I have literally no money!

brokeinwales

Leftovers? Don’t Throw It..

Also liked this one!

Bogof_Babe

brokeinwales wrote: »

approvedfood.com looks good!

I had a quick look at that, and noticed that they are selling packs of Maple & Pecan cereal (that we love) for £1.10, but you can get this for 99p in Aldi. Not sure of the comparative pack sizes, but just be aware that not everything might be a bargain.

Pagg

What a wonderful bunch of people you all are! And BiW, well done on starting a budget, that DFW clear day may seem a long way off but you've got a target to look forward too now, and it'll improve the more you stick at it.

brokeinwales

Well - payday happened again!
And I had a pleasant surprise on Sunday when I got around to doing my shopping at Morrisons. As I'd run my cupboards down to virtually nothing again, I was thinking I'd have to spend a fortune to get a month's shopping in. As it turned out, I ended up spending just over £30, and I think I've stocked up on pretty much everything I need.
I was pleased to see all the autumn-y fruit and veg is in now - things like pumpkins and carrots and potatoes and squashes and apples always seem to last much longer than the summery salady stuff, and are a bit cheaper too. I bought a big pumpkin to turn into lots of soup!
I have totally changed my shopping technique now. Rather than walking up and down the aisles just putting things in the trolley, I'm actually thinking about what I'm going to do with the ingredients and whether there's a cheaper possibility. Rather than a box of muesli, I bought a bag of porridge oats (at least £2.50 cheaper). Rather than buting jars of pesto, I bought extra tinned tomatoes and some soft cheese to make my own quick sauce. I also bought bar soap, instead of facial wash. Also stocked up on 9p noodles for emergency work lunches, so I should save money on sandwiches.
This is all good.

Thing I have at the head at the moment is getting myself a sewing machine - I feel the need to make myself feel better about myself and do something creative that I'm actually good at - I've been feeling so bl**dy useless and pathetic over the past few months, and beign the shallow type (!) if there's one thing I do have some interest and skill in it's things like fashion and make up and generally looking good - so I thought maybe it'd be good to give making my own clothes a go.

I need to try and find a really cheap or free machine... (freecycle won't let me ask for anything unless I post something to give first, and I don't have anything!).

So actually, I'm feeling quite positive right now.
I do feel soooo nervous it'll all come to nothing though - I'm being good now, but it'll all fall apart at some point. I'll get lazy and everything will run out of control again. How do I know this isn't all just a quick fix? I have it in my head that leopards never change their spots, that I'm detined to always be skint (I find it impossible to even imagine myself not struggling with money I'm so used to it now) . It's a constant worry.

SilkCutSilver

brokeinwales wrote: »

of porridge oats (at least £2.50 cheaper).

So actually, I'm feeling quite positive right now.
I do feel soooo nervous it'll all come to nothing though - I'm being good now, but it'll all fall apart at some point. I'll get lazy and everything will run out of control again. How do I know this isn't all just a quick fix? I have it in my head that leopards never change their spots, that I'm detined to always be skint (I find it impossible to even imagine myself not struggling with money I'm so used to it now) . It's a constant worry.

BIW I've been following your progress on this thread and I think you're doing really well. One thing though - although I am not a great believer in all that TV psycho babble - you have to stay positive and believe you can do it. If you keep thinking the things above you will end up with a self fulfilling prophecy. No need to go crazy with the whole ' The Universe loves me' shebang (I have a friend who does this), but start believing in yourself. You can do it - this past month proves it!!

Tixy

Excellent to see you have started to take more control BiW. I assume you have found changing your grocer shopping habits has been fairly easy? Well taking control in other areas is similar. Maybe break the things you need to do into different items to tackle one by one so that you don't feel overwhelmed by it all. But I am worried about this bit

brokeinwales wrote: »

So actually, I'm feeling quite positive right now.
I do feel soooo nervous it'll all come to nothing though - I'm being good now, but it'll all fall apart at some point. I'll get lazy and everything will run out of control again. How do I know this isn't all just a quick fix? I have it in my head that leopards never change their spots, that I'm detined to always be skint (I find it impossible to even imagine myself not struggling with money I'm so used to it now) . It's a constant worry.

You say you are feeling positive but then say 'it'll fall apart at some point' This is not positive thinking, instead say to yourself 'I'm going to make this work and these changes are permanent'. Leopards don't change their spots but luckily you are not a Leopard. Maybe think of this....

At one time you couldn't walk and talk and our parents taught us and once you have learnt its a permanent skill.
At one time we couldn't read or write but we are educated at school by teachers and thats another skill for life.
You couldn't ride a bike or drive a car without being taught how.
Managing money and finances is like this - its not habits or in built traits. Sadly most of us are not educated on money managment at school and we don't even realise its something we have to know until we get into difficulties

But hopefully the people on this board can help you educate yourself and this will be a change for life. Once you have learnt how to take control you will have that knowledge for good. Its not a case of you changing yourself or your personality its simply another life skill to learn.

Anyway that might all be a bit waffly but hopefully you'll see what I mean - and really start to think postively.

katieowl_2

brokeinwales wrote: »

I need to try and find a really cheap or free machine... (freecycle won't let me ask for anything unless I post something to give first, and I don't have anything!).

Hey it doesn't have to be anything exotic you offer on freecycle!!! Got a stash of jam jars??? We are in the preserving season now, and plenty of people are looking for containers. (I could also suggest you raid your neighbours recycling... :rolleyes: but that might be a bit naughty!) Got a few magazines to offer??? A stack of newspapers?? A couple of paperbacks you wont read again? Some old t-shirts for 'rags'? Bet you could find something if you put your mind to it...or rescue something from a skip and offer that! LOL!

I think Freecycle is the way to go looking for a sewing machine...I've seen them offered loads of times!

Regards

Kate

wendyl1967

brokeinwales wrote: »

I need to try and find a really cheap or free machine... (freecycle won't let me ask for anything unless I post something to give first, and I don't have anything!).

I run the Preston group with is now Freegle along with over a 1/3 of other groups. That is a silly rule. We never did that cos members could just lie and pretend to offer something and then say taken, we have no way of knowing that. Not that I am suggesting that ;) But as the other poster says offer anything no matter how small. You group may now not be freecycle so the rules may have changed for that group.

brokeinwales

RE: The positive thinking thing. I think the problem is that I've tried repeatedly over the past seven or eight years to change various aspects of my life for the better, and it's never really worked out - I get all excited and enthusiastic about my brilliant future, and then a few months or a year later, I realise that nothing has really changed. It's easy to feel that this is just the way things are and there's just something about me that means I'm not allowed to have all the nice and exciting and rewarding things that better, cleverer or more gifted people have. It doesn't stop me from trying, but it does make me a little bit cynical throughout the process.

I have just requested a sewing machine on freecycle (although someone else had annoyingly requested one about ten minutes previously!) so we shall see what happens.

Still nothing from the landlady by the way. Looks like I'm losing the money...

Verbatim

I wonder if there are still tenancy Relations Officers at local councils? They would chase the L?L for you. Or more likely as soon as you let her know that you have complained to them she would cough up pronto. If not did you get the place through an agent who has her address? I believe it's a legal requirement for a L/L to give tenants a contact address. Also there has been a requirement to hold deposits through a 3rd party or to have insurance so that the tenants can get back deposits if unfairly withheld. This has been a legal requirement for over 2 years now I think. Not absolutely sure but probably since Apr 07?? Landlords whoi don't comply lose money and again I can't remeber how many months rent or whether the tenant gets it or the court/Local Authority.

If you still haven't got her address you can probably get it through the the Land Registry. I'm sure the CAB would help with all this.