It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

charlies-aunt

It is tough NOW...but, thankfully, we are coping. Imperfectly perhaps but we are.

I am working on fixed term contract which runs out in October so I'm trying to save every which way I can over the next 6 months as I know that now I'm in my 50's - I'm going to really struggle to get another job.

I am trying to stockpile as much non-perishable stuff as I can ...things like coffee, tea, wash powder, shampoo, coal, logs etc to try and tide us over next winter.

I have already bought my Christmas paper,and bows from Wilko when all the Christmas stuff was marked down to 10p and I am trying to buy a few things every week to make up into gift hampers for Christmas.

OH is winemaking with our hedgerow picked stock of fruit from last autumn so we will have a stock of wine for the festive season and I am planning to pick and freeze as much as I can during summer & autumn to make homemade chutneys and jams later in the year to make Xmas food hampers with.

I'm a bit sad in starting Christmas prep so early but at least it means I can put together a nice but low cost present anytime throughout the year

I have some old gold jewellery which was left to me by my aunts - I'm not a jewellery person and will never wear it -- I have thought about cashing it in but I don't like to as it seems disrespectful somehow. I guess I will hang onto it as insurance - if things get really bad, cash it in then.

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Thanks for all your sharing and support

lilac_lady

I dip in and out of this thread and find comfort in the fact that so many of us have the same approach to life. Not materialistic, thrifty, not mean and mindful of others. Even though we're coping ourselves, we still find ourselves worrying about our 30+ children and their children!

Yategirl

We are finding it very tough since redundancy and then dh setting up.. we are coping sort of and trying hard not to let affect our children - dh and I are going without and we are making changes all the time and just concentrating on getting the bills paid.

It is worrying especially as we don't know - any of us - when things will (if ever) improve... but being able to read other peoples tips for coping IS helpful. Just hope we will be able to stockpile the cupboards again... tis all looking rather bare....

Chipps

Times are tough at the moment, but on a personal level we are perhaps better off than we have been for a long time. I stayed home to bring up the children (which included 10 years home educating) & DH's job doesn't pay much. In the past 2 years I have been working, since the "baby" started work, and it was really wonderful to not have to count absolutely every penny!
But then, of course, this could not last & after I had been at work for 3 months, DH went to work to find the receivers had been called in - we had a nervous couple of days & an agreement was made which meant that his depot & some others survived, and are still surviving now. So, as you can imagine - no pay rise since! But all those years living on just 1 low income, OS, cooking from scratch etc, means that we have plenty of practice in not spending too much. And with my money as well, we might not be wealthy, but we aren't doing too badly.

Yesterday we dug up the last of the parsnips from the allotment, & some other fresh veg. I don't have as much time for OS stuff as I did, probably the worst "crime" is over use of the tumble dryer. But that is something I could cut down on if necessary (would need to be more organised in the morning)

The best thing about OS is being able to manage whatever life throws at you. I hope our kids have watched enough to know how to cope, even if they choose not to most of the time.

elizabunny

Yes it's tough times indeed and I am not at all fooled by any of the 'things improving' hype that seems to be around. The cost of basic food has risen to the point where I don't actually do a normal 'shop' anymore and buy as and when and for as cheaply as possible. I do try to buy as healthily as the budget will allow but it's a real struggle.

The car broke down last week and will cost £1500 to repair and this is causing us some serious problems.

DH is still on a 4 day week and things are not set to improve as yet.

I still think I am lucky that I have the time to cook from scratch and grow crops in the garden to help supplement our income and I can't wait to get properly started again in the spring. Today I have put in some Tomato, Leek and Cucumber seeds and they are on a nice warm bench in the greenhouse, so fingers crossed. I have also set out the Potatoes for chitting. It's keeping busy that keeps me going.

It's also the people on this thread and their stories that help to keep me going. No we are not alone, we have each other to share our thoughts with and I am sure loads of us get inspiration from this.:)

kidcat

I was thinking about this thread today when searching online for houses for sale, I found one that I was really excited about, my friend was in hysterics cos I loved the house because it very OS MSE. Has wood burning stoves in liv rm and din rm, veg patch, greenhouse, covered drying area. It was way too small for us but it was lovely the idea of moving into a house where alot of the really hard work has been done.

charlies-aunt

Elizabunny - what part of the country do you live in? I really envy you being able to get a good start on the growing season

I live near the Humber Bridge and its been cold, wet and miserable here for months

Spring must be on its way soon though - we saw a couple of squirrels out playing this morning ... I know that they are classed as 'vermin' but they are sweet little things and it was so lovely to see them happily scampering about amongst the trees.

mardatha

I've just seen the weather forecast for this week and maybe I wouldn't plant anything out just yet.....

BitterAndTwisted

charlies-aunt wrote: »

It is tough NOW...but, thankfully, we are coping. Imperfectly perhaps but we are.

I am working on fixed term contract which runs out in October so I'm trying to save every which way I can over the next 6 months as I know that now I'm in my 50's - I'm going to really struggle to get another job.

I am trying to stockpile as much non-perishable stuff as I can ...things like coffee, tea, wash powder, shampoo, coal, logs etc to try and tide us over next winter.

Charlies-aunt you are doing exactly what I was doing this time last year when I was anticipating my own contract ending this Christmas. I saved and stockpiled like mad. Alas, I was shown the door in mid-October so hadn't got as much saving done as I had wanted to but I'm living off the stockpiles pretty well, thank the Lord.

Sometimes the reality of what you feared isn't as bad as you thought it would be. I might even be in the running for a new job so I'm trying to keep my pecker up and I hope you do too

charlies-aunt

Its quite stressful not knowing if and when my contact will be finished - I hope that it lasts until October or beyond but every month I have to sign a letter acknowledging their right to terminate my employment with a months notice - all legal and above board but zero job security.

I am determined that if the worse happens that I will just do what I can jobwise. DH was redundant last year and after months of job searching, he managed to get another - total career change as after 40 odd years doing office admin, he is now working as a technician in a funeral home. Minimum wage but its a job and I'm proud that he is prepared to do it to keep us going.

I'm not into material things - which given my financial situation is a blessing!! :rotfl: my biggest worry is being able to afford my pets -a cat, a dog, horse and a very old pony (40+) - all acquired many years ago when we were both in good jobs. The horse has been poorly since Christmas and I have had two whacking vet bills, another one is looming at the end of this month,

Not intending to be negative - all in all, I am happy and content - rich in terms of the the things that money can't buy.