It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

BitterAndTwisted

I've been trying to figure out ways to collect my own grey water in this flat. Water from the bath or washing-machine must make more sense than flushing the lav with drinking-quality water. It seems like a shocking waste to me.

Back to Approved Foods: I placed an order with them last evening for a whole load Nut Loaf mixtures and some dried porcini mushrooms. I already had £8 sitting in my PayPal account with nothing earmarked for it, so even with the delivery charge the order will only have cost me 2 quid in actual cash-folding money. These are things which I buy regularly and can't possibly spoil even a long time after the "best-before" date. Result! I'm so grateful to whoever posted the link because you've saved me an absolute fortune, so many, many thanks to you. I can't believe what Food Bargains are selling 5 litre bottles of Buxton water for, they're almost free at less than 50 pence a pop.

Pitlanepiglet

I think I'm getting somewhere with trying to "frugalise" hubby, I work full time (in a job I hate) he is home looking after my Dad and building an extension etc., so he's pulling his weight but he's always been a bit keen to waste money. Daytime trips to the local cafe for a frothy coffee, food shopping at the Farm Shop etc. thus negating my carefully made savings :mad:

Recently he's shown a definite interest in making things rather than buying things (kitchen shelves out of old battening) getting bargains from the local auction house PLUS he's going to make us a new bed frame as I can't find what we want at a price we can afford.

Then...today's triumph, we had to go to the nearest big town (20 miles) and I said on the way back we could pop into our local pub and have a cheap snack, it'll have to be cheap as we've got XY and Z to pay and he said, why don't we just go home and I'll cook some of those nice sausages you bought....hurrah...we're getting somewhere!

kidcat

Success pitlanepiglet comes in many forms. Well done, if only I could have such success I have worked out that on my OH four days off we use twice as much electricity and gas than we do on the other four days!! He is constantly putting immersion heater on and the heating is never off Grrrr!!

Pitlanepiglet

kidcat wrote: »

Success pitlanepiglet comes in many forms. Well done, if only I could have such success I have worked out that on my OH four days off we use twice as much electricity and gas than we do on the other four days!! He is constantly putting immersion heater on and the heating is never off Grrrr!!

Ahh that's my next challenge...he's good with the heating but he'll turn the oven on maximum for an hour before we need it and then leave the door open to bring it down to the temperature we need :eek: Partially in his defence our oven is carp and needs at least 40 minutes to get to a decent temperature which I was aware of but I didn't realise that he was doing max power/open door to go with it. So decent steps so far, some training still required :rotfl:

He does make exceedingly good bread though

pagangirl

Hello from a longtime lurker to this thread - picked up some brilliant hints / tips, so thanks all.

I was finished up in work New Year's Eve - yeah, wonderful timing.

At my age - 57 this year, not much on the job front. Been granted JSA £64.30 per week which sounds a lot, 'til you deduct all bills - which leaves me the grand total of £23.00 a week to live on - thats for everything :eek: It ain't no fun but they won't grind me down. To be honest I'm eating better than I have done for ages, coz now got time to whoopsie hunt, and cook meals etc. from scratch. When working (52 hour week including travelling time) was so tired, all I did was sling a micro meal in, and slump in the chair for the night. IBS has settled down as no additives etc. in food, walking everywhere I can to save money and load of jobs been done around this place, that I was too tired to even think about before.

So tho skint, am definitely not depressed - see this more of a challenge to see what I can do with so little money. I will NOT be beaten is my new motto. Good job there's only me here, (small flat, not house) so if I look like the michelin [STRIKE]man [/STRIKE]woman with all my layers on and no heat, ain't no one gonna complain

Hugs to all who need 'em

Butterfly_Brain

Pagangirl
Sorry to hear about your job but it is so, uplifting to hear that you are keeping upbeat about things. Have you anywhere that you can grow a few veggies? that might supplement the meagre job seekers allowance.
I know what you mean about finding a job it is getting harder and harder especially if you are older or like me disabled and my DD is 20 and can't find a job anywhere.

Primrose

Pagangirl - welcome to this thread. Bad luck about your job but having more time and energy does seem to have a pay-off in terms of other savings you can make. Just keep putting on the layers until the weather gets warmer and if you're got a library anywhere near you, use its heat instead of yourself and catch up with all the good books and magazines there free. Batch cooking too, if you've got a freezer will help save you some fuel.

ceridwen

PAGANGIRL

Sorry to hear about the job - not a great consolation that I know you have been rather expecting this for a while.

I can understand the :eek: at the thought of only £23 after bills (even assuming you have a bit of contingency savings to one side). When I worked out what I would have left after bills if I were on J.S.A. it came to about that amount too:eek:

Are you looking for another job seriously? or do you think you will now find yourself being a "lady of leisure" (I like the sound of that - has a much better "ring" to it).

BitterAndTwisted

Pagangirl you are not alone as I currently share your fate. I'm almost the same age as you and have been out of work since October. Have applied for more jobs than I've had hot dinners but just like you I am doing my best to keep a positive attitude. Having time to get all those odd-jobs done around my home, cooking meals from scratch and baking up a storm I'm viewing as a form of self-worship. Because I'm worth it.

I've endured this winter with the absolute bare minimum of heating and my gas bill came in at less than half of what it was last year. I think my neighbours heard me cheering when I opened it. I really do feel that the self-sacrifice was worth the effort. If it hadn't been for the people and their tips and encouragement which I found on this forum I truly do feel that it would have been so very much harder.

To all of those who are currently struggling and doing their best I say: keep going!

Primrose

A positive thought for this rainy day. Tomorrow is 1st March. Every day now it is getting a little lighter and hopefully a little warmer so we should all be able to start turning down the heating a little.