At the start of the first lockdown I looked at my ancient kitchen and thought that I couldn’t live with it any longer. So I spent time planning exactly what I wanted and went for it. The result is a Complete kitchen renovation job which is almost finished. Walls removed, underfloor heating, decorating and new units. I totally love it. Last few bits to tidy up but should be done next week. It’s been 6 months of work and camping out in the sitting room for weeks. I would never have been able to afford this in a normal year as we try to travel as much as possible and this can be expensive.
We haven't saved money we've lost 10's of thousands of pounds because we haven't been ab;e to work.There are probably millions of people just like us .We've decided to shut up shop and retire ,life wont go back to normal in our line of work for a very long time ...if ever . Messed up the retirement plans though !
I haven't saved any money, I've carried on spending throughout lockdown and taken advantage of my Sons having time on their hands. I've had my bathroom completely gutted and refitted. One son has fitted out my rather large shed with new shelving throughout, I just have to organise it all so that everything is to hand. We've also been sorting out the garage so that when things go back to normal I can get a roller shutter garage door fitted. Once that's done we plan to convert the rear of the garage to a downstairs shower room etc. We refenced the entire garden during first lockdown and I've just carried on spending on the house and garden. It seems to be never ending.
Goodness knows, we had the kitchen totally redone last year, no foreign travel planned this year, don’t need clothes, cars are fine, the children get treats along with the GC’s as and when. We’ve given money to local charities over the last few months and I’ve given away house stuff rather than try and sell it. We’re very fortunate.
I will try to support local businesses like restaurants some of which sadly won’t survive.
Holidays somewhere hot are appealing aren’t they, especially today looking out at the snow falling here in Berkshire! Given the dire state of the vaccine rollout in Europe though I think there is still a big question mark over Med holidays, although the situation there may have improved by the autumn.
We will also spend some money on the house. We have done some redecorating and now need to choose new carpets once the shops are open again.
I’ve given some to my daughter and sons who has just moved house - I haven’t been able to travel to see her so I’m delighted to give her money to spend on some of those extras that I know she can’t afford. I’ve promised my granddaughters trips to see shows when it’s allowed. Maybe even a night in a hotel while we’re there!
When it’s easier to have workmen in, we intend to re-vamp the bathroom with a walk-in shower, new loo and basin, ripping out old space saver bath, and having those wall panels instead of tiling.
Also a new roof on conservatory, too hot in summer, too cold in winter.
I suppose we should spend as the country opens up, to help the economy recover. Local businesses, particularly hospitality, have been so hard hit, as have cinemas, theatres, little local comedy and music clubs. We should support these people as much as we can in whatever way we can. Also trying to buy local, as much as possible. Globalisation is not always great, as we’ve discovered to our cost.
It’s said we have saved an astonishing £150 billion during lockdown! What will you spend yours on? Some people will use it to pay off debt but it’s expected that a lot of people will go on a spending spree - holidays, clothes, meals out.
For me, I seem to have lost the inclination for clothes shopping. Looking through my wardrobes spread among bedrooms, I have found things I had forgotten about plus some I have never worn. Holidays and meals out with family and friends when permitted do appeal though.