To Do List #4

 It is October 2024. Time is marching on and I'm now over 25 years down the line from when I first began my writing and publishing journey into the subjects of frugal living, money saving and financial self sustainability. The 'to do' lists just keep getting longer and longer while life gets shorter and shorter so here is my 2024 'to do' list that I should have published at the start of the year. It mostly concerns the little one-bedroom cottage we bought in 2017 to renovate. The plan was to generate income towards retirement from the cottage and the caravan accommodation at the nearby holiday park, all under the banner of 'Frugal Breaks'. That, however, didn't work out as everyone who came to stay at the cottage wanted to stay longer and the holiday caravan lets were too much extra work when running an animal welfare establishment and nature project while developing a hut site and running a campervan stopover aire. We switched the cottage from holiday accommodation to residential rental property and eventually, thankfully, got shot of the cararvans. The proceeds from the latter are held safely in the bank and what we saved on site fees this year and last are being ploughed into renovating the cottage. Once completed, a suitable new tenant will be found with a view to a longterm let. This will generate a more passive income while continuing working vluntarily at the Frugaldom project.

• Renew heating and smoke/heat alarms in the cottage - done
• Have cottage roof repaired and fascias replaced - done
• Have cottage repointed and painted - done
• Sort out the garden at the cottage
• Paint / redecorate inside the cottage
• Get the cottage annexe renovation completed to create workshop space
• Update the EPC for cottage
• Declutter at least one room at home
• Apply for my bus pass - here in Scotland, you can apply online for a bus pass.
• Blog more and compile a list of challenges for 2025
• Achieve the near impossible... some time off!

I think that is enough for 2024. I hope to be back blogging more regularly, taking time out to explore more of the spectacular sights and scenery that surround us and I will continue trying to find suitable help in providing the best possible lives for the rescued and rehomed animals who live at the Frugaldom  project. Our small group of supporters known as the 'Friends of Frugaldom' is slowly growing, allowing the overall project to run under its own steam. Friends and supporters pay from £5 per month to join us online, follow the progress and join us at the Frugaldom whenever they can. Financial self-sustainability will always be paramount to the success of any project. Operating the campervan and motorhome stopover 'aire' needs to be financially viable. It needs to generate sufficient income to cover the costs of additional public liability insurance, signage and repairs and maintenance to the parking area. For this, I have an exciting new micro challenge beginning soon. We have been trialling it over the past couple of months and the end of year results will dictate whether we continue as a CAMpRA approved aire of close our gate to passing tourists.