If things get tougher?

BARGAINHUNTER!

Where I live it was reported in the papers that when the binmen went on strike recently they had to collect the bins later and got overtime to do it!! So they gave up a days work to do it at another time and get double for it!! Madness!!

mardatha

It's very hard to get it right isnt it? Without the unions, you're lost. But with the unions, you have to put your (lost) money where your mouth is and stand up and be counted. I suppose that was very relevant in the old days, which this forum is all about
But then you had soup kitchens and solidarity-because everybody was in the same boat.

Gigervamp

mardatha wrote: »

It's very hard to get it right isnt it? Without the unions, you're lost. But with the unions, you have to put your (lost) money where your mouth is and stand up and be counted. I suppose that was very relevant in the old days, which this forum is all about
But then you had soup kitchens and solidarity-because everybody was in the same boat.

Very true. I remember back in the 70's when my dad went on strike (post office) I went on a march with him. There were thousands of post office workers on the march. Nowadays there are hardly any marches and yet people are so unhappy with things. Are we all suffering from collective apathy? Or is it that nowadays the culture is more selfish? Sort yourself out and don't worry about other people, they have to look after themselves.

mardatha

very true GV.. My dad was a miner !

bellybabe_2

Hi everyone,
I've been following this thread and a few others for the last few weeks, and I decided it was getting too weird to feel like I know you guys without you knowing me so here I am, de-lurking. I've been around here for a couple of years now but rarely post, however it's always the OS forum I come to as I feel so at home here (even though I can't sew!). I might get a wee bit OT but hope you'll forgive me if so.

In the last few weeks I have been filling the flask with the leftover water from the kettle (very shocked to see how much when i already thought I was estimating the amount well!), I bought a slow cooker, I tried making artisan bread last night, I've made a draught excluder, decided to try and relearn how to knit, been scouring the shops for wintry things... My OH who is also very moneysaving though not so OS came home from work last night and said "So are we going to try and not put the heating on until November?". Have to say i quailed slightly at that but we'll do our best.

I also realise when I hang around here how lucky we are too. I'm glad Sammy Kaye got her wellies, I worried about Sammyjig, and so many others. I think the Nonnymouse idea is lovely - when i separated from my ex husband, who left me with not one penny to feed our two year old, as well as unpaid bills and £2000 rent arrears :mad:, I had three weeks before any benefit came through and friends from an egroup (before forums became so popular!) went to Mr Ts and bought me everything a girl (and baby boy) could need, including sanitary products and toothpaste - it was one of the kindest things anyone ever did for me and I remain grateful to this day. And not so much because of what I got, but because of the thoughtfulness and caring that went into it.

Sorry, this is a bit long and rambly! See - this is why I didn't start posting - I could win gold for Britain in the forum-posting event lol.

And I was actually going to post about strikes!!!:rolleyes:

BB

Gigervamp

bellybabe wrote: »

And I was actually going to post about strikes!!!:rolleyes:

Lol, so what were you going to say about strikes?

Nice to *meet* you.

elona

Hi to BB , Herewegoagain and any other "lurkers" - come on in and have a chat - we promise not to bite!:hello:

Have DD on the sofa as she has a virus and is being sick.

Need to pop out and get her lemonade to sort out her fluid levels but waiting for rest of family to come down so she is not alone.

If I get the chance later I will get some turkey legs and freeze them.

Having suggested it I don't want to be the only one who does not have any!;)

Still trying to save money this month so a Remoska will come out of DH's salary rather than savings.

I get sick of having the oven on for a dozen rolls etc so a Remoska should be a saving!

See you later

mummysaver

Morning Bellybabe and welcome! Glad you decided to join us!

Not sure if this counts as something to do if things get harder, or just as being os? But anyway, I have been trying to do my washing by the weather forecast - in the past I didn't have a washing line and just chucked everything in the tumble drier, now I try to plan and get the awkward things like towels and bedding washed on days when I can hang them out, on grotty days I can still wash other stuff, but it just needs to be hung on airers! Got a fab airer (how sad am I to get excited about it!) in a sale ages ago and I can hang the clothes on it but fold it without removing them to get it indoors if it rains! It's great for undies and small bits that take ages to peg and unpeg!

I must've saved a forture on not using the tumble drier - I've actually unplugged it now, plug is behind the td and under the counter so not readily accessible, so I've stopped anyone else turning it on as well lol!

As for strikes and apathy, I think people are a lot more selfish now and whilst many talk about the loss of community spirit, how many do anything about it? I know that many people are just plain unfriendly and you could make all the effort in the world and not get anywhere with them, but many people are just nervous of chatting or even saying hello, when did society become like this?

I'm so lucky that I live in a tiny village where everyone chats and helps out, we do have an assortment of personalities, but everyone just muddles along together and makes allowances for each other. It reminds me a lot of when I was a child and if you ran out of something you could borrow it from a neighbour, offers of help were always forthcoming, children run in and out of houses and people share and care.

bellybabe - think I can rival your long post lol!

bertiebots

annie123 wrote: »

think ive just found it ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2703492/Gordon-Brown-hit-by-winter-of-discontent-strike-threat.html

Private lunches eh... I wonder if they will waste any? Gordon seems to think thats the cause of all our worrys after all....gggggrrrrrrr:mad: .....

We dont qualify for any fuel allowances btw but still have to find the money on a fixed income like so many others. I am getting a bit fed up to be honest as we have cut back everything possible but never seem to benifit. I have been on entitledto web site and we would be financailly better of if I left my husband and becaime a single parent who doesnt work. Thats not a dig at single parents......its a dig at the system, and guess what I would also qualify for the fuel allowance no doubt...as well as full c/t benifit free school dinners etc etc etc etc. The system stinks.

ok rant over sorry folks:o

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Mummysaver I'm like you I don't use my tumble drier at all nowadays,mind you I always only used it as a standby.I love to dry my washing outside and have always washed by the weather forecast.
I have to agree with you about the fact that people are so much more selfish nowadays,everyone seems out for themselves in a big way.I know what you mean about them being unfriendly.Like you I lived in a small village and have only this past few years moved into a town.I was shocked to see how people just don't talk.Even my next door neighbours seem afraid to get into a conversation with us.I was used to everybody saying good morning and asking how you were and having a few words,now all you get is an awkward glance if anything.It's so sad that things are like this nowadays.
mardatha I think we will have strikes this winter,people are just getting more and more fed up and just like in the 70s sometimes striking is the only thing they can do unfortunatly.Present circumstances seem to be mimicking back then.Add to that the fact that the government don't seem to want to control the power companies(despite wholesale gas prices dropping)I think we all may be in for a rough ride.