Getting to know you........

SkyBlue_2

Hello everyone! :hello:

I am fairly new to this site, but isn't it great? I listened to Martin on the radio a year or so ago and he really made me think about the way I was spending money without a thoought for the future.

I am 52, have been divorced 11 yrs and am Mum to a daughter , 23 and two sons, 19 and 18, all in further education. I brought them up alone more or less, and have always worked full-time whilst looking after my own Mum, who was frail. I kept the house nice, raised the kids well (I think) did the garden, paid the bills and to everyone I was an independent super-mum......but it all went pear-shaped a couple of years ago.

I had a high powered job and earned good money (in education) so although I was always frazzled and stressed, I could spend without thinking about it too much. When my lovely old Mum died in 2001 (she was my best friend and like all Mums, she loved me and supported me unconditionally) my chickens came home to roost. I was grief-stricken, suffered depression and then a year later had a heart attack and the year after that suffered two more debilitating illnesses and have had two big operations in the last six months. I went back to work but got ill health retirement in 2005. Stupidly (can say that with hindsight,) I remortgaged the house in 2003 when I'd paid off the first mortgage - I was working at the time and earning a good salary -so now I am lumbered with ten more years of mortgage payments.

It's ironic that you bring your children up well and see them into further education, but as students 'adults' they can't help me out with household bills, yet still need a roof over their heads. We are all feeling the pinch - big time, so much so that it is frightening - and this site, and the lovely people on it have been an inspiration to me.

Still, I feel young at heart, am an optimist (think I am burying my head in the sand as far as the scary financial situation is concerned) and I have a lovely partner, who lives with his student son in his own house about four miles away. I like gardening and writing, painting, my two cats....and the internet! In terms of family life, I feel lonely some days, and invisible - mainly because I feel a bit redundant as a mother now my children do their own thing without input from me. I am finding the transition quite strange - but it is as it should be. Some days I think the kids forget they have a Mum...:rolleyes2 . but I am sure most mothers find it hard to adjust when their children do their own thing (but still live under the same roof.)

I didn't predict that things would turn out as they have - (life can throw us some curved balls, can't it?) but I am adjusting to living on fresh air and saving every penny! I am trying to see tightening my belt as a fun way to live, so reading all the money-saving tips has given me ideas.

What a lovely site this is.....thank you all for being so nice! :A

Lentilsforteaagain

Hello all :j I'm 31, mum to 5 (12, 11, 8, 5 & 2 ... phew!) and run an online business with hubby selling hand crafted Pagan-orientated items I spend far too much time at my allotments and cooking endless meals, bread, cakes ... and far too little time actaully working and doing the never-ending housework :eek:

Pleased to "meet" you all

lazarou_true

Hello everyone!
I'm very new to this site but completely addicted, it is my only topic of conversation with friends / relatives / random passers-by in street.

I'm a 27 yr old mum to DS (3), Work part-time as a mental heath nurse (only income as OH out of work for past 6 mnths and not entitled to any benefits)
I also volunteer at women's refuge. I have also recently become an avon lady.

Oooohhh and soon to be proud owner of a wally trolley / chic shopper. Far too excited about it for my own good!

Thanks for all previous contributors, I've learned so much from "lurking" and reading others' posts.

Pleased to meet you all, much love laz xx

mummyto3cuties

Hi all, I'm new to this site, though have been getting the weekly email from Martin for about 2yrs.
I'm a 34 yr old :eek: sahm to ds 4 & b/g twins 20mths. My DH has MS & had to finally give up work last week after struggling on for quite some time. For the moment he isn't fit enough to care for the kids on his own so we are going to be relying on benefits for the immediate future. Hopefully I will be able to go out to work in a few months time.
I have joined the April grocery challenge but not too hopeful of being under. Will be pleased if I go £20-30 over. Just need to curb DH's passion for cakes & biscuits!
Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Sharon

nell2

Hello everyone
I've been lurking for a while too. I love all the old style tips here, and think everyone is so helpful and nice on this board.
I am a stay at home mum to three little ones, (eldest just started school) and am really keen to pick up tips to keep us happy, healthy and financially solvent.
I love the FlyLady threads and will really try to follow the task lists after the school holidays. (We are going away for a budget few days next week, so it will have to wait until we get back).

Little_Miss_Saver

Hello :hello:

I'm a 30 year old newly single mum to DS (10), hence my reasons to tighten the purse strings even more than they were before!!.

I work at a Secondary School as a Data and Examinations Assistant which is a varied and challenging role. But luckily I get all the holidays which is so nice.

I've always been careful with money for various reasons (or so I thought until I found this site!!) but looking to find more creative ways to save abit more.

LMS xx

just-saving

Hello everyone,

I'm new to MSE and I am just beginning to find my way around. This site is so HUGE! I found the site when I googled 'breadmaker reviews' and now I have a new breadmaker and a new favourite website too!
I am a mum of two dd's (13 and 11) and have a wonderful husband. I am 40 on this Boxing Day coming (big gulp)
I was a full time stay at home mum up until 7 months ago - and now I work part-time at a Residential school/home for children with autism from the ages of 4 to 19. There are children that stay during the term and I do a few 10 hour night shifts per week working right through the night. At times you can face hair pulling, biting, kicking, smearing etc which means it can be very challenging at times as I'm sure parents/carers of children with Autism will understand.
For me this a role that I find very rewarding.
I'm really pleased I have found the OS board. Really enjoyed reading through this thread too. Nice to meet you all.

~~H~~_4

I joined last week, but have only just found this thread. A friend told me about the site, though not in connection to OS.

Im Hilary, aged 38 (if I say it quickly, it doesnt sound so bad). DH is a truck driver working anti-social hours ... though not so anti social to me, cos it means I get control of the TV remote in the evening while he sleeps. Ha!

Im Mum to two boys. DS1 is 13 & good at it. DS2 is 11 & autistic (so yes, just-saving, I do understand).

I used to work part time for a company who made conservatory blinds, but as my parents grew older, they found it increasingly difficult to look after the boys so that I could work, & finding a child minder able to look after a challenging disabled child aint easy!

I now stay home & 'do nothing' ... if DS1 is to be believed.

Helonearth

Well....
I'm 22 and work full time for an insurance company (yes, boo hiss, i agree!) in Surrey. I live with my parents during the week along with my brother and our elderly fleabag cat.

My dream has always been to own my own property and with this in mind I managed to buy a place in Cornwall 7 months ago. However, there is the slight problem of me living 250 miles from where I work! So while the mortgage isn't too hard to pay, the petrol costs and housekeeping to my parents are stretching me somewhat!

So, my reason for loving old style is that it helps me save money on my bills and food in Cornwall, and also makes me a bit more organised and strict with my life in Surrey. Not quite the best of both worlds, but certainly the best for my world!

Helen
x

nats3006

just thought i would say hi to you all as i have never posted on moneysaving old style before!!
x