I'm having a very lazy weekend so far! Although I did clean out the Eglu yesterday while there was a few hours without rain and pulled some leeks from the garden to make a big pot of cock-a-leekie soup. I had chicken stock in the freezer but no chicken so just used bacon instead. Using up what I had to hand! That's lunches for next week sorted 😋
I've got a little bit of school work to do this afternoon but as I'm still coughing loads (don't feel ill just got this nasty cough) I'm having another lazy day. So I'm shamelessly stealing Sue's question idea as I'm loving the questions and answers on her blog HERE. I thought you could ask me any questions you like. About my life, my job, how I came to be frugal, living with my son and DIL, anything really. I love hearing about other people's lives and like to pick up good ideas. Might even get some blog post ideas too. So, if you're interested just ask.
Hi there, just wanted to ask if you have a plan for how to spend your time in retirement and when do you plan on retiring now?
ReplyDeleteHope your cough clears up soon x
Good question! If I get a place on the celebrant course I'll be retiring from teaching as soon as I can!! If I don't get a place I'll have to rethink my 4 year plan because I won't be able to keep going until I'm 60. At the moment I don't even know if I can last until June.
DeleteWhen I retire my plan is to spend as much time as I can growing and preserving my own food at the allotment and in the garden. I wouldn't mind a part time job in a garden centre or somewhere like M&S.
You may well have answered this already on a previous post, in which case apologies - what made you want to retrain as a Celebrant?
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before. About 5 years ago I went to a friend's wedding where a celebrant conducted the ceremony. She was a little bit full of herself and I remember listening to her thinking 'I could do that.' I tucked it away for future reference.
DeleteThen about 3 years ago by complete chance a friend of a friend lead me to a local celebrant who was holding a 'So you want to be a celebrant' workshop. I really enjoyed it and got good feedback. I did some research and registered my interest with the Humanist Society and an independent multi faith training group. Then lockdown happened and all training stopped. So I tucked it away again until out of the blue I got the invite to apply again a few weeks ago.
I like talking to people, I like writing and I'm used to standing up in front of a crowd. Apparently lots of celebrants were teachers! :-)
I've just started reading your very enjoyable blogs. I was very impressed with the photos of the flat too. I'm a bit confused with your family situation though! Could you explain please to save me trawling through years of posts?
ReplyDeleteI hope that you do manage to retire and follow your next plan. Fingers crossed everything works out.
Glad you're enjoying the blog! My family situation is:
DeleteDivorced (12 years ago) then separated from a long term partner (3 years ago) Single and very happy to remain that way!
I have 3 adult sons. Eldest got married earlier this year. Middle son lives in Melbourne. Youngest son lived with me recently while saving up for a house deposit, now lives round the corner with his new fiancé (she lived with us for 6 months as well.)
Eldest son and daughter in law both have serious long term health conditions. Son works part time as a result and they 'survived' on Universal Credit until recently. They couldn't afford to heat their flat (that I own) and eat well so I suggested they move in with me as I have a 4 bedroom house that I lived in on my own. We're negotiating our way through multi generational living as a way to save money. Luckily they're both frugally minded too so we think it should work out ok. No idea how long we'll do it for yet but we're happy to see how it goes.
I'm selling the flat to release the capital I put in and hope to add it back into my savings.
Phew! That was a bit long winded but hope it makes sense!! :-)
Thank you, much appreciated!
DeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteWhere did you do your teacher training and how many schools have you taught in?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the celebrant plans, didn't know you were planning that - it would be such an interesting thing to do.
Thanks, I think it would be a good career change at this stage of my life.
DeleteI did some of my teacher training in Glasgow and some in Ayrshire. I've taught in loads of schools over the past 35 years (can't actually remember!!) and worked for 5 different local authorities as I moved around a bit with my ex husband's job. The longest period I've ever been in one school is my current one. This is my 7th year. In this school we've had 3 headteachers and there are only 4 other teachers and 4 SLAs left who were here when I started! We have a staff of over 40 so that's quite a turnover!
