It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi Guys!

I saw this website:

http://www.homeheathelpline.org.uk/

If you call on the freephone number they may be able to help with different advice on your gas/electric. If you receive any benefits or have a young child in the house they can inform you of local grants and if your supplier does something called a "social tariff" which works out normally slightly cheaper than the average KW. Also, if your having problems paying your utilities they can help you negotiate fairly etc without paying what you can't afford.

I hope it helps someone.

PP
xx

D&DD

There is a thread of the year running so I have nommed this and our old 'home' to show appreciation for Kittie in starting what has turned out to be a wonderful thread(s).
Please read what the first post says on there about multiple nominations as I would hate to spoil Kitties chances

pagangirl

happytails wrote: »

Most stressful thing now is rehoming 2 of our 3 dogs (we can keep one at OHs dads) - No idea where to start as im very fussy and what them to go to really good homes.

Sarah & Bump
9+6

Bigs hugs Happytails - wish I could take dogs for you, can only offer ideas - if you phone local Dogs Trust, or check phone book for any Rescue Centres/PDSA/Blue Cross - they may be able to help with advice for you, or even take the dogs in. I know Dogs Trust only rehome once they have checked the people and new homes out first. It must be a nightmare for you, specially at this time of year. Keep your chin up - you have lots of friends here. :lovethoug

oystercatcher

There are some places who offer dog fostering so you may be able to have your dogs back when you eventually get your own place again. I'm sorry I can't tell you which charity does this , Dogs Trust comes to mind but I could be wrong. I'm sure you'll find it with a google search. It would break my heart to have to part with either of our two mutts. They are like children to us!

I am supposed to be writing an academic essay but am struggling and it's so much nicer here....... mustn't stay for long and get distracted though .

Oystercatcher

ceridwen

Well....even ceridwen takes a break sometimes from my usual tune of "Prepare/Simplify/Grow Food/PREPARE" to bring a heartening article in todays papers:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/a-random-act-of-christmas-kindness-1207388.html

Have a good Christmas break everyone.

tru

Oooh ceridwen, thanks for the link :T I've never heard of them before.

I know of a bunch of four people (occasionally 5 people) who do that but on a much smaller scale

[Deleted User]

Hi Happytails - sorry to hear you've got a lot on your plate, I don't really have any suggestiont to help at the moment, but just wanted you to know that I (and lots of others) are thinking of you. I wish I could take on your dogs, but we have one large one already in a one-bedroom flat, one of these days we'll move out of London and I just know I'll take on more dogs that need homes. x

[Deleted User]

oo more posts, I`ll be back on later to read them all but just a quickie money saver for now.

I noticed that my local butcher is using more fatty meat in his mince and I suppose it is to keep the price down but I HATE fat so......

I went to T this morning, on my bike, so no parking rage and bought a big piece of topside/top rump at half price. Then I came back and sliced it into good pieces suitable for braising or casserole. Some I cut into strips ready to mince. It is very lean and cost me just £1.52 a pound. Topside silverside and top rum all at half price only the topside is called topside/top rump and I think is a bit more tender than silverside. My 3 1/2 drawer freezer is jam packed full now

Why on earth haven`t I done this before?

and re fresh turkeys: I hear on the local grape vine that T normally order 150 boxes and this year they have ordered 9 and I saw the fresh turkeys out this morning and they were being swiped offf the shelves

happytails

Well more decisions to make. My mum and dad offered me and OH to live at there house so we could be together with the baby and cut our outgoings to a minimum. There would be 5 adults, 1 baby and an elderly labrador living in a semi with 3 double bedrooms.

Do we accept their offer and have to rehome/find fosters for all 3 dogs or kindly decline and have OH at his dads with one dog and only have to rehome/find fosters for 2 dogs.

In my mind i know the sensible option as humans is to accept their offer but i have my dogs to think about too. In the process of trying to find suitable foster/permanent homes for them. Think we have one with a distant friend for Rosie our Dobbie X but that would be a permanent home other side of the country.

Our move date is 18th Jan and we really need to decide this side of xmas to make arrangements. Bless my parents, they've offered to get us a double bed with mattress so we dont have to squeeze on a single and offered to shift out the pc desk and exercise equipment out of what is currently their spare room so me and OH can be together with little one (who is due in 9 weeks). And they are already buying our pram :A

...Also after kitties post, i am going to trek to ASDA this afternoon and dreading it - all i want is some fruit to make my melon gondolas :rolleyes:

Sarah

Yategirl

Sarah - that is a lovely offer for them to make... I know it is a hard decision but having a baby without your dh at your side at every moment (even the middle of the night) is going to be hard.. Yes, he'll be at work some of the time, he won't be there every minute in reality and yes your parents will be round at other points of the day but you will want him there for support, to look after lo when you catch up with sleep and for him just to be there to see his lo. These first few weeks/months are so precious to both of you. I would snatch the offer up... I know it is hard re: dogs.. I have 2 and tbh, we found it very hard with 2 dogs plus baby/babies in the first few months.. some dogs also struggle with accepting a baby in the house too... esp when one has lived apart from the baby and doesn't get chance to "build up" to having a toddler in the house.. I don't envy your decision and I think you are both so brave to take this step... (((((hugs))))