If things get tougher?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

moanymoany wrote: »

Started reading the thread - nodding in agreement - then I saw the date - 2006!

Well, we mostly survived that and I'm sure we will mostly survive this. There is a lovely line in 'The Philadelphia Story', the photographer says 'belts will be worn a little tighter this year...' Very apt.

Me too,I did'nt realise that it was started back then.

Uniscots97

Its quite frightening thinking back to how much I wasted in my pre-OS days. But moving forward, I've planted potatoes, started ebaying my clutter (stuff I had myself convinced I needed but either hasn't been worn or used in a year), hovering around the yellow-sticker section in the supermarket (more fool the folk that sneer at other people that do this) to get the most out of my money, and whatever else I can think of. I can see the survey sites becoming more popular too as people realise they can either get cash or vouchers from them.

Aril

I've made it like a little mini personal challenge to do two new moneysaving things a week [some are very small] and we're all on board with this. This week I've started to save the water in a jug in the bathroom [already do this in the kitchen] whilst waiting for the hot to come through [we're on a meter] so I can use it in the loo. OH has repaired his bike and has been cycling rather than driving over to the exam invigilation he's doing this week and we've saved some pepper seeds which we're going to have a go at growing once we're back from holiday. Hoping to continue in this vein to keep costs down as much as possible.
Aril

mollymunchkin

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

sarahsaver + sans

Thanks for the ideas on cheap school uniform - i thnk i will be visiting asda/tesco/ethol austin for his basic school uniform (black trousers white polo shirts) and will fin dhima cheap pair of school shoes he will be 4 in may so they wont cos tmuch adn he'll only need a cheap pair cos he'll wreck them anyway. Then its just his jumper to get which is £7 in a local shop so if i can stretch i may get two incase he loses one. Hes got a coat etc and he doesnt really need much else other than his reading bag (which has to be the schoo logo one too but is about a £5)

Sammy have you asked about getting a second hand jumper from one of the other parents at the school? There must be some people wanting to get rid of outgrown uniform. Ask at the school or see if there a noticeboard.

frugalsar

Now it's sunny (well at least not raining) dry on the line - saves LOADS! - always wash at 40 quick wash.
Kids uniform - Don't be tempted to buy too much and get talking to the other mums cos the ones with bigger kids will pass stuff down (also during winter I find mine use jumpers every day)
Also defo agree with the pulses being soo cheap - don't like meat much anyway!

Olliebeak

I headed into Ethel Austin's this afternoon, Sammy. Got 2 pairs of black trousers, a grey v-neck sweater and 2 polo shirts for dgs1 and 2 grey skirts, 2 polo shirts and 5 prs socks for dgd1. Also a bra (for me - difficult to get 42DD for a reasonable price!) and 2 cute dresses for dgd2 (6-9mths). The uniforms are for September for when they go back after summer hols. Couldn't remember what size socks dgs1 takes or I would have got those at the same time.

Haven't used my TD for months now - rotary washing line and full length one plus big airer and radiator rails seem to do the trick for me. Will be getting another big airer sometime soon to make sure that I can get through the winter months without using the TD again. Kingsize duvet covers fit exactly on my landing bannister and dries in absolutely no time at all PLUS nice and flat too .

Treated us to a whoopsie Indian Meal for 2 from Asda as well for tea tonight (£3.16 - good value for Chicken Tandoori, Lamb Rogan Josh, 2xpilau rice, 2x bhagis and 2xnaan breads). Also got an organic shoulder of lamb for £4.00 (down from £8.00+), bread (3) for 57p a loaf for Warburtons, lambs liver (£1.10 - that divided into 2x 2person portions for freezing).

BARGAINHUNTER!

As the price of things continues to go up and up (petrol goes up everytime I fill the car up and food goes up week by week too) I thought I would bump this thread up.

[Deleted User]

I started this thread in feb 2006 and it was only a `what if` scenario at the time. My goodness how things have got bad for a lot of people since then and it is a real nightmare come true for many people.

It absolutely has to be down to priorities now and top of the list has to be keeping the home, then fuel to get to work if there are no alternative means. Anything after that has to be open to being graded down eg food, washing clothes and people etc

I just want to re-assure people that if you adapt then it is very possible to survive. The main thing is to get the money to stretch further and having the t shirt of the 70s 80s and 90s I would say that the best way is to get cash out weekly or monthly and divide it up into envelopes for this and that. Look on it as a real challenge, which will keep you in a positive frame of mind rather than as a negative, which will make you a victim

ps: I am 60 and a cuddly grandma and I am taking my bicycle out to get the paper today. A round trip of 8 miles and very hilly. I know I can do it because I have granny gears and I will take it slowly. The positive side is that I know my heart will like the exercise :cool:

[Deleted User]

How I graded down during the last recessions

food: I mostly stopped buying meat and I learnt how to eat nutritiously via vegetarianism. It is something to be researched because various foods need to be combined. I enjoyed the challenge and my family enjoyed the food. Rose Elliot was my guru at that time. Thick soups were a mainstay as was hm bread. We felt fantastic on this diet and the children glowed with energy

clothes washing: always full loads and always dried on a line or airer. Nowadays we can get detergent to wash at 30 but even cheaper, soapnuts. Try airing woolens and cottons as they get a new lease of life and don`t need washing as often

people washing: it used to be water sharing but nowadays it has to be showers and I just bought an ecocamel, which is saving 75% energy and water in the shower. It works fantastically

keeping warm: I put film on the windows and used door curtains etc. Dressed up for bed. Dressed the girls and me in warm tights and corduroy pinafore dresses with jumpers underneath. The equivalent for the males

Looking back, that was about it because we didn`t have big, energy hungry tvs etc. We lived at a basic level and that is what I mean by grading down ie down a step at a time. Just think how many steps can be taken, before you get to this basic level and life won`t feel that glum any more

ceridwen

Hi Kittie

It was your signature I noted with interest. I was sitting there thinking "If my energy costs came down to equivalent level - that would mean fuel bills of £35-£40 per month!!!" - and I thought I was doing well with managing to cut mine to stay static despite the last price rise (by being a bit careful and the fact I now linedry everything - nothing for the tumbledryer any more).

All hints welcome on that one purlease.