Getting out of my comfort zone

gilligansyle

I know what you mean about second hand macs, but people do upgrade to better ones, and there's nothing wrong with the one they've got. I love the imac, but have got used to the flexibility of a laptop. To be restricted to having to go to another room to use it ......
I will take my time and see what is around.

DS is going to take some time out and think about things, he really wants to do something with his music technology qualifications, and this may be the kick he needs. Even if he just works part time in a pub and does some DJing. At least he'd get to go out.

macgirl

Yes, I think you're right - much like secondhand cars I guess and I always buy those, plus macs are more robust these days and not so tempremental. I'm probably spoilt because I've never had to buy one and for work, I'm on it all day, every day and once they wear out, they're gone.

As for laptops, I agree they're more flexible, but expensive to fix/replace should anything go wrong. Let us know how you get on

zagubov

gilligansyle wrote: »

I know what you mean about second hand macs, but people do upgrade to better ones, and there's nothing wrong with the one they've got. I love the imac, but have got used to the flexibility of a laptop. To be restricted to having to go to another room to use it ......
I will take my time and see what is around.

That's true but I read some threads on here just now about problems with macbooks, needing repairs and/or replacement etc. Do make sure the sellers know that you're familiar with macs and don't get fobbed off with someone's problem.

The dual G4 towers were office machines that are often sold on underpriced after office clearances, and rarely seem to have anything wrong with them and have loads of room for say cheap wireless cards extra large drives, etc. - that's why they're currently a bargain. I've bought two over the last five years (one for me, one for my dad) and am still using mine - works like a dream. You might find better but bargains are rare in the mac world (as if I needed to tell you).

If you do find a good source of affordable macbooks please keep us informed

gilligansyle

Well, having written his resignation letter, and left it for the boss, DS got into work last night to a letter telling him to attend a 'pre-disciplinary meeting' over the issue of him giving the colleague his stuff back. They were meant to leave it the night before, but didn't. What is the point??

Anyway, tonight is his last shift, and he gets paid on Tuesday, so he's going to put half his wages away and see how long he lasts. He only needs enough money to pay his mobile bill and the sky extras (sport etc.) - and if needs be he can cancel the sky. His mobile contract expires in May, so he can get a cheaper one.
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I have today done a really big thing and paid HMRC in a lump sum :eek:but at least I know its done for the next three months. This was a big payment, as it was the first one. And I still have money left in the tax account, so a good start for the next quarter.

Mr T delivery worked out OK. It came early, but I was in, and it saved me about 2 hours. I will definitely do it again, maybe try Mr A next time.

So food shopping was over this weeks budget, but have a stocked cupboard etc. so next week will be under budget. Stocked up on stuff like coffee (it was on offer) soft drinks for DS, beans, rice, pasta.
I have £63 in my purse, so more than enough for the rest of the week. I need £4 for Zumba on Monday, and some money for evening meals.
DS not working will hit the budget a bit, as he won't be able to pay 'keep', but he is going to do some of the jobs around the house - silly little things that I never have time to do - fix the letterbox, fix the pull cord in the loo. He could paint the hall, stairs and landing, we have enough spare tins of paint to stock a small branch of B&Q. He also has a mate who used to work for a builder and was laid off, so maybe between them they can do other stuff, fit a new hot water tank, sort out the shower, rehang a couple of doors.

Off to see what everyones up to and do some ironing.

Double_Trouble

This situation may be just what your DS needs and will help him assess what he really wants to do and if you get some jobs done that will be a win win situation

DTxx

savingholmes

If you get some jobs done that could be good use of his time

I use MrAs for delivery - I find them okay - any problem and they refund anyway without a quibble. Using mysupermarket.com - I save 10-20% using MrAs compared with MrT

gilligansyle

savingholmes wrote: »

If you get some jobs done that could be good use of his time

I use MrAs for delivery - I find them okay - any problem and they refund anyway without a quibble. Using mysupermarket.com - I save 10-20% using MrAs compared with MrT

I generally do my normal shop in mr A as I find it cheaper, only used Mr T this time because got a tenner off through quidco, + free delivery plus £5 cashback - all because it was first order! They were good on the price match too, replacement items were charged at the price of the original when dearer, or the replacement if cheaper.

I think Mr A are on quidco, so will check them out.

gilligansyle

Ironing all done, just caught up on Silks on iplayer, and have downloaded some free audio books to my mp3 player. Will ask DS to save them to CD for me.

Off on my travels again, so the stack of ironing will now get a bit creased, putting it in my holdall.

On another matter, sister has now realised that she needs to keep in touch with Mum more; yesterday Mum accidentally swallowed the capsules that should go in her inhaler:( It won't have done her any harm, but it won't have done her any good either.

Karmacat

Yikes ... the inhaler biz sounds a bit scary .... my mum is doing well at the mo - she was surprised we both ended up with dry throats talking on the phone, and I told her we'd been gabbing for 40 minutes! That really is enough for a twice weekly phone call

Agree doing little jobs around the place would be a great use of DS's time - does he know what he wants permanently, or does he need sometime to sit back and reassess?

Congratulations on the tax payment!


Ooh, and the thing about the supermarket shopping too - it *is* hard to budget when there are offers its crazy not to take advantage of, isn't it - I'm going a bit over my budget, but I'm not prepared to cut down on the amount of organic food or healthy food I have, because of how ill I was over winter. But this month, because of the prep I've done, I'm going to try to do without an actual delivery, I've got a lot of the bulk stuff in the house already. We'll see!

sashybo

Hi gilli, have been around but not posting for the last wee while.

Sounds like your DS is much better off out of that place, glad he is going to do some jobs around the house for you - do you want to send him up to me when he's finished?

Hope work is going well.