It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Frugalista

I guess I should count my blessings as we already live in an old stone cottage in a beautiful part of the country with no near neighbours and fantastic views from every window. We have a log-burner (our only heat source) and didn't have any electricity for the first 16 years :eek: (we have been here almost 22 years).

But it's not without its downside. The cottage is draughty and damp in places (it's so old it has no damp course). The wooden beams attract spiders and thus, cobwebs. And I long for a flat wall to hang my pictures on (ours are all lumpy & crooked) :rotfl:, I could go on.

But, when all's said and done, I love my home. When my husband was made redundant, I was so grateful that we lived here. Would just like the money to do it up a bit, one day .

ceridwen

kidcat wrote: »

I would love to build my own house too, not to be all fancy and modern, just to be practical, a huge kitchen to cook and have eating area would be great and also an area where kids can sit doing homework under my watchful eye while i cook. And a bathroom big enough to move in, (at the moment its got a bath that is whole length and a sink which is width,), And a proper downstairs bathroom.
My pipe dream cos we will probably never be able to afford to buy a house never mind build one!

Well...barring a move to Detroit, U.S.A. anyways! I saw a throwaway comment on a U.S. blog today about "maybe moving to Detroit - where they are virtually giving houses away". 'Course couldnt resist looking up house prices in Detroit - and saw what she meant:eek: - a choice of houses for $3,000 - and, nope, that wasnt a typing error......cor! - but I dont think many of us would want to live there somehows....:cool:

ceridwen

Frugalista wrote: »

OH and I often play the "if we could build our own house" game. For me it would be a huge farmhouse kitchen with room for armchairs and big table; a basement or cellar (like they have in American houses) the entire footprint of the house; a utility/laundry room; a "mud" room for the dogs; and (an absolute must have) a big, wide veranda. And it must be in the country with an orchard and vegetable garden. In fact, I think I want The Waltons house :rotfl::rotfl:!! Oh well! We can dream can't we .

Sounds good to me - just delete the mudroom and that would do nicely.:rotfl:

kidcat

Yeah but of we all went it would change the whole area, we could convert them all to MSE ways and have our own little community!!

calleyw

kidcat wrote: »

I would love to consider a wood burning fire too, but as we are renting not sure we would be able to.

Wood burners are nice but they do have there downsides

Need ashes to be emptied every few days which in turns create dust. Although you do need some ashes to get a good fire going.
Unless they are kept in over night, the room is cold and it takes a while to heat up. Longer than central heating.
Your chimney needs to swept on a yearly basis
Not as controllable as central heating. Can get too hot. Lovely while lying down on the floor but stand up and you almost faint from the heat. Or is that just the way my dad likes it.
Need a constant supply of dry wood. As wells as newpapers to light the thing.
If you are buying wood it is not that cheap. Anyone would think it grows on trees and is free :rolleyes:
Pallets need to be broken down. Not easy and chain saws scare me. I have seen the damage they do, gives me the shivers.
Sparks can jump out and melt carpets and mats.

I am sure that there are a few other things. Might be nice when you are young. But when I am 60's and 70's I really don't want to have be empty ashes. Lugging a bucket outside with the wind whipping up and it all going up in to my face.

Yours

Calley

Frugalista

calleyw wrote: »

Wood burners are nice but they do have there downsides

Need ashes to be emptied every few days which in turns create dust. Although you do need some ashes to get a good fire going.
Unless they are kept in over night, the room is cold and it takes a while to heat up. Longer than central heating.
Your chimney needs to swept on a yearly basis
Not as controllable as central heating. Can get too hot. Lovely while lying down on the floor but stand up and you almost faint from the heat. Or is that just the way my dad likes it.
Need a constant supply of dry wood. As wells as newpapers to light the thing.
If you are buying wood it is not that cheap. Anyone would think it grows on trees and is free :rolleyes:
Pallets need to be broken down. Not easy and chain saws scare me. I have seen the damage they do, gives me the shivers.
Sparks can jump out and melt carpets and mats.

I am sure that there are a few other things. Might be nice when you are young. But when I am 60's and 70's I really don't want to have be empty ashes. Lugging a bucket outside with the wind whipping up and it all going up in to my face.

Yours

Calley

Have you been in my house while I was out??? :rotfl::rotfl:

calleyw

Frugalista wrote: »

Have you been in my house while I was out??? :rotfl::rotfl:

No not unless you are my mother.

Why?

Yours

Calley

Frugalista

Your description of the ash, the melted carpet, the pallets and the variable heat all sound like home :rolleyes:

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Frugalista wrote: »

Your description of the ash, the melted carpet, the pallets and the variable heat all sound like home :rolleyes:

lol... also rings a bell here too:D

savingmore

Oh and I have to say I have your £100 menu planning and shopping list printed out in the front of my recipe folder. Prices may have changed but the good ideas are still there.


Thanks for this thread it is great: i am another one who lives on what is described here as a shockingly low income....it can be done!!! would love to have a copy of your £100 menu planning and shopping list? could you post it? that would be great.....:D