If things get tougher?

ceridwen

katieowl wrote: »

<< I would still have my video recorder sitting visibly there - but that would only be for playing existing dvd's on. Cant see how they could argue with that.>>

Just make sure it it's suitably de-tuned so that it can't pick up any TV signals.... I did have a weblink about this, but I can't find it off-hand.
Also make sure that any of your Videos are not recorded off the telly, otherwise you need a licence for that too....

There is so little on TV these days I'd happily get rid of ours, but OH likes to watch the news... I listen to the news on radio 4 while cooking dinner...I don't need pictures

Regards

Thanks for that - my video recorder isnt a digital one anyway. So - with a non-digital tv and non-digital video recorder (and the freeview box given back) then it would be physically impossible to watch tv if I wanted to - even with aerial still connected as normal. Surely that will be sufficient?

Thanks re thought on videos - but its DVD's in my case - all bought or recorded off from old bought video cassettes onto blank DVD's.

Pandora123_2

ceridwen wrote: »

- suppose I could cut out the luxury-type foods I buy (but as that is the only "sensual" type pleasure in my life courtesy of being "single" - then thats very much a last resort:rotfl: )

hehe, are we talking some sort of decadent chocolate here or some other culinary delights?

:A

ceridwen

Oh ...dont get me started..... bars of dark chocolate, chocolate truffles.......

Also like expensive type nuts - pistachio nuts, pinenuts...

Salad dressing is extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar....

sammy_kaye18

Hi All,

Just wanted to pop in and say i know how many of you are feeling. We had a rought start to the year with bf being hospitalized etc and thankfully things did look up after he had his surgery and was able to return to work, albeit only 30hrs a week but still its better than nothing. after all our bills we are left with about £280 a month which may seem alot but from that we still have to take dogs insurance, any gifts needed, bf is still undergoing treatment at hospital so has travel and car fees there too,

• we dont drink
• we dont smoke
• we dont go out
• we have no magazine subscriptions
• the only luxury we have is the tv and internet which is about 70 a month (internet, tv and phone line but this is mainly for contact and not used from our side)
• heating is rarely on (with the exception of now as all four of us are ill including the dog)
• we set budgets for everything
• i batch cook
• i bake
• i stretch food
• i rubberise chicken
• have got sections in garden ready fro veg growing (even thouh my garden is a tiny 5ft wide by about 11ft long) council flat garden
• shop in charity shops
• only use a bus if absolutely neccesssary
• sewing machine is out and standing in the living room for any repairs needed
• we were managing for me, bf, son and dog on £100 a month food shop but am jsut going ot do a guidline shop on tesco and see howmuch exactly the same stuff comes to but i doubt it will be £100 for much longer!
• making gifts - coconut ice, fudge, cookies, shortbread etc to save a few pennies
• using moneysaving electric guide ot best of my ability!! preparing for winter thread too

JAMIEDODGER

things are starting to worry me too. its constantly on my mind at the moment. i have made all my gifts this year (with the exception of my four kids). the thought of running low on food, rises in utilities make for very scarey times

COOLTRIKERCHICK

same here.. petrol.. going up... basic staples jumping up by large amounts.....

so i am now really got to get a grip...and watch my budget.... and try and streeeeeeeeetch my meals so i can get more for my money..

now that i have more or less got all my christmas pressies.. sweets.. food etc...... i can now start..... planning for the new year.... and start my meal planning properly....

FunBrum

I think that the one thing I can cut back on is wine.:rolleyes: Could save quite a bit there. Not that I'm an excessive drinker of course!:D

Also I'd ditch the TV. Hardly watch the blooming thing. Have no cable, just freeeview but quite happy to ditch it all. My son only plays his xBox and Wii on it anyhow. I can watch DVDs on my PC.

I get a petrol allowence for my job so I'm sure I could cut back on using the car when I'm not on duty. I free-wheel down hills at the moment and am careful not to thrash the engine as it is. Better on the car and saves me forking out on huge repair bills!:p

I suppose when my DS moves out I can start turming off the lights and only have candles burning. Also my washing machine would be only on twice a week, once for whites and once for coloureds. Unlike the 20 times a week at the moment due to DS and his ability to dirty clothes within 10 minuites of putting them on his back

Can't think af any more at present!:A

dorry_2

:eek: I think this credit crunch thing could be quite scary:eek: Over the past year, I have noticed that food, bread, milk have gone up a lot, also with petrol rising, I think its time to get really organised with money and budgeting. I have also noticed that gas and electric and really expensive, one of our friends has also been scared by this rise in gas/electric, she has two lodgers already and has a £30,ooo a year job and still she is having to juggle!!!

I already meal plan every meal and shop online, so I am not tempted to buy more whilst shopping, this has worked, but the cost of food has gone up a lot.


I have started taking lunch into work every day and trying not to go to the cash point, as once I have it out, I spend it:eek:

I have cut down on my saturday night pizza takeway, for 2 reasons, to save money and to loose weight:p

One thing I could reduce would be my wine consumption :eek: but with going through the perimenopause, I have come to conclusion that a glass of red wine a day is good for you ( well a girl gotta have some vices lol)

I don't smoke and hubby gave up in July, when my sister died of lung cancer, so we have saved there, but can't really see the benefits

we don't go out much, as no babysitter

I am just gratefull, that we have'nt moved house and that we still have the same low mortgage and that we can pay bills atm, but if things get worse, we will have to tighten our belts again.

I have been in a new job for a year now, I would dread to think where would be if I hadn't worked all year:eek:

sammy_kaye18

Am startign to wonder if with all these money differences about to come our way - presently food wise we were managing on about £100 for 2 adults 1 3yr old, 1 smallish dog (jack russell). but this doesnt look very managable at the minute and im terrified our budget is going to be blown to smitherines.

Fingers crossed though if i can grow our own veg in our garden (it gets quite a bit of shade being the main problem bar the end of the garden) then that will save us a fair bit i hope. Otherwise i think we are in the ppop and eatign the dog is not an option!!!.

im wondering though if maybe i should become a freebie/grabbit/coming addict and see what i can win to sell or use that will help me with money issues that i fear are about to arise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sillyvixen

i am making money saving plans for the new year, i have taken a loan to pay my credit card bill (will cost less to pay off).
i will give up smoking over christmas (4 days off work will make it possible).
mother also has a problem with me smoking in the garden at her house over christmas anyway.
and sensible savings can be made as i will stop drinking wine at home (only go out 1 night a week). i am now living in my own house so i have a freezer and am able to cook from scratch and batch freeze (when i lived in a shared house i lived on ready meals as we only had a counter top fridge and freezer) i can make one pot a week of food and will have a freezer full of different meals quickly to keep me going in no time!
i am beggining to get into meal planning and getting stuff out of the freezer if before work and have worked on stocking my store cupboard, ilook out for 2 for 1 offers on basix, for the first time i am aware of my outgoings!!