Here is the news from Shoestring Cottage

The news from Shoestring Cottage

It’s been a busy week at Shoestring Cottage. What happened to the weather? Last week was a premature heatwave whilst this week it has rained constantly. Anyhow, this is the news from Shoestring Cottage, including your chance to improve your financial education with a special offer. It’s all about fitness this week, both physical and financial.

Frugal fitness

I got totally soaked through walking back to the car on Wednesday.  As part of my current frugal fitness regime I park about half a mile away from the office and walk the last bit. It is lovely to come round a bit in the fresh air first thing on the walk there. Usually, I find the walk back at the end of a busy day and chance to relax a bit, have a think and clear my head. This time the sky was ominously dark and I could hear thunder crashing in the distance. Then the heavens opened!

I will continue braving the spring showers, though, as I feel a lot better for this little walk each day. We will still try to fit in a 5 mile plus hike somewhere each weekend if I am up to it.

I am also doing regular stretching and yoga. This is important as generally I am very achy and exhausted. The GP thinks I might have either fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Having done a bit of reading, I think it might be the former. This is good motivation to look after myself a little better as I generally try to do too much. Perhaps my body has had enough and is forcing me to slow down? I hope it is neither, but time will tell.

Frugal weight loss

We had an invitation to a special event in London yesterday. I bought a new dress at the very end of the winter sales as I knew I would have reason to wear it.  However, when I went to put it on, it was a little tight to say the least! I have put on 4 lbs since February and I was already about 7 lbs heavier than is ideal for me.

I wore the dress – it was fine, who needs to breathe or eat? However, I have learned my lesson and need to finally shed the pounds instead of just talking about it and waiting for the Easter chocolate to be consumed.

I’m not joining a slimming club. Although I am sure they are very good, I don’t want to spend lots of money. Plus I am following the FODMAP plan for my IBS so I think it is safer to do it myself.  It boils down to eating less!!

My plan is to cut out the carbs whilst eating good amounts of protein. This will hopefully stop me feeling too hungry. Low carb eating fits in pretty well with FODMAP I think. It means I don’t have to mess around with gluten free stuff as that stuff is all carbs anyway. If you have digestive issues, I think Kate Scarlata’s blog is really helpful.

Incidentally, reading about fibromyalgia recently, I have discovered there is a link with IBS. So if I can keep on top of one, perhaps it will help the other.

A very special day

We went to London yesterday, hence the dress. A great friend of ours has been appointed as a circuit judge. He invited us to his swearing in ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice. What an amazing building! It was like being in Hogwarts!

It was a very special event. We are so proud of Lloyd and all that he has achieved. He is a normal, down to earth, kind and funny guy, which the judiciary needs. He did have to wear the ceremonial garb, which will give us many opportunities to poke fun for years to come…but he has given me permission to publish his photos. Congratulations Lloyd!

We had a delicious celebratory lunch after and probably drank too much champagne, but it would have been rude not to.

Change Your Money Story

I often lament my own lack of a financial education, which has led to some serious money mistakes as I have gone through my life. I have learnt a lot from Dave Ramsey in recent years. Now, I am doing my best to teach my daughters to make better financial decisions. I still think financial education should be on the curriculum. Maybe people would be more in control of their money and get into less debt it if was.

My blogger friend Eileen Adamson, a financial coach from Your Money Sorted, has a new course out. The Change Your Money Story course is an inexpensive learning plan for anyone who needs a little help organising their finances. I will be doing a full review in the coming weeks, but thought I would mention it now as Eileen has a special offer for Shoestring Cottage readers.

The online course is usually £49, but if you use my code you can enrol for £39.20 – a 20% discount.  Apply here using the code Shoestring20 to get your discount. You also have the option of taking part in a live version of the course until 11th May. If you decide to enrol, let me know what you think!

Anyway this was my week and all the news from Shoestring Cottage. How was yours?