For richer for poorer in tiredness and in the bargain aisle

David has sent the contract recorded delivery to France. Now we wait to hear if we've signed all the right bits. There is a fortune to be made in France from those little luminous stickies that lawyers in UK use to helpfully show you where to sign. Those apparently haven't made it across the channel. A bit like rabies but in reverse. I don't think it would be a fair trade either. We went a bit signature-tastic in the end with a spray and pray approach to signing just to be on the safe side.

I'm starting to get a bit money focused ie for the first time in a long time I am facing the prospect of no monthly cheque coming in and I am switching lights off and shopping for two for one offers as if they are going out of fashion. I've come to the conclusion that having a regular pay cheque actually makes you lazy. I can't honestly remember thinking so carefully about how I spend my money when it comes to simple things like groceries and every day items. That regular pay cheque also makes you complacent. I now look to see how much things cost and I value them more. I've been handing over money in a haze for years. When you give your credit card they always say "check the amount and enter your pin".. I never check the amount. Who does? I now know diesel on the motorway commands a significant premium, a trip to the cinema is actually about a quarter of what a single unemployed person has to live off a week. And thinking about the cost of the cinema meant I valued the experience more. I also had to think about whether i was going to the cinema or going to do something else like have a take away. I couldn't justify both. So being poor makes you richer because you don't live life in a hypnotic state and you stop to think about what you're doing and what you're getting out of things.

So... what cost wealth and what value being a bit poorer? I'm still sweating it though worrying whether we're going to sell the house and when. I'm thinking of getting Christine a sandwich board and a different patch to pound everyday.

If I'm honest we're a bit worn down at the moment as we deal with the mountain of tasks related to our new lives. So I'm feeling like we need a trip to France. It's been more than a month and as things get tough this end, we could probably do with an injection of standing at Le Monteil hearing nothing but wildlife and breathing the air, so rich and pure you can chew on it. Then popping down to the village for stewed coffee and cheese at the village cafe. Reminding ourselves why we're doing all of this

There's no joy to be had from the exchange rate. 1.19 and too many 0's. It slipped in positive response to Greece as it found itself being bailed out more times than a leaky pedalo at Southend. If I was a betting man though I would reckon there's a few undeclared invoices and pawn slips under the sofa cushions in Athens waiting to surface when we least expect it; that's unless Iron Girdle popped round for a robust rummage whilst they were all out of the country signing the loan agreement.... I hope she didn't damage it though because even DFS have limits about who they'll lend to....