Live on £4000 for a year - part 4 (Oct - Dec 2008)

cw18

My DD is very happy with me today

Both GDs asked for bikes for Christmas, but with her being a single parent in a low-paid job (topped up with looooads of Tax Credits) she couldn't afford two brand new ones. In years gone by I'd have helped out, but last year we were penny-pinching ourselves, and with my redundancy things weren't looking much brighter for this year

So I managed to get a bike for the younger one off our local Freecycle about 6 weeks or so ago, which she was pleased about. After a chat we decided she may as well get a new one for the elder GD, as it can be passed down to the younger one meaning it hasn't actually cost as much per year in terms of use as buying new for the younger GD would.

Last night she phoned and asked me if I'd go to W00lworths, as they had one in the sales she liked. She was told 'no chance' as it means trying to find parking on a small car park (and paying), and even that isn't especially close to carry a bike (and I have back problems). I also pointed out she was unlikely to have any kind of come-back if something gave on it. But she was moaning that the only other one she's seen was £90 and she couldn't afford that much......

So while we were on the phone I went onto the Half0rds site, and she did the same at her end. We found one we both liked, which also came with free assembly -- and it was reduced from £84.99 to £59.99.

But then they were offering a 10% discount if you reserve online (or buy on-line with added delivery costs that are more than the fuel for me to drive up and down a few times and gives headaches of being in for delivery), which brought it down to £53.99. And then they had to do the v.a.t. adjustment, which brought it down again to £52.86.

When I reserved it, I got a message saying it would be ready on Wednesday -- but this morning I got a call asking if they could do it for next Sunday as they've had a major run on bikes in the last couple of days. Told them OK, but asked if I could call in and pay today (wanted a shop a couple of doors up anyway), as I couldn't guarantee who would be available to do the collection. (It will be me, but I wasn't telling them that for the next bargainous reason).

So I called in and paid, and then looked at the chap like a "dumb blonde" and said that when I'd phoned my DD to let her know we wouldn't have the bike 'til Sunday (but I was calling to pay for it so she can then sort out who's collecting it) she'd muttered something about asking for a voucher if I wasn't given one......

They had an offer running (ended today), whereby if you spent £50 or more in store you got a £10 voucher valid from 15th Dec to 4th Jan. We'd seen this on the site last night, and I'd already said I'd go and try it on today. The chap told me that they're pretty certain they were only supposed to be given out as the bike is collected, but as they've not been told that officially by head office he'd let me have one -- so DD now has £10 towards cycle helmets for the girls :T

redglass_2

Andromache, I'm sure you're helping your friend just by being there for her and caring.

lingojingo wrote: »

...we're managing to keep the heating much lower than last year so far, still sitting in sleeping bags if we watch TV in the evening, whip them off quickly if anyone knocks on the front door!!!!!!!

I can just imagine the gossip in your street: 'Went in and there they were, watching telly, with icicles hanging off the sofa. My teeth were chattering but they didn't seem bothered at all, do you think they're bionic?' :rotfl:

Have to admit I've cracked during this weather - my hands were stiff and purple so I started being a lot more indulgent with the heating. No good having a healthy bank balance if I've dropped down dead with hypothermia.....:snow_grin

Marru, I agree with BB (I think it was). Your DD's godmother is supposed to be on her side all the time, not just when it's easy. After all, your ex is the 'trouble-bringer' not your daughter, and she's playing his game. :mad: She may come round, though, so give her some time to think it over.
CW - great result! :T Halford's are pretty good for vouchers and repair schemes too, at least they were last year when I got a 'freecycled free cycle' and kitted it out there.

shaz_mum_of__2

sophiesmum wrote: »

Hi Shaz, Happy Birthday for the other day:D

Re soup - I just chuck in a big bunch of broccoli including chopped stalks, just cover with water, add a veg stock cube and simmer until it is cooked soft. Then crumble small block of stilton into it, stir until melted and then blitz with stickblender.......done...nomnomnom:D

So no onion or leek etc then ...............guess i ovecomplicated it then :rotfl::rotfl:

Got all your ingredients will make tommorow

thanks again

Shaz

sophiesmum_2

Frugal bargain hunting at it's best :T :T well done Cheryl:D and I'm sure both GD's will be thrilled with their xmas bikes.


