It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

sammy_kaye18

Hmmmm...................if there is a definite list then I'll be up for reporting back on if the SP or Value items are available in my local tesco too - that way you can get the welsh contingencies report as well! My local tesco is about a half hour walk from me - if its a nice day - so will happily have a trundle at the minute and try to kick start things.

Well I now have 18 days until little miss is due and have just found out that if she goes into August she wont have a trust fund as David Cameron is getting rid of them completely. My son did have one as he was born in 2004 and currently has £664 in his! but little miss may miss out on her starter voucher.

AM thinking besides me nesting that I should probably start getting in gear and stock piling a few bits and pieces. Am lucky in that my father in law has a costco card so has stocked up on nappies for me for when little miss is born and I have a few packs and have asked for practical gifts for bump when she arrives so I know she will be ok for a while at least but food items I think I need to get a move on with such as tinned bits and pieces/sauces/flour/etc. I tend to get my F&V from Tesco too but going to see next week if going to the market is better or not as we tend to eat a lot of fresh fruit. Just trying to think now where would be a suitable stocking place for my tins etc - as under bed space is taken by Christmas bargains and my kitchen is tiny - although sure with some careful moving and krypton factor style packing I could probably free up a cupboard!

jamanda

Right. That's it! I've got the wind up again and have decided to stock up on bread flour, etc. and I'm going to start buying a bag or two of coal now and again when funds permit. Still got some "mountains" bought when on offer - non perishable- but have been dibbing into other bits and bobs. I'm now going to start gently and quietly restocking. (DH will have a fit if he finds my stashes, although I notice he is collecting wood for the fire as often as he can, so he might have caught on now).

Had a good morning yesterday though. Our TV had all yellow people wearing blue clothes so, because I've actually managed to get a couple of weeks work temping, we bought a new TV. When I paid for it, the lady gave me £34 in vouchers to be spent before the end of next week. I scuttled off round the rest of the shop and managed to get 2 prs of sandals reduced from £40 to £20 each, paying the £6. Then I got more vouchers, so picked up a couple of packs of T Towels and I've still got £2 to give my mum who is often in there. And the TV was reduced by about £80.

The best bit was when DH tried to get on the escalator and decided he and the box didn't fit head on. He let someone go in front of him while he got his act together and then turned sideways and put one foot on it. Unfortunately he forgot his other foot, so one leg was going down the escalator and other was still at the top. He let go one end of the TV box and had it swinging in the air like a pendulum, narrowly missing the head of the bloke in front. Did I help? No- I was absolutely helpless with laughter and still keep collapsing with great belly laughs at unexpected moments. Don't know about made my day - it made my year.

J

mardatha

We'll be out tomorrow and I'll check prices in SainsB and Costco. I'm fedup with this because I already had a nice stash, and the budget sorted. He went diabetic and I had to get rid of all sugar- the day after I bought about a hundredweight of the bloody stuff in Costco. Then I loaded up with pasta, and we found his BS went haywire with the stuff and I had to give that all away as well . However, I dont let the bu**ers get me down ever, and WE WILL OVERCOME ! lolol!

sb44

Jo_Rourke wrote: »

I also usually withdraw the money at the bank in branch, and get my £70 out in smaller notes and coins, that way I really see where my money goes. Another benefit I have noticed is that it stops though "Well I have to break this £20 note anyway, I may as well buy this magazine / drink / whatever"

Small changes have made big differences for me

Jo

That's a good idea about withdrawing in branch to get smaller notes, I think I may try that next week.

I withdraw £50 a week which covers normal shopping, petrol and clothes.

I only put in £8 to £10 of petrol as I normally do less than 50 miles a week, shop around for my food and a couple of the local charity shops sell all clothes for £1 each, the kids clothes are all 40p. I managed to get a nice brand new Next coat for the winter yesterday for £1 so another bargain there.

As you say though, if you break into a £20 note it gets spent on odds and sods and is gone in no time.

sb44

I saw on Sky News the other day that the government are thinking of ended Child Benefit once the child hits 13!

I hope they intend to means test it then and give it back to us in some other way as a lot of our kids will miss out if not.

mama67

sb44 wrote: »

That's a good idea about withdrawing in branch to get smaller notes, I think I may try that next week.

I withdraw £50 a week which covers normal shopping, petrol and clothes.

I only put in £8 to £10 of petrol as I normally do less than 50 miles a week, shop around for my food and a couple of the local charity shops sell all clothes for £1 each, the kids clothes are all 40p. I managed to get a nice brand new Next coat for the winter yesterday for £1 so another bargain there.

As you say though, if you break into a £20 note it gets spent on odds and sods and is gone in no time.

I do similar, I draw my weekly catch all cash out over the PO counter as is closest, I get all sorts of funny combinations, as need different denominations for different pots. But it's alot eassier than getting just notes then having to split for lunch money or footy subs etc

Wee_Jo

mardatha wrote: »

Why the hell has butter gone up so much ? Have the cows had a pay rise ?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

That gave me a good old giggle, mardatha!

lilac_lady

The only way to save money is to stay at home. A visit to the supermarket is becoming like a trip to a designer shop as prices are rising so rapidly.

charlies-aunt

jamanda wrote: »

Right. That's it! I've got the wind up again and have decided to stock up on bread flour, etc. and I'm going to start buying a bag or two of coal now and again when funds permit. Still got some "mountains" bought when on offer - non perishable- but have been dibbing into other bits and bobs. I'm now going to start gently and quietly restocking. Definately with you on this one - I am planning to live out the freezer for the next couple of weeks so I can use the housekeeping for a big store cupboard shop of non perishables - tea, coffee, flour sugar, beans, rice, cereal etc and getting some of the last few Basics in while they are still around.
I love this thread, its reassuring to know that I'm not alone in noticing (and worrying about) the prices going up and the quantities/quality going down.

£34 in vouchers to be spent before the end of next week. I scuttled off round the rest of the shop and managed to get 2 prs of sandals reduced from £40 to £20 each, paying the £6. Then I got more vouchers, so picked up a couple of packs of T Towels and I've still got £2 to give my mum who is often in there. And the TV was reduced by about £80.

Woo hoo! MSE'ing to the max there

The best bit was when DH tried to get on the escalator and decided he and the box didn't fit head on. He let someone go in front of him while he got his act together and then turned sideways and put one foot on it. Unfortunately he forgot his other foot, so one leg was going down the escalator and other was still at the top. He let go one end of the TV box and had it swinging in the air like a pendulum, narrowly missing the head of the bloke in front. Did I help? No- I was absolutely helpless with laughter and still keep collapsing with great belly laughs at unexpected moments. Don't know about made my day - it made my year.


:rotfl: :rotfl:Brilliant! - best laugh I've had in weeks :rotfl::rotfl:
J

..is he speaking to you yet??

charlies-aunt

mardatha wrote: »

Why the hell has butter gone up so much ? Have the cows had a pay rise ?

Not the British cows, nor the British farmers - seems like our dairy farms are closing daily under the flood of imported milk... butter has gone up in price this week - keep youe eyes open for the same to happen to milk, cream, yogurt and cheese....
..makes you wonder who is getting the extra cash at the end of the day.:o
..and thats dried milk on my shopping list too now!


Are we listing our local Basics prices /availability on this thread - or are we starting a new thread? I will be very interested in this one as Basics form a large part of my shopping!