Friday 31 October 2014

Going around again.....

Today is the end of October, and perhaps would have been the end of the focused money saving challenge, but then I had to go to the optician's yesterday afternoon.

Are you sitting down?  You need to be.  

I'm having to get older-lady glasses this time - my first pair of varifocals.  Who knew how much they would be? I certainly hadn't a clue.  Good lenses? Over £250.  Then there's the sight test, and the frames.  No change out of £400.

I can see fine at this kind of distance:

(image from ayrshireeyeclinic.com)

but it is starting to get a bit tricky when I am about here:

(image from motivationalmemo.com)

and when I am looking closely at this level, well, it's better to just take the flipping glasses off at the moment:

(image from theknitter.co.uk)

There is no doubt in my mind that I need the new glasses.

So, our money saving challenge will have to roll onwards into November.  We'll keep a close eye on the spending,  and we'll be putting the £400 back into the savings pot as fast as we can.  The amount I had hoped to increase the savings by in this month will probably have to whistle!  It's going to be a challenge to break even.

But let's count our blessings: I have the money to buy the glasses, and I have the ways and means to replace it.  I don't have to put it on a credit card or take out a payday loan to finance the purchase.  It's all good, really.  And isn't life a bit boring without a challenge or two to keep us on our toes?!

11 comments:

SusanM said...

Oh I can sympathise. I had to get my first pair of 'granny goggles' as I refer to them ie varifocals a few years ago and the bill came in at just over £400 too!! At least our eye tests are free up here. I found that it took a while to get used to the varifocals. Our October has been horrendously expensive. We had saved up for the major boiler/central heating work but then discovered that another 3 parts had to be replaced costing an extra £900. Then the dog had to have an op and that was £270. We are insured but as we had her spayed at the same time that may not be covered. My hairdryer and mobile phoned also had to be replaced. Hope the family are enjoying their trip north. Like you, back to topping up the savings and also relieved that we had the money to pay for everything x

Morgan said...

Love it! "Granny goggles" - that's just right!! I think your month has been worse than mine, so onwards and upwards for both of us, I hope xxx

Gary said...

It's so annoying when an expense comes along that you didn't see coming!!

Morgan said...

Indeed, Gary, and I should have "seen" that one coming! Lol!

Mac n' Janet said...

You have my sympathy, I have really bad eyes and have had to wear bifocals for years. My glasses are very expensive, but on the other hand my contacts are very reasonable.

Nearly Martha said...

Hope they are ok for you. I took ages to get used to mine. All that money and it felt like I was walking on the moon!

Bonnie said...

Morgan,
we went away to babysit our grandchildren in Colorado for six days. When we returned there was one broken sump pump, a non-functioning furnace AND a roof leak that damaged part of a wall and ceiling. Needless to say, our October was awful! Oh, and DH just called to say that an oil change job has turned into a rear brake job. $1,000 all together. Happy Halloween! Bonnie

Morgan said...

Bonnie - I am so sorry to hear that! What a shock for you. I hope you can get that all sorted out soon.

rabbitquilter said...

I'm feeling a bit ancient here!! I have worn varifocals for some years now!! It was easier to get them with the work I did because I needed both near and far lenses!! I can remember the first time I wore them though, I fell up the kerb!! I haven't improved much since then either, I could fall over a puff of wind!!!! I had a new pair last year and the price was horrendous!! Yes, I too, feel very grateful I can afford my glasses. I do save my old ones for a lady I rarely meet, but who takes old pairs of glasses to her church to be sent overseas.

Scarlet said...

I tried varifocals when I had my first cataract surgery 6 years ago (I was aged 43 at the time). I tried with them for 6 weeks, but they weren't for me. The optician tried to persuade me to have them when I had my second cataract surgery 2 years later, but I stuck with my 2 pairs of glasses. At least now that the cataracts are done my prescription will never change( although I have had to have holes lasered into the first lens implant I had done as that too had clouded up) I won't ever 'need' new glasses again - unless they break.

Morgan said...

I am relieved to say that there is a 60 day period in which I can have new lenses if I can't get to grips with these ones, thank goodness! I have heard all sorts about these fancy lenses, and so I am a little bit nervous.....