It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Frugalista

Just popping in to say a big Thank You to all of you who replied to my post - I feel quite humbled as I know many of you are going through similar (and worse) problems, and yet found the time to respond.

It is such a big comfort to know that we can all come on here, pour out our hearts and get so much unconditional love and support straight back at us. Sometimes, just knowing that others understand and empathise can make things seem better. Thank you all :A

smileyt_2

Well said. When times are hard, needs must (as long as it's not illegal!).

I've just had to take £100/month cut in income. Things were tight before but at least I had a bit to put aside for emergencies. I've cancelled/rejigged as much as I possibly can and used the budgetbrain tool on here and I think I may just about make ends meet. But there's no room for any emergencies :eek:. I have two dogs and three hens and they cost me £100/month, but that includes an annual budget for vet fees, boosters, and insurance as well as food and bedding. I think they're good value for money as the dogs are my 'gym' and my social life, and the hens of course provide eggs (and poop for my allottment!). I think everyone will be getting a hand-made something for Christmas this year too, using only material and yarn that I already have in the house.

Right ... as I'm in on my own (lodger is out) I'm going to turn the heating off and put a hat on instead ..... I bet MPs don't have to do that ..... I would love to challenge a few MPs to run a household for two adults, two dogs and three hens on £10K/annum - how many do you think would manage it?

ginnyknit

Mardatha hunny, today you get wit and wisdom back off the rest of us, thats how it works! You can laugh at me climbing in the chicken run tidying up and locking the girls in for the night only to turn round and see Bob the chicken following me into the house, yes its official they are smarter than me cos I cannot count to three!

kidcat

ginnyknit wrote: »

Mardatha hunny, today you get wit and wisdom back off the rest of us, thats how it works! You can laugh at me climbing in the chicken run tidying up and locking the girls in for the night only to turn round and see Bob the chicken following me into the house, yes its official they are smarter than me cos I cannot count to three!

That made me smile, and reminded me of an evening many moons ago when we lived in an old house that had a window in the dining room that we left open all day for the cats to come and go but closed of an evening. One evening we forgot and left my mum babysitting and when we came home she proudly announced that she had locked window and got cats in and fed them for us, she left and we went to bed soon after, next morning we walked into the dining room to find three cats all sat on window sill waiting to go out, trouble is we only owned two cats!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Obviously my mum couldnt count either:D

Have decided that a few friends need cheering up a bit so am planning to invite them all to dinner next weekend, just need to work out what to feed them. There are so many whoopsies in my freezer the choice is brilliant. :j

Am treating us all to day out tomorrow and heading to Alton Towers, have managed to book tickets for all six of us for less than fifty pounds. Been umming and arring all day though cos its still alot of money, but as car bill came in under what I expected and i havent really taken kids out this week decided it was a treat that I could stretch too.

Agree with all thats been said about digging in, tbh I enjoy the battle most days and love the idea of getting the better of life and winning I suppose. When I get a really good deal or manage to cut a bill I want to tell the world.

Did want to share as well that my DS5 who was having all the problems at school before Christmas has settled really well into his new school and is so happy I cant begin to describe, he is so much easier to handle and I have been able to take all kids out on my own without incident. He is learning too and absorbing information at a rate of knots!! His old school has gone from bad to worse with many staff leaving and his old teacher being fired. Its nothing short of a miracle. And I wanted to thank everyone on here that helped get me thru what were terribly dark times. :beer:

nesssie1702

My DH has been off work since last September with a sore knee. He's been diagnosed as having arthritis; can't drive and can't sit at a desk for any lenght of time. He's climbing the walls at home and sometimes gets really grumpy with me. I've got to remember though that he doesn't see anyone during the day.

Thankfully, I'm the main earner, so can keep the wolf from the door, but it's hard. People still think that we should be able to do what we used to before. But we can't on account of not having the same money coming in. Ahhh, the joys!

taplady

nessie - I'm in a very similar situation to you atm as my DH is also at home(possibly gout) and also gets fed up on his own at home. He's had various long spells at home as he has several serious medical issues and this has always left us struggling. However I've learned a lot here over the last few years and am much better at coping now.:)

annscullamus

So sorry to hear about all the health issues - it must be soul destroying to not be able to do what one used to, and so hard to accept the restrictions that brings.
smileyt I 'smiled' at the comment about the heating off and a hat on! Now my daughter et al have gone home my heating is off for at least 2 weeks to pay for the 'hot' needs of the younger generation! I am sitting here with my cheap fake Ugg boots on and a fleece blanket!

I gave her some more cash as she left - for which she was graciously grateful, and then halfway home the car broke down and the AA has relayed her 250 miles! It needs a new water pump or something. I did say as she left that the money had run out from this end for some time, so I hope she can cope.

I did feel more positive today though, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, even if the temp was -2, it did'nt seem to matter.

Enjoy your Alton Towers day kidcat, and a big hug for geniusscuffy, you make me feel selfish for even moaning.

grannytwice

mardatha wrote: »

Once kids are 16 then stop feeling responsible for keeping them in everything , if they want fancy things or more things then tell them to get a job.;) I know it sounds hard and is hard after all the years of being their mum and looking after them - but I've seen so many mums run themselves into the ground trying to keep up with fashionable teens. Is like watching an exhausted wee sparrow trying to feed a baby cuckoo :eek: cant be done !
In the old days kids didnt expect so much and life was a lot easier, I think we try so hard to be good mums that we shoot ourselves in the foot sometimes.

Oh mardatha what a wonderful quote i think we mums all suffer a bit of the cuckoo syndrome i know i do this and mine are no longer teenagers, made me stop and think, hope you have a better day today you did cheer me up , usually lurk more than post but had to say Thanks

Genuisscuffy

Ohh thank you all for your comments - they put a smile on my face!! :-))

oystercatcher

I've been following this thread for a long time now, it's so warm and friendly. Shows there are some caring people about.

It looks like times are going to be hard for us too. I've been off sick from my job for a year now and they are having to dismiss me as it doesn't look likely I will be able to return for some time yet. I was the main earner , husband is still being paid but has been off for a few weeks with severe knee problems and is awaiting a knee replacement. Hopefully he will get back to work before his pay reduces but I am worrying as we still don't have an operation date.
Once 'the baby' turns 18 in June my generous maintenence payments will finish and we will be managing on less than a third of our normal income.
I'm so glad I didcovered MSE and have learned so many tips towards saving money!