It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

smileyt_2

Hi ginnyknit

Whereabouts in Manchester are you?

You mentioned that you couldn't go out much because you couldn't afford petrol. I just wondered if something like Community Transport would be any good to you and your husband? I don't know anything about them but I know they often have adapted minibuses. It might be worth looking into. Also, I work with students who have various disabilities. One of them uses an electric wheelchair and instead of a bus pass she gets taxi vouchers. I think you would probable need to contact gmpte.org.uk to ask about these, but it might be worth a try.,

Finally, as you seem to be your husband's carer, have you contacted Manchester Carers' Centre? They might be able to do a benefit check and point you in the direction of useful services.

Sorry aboutthe rubbish typing - I've had a glass of wine (given to me by a friend) and it doesn't take much .....

I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family. Being with people you love is what matters most and it sounds as if you have a lovely family.

Pitlanepiglet

ginnyknit wrote: »

Ah well keep fighting those alligators guys!

That's a lovely phrase, I think we should OS tshirts with that on them....or actually I suppost it ought to be OS cotton shopping bags

jamanda

It's funny you say that. I thought about this thread this morning on my way out. It must have been fancy dress at the local primary school, because a small boy was dressed as Croc. Dundee and carrying a huge blow up croc. This thread touches all aspects of your life, even down to a huge blow up croc - sorry, crocs, alligators, all the same to me. (I'm glad I wasn't sent out for one for dgks. Where on earth would you look to buy one!

ginnyknit

The arm pits in alligators thing came from an American couple called John and Irma Mustoe who published a magazine in the early 90's (I think it was) called the Pennypincher Paper. They were on tv a few times due to the legend that Irma made Johns underpants herself! They inspired me and I wrote a couple of articles which they published ( yay! I was so proud) They beleived in pennypinching in many aspects of life to free up cash to spend on your lifes wishes. I lost touch with them due to various life events but remember them fondly.

mardatha

I have their book somewhere...:)

rosieben

jexygirl wrote: »

... sod the bull and the adverts that commercialise things and are designed to make us think that we are poor - should be spending money - should be surrounded with family / lots of presents / too much food. ...

I'm totally sick of tv ads peddling the 'perfect christmas' - too much food, too many people, too much money spent, it puts so much pressure on people (mostly wives and mums) to achieve the impossible ... sorry, rant over, I'm calm now.... and breathe....

Sorry to hear so many are struggling at the moment

Bargain_Rzl

rosieben wrote: »

I'm totally sick of tv ads peddling the 'perfect christmas' - too much food, too many people, too much money spent, it puts so much pressure on people (mostly wives and mums) to achieve the impossible ... sorry, rant over, I'm calm now.... and breathe....

I'm with you on that one. And don't get me started on M&S and their "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without..." ad campaign :rolleyes: Now, I'm lucky enough to be able to afford a good meal on Christmas Day and so on, but guess what, NONE of it is coming from M&S. And you know what, it's still going to be Christmas, surprise surprise.

I even caught Nigella using that phrase as well, on a re-run of one of her recipes today on Saturday Kitchen, but to be fair, I did realise from the context of what she was saying that she meant *her* Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without (whatever it was). I know one thing for sure, and that's that nothing I can buy in the shops, and nothing anybody else tells me I should be cooking, is what makes Christmas Christmas.

BigMummaF

Well said Rzl :TWe don't like turkey, bread sauce or great lovers of christmas pud but we do love sprouts, roast & a good giggle I guess because there's no littlies around we are not bothered whether the dex go up or not--saves untangling Pup from the various flex & tinsel!--& I'm not giving/sending cards to folk who can't be bothered to talk to me the rest of the year.
I have to count my pennies through necessity so if that makes me a Bah Humbug, then paint on black stripes & call me Minty!

mardatha

YAAAAY ! I do love a good revolt ! UP THE PEASANTS !!:beer:
And it's time we learned that ads are mainly designed to rob you of your hard earned money - I'd like to think most women have a brain of their own and can use it!
I just spent a lovely 2 hours in the kitchen and discovered a hidden unknown talent.... I CAN MAKE FABULOUS SWEETIES! WHOOHOO! :T Inspired by the Victorian Farm xmas

mummysaver

Afternoon all!

Just had a quick browse of the last few posts, boy I love this thread! Pitlanepiglet, I'm glad that things at work have now improved for you.

Well the worst did happen with ex's job and he has been made redundant, but thanks to all the advice and support on the OS boards I know that we can survive, it may be a squeak at times but we will be okay! Actually far more immediate is the problem we have with our heating, the gas isn't getting from the tank into the house and probably won't be repaired until after Christmas. The heating broke last year and the year before at Christmas, always different things, but the result is the same, we're bloomin cold! Have a plug in oil rad and got the kids electric blankets, a necessity when it's below freezing I think! Won't be long before we get icicles inside the windows, and then they'll start to believe the stories about when I was tiny!

Anyway this was meant to be a positive post, yes we have had a financial shock, yes we have no heating, but we do have each other and are looking forward to doing Christmas our way! Our way means just that, we have made our own traditions and yesterday the kids were telling me their favourite parts of Christmas, strangely enough what they all agreed on as the best bits were preparing the Christmas dinner all together, sitting down to watch a film in the afternoon together and opening their stockings with lots of little pressies together on my bed! All simple things, and I have to say I was quite touched!

ps mardatha, glad you've discovered a new talent!!!!