What else can I do?

jesster_2

Greenwellies wrote:

I used to get ocado deliver my 'food', go to the butchers for meat, and hubby would go to tesco for bread (ocado was always poor with the bread)
When I tried to cut back a while ago, I began only getting Ocado deliery when I needed enough items and go to the market for the fruit and veg. (it was then that I injured my neck)

I have shopped in Asda, and I do like their clothes esp the £6 top or skirt etc. There is a fairly new Asda a few miles away and that one is fine, but the one closer to me generally is a mess, with poor stock lines and the screaming families. Now I know it's not a walk in the park, but I like to be able to think about what I am buying and get the items that I want. It just puts me off, as does the queues.

And don't worry, you're not alone. I also find Asda a headache. I've drastically addressed my food and shopping snobbery, to which I wholeheartedly admit - now that i've got over myself!

The key with Asda is to go really early or really late when it's not so busy.

If you like, check out the Old Style board where there's a discussion on there about which supermarket is cheapest for what. You're talking to someone who turned her nose up at Lidl and now revels in its gaudy cheapness and the smug satisfaction at getting the same item for less than i used to!

Emmzi

I *love* Lidl. Great for basics - veg, eggs (freerange), dairy etc.

My carniverous mates tell me Lidl meat is better than most supermarket cos it's imported from parts of europe where food quality is a bigger issue than it is for the brits!

I'd have a look at the article Martin wrote about Lidl, Aldi etc vs the rest.. in a bad month I can do food shop for £60 for 2 at Lidl... not needed too often (but a Lidl week this week!)

tyllwyd

But at the end of the day, no matter where you shop, at the moment there is not enough coming in, you can't make up the difference because you are busy full time, and there doesn't seem to be enough slack in your budget to live permanently the way you are.

The best solution is obviously for your OH to find a new job, so maybe you need to throw yourself 100% into supporting him with that. (Which sounds as if I am saying you aren't supporting him at the moment, but that's not what I mean, just that it seems to be the most profitable channel for your energies.) You must both have been positive about the option he was training for since you invested money in it - is that completely disregarded now?

Is there any scope for something drastic like selling your house and downsizing?

Greenwellies_2

Annie_Fanny wrote:

GW - don't go!
Annie

LOL, this is what I need I'm not going anywhere until I sort myself out (can't afford days out )

Maybe some of you think I am only doing this for the attention or some other reason, well if that's what you want to believe, then so be it, but I am here for you 'guys' to give me a whacking great big kick. (without bruising please!)

All the items that I have 'commited' myself to were done prior to me having a look at the bank balances etc. When hubby began just going the odd jobs around the house, not only did he not know where it was going to end up, but we certainly didn't have a clue that he wouldn't get a job easily. But having said that, we re-done the kitchen:
Re-used identicle wall paper that I had stored in the loft. Just brought new doors in the 1/2 price sale. used the same hinges, brought handles in trade pack. Needed to buy emulsion and gloss.
He's repainted the back door, using existing paints.
he laid an area of turf in the garden (yes he could have used seed, I did say that, but he wanted it done instantly)
He has also washed all the windows, curtains etc, he does all the washing drying and ironing anyway.
He has volunteered (ahem I volunteered him) to be the handy person in my office, so all the work there is done, and also my boss is recommending him to others.

He's just popped into my office after an agency interview.... He's just had a call to go for an interview as a storeman, so he's off there now. (it means he wont get the veggies for me, but we can wait until tomorrow)

Positive thoughts and vibes please!

GW

mom23

Hi GW
I used to be a shopping snob lidls primark aldi etc :eek:
however if i want to get out of this debt i have to cut my cloth!!
My mother always said i had "champagne taste but lemonade money"
My best friend (who is not short of money!!) always bought clothes for herself and kids from primark and i used to think omg !!!while i was buying my kids clothes from next, debenhams etc.
To even walk through primark was :eek:!!(big hat,dark glasses etc!!)
But now i shop at both get some good stuff and save loads of money :T
At the end of the day who knows where you buy from!! just hide the carrier bags!! :rotfl:

Good luck to you and keep posting!!!
BIG (((hugs))

Greenwellies_2

Thanks for the hug!

Believe me all my snobbery is going.
I always wondered about the legislation on foreign foods, whether it was as safe as it is from UK farms etc. Because of this I avoided lidl.

I have two lidls near me, both are closer than asda, so I will at least get beans tomatoes and soups in there.

Thanks everyone for a busy afternoon. I'm off home now, where I will again read this thread and digest the information.

Thanks

GW

Greenwellies_2

tyllwyd wrote:

The best solution is obviously for your OH to find a new job, so maybe you need to throw yourself 100% into supporting him with that. (Which sounds as if I am saying you aren't supporting him at the moment, but that's not what I mean, just that it seems to be the most profitable channel for your energies.) You must both have been positive about the option he was training for since you invested money in it - is that completely disregarded now?

Is there any scope for something drastic like selling your house and downsizing?

Believe me, I am 4 weeks behind on my studies because of supporting him and helping find jobs, filling out online application forms etc!

The training was good, he learnt some bits he didn't know and will use. but because he has no money to take it further (and mainly because of his self esteem) it's on hold. (he would need around 4.5K to buy tools and do training)

As for downsizing, we have a small 3 bed house in a council estate. When we looked at moving we couldn't find anything in our budget, so I doubt that it would change. Also, every house needed LOTS of work, so it wouldn't be finacially viable. - but thanks for the thought!


GW

tyllwyd

Greenwellies wrote:

He's just popped into my office after an agency interview.... He's just had a call to go for an interview as a storeman, so he's off there now. (it means he wont get the veggies for me, but we can wait until tomorrow)

I've got my fingers crossed for him!!

Greenwellies_2

tyllwyd wrote:

I've got my fingers crossed for him!!

Big thanks, he still not home, so I hope it's good news

GW

Greenwellies_2

Emmzi wrote:

I'd have a look at the article Martin wrote about Lidl, Aldi etc vs the rest.. in a bad month I can do food shop for £60 for 2 at Lidl... not needed too often (but a Lidl week this week!)

Can you show me where it is? I haven't quite got used to this website yet!

GW