Live on £4000 for a year - Part 3

wendywitch

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

wendy - that seems very, very unfair, particularly as he said youcould have a mate's rate. Maybe give him a ring and just say you had been thinking about it all and wondered if he could explain why it came to £40?

I just can't do it, sad I know. Probably the reason I'm in debt . I'll just pay it and get over it. At least my housing association can't complain at an untidy front garden. Maybe I'll just have to bit the bullet and hire a petrol strimmer and see if I can at least get some of the back garden down
He's just been for his money, moaning his truck it broken.

Mollymop5

Hi everyone.I've not been around for a few days. My frugal summer has begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm at my caravan in my parents field at their smallholding.I don't pay electric just have to buy my gas canister but the one I've got I've had for 2 years so far.I have no major electric or gas costs at home as everything apart from freezer is switched off and unplugged.I did a caravan shop at the start of last week which was £50 and this should last me 2-3 weeks.My mum is picking my bread and milk up when I need it so I don't need to visit shops and be tempted by bargain offers I don't need.
The kids are enjoying the freedom of a field and have been rabbit and toad hunting, they've played football, volleyball, skipping, rounders, cricket etc.They've pulled each other round the field in a little red truck.They've had races and loads of free fun.There's 7 kids all together with my brother's and sisters offspring so they're quite happy to occupy themslelves.I've bee busy reading and joining them for the odd game of scrabble, downfall ect.
I really love being away from it all, debt, bills, worries!!
I'm only 6 miles away from home but I could be anywhere.My views are fileds and trees and more trees and fields.What more could I want.
Well have to go.I just popped home to check my online bank, my post, and to pick up some more clothes.
I will check in on my next visit home.Sorry I've not had time to catch up with everyones posts.I hope you all enjoy the summer

bails

Oh Wendy, that's terrible! I'm not great at confrontation either but what about doing it over the phone? There's a big discrepancy there, and if they quoted you £10/hr then only pay for the time they spent working! My OH does odd jobs and he would NEVER have the cheek to do that, let alone to someone on 'mate's rates' - some mate!! How big is your garden for goodness sake to quote 5 hours work?
Nice to see you Keren, and mollymop, holiday sounds fab! Like the house too Nyk. Well done Marru, no doubt you're feeling much better!
Marru and I were talking to a group of young lads I know from my estate this morning: this afternoon they tried to brick my window (didn't know it was my house). Like I'm not going to see them again, doh!

wendywitch

bails wrote: »

Oh Wendy, that's terrible! I'm not great at confrontation either but what about doing it over the phone? There's a big discrepancy there, and if they quoted you £10/hr then only pay for the time they spent working! My OH does odd jobs and he would NEVER have the cheek to do that, let alone to someone on 'mate's rates' - some mate!! How big is your garden for goodness sake to quote 5 hours work?
Nice to see you Keren, and mollymop, holiday sounds fab! Like the house too Nyk. Well done Marru, no doubt you're feeling much better!
Marru and I were talking to a group of young lads I know from my estate this morning: this afternoon they tried to brick my window (didn't know it was my house). Like I'm not going to see them again, doh!

I actually thought he doing it on his own so 5 hours would have been about right to cover both the front and back. Front garden isn't that big - drive for one car, large hedge and patch of grass. Back garden is alot bigger and very uneven with a large hedge down one side and lots of very tall nettles

Burlesque_Babe

sounds like my (very embarrassing) garden Wendy!

Marru

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

sounds like my (very embarrassing) garden Wendy!

Mine too. I didn't manage to cut the grass when the mower would've been enough and am now faced with jungle. I was quoted £100 to sort it out :eek:. Need to keep asking around to see if I can find some other solution. So when that goat is free could you please send him/her to my way? Thanks !

Burlesque_Babe

blimey..........£100............gulp.......OH has a petrol strimmer he used to cull it, but the weeding and de-brambling still needs doing.

bails

£100, you must be joking Marru!! Good job OH is coming round to sort yours out eh This Wed if he can fit it in or will arrange another time with you. I told him about Wendy's and he was very cross. And it's not sad you can't confront him Wendy, these things can be very hard when you find conflict difficult, just makes me angry that people rely on exactly that when riping you off. I'll come round and sort him out if you like :rotfl:
Have voted for the very cute springer Charlie, very close competition between you and No. 16 but he is far cuter! I hope you win.

slowlyfading

:hello: everyone. Very tired this evening - work rang today asking if I could work 10-3pm at the market shop, as someone had rung in sick. So I agreed, as I could do with the money, and because I do actually like working. It was manic. And then, I was working 4-7pm at the supermarket shop, so I've only just got to sit down! My feet are hurting, and I'm shatted. but hey, more pennies in the pot huh? Had a NSD day though, so yay!
Nyk, that house is lovely! If that was in England, I would be looking as well! Its sad that there aren't places like that here really. I can just imagine sitting on the deck with a cuppa, reading a book or something

EagerLearner

Hi all been making HM yoghurt tonight in the slow cooker whilst MrEL is nursing a mate back to health... with beer! His friend has a bad back, so he went to 'help'...

Anyhoo, apart from the HM yoghurt I also cleaned the fridge and tidied up so felt more organised, I then read 'Love Is Not Enough - The smart woman's guide to money' and I loved it - witty, well written and useful.

I read about a couple of sites in this book that may help some of you, I know I have been avidly scouring them tonight:
www.swapaskill.com - Very handy say if you are looking for a *decent* gardner that won't rip you off???? Maybe trade a skill you have and get your garden sorted in exchange - has to be worth a go. I registered so here's to hoping I can find someone who will help my website look even whizzier!

www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk - where the police auction off stuff ebay style - who knew? I know it's a shock to me but what a gem!

These are others I have found along the way:
http://www.diyplanner.com/ - make your own diaries / calendars each year
www.mysupermarket.co.uk - Shop, then see which of the main supermarkets does that shopping basket cheaper
www.bidnip.com - 'snipe' auctions in your sleep - you ask this website to do it for you. The beauty is that if you don't win, you don't get charged.

Nyk - I love that house! I imagine us living there and peaceful dreams, watching sunsets and petting a labrador... but sadly for now, we're still saving for a UK deposit! I imagine Rhonda Jean at the Down To Earth blog lives somewhere like that...

Anyway hope these help - I know I am not part of the challenge so just wanted to share these and will continue to lurk...