It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

ceridwen

mardatha wrote: »

Very very sneaky !

Re those Govt department cuts of up to 40% - I also think that the reality of it will be (a tiny bit) "better" than that. That argument that was put forward in the article about "Tell them you are going to cut a HUGE amount - and they will then be grateful when it turns out to be a very large amount - but not QUITE so big as you first said." Common tactic of the Government.

However - having said that - I suspect that the cuts will be in the region of 30%.

I am recalling - on a slightly different tack - that whoever-it-was that has been deputed to look at the State Pension Age was told they would have "6 weeks" to bring out a report on that. That's fast - errr....and that would also mean the report coming out in August. August...hmmm....August...ie the month when everyone is on holiday or wishing they were and not likely to have "brains in gear" to think about this very much..............(now that IS sneaky - very).

Penelope_Penguin

Hippeechiq wrote: »

I got the forms to fill in for Carers Allowance, but the criteria required on the front of the form says that the person you look after has to be classified/in receipt of the highest band of Disability Living Allowance and my daughter is classed, laughably, as low.

I've also brought it up with the Mental Health Care Co-Ordinator who visits us weekly, whether she thought I would be entitled to it

To qualify for Carer's Allowance, you need to care for a person for at least 35 hours a week, and they must receive Middle (or High) Rate Care component of DLA. I work for CAB, and often complete DLA application forms. No disrespect to your MHC co-ordinator, but s/he's possibly not been trained in applying for such benefits. I'd suggest a phone call to your local CAB, who'll be able to look at your daughter's situation in more detail and help you further.

Good luck :A

downshifter

Goodness, why have I only just come upon this thread when it has all my favourite sensible people, like Mardatha and Ceridwen and Penelope P and others.

I'm coping so badly at the moment, my bank account has gone over the overdraft for the second month so monster charges to pay and my car has needed masses of work.On the other hand I'm rich in so many ways, had an enormous bowl of fresh picked strawberries last night, and am munching on pretty red and white radishes as I type now. Lots to be grateful for really. and when I nexthave money, I know it will only slip through my fingers again so lord only knows why I worry so much.. Have started reading the 'preparing for winter' thread again though, last winter was horrendous, I very nearly gave up - living in the kitchen which was the only room I could heat to a reasonable temperature, was dire and seems ridiculous in this day and age.

My house is also rented, since splitting from my husband it's all I could afford (but why is he living in nice 2 bedroom owned-outright house? Hmmm!) but I'm out in the sticks in beautiful countryside where I could never afford to buy. My landlord never fixes anything however, and I've spent quite a bit on it, however it's for my own comfort so worth it, for example, putting a shower in. I also tend to feel that any house is only ours temporarily, whether bought or rented, so it's up to us to look after it to pass on to the next person. And this house is over 250 yrs old so deserves a bit of care.

I downshifted a while ago from well paid job to doing lots of little jobs on minimum wage, including working with people with mental health issues and learning disabilities which should be rewarding - and is - but this week I've found there will be cutbacks so next term I will only be doing one session a week and they will really be suffering.. Am furious that those most in need of help are again those that are first to be affected. I also do quite a bit of voluntary work, and I'm guessing there will be quite a bit more of that available as a result of those cutbacks - it's appalling.

Anyway, moan over, off to work - I've worked every day for the past 2 weeks in various jobs, and am really exhausted. But I need every penny too, so needs must. Have a lovely Sunday everyone, it's incredibly windy but sunny up here - not too warm though.

DS

beingfrugal

That's a 'what if' thought I have many a time - what if I didn't give up work (assistant working with children with special needs) to care for my own children.. would we still have our home now. Then I think about last years year of worry over DH's job (tool hire depot manager) The recession hit them hard, lost 7 staff, lost the vans and were just about on their knees. We thought the depot was going to have to close. We worked his socks off, did the whole lot himself and volunteered for a lot of extra unpaid time jus to try to keep his job and the depot open. Things are very slowly looking up for DH's depot, he has 1 staff now with the prospect of getting one van and a driver back too.

Now what makes me wonder is this year would I be worrying, working in schools as an assistant - I fear I would be losing my job very soon. Thank goodness no one can sack a Mum, so pleased I'm out of it all in that respect.. just hopefully can cover the escalating household bills.

larmy16

Downshifter, loved your post. If you ever had the time or energy to write a book, I am sure it would make for great reading.!

mardatha

Downshifter - read Hannah Hauxwell books , you will empathise with her .
I've just watched a smarmy well'fed looking Treasury person on tv telling us that they are just doing the 40% cuts things as as exercise and might not implement them...
Aye right !

ceridwen

downshifter wrote: »

Goodness, why have I only just come upon this thread when it has all my favourite sensible people, like Mardatha and Ceridwen and Penelope P and others.


DS

Moi - sensible?:D:rotfl::rotfl::D - well thank you....

Mardatha - awww...weell...she's an "old softy" is our Mardatha...arent you chuck? She's lovely - as long as she has a regular supply of her "lifeblood" - aka sweeties....:rotfl:

larmy16

mardatha wrote: »

Downshifter - read Hannah Hauxwell books , you will empathise with her .
I've just watched a smarmy well'fed looking Treasury person on tv telling us that they are just doing the 40% cuts things as as exercise and might not implement them...
Aye right !

there is also this book in a similar vein

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_18?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hovel+in+the+hills&sprefix=hovel+in+the+hills

ceridwen

larmy16 wrote: »

there is also this book in a similar vein

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_18?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hovel+in+the+hills&sprefix=hovel+in+the+hills

Thanks. I had the "Hovel in the Hills" book and rather regret passing it on. Anyways - theres now one less "Kitchen in the Hills" book there now on Amazon - I'd only seen that book available before now at exorbitant prices - so have just bagged one for about £5 (inc. postage) when I saw the chance.:D

Hardup_Hester

I remember the Hannah Hauxwell series on TV & used to have a couple of the books.
I went to the V & A yesterday to the quilt exhibition, it was really interesting, I have a double bed quilt & a couple of wall hangings that I've made over the years.

On the subject of 'some of us are preparing, some others aren't' I am doing my best to prepare, but have a horrible feeling that those of us who have been careful & tried to ensure we will survive will be thrown on our own resouces, those who haven't will still be 'supported' probably by us & our hard earned wages via taxation.

My car failed it's MOT last week, the garage wanted £300 to fix it, my DS has had a look, replaced the parts that were needed, £28! One of the items it failed on was a faulty brake light, as this light is a in center of my back windscreen & has never worked I was a bit miffed. DS checked the MOT regs, photocopied the appropriate page, where it states quite clearly that this light doesn't need to work, asterisked the points & wrote on it his phone number & MOT tester qualification number. So the garage better pass it this time.

Hester