If things get tougher?

anguk

We had problems with Arnold Clark a few years ago with our Motability car, it took ages to sort out and I can't say much for their customer service.

It seems like there's quite a few unsatisfied Arnold Clark customers out there:
http://www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/2234/companyname/Arnold-Clark.html
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/garage-services/54977-arnold-clark.html

Personally, I would take the car to an independant garage and see what they say.

Pandora123_2

"There is no doubt now that the financial crisis, which started as distant concerns over investment banks in the US, will have a deep and lasting effect on the finances of the British public.

"Every household will have been touched in some way. Difficulties in getting a mortgage, negative equity, tumbling share prices and redundancy have already reared their heads. Recall of overdrafts and other forms of credit - and soaring repossessions and bankruptcies - are likely to follow."

Source: The Guardian - Savers, pensioners, homeowners ... no one can hide from the fallout

Pandora123_2

A while back on this thread someone asked why people were buying windup torches, candles, etc... thought this might be of interest!

Back to the Dark Ages: National Grid raises the spectre of blackouts this winter

[Deleted User]

and I have just read this

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/3081611/Gas-and-electricity-bills-could-climb-yet-higher-this-winter-report-warns.html

it is not about scaring people but forewarning. One of the best ways to cut back on energy is to cook a big all-in-one pot meal, enough for 3 days. You can`t beat a lovely thick soup (with pulses) and big hunks of hm bread. Very cheap and good for us. My dd still remembers the ones I made in the 80s (and which I have gone back to in the past few months)

re hm bread, ovens and breadmakers. You can cook hm bread as flatbread in a frying pan. Just roll it fairly thin. Tastes lovely. Just wipe the pan with a thin smear of oil

we have 1 x 25watt biobulb on in the lounge, all evening and I often sit and knit with the wind up radio on, or tv if the radio is rubbish. It is very cosy and calming

Then to bed: no clock or bedside light except the wind up lanterns and yet again I have slept through, since turning off the emf under the bed

The upside for me is that life is becoming simpler and cosier

ceridwen

kittie wrote: »

the emf meter came today and I have been pleasantly surprised in most areas of the house but then nothing much is on so it must be measuring background emf.
Big but

Kittie

I'd be interested to know where you got this meter and how much it costs purlease.

whatatwit

Hi all, having read the posts about overdrafts etc, one of the regular posters on DFW had her overdraft withdrawn. The bank had written to her about it and she called in to see them. They agreed to keep it in place and next thing they changed their minds and cancelled it.

I have started reducing mine voluntarily a little at a time. Every couple of weeks, I visit the bank and ask them to reduce it by £10 or £20. This way, I don't notice it too much and I feel that they can see that I'm trying to get it down.

Kittie....whats an EMF under the bed

ceridwen

mardatha wrote: »

Yes. I ask for L&L every night to be sent to all of the good people here in this thread who have hit hard times. Nothing lasts forever. The good or the bad,.. and it makes you stronger once you have gone through the mill doesnt it ?With each other to help, we will get through these days and we will learn from it.

....hopes mardatha doesnt mind....but for those wondering "L&L" is "love and light".:D

ceridwen

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

Our song title when things were really bad was Meatloaf "Life is a Lemon and I want my Money Back" :rotfl:

BTW Ceridwen, Hubby made your bread today and he's made a monster, he made it on a tray and I've never seen anything so huge! It's fab! :T

Good one. Now got visions of some sorta "Bread Monster":D . I make up double the quantity of it and then use 2 large-size bread tins for it (couldnt tell you what on earth the material is they're made of - never seen owt else like it - and they are long thin shape ones). Thinks...reminds me....will have to try and figure out where I got them - as I could do with another one. I tend to make it Sunday morning - my mother often turns up visiting Sunday afternoon. Two totally unconnected facts of course;) - but then one of my loaves tends to go out the front door with her....when I told someone this the other day they said "Well - you'd better make a 3rd loaf specially - any time you know she is coming up"....er...good point I guess....

ceridwen

Pandora123 wrote: »

"There is no doubt now that the financial crisis, which started as distant concerns over investment banks in the US, will have a deep and lasting effect on the finances of the British public.

"Every household will have been touched in some way. Difficulties in getting a mortgage, negative equity, tumbling share prices and redundancy have already reared their heads. Recall of overdrafts and other forms of credit - and soaring repossessions and bankruptcies - are likely to follow."

Source: The Guardian - Savers, pensioners, homeowners ... no one can hide from the fallout

Think thats the one - ta Pandora

moanymoany

We started our way down the path of frugality when we discovered that our endowments were not going to cover the mortgage.

Since then we have got very good at frugality and I really like to live in this way - for some reason I find it less stressful than the more spendy life we had. There is security in seeing savings rise, but it is not just that.

I find it difficult to put into words how it is easier. I think that it takes away a lot of choices. It has also given me a lot of pleasure - learning new skills and brushing up on old ones. Feeling excited at the latest posts on the threads. Simple things really.

I also think that these threads will be a tower of strength for people who are starting to live on much less, knowledge that it can be done, advice and support - things not readily available out there.

Off to have a shower, my second stint in the charity shop - quite excited as I enjoyed my first. It is fascinating, and the generosity of people is staggering, really heartwarming.