If things get tougher?

katieowl_2

Gigervamp wrote: »

Just a warning.
I've just been reading the news on the bbc site and noticed that there's a link to watch the news live. I clicked on it, and sure enough, it is live tv that I'm watching on my laptop, with no tv card.

OMGawd I've got it too... but it's a summary (one minute) so not sure it's 'live' Is that what you had???

Regards

Kate

katieowl_2

mardatha wrote: »

In a site I'm on they have a great thing. Its the "a nonny mouse" fund. I wish we could do that here... when a member is going through hard times they are sent a nonnymouse package.
You can put your name on the list to be a mouse and the list "mum" writes out a rota and you all take your turn to send a wee packet. It can be tiny things, second hand things, books, wool, anything. And a lovely card . It just lets people know they are never alone and it saved my life once when I was very down.

I think that's wonderful...what a nice thing to do!

I've made some good friends via the net ...and recieved a couple of unexpected parcels (Plus my slow cooker from someone I met up with who was going back to the States). Certainly made my day to recieve a card and a parcel.

I agree that it really doesn't take much to cheer somebody up! Sometimes just knowing that you are being thought of (by somebody you've never met!) is very reassuring somehow!

Regards,

Kate

ceridwen

[quote=kittie;13934461



Personally, I can compensate for the shortage of fruit that we may experience next year, by sprouting some of my seeds which I have ready in store for such a time. The easiest, nicest and most nutritious seeds are alfalfa and they can be sprouted in a big jar with an old bit of tights on top, held down with an elastic band

[/quote]




Re your comment about compensating for shortage of fruit by having more vegetables - I have often wondered if ones "9 a day" (I'm going by continental European standards - blow the low British ones!) could all come from vegetables - rather than my assumption that one has to split it equally between fruit and vegetables. Does anyone know the answer to this? (as fruit tends to be dearer than vegetables - so I wondered if I could save some money by having all my "9 a day" as vegetables).

jamanda

Sammyjig - hope everything works out for you. Been there..... will be there again after next week when DH redundancy notice finishes. Batten down the hatches and you will get through.

J

ceridwen

Horace wrote: »

I had to ring my bank today to see if I could temporarily increase my overdraft and I had a nice chat on the phone with a chap (such lovely people at First Direct). He said that I deserved a medal for managing to survive on JSA and HB with no other income (I am not disabled enough for DLA despite being partially sighted:mad: ).

.

Well - I have to say I agree with your man at the bank re the medal. I've been "on the dole" before now - but it was many years ago now. I can recall that there was enough money to live a normal life (apart from holidays) and it would not have been possible to find any money for household maintenance either (but that didnt matter to me at the time - as I was renting Public Sector accommodation). Since then - benefit money has been cut drastically on the one hand and I would need money for household maintenance too (as I now own my own home) and I know that I would not have enough money for even dead basic standard living now because of those cuts (even if I dropped my insistence on organic food and I could tolerate instant coffee - which is what I drank back then). I would be steadily getting more and more in debt literally every single week - or having no option whatsoever but to earn a bit of money "on the side" and living in fear of getting caught. I am very good at managing money - and can recall a friend once saying to me that "considering what a low income level you have had - you have really made the best of it and done a lot better than most people would have done" - but you must be even better at money management than I am - as I wouldnt be solvent if I had to spend even a few weeks on benefit.

I am still wondering whether the Government proposes to give any help with fuel costs to those on benefit - considering that they are planning to do so to those with children (whether on benefit or no). I'd better close this post now - before I go off on a "rant":cool:

ceridwen

unixgirluk wrote: »

Sammy, check in with the CAB they might be able to advise if you're entitled to anything else whilst your DH recovers. Also if your council tax is paid over 10 months rather than 12, then call them and ask if you can pay it over 12 keep the bills down a little. All the best.

I would be asking myself if the Council will give you any help with Council Tax payments whilst on this low level of income - I have a feeling they might well. Benefit level income means no Council Tax to pay and it then gets to be on a sliding scale level of help thereafter.

carriebradshaw

mardatha wrote: »

In a site I'm on they have a great thing. Its the "a nonny mouse" fund. I wish we could do that here... when a member is going through hard times they are sent a nonnymouse package.
You can put your name on the list to be a mouse and the list "mum" writes out a rota and you all take your turn to send a wee packet. It can be tiny things, second hand things, books, wool, anything. And a lovely card . It just lets people know they are never alone and it saved my life once when I was very down.

aw that's such a lovely idea :cool:

Gigervamp

katieowl wrote: »

OMGawd I've got it too... but it's a summary (one minute) so not sure it's 'live' Is that what you had???

Regards

Kate

No, it was a live feed. I could tell by the time at the bottom where it has the scrolling bit. I've just spent the last hour watching it.

MRSMCAWBER

Evening all

Ceridwen..im with you.. my "5 a day" is always in double figures.. I eat loads of fruit n veg -in fact i could live on fruit ...my hubby on the other hand rarely eats fruit..but eats enough salad/veggies and seems to suffer very few colds etc .... I would think that as long as you are getting variety (eating a rainbow) -you should get what you need from veggies :T
I have cut down on the fruit and upped the veggies -mainly because i can eat a pea more than a pig where fruit is concerned and even eating local and in season isn't always THAT cheap... I also buy jars of cherries etc in juice -only 80c for a big jar and im less likely to eat them in waste

Mardtha -I think the idea of "a nonny mouse" is brilliant and I would deffinitely get involved if there was one around .. I actually had a lady off here, who was a forces wife near where i live contact me and give me loads of teracotta pots for growing my veggies in as she was moving to Australia.. i was thrilled and touched.. and would love to pass that feeling on ... it doesn't take much to make someones life a little easier/better does it

katieowl_2

Gigervamp wrote: »

No, it was a live feed. I could tell by the time at the bottom where it has the scrolling bit. I've just spent the last hour watching it.

My 16 yr old son :rolleyes: seem to think the difference hinges on being a 'feed' via the internet, rather than a 'transmitted' signal??? I'll try and find out and let you know.....

He's got a PC card in his, recently acquired otherwise the telly would have gone!!!