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Reflections on our year at Shoestring Cottage

29th December 2016 by shoestringjane@outlook.com 7 Comments

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reflections on our year
We did a lot of decorating…

We had a year of family  celebrations in 2016, which probably explains why my birthday fund didn’t stretch to the end of the year! I had one daughter’s 18th and another’s 21st, my parents’ diamond wedding anniversary, one nephew’s 21st and another nephew’s 30th.

This year I will have Mr S’s 50th so I need to plan better and put a bit extra away for that.

I managed to lose half a stone early in the year, which I was really happy about. However, I have since managed to put most of this back on! The perils of middle aged spread. I must try again as I hate it when my clothes feel tight.

We decorated the kitchen in February. It was a bit of a shoestring makeover but was a massive improvement. In September we did what was the dining room and is now the lodger’s sitting room in a similar style plus the downstairs loo. For such a small room this seemed to take forever and we have just completed all the finishing touches. You don’t have to spend a fortune on home improvements to make a difference.

reflections on our year
Beautiful Devon

Looking back, we seem to have been all over the place this year. We had a great day at the Leigh Folk Festival,  a weekend in London courtesy of my parents, a week dog sitting for friends,  a week in Wales and another in Devon plus countless walks around Essex and Suffolk. My friends on Facebook think we are a couple of gadabouts. In truth we never do anything that is expensive and you don’t see any pictures from the Maldives or any fancy hotels. But we have fun!
reflections on our yearOne daughter graduated in July, one got a great new job and the other managed really good A level results. I was such a proud mummy!

I have spent a few months decluttering, but have more to do. I really do not like clutter! However, looking through my old posts I did a lot of shopping at bootsales and charity shops. I need to make sure I don’t buy anything I don’t really need or that just becomes more clutter!

We had a lot of language students last year, which was useful extra money. However, next year I will be getting a lodger instead. I have a young lady who seems really interested, so fingers crossed.

Globally, 2016 has been a terrible year, but my reflections on our year show that it hasn’t been a bad one at Shoestring Cottage. I hope yours was good and that 2017 will be better for all of us!

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Filed Under: FRUGAL LIFESTYLE Tagged With: Review of the year 2016

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Comments

  1. ilona says

    30th December 2016 at 18:25

    Oooooh, don’t do this to me. Four pictures of lovely hubby. He sure is a fit bloke :-))

    Reply
    • shoestringjane@outlook.com says

      30th December 2016 at 21:45

      Reply
  2. Frugal in the Valley says

    30th December 2016 at 21:20

    Oh Ilona, that’s so funny. I actually thought the same thing too. Lol. I am glad your year was great, mine too. There’s always so much to be grateful for.

    Reply
    • shoestringjane@outlook.com says

      30th December 2016 at 21:42

      Aww, he is all embarrassed now

      Reply
      • ilona says

        31st December 2016 at 11:47

        Don’t be hubby, I only speak the truth.

        Reply
  3. Julia says

    31st December 2016 at 11:58

    Sounds like a great year for the Shoestring household!
    All the best for 2017! 🙂

    Reply
    • shoestringjane@outlook.com says

      31st December 2016 at 17:36

      Same to you and yours, Julia

      Reply

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Would you like to take control of your finances, pay off your debts and save for the future? At Shoestring Cottage we aim to show you that you can live a good and happy life on less than you think, you can get off the consumer treadmill and you can live more simply and healthily and not feel deprived.
We are also moving toward a less wasteful, more sustainable lifestyle and believe frugality and sustainability go hand in hand. Read More…

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