an extra layer in the evenings
DeleteI hope you enjoy your replacement seating as much as I'm loving my new bedroom furniture. It feels such a treat to come to bed in such a relaxing room - and I realise just how shabby and falling-to-bits the other stuff was.
ReplyDeleteWe've joined an oil club (Boilerjuice) and pay a fixed monthly amount. They monitor the oil level and when we need a top up,they let us know and arrange delivery. The price works out well (and is helpfully spread out over the year)
I get their emails but can't understand how they monitor the level when the Watchman is quite erratic and the only way to see it is in the plug in the garage?
DeleteI agree about the faff with dipping a cane in the oil tank and like you do wonder if the electronic gauge thingy always works. Enjoy your new furniture, you are fortunate having an independent shop nearby with a good choice. Autumn is here in Dorset, I fear I will have a lot of green tomatoes this year. Sarah Browne.
ReplyDeleteAt my last home the watchman kept giving out a loud alarm and I had to turn off and reset it
DeleteWe had to replace the sofa a few months back, hated doing so but sometimes it has to be done!
ReplyDeleteI've also been putting off buying a new hoover as my cheap one is rubbish - not something I like spending money on
DeleteAfter years with Dyson vacuums, last time I bought a Shark and it is brilliant. Half the price of a Dyson, much lighter, and I think does a better job.
DeleteWe also belong to a local oil delivery club which gives a discount and we also pay via direct debit which in the last 18 months has been going up and down like a yo-yo. New furniture will be great. We had our 1998 sofa and 1992 footstool reupholstered by a local company in 2020. There is nothing like a comfortable sofa and somewhere to put your feet up. No heating on here yet (I check our level with a bamboo cane - don’t trust these gizmos) but I wrapped myself in a blanket last night. I had mowed our half acre garden grass late yesterday and needed a hot shower when I came in at 7.30 so it was a late supper (all veg and fruit from the garden) and then I listened to Dvorak’s New World Symphony lying on the sofa with my eyes closed while husband watched the US Open through ear phones. He had been for a 12 mile cycle earlier and we had a morning walk too so we were both tired. Going to have a restful day today as I will be driving 180 miles to Dartmoor on Friday. Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fan of Direct debit so pay for it when I order and use a local oil company who are very reliable.
DeleteIt's nice to be able to support local businesses and so lovely to have new furniture to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited - I've had just two pieces of new furniture since 2015 and one of those was a much needed mattress
DeleteIt will ne nice to have new furniture we need a new sofa but it will have to wait
ReplyDeleteCathy
I've been waiting so long that it's nice to get it sorted
DeleteAfter your description of your settee and chair I can understand why your children nagged you. (Too many 'yours' there).
ReplyDeleteThey really have moaned at almost every visit!
DeleteOooh, how exciting having new comfy furniture to look forward to. It's nice to support a local business too. Glad you've managed to sort out the peppers before those pesky slugs got to that last plant.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought it was good to buy local rather from one of the multi advertised on TV companys where you can't try them properly
DeleteHow lovely to have a new comfy sofa and chair to look forward too. Catriona
ReplyDeleteOctober delivery I think which will be good
DeleteAlways nice to choose new furniture and you'll probably wonder how you managed so long on the old
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
It will be good not to have to put all the cushions back when they move every day
DeleteI envy you your new furniture! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteMuch needed - very exciting
DeleteI was hoping August would be a bit frugal but forgot several things. They are now recorded on the Excel sheet so I won't forget next year!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to have some new furniture. Great use of money, I think.
xx
There's always something - the expected and the unexpected
DeleteIt's all the frugal months and keeping tabs on your finances that make necessary splurges like your new furniture possible. We've just had the council tax bill for the Welsh flat now that it's back in our names and we were pleasantly surprised it's almost half the price that it would cost us to keep a caravan on the park that I used to be on. So we will definitely be getting some good value holidays and weekend in it while it's still ours. Being frugal and managing finances over time definintely has it's rewards.
ReplyDeleteI hope we are going to see pictures of the new furniture when it arrives.
I'm sure there will be a photo when they arrive
DeleteYour new settee and lounge chair sound very lovely. Having both for the Christmas holidays will be great. Your children will be happy and everybody will be comfy with no complaints. You've rescued the peppers! Slugs can do lots of damage in the night time.
ReplyDeleteThe family will be very surprised!
DeleteMy philosphy is that pinching pennies allows us the occasional splurge. When the new furniture arrives, we will want to see pictures, of course.
ReplyDeleteOur peppers have been a lovely snack for sow pigs this year...the naughty beasties. x
ReplyDelete