It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Charis

declutterqueen wrote: »

Hi Guys, I recently went to my local garden centre and they sell plugs,(Small plants) I got some and are growing them on my window.. the sun we have had is really boosting them, not as cheap as seeds tho! anyone found any cheap seeds anywhere??

Are cheap seeds really an economy? Maybe if they're a reputable brand, reduced in price. Possibly not if they are unknown. Sharing with a friend is one way to keep the cost down and the seeds fresh. There often seem to be far more than you need in one packet. I plant each in its own little pot, Or half a toilet roll holder, rather than the time honoured plant two, throw away the weakest. Time will tell which will grow into a decent plant (often both).

My cheapest and most prolific last year were free. An organic tomato from a veggie box yielded enough seeds to grow over 30 plants. Those I grew in the garden unfortunately were ruined by the constant rain, a lot went black on the plant, but I still had 13 plants in the greenhouse which produced pounds and pounds of tomatoes, and I gave away some plants too. I even saved seed for this year.

Butterflymind

Hi all

I know I am lucky to have paid off the major debt a lot of us have - the dreaded mortgage payments. Let me just say it took 11 years - not overnight (if that makes any of you feel better) of hard saving, budgeting, overpaying, & long work hours. Tiring to say the least.

But I am so grateful I did it now, as OH's not getting much work at his full-time job, and my boss is telling us my hours & everyone else's are likely to shrink at work (I already do 70% of my old boss's work - he was full time & made redundant, as well as my own job, in part-time hours, and the stress is beginning to tell).

She says we should all be grateful we still have jobs, but, it's tough. And we face the possibility of some redundancies soon too. But, looking at everyone's tips here on the OS thread has been a great help (and the book 'Thrifty ways..'). I have a full storecupboard, hm blackberry whisky & strawberry brandy to last ages, a full freezer (with whoops! meat n bread), cook extra portions so I can freeze meals ready from when we both crash out from work, white vinegar for cheap cleaning, and we try to reuse, recycle, and reduce what we can. We are lucky enough to have an older neighbour who lets us grow veg in his garden, as he can't garden anymore. He's happy - gets a weed-free, tended garden, and shares the veg, and we're happy as we get fresh grown stuff too, which we can also freeze, etc. And we grow stuff in our own garden (ended up feeding family and neighbours with some of it!)

Can't help feeling anxious about what the future holds, even though I've saved a financial cushion for us. I know it won't last long if we both end up unemployed... Still. Chin up and all that - we've prepared the best we can. I like the motto: 'Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best'.

Primrose

I agree with Charis that tomatoes are just about the cheapest vegetable to grow if you save the seed from shop bought plants, although of course it's fun to experiment with different known varieties if you're a real tomato fan. I too have never been able to bring myself to "sow two seeds in one pot and throw away the weaker plant". Almost invariably I get both seeds germinating and looking equally strong, so I end up with lots of extra seedlings which I either have to give away or pot on and eventually find room in the garden to plant. This does sometimes result in a rather ecclectic garden with cucumbers dotted in amongst geraniums, and the odd tomato plant stuck in between a couple of azaleas. Who cares?

ginnyknit

Butterfly mind you must have worked very hard to pay off the mortgage but it must feel like a major triumph. Its so true, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. When you suddenly find you are jobless - I finished work to care for hubby - it is scary and difficult but the only bonus is you are at home all day. I was so happy about that this winter after spending so much of my time in the past at freezing bus stops and on railway platforms all for little pay and no respect from my boss. We are constantly struggling but each day puts us further out of debt. Sunny days like today fire me into action and Ive only popped on here to check something before I plant another tray of seeds - am staggering them so we don't get a glut. I am just hoping for a vaguely nice summer, warm, not hot and the odd rain shower - well I can dream can't I!

pagangirl

[Originally Posted by [FONT=&quot]Primrose[/FONT]
Whatever our respective circumstances, I feel we all need to pause for a moment and congratulate ourselves on getting through a horrible winter, both in terms of the financial recession and the terrible weather. Somehow we all seem to find the will to keep going somehow, even when the going is tough]


Well said Primrose - I certainly couldn't have got thru without all the help from people on MSE.


Need advice please - have acquired slow cooker, but not used yet and am am off to investigate recipe thread,
Instruction booklet says place the base on heat resistant surface - does that mean I can't put it on kitchen unit top ??? (And if not, what sort of heat resistant surface do I need)
Sorry if stupid question (and thanks to anyone who can help !)

Hugs to all who are feeling yucky - it ain't no fun, hope you feel better soon.

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kidcat

I have my SC on worktop as normal, i always thought that the worktop counted as a heat resistant. (oops) Never had any problem with it there. But if you worried, could you put it on a trivet of sorts? Ikea are selling metal ones that would be big enough - I think they are about £3 ish.

BitterAndTwisted

Yes, a trivet or even cheaper and very MSE is to pop it on a couple of glazed tiles

pagangirl

Brilliant - thanx folks :T - oooh - I can go play with new toy

Chipps

Never had a problem with slow cooker on kitchen worktop, but if worried perhaps stand the SC on a breadboard or something.

For cheap seeds, we have bought seeds from both Aldi and Lidl for about 29p a pack in previous years, and they are fine. The main difference is that you don't get a choice of varieties, but otherwise no problems.

We have had loads of seeds that come free with magazines like Kitchen Garden or Grow your Own. The March issue of Kitchen Garden came with packets of Mr Fothergills seeds: Thyme, Kale (Dwarf green curled), Tomatoes (gardener's delight) and Lettuce (all the year round). The magazine was £3.60, so not bad for the information in the mag plus the seeds.

taplady

just when it looked like things were looking up a bit DH has got to have a new exhaust on his van before tomorrows MOT not sure how we're going to afford it as our savings were all used up when DH was off work for a month and we had to help out DS with his mot. I could cry.
I know things will ease soon - 4 more payments to go till debt free but it seems like everything is being thrown at us lately.