It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

DdraigGoch

MSHAWX - re the cooking on a wood fire. It's unlike an electric cooker in that you never know the exact temperature at which you are cooking, but if you are in the room and pay some attention to it every so often then you get a very good idea of how fast it's cooking very quickly [about a week or so, I find] but I still end up with peas welded to the bottom of a a very forgiving saucepan every now and then! Don't worry about it and keep trying, it'll come and then your electricity bills will plunge even further - always a good thing! Just to keep a kettle or a large saucepan full of water on the top will help as you'll always have hot water, then you can go onto a [rather liquid] casserole. As for rice, I tend to use the steeping method which uses no extra heat beyond 2 minutes anyway - that way I can't burn it

Hope this helps
DG

sammy_kaye18

Wellll.. em...maybe just a FEW sweeties !

understatement of the year here people!:rotfl:

Hello peeps

Lucky to report - touch wood - *whispers* there are no job redundancies due here...........yet

Boyfriend is working long hours and ive been picking up overtime - well not this week with half term but due back tonight so will be looking at the overtime sheet tonight to see what's going if anything - then going in about 2pm on Monday to see if the new rota has been put up yet. Have also informed bosses that if there is any overtime going in day hours - between 9 and 3 then i will happily cover them although i may shoot myself in the foot with this as they never stop ringing then! but i cant really complain.

Have been looking into trying to pay off my overdraft - its not alot - £91 but it still bugs me knowing its there and i put money in to cover our direct debits that come from the account but it annoys me as id like to have that £100 as a back up in case anything happens so im hoping to get that paid off asap.

Food shopping is being tightened up again this month, boyfriend has decided that all the nibbly stuff - ie biscuits/treats etc need to go and its time for healthy eating. Hoping to get planting veggie seeds soon - probably thinking tomatoes, peas, and carrots for starters. My mother in law has wild rhubarb in her garden which she makes into rhubarb crumble for us so i have agreed to swap her some tomatoes for each crumble she makes. Also hoping to start walking into town on the days that Ben is in school - was given and iPod for Xmas so it will come in handy helping with that. Then the bus ride home is only £1.85 instead of a tickets for £3.25 for a round ticket and it gets me in shape then.

Am trying to get my sister to understand the importance of saving money and a pregnant friend - she had her £500 maternity grant and blew it on buying a wardrobe,chest of draws set for the babies room because it was pink when she had a perfectly fine chest of draws in there anyway that would have held loads.:rolleyes: Then she turned down a big black bag full of clothes because they were second hand -:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: she wont learn. Just wish she would so she could help herself - she has lots of debts despite being on benefits too

AM helping my sister out at the minute though - making sure she has everything she needs, xmas 2007 I made her a baking hamper with everything she would need. mixing bowl, baking tins, baking trays, whisk, sieve, rolling pin, icing bag, biscuit cutters, measuring cups, wooden spoons, icing knife things, tea towels etc as she wanted to do baking with her young daughter but had nothing to use. so i brought a little set of hat, apron and cooking cutter for her daughter too. And have told her i will be giving her practical gifts she'll like form now on. I want to make sure she knows how to look after herself - as my mum lives across the road from her and always bails her out if she is struggling - even though my mum struggles herself, and when sehs no there my sister really struggles so i want her to learn to look after herself and her daughters at 21.

rosieben

Sammy :j lovely to see you!

Some news for anyone who's really hard up (insert sarcastic smilie here) ....

Caterina

rosieben wrote: »

Some news for anyone who's really hard up (insert sarcastic smilie here) ....

OMIGOD I am in a state of suspended animation, how silly will it get? ".. at unbeatable price..."? Pull the other one! With the amount they charge for one I could make them for the whole street!

I had a right fit this morning at Mr S, there was a full shelf of Taste the Difference Clotted Cream, Display Until: 18/2/09, Best Before: 20/2/09

So I went to customer service and pointed out that because it was past display date but still edible, since today is 20/2, could they please reduce me two tubs and I would buy them!

She went to ask the supervisor but came back to say that because they are over date they are not allowed to sell them and are now clearing the shelf to throw them away.

I was mad and a half! There was another lady there with me at the customer service and we were just commenting about the terrible waste of food that is going on in this country, credit crunch or not!

I wish they reintroduced rationing, that would keep waste under control!

Frugalista

WHOO HOOO!! Sorry to interrupt but OH has got 2 job interviews lined up for Monday & Tueday!! :j :j :j :j :j :j :j .

Please all keep your fingers crossed for us (and,of course, for anyone else waiting for good news):D

Thanks!!:D

Caterina

What good news Frugalista, WELL DONE! to your OH, I shall keep my fingers crossed for you both!

Gigervamp

Jam sandwiches at M&S? The article mentioned a report in the Telegraph, but I searched for it and couldn't find it.

Frugalista, that's great news. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!

cw18

Great news on the interviews


I heard about the jam butties on the radio on Tuesday or Wednesday -- must have been one of those 'cos those are the only days this week I've used the car...... and I only ever listen to the radio in the car :rolleyes2 Knowing which presenters I was listening to, I think it must have been Wednesday

rosieben

Gigervamp wrote: »

Jam sandwiches at M&S? The article mentioned a report in the Telegraph, but I searched for it and couldn't find it.
..

I googled it, here it is

elizabunny

Frugalista wrote: »

WHOO HOOO!! Sorry to interrupt but OH has got 2 job interviews lined up for Monday & Tueday!! :j :j :j :j :j :j :j .

Please all keep your fingers crossed for us (and,of course, for anyone else waiting for good news):D

Thanks!!:D

Oh Good luck Frugalista, hope all goes well for your OH!