I've got my fingers crossed for you for the celebrant training.
ReplyDeleteMy question is, could you earn enough by being a tutor to let you retire from full-time teaching?
Thanks! Sadly there isn't enough demand for primary school age tutors in my area. At a push I could do some high school English, but not to exam level. If I taught high school physics or maths yes I definitely could earn enough!! They are always in high demand!
DeleteGreat questions asked so far. I hope this comment reaches the blog as I seem to be locked out again from some of my favourite blogs. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt got here!! Blogger has a mind of it's own sometimes!
DeleteHi Ali. I would like to ask if you were into frugal living when you were married/with your long-term partner (if so, were they supportive or dismissive?) or was it a case of necessity being the mother of invention when you forged a new life on your own?
ReplyDeleteFab question. No, I wasn't frugal when I was married. My ex husband had a very good job and we lived well. I'm embarrassed when I look back and realise the money we spent on 'stuff.' As I reached 40 I started to feel that our lifestyle was deeply unsatisfying and began to simplify some areas. My ex was on board at first but then he couldn't be bothered with the effort. When we separated I wasn't working, I had no money of my own or even a bank account/credit card in my own name. I had to be frugal as I had very little money. And it's evolved since then especially when I realised how bad my pension was going to be!! I thought my long term partner was frugal but turned out he was just mean with his money and spent it on expensive hobbies!!
DeleteDang all my questions answered. I will need to think a bit.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Hello, I have been reading your blog for years. Back when you were working to save up $40K in 4 yrs so you could retire early.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I remember you mentioning that you bought that flat for your son because he could afford it on his disability income & that this way rent prices would not keep going up on him, he could afford to live on his own without the fear of rent continually being raised in him. I was wondering how if he could afford it back then on his disability alone, how is it that he now cannot afford it with two incomes coming in.
Not trying to be nosy but wondering. I thought that it was such a good idea back then to get him into a secure place. Its a cute place & I expect it will sell quickly so you all can get on with this new phase in your lives.
You are a blessing to your children.
I enjoy your blog!!
Thanks! Good question.
Delete4 and a half years ago I was in a relationship where we were each going to sell our houses and buy one together. I got the flat on an interest only mortgage with a decent deposit. The intention was to use some of the capital from my own house when I sold it and pay off the flat mortgage. Sadly the relationship broke down and I didn't sell my house.
My mortgage was ridiculously cheap as I got a 5 year fixed deal but that's about to end. It will double in the New year. That plus the cost of living and energy increases meant that they just couldn't afford to live there anymore. My DIL is a cancer survivor and has many health issues. Their benefits are combined as they are married now so it's not 2 'incomes' as such. They would have been better off if they weren't married!!
Good idea, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy question is - if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
xx
It's a great idea! I'm very lucky and have travelled all over the world over the years. I'd really really love to visit Iceland to see the Northern lights and Canada as I've never been. But I'm happy to stay in the UK now and occasionally visit my son in Australia.
DeleteI don't have a question, but I remembered most of your answers to all these other ones, so I asked myself "just how long have I been following Ali" ... and the answer was since I left this comment -
ReplyDelete'Sue 7 January 2013 at 07:23
Wow!! What a brilliant post.
I have just found you, through the Frugaldom Forum, and have gone right back to your beginnings to catch up. Off to read some more.
Sue xx
Gosh we are proper old-timers now!!
I have my fingers firmly crossed that your Celebrant plans come to fruition.
Blimey that is a long time!! And here you are still reading my rubbish!! Lol! I'm friends with Susan on FB so keep up with her amazing Frugaldom project.
DeleteI do hope the celebrant plans work out. I'm working hard on my application form, it's due in a few weeks.
I found your blog via the Frugaldom Forum too. I used to live not too far from Susan and went to help with the first Woodland Trust tree planting she did at Frugaldom.
DeleteThe forum was such an inspiration and now she's got Frugaldom! :-)
Delete