It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

elona

kittie

Thank you so much for the info on chemist direct. I have just spent quite a bit but saved over £12 just on a bottle of DDs favourite perfume.:j :T :A

DH is driving me tomorrow to get another sack of potatoes to store over the winter as it is amazing how fast we are getting through them! Turned two leftover portions of homemade lasagne into three meals yesterday by dividing into three and turning a large leftover potato into sauteed slices.

Need to get some wrapping paper and a couple of boxes to make some hampers for relatives and also start to write cards. Have done most of the shopping for presents and have a turkey crown hidden in the freezer.

Don't know why but feel an increased urgency to squirrel away as much as I possibly can and get the best deals available.

moanymoany

ceridwen wrote: »

..and on a different tack....just come across this article.....by an American who apparently has a good track record of accurate predictions....:

http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Revolution-food-riots-in-America-by-2012-13062-3-1.html

Hmmmm......whaddya think? I'm just thinking "20 years ago or even 10 years ago it wouldnt be the case that people like Moany Moany, Caterina and myself were thinking that if we lived in the same locality we'd be out there doing a spot of dumpster diving together - to make a point basically (in our case)" - our respective grey hairs would preclude that....

The latest unemployment figures for the USA are 533,000 in ONE month, a huge number. This means these people are now cut off from health insurance - a big deal in America. It is hard for me to imagine having to really think about worrying about going to the doctors if my child was ill or if I found a lump!

It gives me great comfort to know that anyone in the UK can go to see their GP or go to casualty - with no worry other than their illness.

As for dumpster diving - it is the sheer waste that shocks me. The Three Dumpstateers - sounds cool!

moanymoany

Primrose wrote: »

Carly84 - would it be possible for you to advertise for a lodger?
It may not be an ideal situation for you with a small child but if you live near a college or university there are usually students seeking accommodation. I think you're allowed to take about £4000 in annual rent which is not taxable.

AND, if you choose wisely a lodger can be a very nice addition!

ceridwen

mardatha wrote: »

The weather up here is north pole stuff today & I'm in arctic survival mode. just need to go and find a penguin for dinner... :rolleyes:

Mardatha
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You know you're a right "nutter" dont you - in the nicest possible way lass...:rotfl: :rotfl: but we loves ya....errrmmm....mind you...penguins...that aint vegetarian...ohmegawd...she'll be coming up with a few recipes for cooked penguin yet.....;) oyy...you....ceridwen's a vegetarian...make sure you come up with a few vegetarian ones as well:D

mardatha

ok, if I find a vegetarian penguin I will send you it pet.

ceridwen

elona wrote: »

Don't know why but feel an increased urgency to squirrel away as much as I possibly can and get the best deals available.

Its because you are picking up the "vibes" - a lot of us are at the moment - we are at "Turning Point" in human history right now I do believe - and I believe we can make the right decision collectively and we will "make it" through this.

....holds out hand to clasp your right hand....whilst you hold out your left hand.......etc........

Just think "human chain"....

ceridwen

moanymoany wrote: »

As for dumpster diving - it is the sheer waste that shocks me. The Three Dumpstateers - sounds cool!

....not to forget Mardatha...keeping lookout...;) . Now what do we have for a motto "All for one and one for all - and bring on the saucepans (for cooking it)".

2cats1kid

Price increases really brought home to me just now. On the One Show the person talking about lycopene in tomatoes waved a can at the camera and said that you could get a tin of tomatoes for less than 20p. I snorted and said "yes in your dreams". DH looked at me and said "aren't Tesco value tomatoes like 7p or something?". I went on the Mr T website and showed him - value tomatoes 33p, normal ones 56p!

I think DH realises now that I'm doing pretty well keeping our grocery bill within a couple of quid of what it used to be!

Greensaver_2

Cinny91 wrote: »

Reading it made me feel quite sick, how could people do that? Surely if they continued buying when they looked at their reduced TV or half priced game console all they'd think of is that poor guy?

Found the link, was quite interesting lunchtime reading!! www.justfortheloveofit.org/blog.php

Yeah just heard - can't believe shoppers actually trampled someone to death. And themselves to debt.

I think the blog you've linked to is a great antidote to such depressing stories, highly recommend joining the site too - it's free and have used it many's a time, saved me a fortune!

anyone know any other antidotes?

cw18

Carly84 wrote: »

Hello all.

I am in desperate need of advice please.

Can anybody help please?

Carly,

A friend on here pointed me in the direction of your post.....

I've been a lone parent (many years ago before the Tax Credits came in), but my DD is a lone parent now so I know something of how the system works (plus I've claimed as a couple, and am now claiming as a single parent again since the death of my husband).

I've also just been made redundant, so have been finding my way through the system with that as well.....

As such my friend thought I might be able to give you some pointers, but I'm baby sitting night and on a much slower connection than normal -- so I'll come back and check responses so far in the morning, and see if I can give you any further/additions pointers