It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

mama67

bump it up

kidcat

The seeds from BBC arrived today, all I need now is to be able to get outside and plant them up, gonna be a bit hit and miss this year I think, but worth a try. As soon as I can get away from sick kids I am gonna have a go.

ceridwen

kittie wrote: »

There is one thing I am doing and that is spending now on things I want (not need) and in the main lately, it is cd`s.

...ceridwen slinks out the door....wondering if shes led Kittie a bit "astray" here with that playlist I did......;)

kidcat

ceridwen wrote: »

...ceridwen slinks out the door....wondering if shes led Kittie a bit "astray" here with that playlist I did......;)

I think you did start something, I followed someones link to lastfm and that reawakened my need tolisten to music, I must admit with the kids around I got used to it always being Dora the explorer or the wheels on the bus, it was lovely to be able to just listen to music again. That in turn led to me realising that its ages since I read properly so I started reading a little again too.
Its good though cos I am rediscovering things I hadnt realised I had lost.

Charis

lillibet_dripping wrote: »

wannabesybil -The only way I know of to track where I have got to is to press the 'thanks' button . That way, I know when I start to see thanks again, I need to start reading from that point. Apart from the (very OS:rotfl:) paper and pencil, I'm sure there must be a way of 'putting a bookmark' at the point you left off - can anyone help me out?

When I've had enough, I just add the page I am reading to 'Favorites' (or 'Bookmarks' in Firefox (if I remember correctly). When it has saved the current page, click on 'favorites' again and delete the previous saved page, so the one in favorites is always current. Pages are numbered by the MSE website, so you can see which is the more recent.

BigMummaF

I subscribe to a number of threads & have them on daily notification. Then I read the e-mail as opposed to the page IYSWIM & I keep up as far as midnight of the night before.
It's very easy to just click on the link if you want to open the page....it sounds as clear as mud the way I've described it but has saved me a fortune in biro & paper where I used to write down page & post no every day. Plus I can't loose the bit of paper now either
The half-&-half value to branded tea bags is still only happening if I make the tea :cool: I was thinking this morning if it's better to have the offspring rush to make a cuppa so they get 'proper' tea, or save money My next venture is to get us eating 'better' by making the bread with 2:1 white & wholemeal.
One has said that as long as the sandwich is a "proper" filling--ie not marmite I]this HAS to be on white sliced & doesn't sit well on[U] any[/U] uncut bread apparently[/I or a scrape of cheese--it will be given a decent trial run. The other two are not so forgiving :mad: SIZE=1]read fussy little blighters![/SIZEso lord only knows what they'll think when I start adding various seeds to have my beloved granary
I was :jto see MrS has finally done something about helping the nation buy healthier food while on a strict budget. They now do their value fruit in JUICE as opposed to syrup :T so Well Done MrS! Let's hope others will follow suit very soon! Now keeping my eyes peeled for value range reduced sugar & salt baked beans...It amazes me how--if ingredient/s are 'reduced' in the recipe--the product always costs more :mad: Try shopping for peeps with sensitive skin or diabetes to see what I mean..

Frugalista

Frugalista wrote: »

OH has just been made redundant - no notice period - company has closed the doors & ceased trading! Worrying thing is he has a company car and, as we live out in the sticks, we need transport. Just waiting for the lease company to contact him direct (maybe we won't answer the phone for a few days and make them write instead, to buy us a bit of time).

Luckily, I have a full storecupboard and freezer and have been stockpiling for a while now (despite OH's mutterings about the overflowing cupboard). I am also a reasonably frugal cook and have just managed to stretch 500g pork mince to make 8 meals. So foodwise, I think we will be OK for the moment - I'm just so worried about all the other bills.

Fortunately, we don't have any debts (other than the mortgage) and we don't have any children - but we do have 9 dogs & 2 cats to feed. I just feel so scared and sick.

Sorry for the moan - I know there is nothing any of us can do - I just needed to sound off!! Thank goodness for this site - and particularly this thread - to keep us all focused.

Back on the 22nd January I posted the above. Well, we tightened our belts and kept all spending to a minimum - and we have managed (just).

Today OH got a job!!!! :j:T:j:T:j:T:D:D:D:j:T:j:T

I'm just so happy - I can't stop smiling . I know it's going to be hard for him as he is in quite a specialised field, closely connected with engineering/sales and the automotive industry (all of which are at an all time low) - but the look on his face this morning just made my heart burst with pride .

I just had to tell somebody - and who better than you guys

oystercatcher

Frugalista wrote: »

Back on the 22nd January I posted the above. Well, we tightened our belts and kept all spending to a minimum - and we have managed (just).

Today OH got a job!!!! :j:T:j:T:j:T:D:D:D:j:T:j:T

I'm just so happy - I can't stop smiling . I know it's going to be hard for him as he is in quite a specialised field, closely connected with engineering/sales and the automotive industry (all of which are at an all time low) - but the look on his face this morning just made my heart burst with pride .

I just had to tell somebody - and who better than you guys

Oh well done Mr F !

Give all those doggies a hug from me frugalista !

Oystercatcher

elona

Well done to Mr. F! :T:T:j

Austin_Allegro

I'm already starting to see the benefits of growing vegetables. I've been using chives, spring onions and beanshoots already, and have planted carrots, swiss chard, kale, mint (to make tea) , curry plant, lemongrass, (as substitutes for curry powder and lemons) sunflowers (for the seeds), runner beans and tomatoes. It really didn't take much effort or cost and if I only get a little bit of veg it will have paid for itself.

I've also set aside a 'foraging garden' at the bottom of the garden (ie, I leave it neglected!) in order to harvest nettles, wild garlic, dandelions, blackberries and 'fat hen'.