Xmas decorating now done with oldies, 3 trees, 2 inflatable snowglobes and oodles of other decs all now installed in communal parts of building, looking very festive now:santa2:
Just finished off the broccoli and stilton soup from yesterday with some HM seeded bread:D yummy.

Looks like it will be me, OH, and mum and dad, for xmas day meal as DD is going to her dad's for first time in years. Will need to try and adjust the menu a little as my dad is having trouble with tolerating certain foods so will change a few bits for us all then he won't feel so conspicuous.
Quite stressful thinking about this meal as it will be first family get together without Andrew, and also we know it will be our last xmas with my dad - I don't want to mess it up:think: :think:

Marru

Sophiesmum - you would not be able to mess it up even if you tried. Everything you have cooked and told us about on this site has made me drool and my tummy rumble.

DD is still sleeping. I might not take her to nursery tomorrow. We shall see if I can get her to eat anything this evening. She hasn't eaten anything today just drank half a litre of water and one and half mug of juice. It is too hot in here (I can't believe I said that) but don't want to turn the heating off due to DD. I know how quickly the temperature plummets if the heating is not on and it is freezing outside.

I have been a good girl and have been plowing through my todo list. I have decided to move 7 items for next week but am still trying to get three things (three letters) done before tackling my behaviour assignment.

DD's dad called and I told him to stop bullying DD's godmother. He denied everything obviously. We shall see what happens next.

Off I go now to write letters to some financial institutions re my DMP uuuuughhh...

lingojingo

[quote=redglass;16539379
I can just imagine the gossip in your street: 'Went in and there they were, watching telly, with icicles hanging off the sofa. My teeth were chattering but they didn't seem bothered at all, do you think they're bionic?' :rotfl:.[/quote]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

It's not that bad, we do have the heating on, but this just lets it be much lower and for shorter time.

sophiesmum_2

Thanks Marru, but I really am stressing out more about doing this meal for 4 of us then cooking for a 3/4 course dinner for 40 oldies.:eek:

Hope DD feels better soon, it is awful when little ones are poorly, don't worry too much about getting her to eat, as long as she is getting plenty of fluids she will be fine:D Poor little chicken.

the_cat

Sophiesmum, even if you only did beans on toast everyone would enjoy themselves!! With your very advanced skills it will be a breeze. Anyway they are all going to enjoy spending time together as a family regardless of what you cook. That's the important part especially with your situation re your dad.

Marru - well done on the to do list. I have only got as far as writing one today and it isn't a pretty sight. Hope DD is better when she wakes up

Off to tick at least one thing off my list. Should be writing Xmas cards but I really hate doing that... maybe OH will do it tomorrow as he has hurt his leg and prob wont be able to go to work. Wouldn't like to think of him getting bored:rotfl: :rotfl:

1274

I have rashly promised my Mum that I will make dessert for Christmas lunch (not Xmas pud because our family hates it). I was thinking of a nice light dessert, like chocolate mousse but have run up against the problem that I have none of the needed kitchen equipment. I do have pots and pans, but no whisk, no scales, no measuring cups (I have measuring spoons though), and no pyrex bowls for melting choc (but I could use the microwave?) Oh, and nothing electrical like mixers etc

Is there any hope, or should I just buy something and remove the packaging

Janey51

oh heck Nyk how did I miss all those trees
I retract my statement and humbly beg forgiveness :rolleyes:
Must have been talking too much :rotfl:

I have done my tax return :j Took ages and I'm sure I made mistakes but the Inland Revenue may be in a forgiving mood
If I have, it will only be a few ££££s. Maybe they will be nice because I did try very hard to understand all the questions with my little brain.

Can't believe a few years ago I used to do all the tax stuff for DH's business and our house rental with no problems.
I think my brain cells are dying off.

I have cleaned the fridge, tidied the "dump" drawer in the kitchen and am trying to sort out my budget.

How much are people adding onto things like contents insurance for next year (mine is due July) and any ideas on how much car tax is going up? At the moment mine is £120 and I think it is staying the same.
I won't get a lower insurance for the car because I had an argument with a tree last January and the house fire last November will rather put a dampener on a low quote for that.