Don't know where to start

nopot2pin

bigjon1968 wrote: »

especially in the run-up to Christmas, watching everyone else rushing round getting ready for it while I'm just trying to survive, it's getting me down a bit.

bigjon1968 wrote: »

I have done most of my Christmas present shopping using amazon vouchers from daily clicks, cashback sites etc, so that really hasn't cost me anything.
I live about 120 miles away from my few remaining family members and only have a couple of friends locally. One of them has invited me for Christmas Day so at least I have that to look forward to.

bigjohn...
I bet there are many, many people who wish they were as organised as you, and had most of their presents sorted
You are soooo much better off, being out of the way, of the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers.
Can you spend time in the library, just for a heat, during the day, when you are not working ?:o

bigjon1968

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. In answer to some of the specific questions, Rosieben, already thought of that - my dad has sent me money for Christmas and my birthday which is also later this month. That's what paid the remainder of this months bills! Piglet, I'm in deepest darkest rural Shropshire. And nopot2pin, the library van only comes once a fortnight! lol. There is one about 5 miles away but that would mean weighing up the cost of petrol against the need for warmth. Thanks again for all your thoughts, it has cheered me up a little to know that other people care.

Stephen_Leak

Well, I've been through redundancy and I have to say that it was the best thing that 's ever happened to me. I earn a fraction of what I did, but I have never been happier.

I believe that everything works out for the best in the end, although of course, it never seems like it at the time.

And I would have never been able to survive as well as I have, without this site, and all the other lovely nutters on it.

nopot2pin

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

And I would have never been able to survive as well as I have, without this site, and all the other lovely nutters on it.

:mad::rolleyes:

I resemble that remark Stephen :D:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Mrs_Thrify

Hello Bigjon, just wanted to say welcome to our group, everyone is very friendly. I would have spoken earlier but I have just logged on for today. I have got myself a little Christmas job. Could you not get a little part time job too? Just untill the self employment work starts to pay for you.
My good wishes ...Julie

Austin_Allegro

Try to do what psychologists call 'reframing' and what we laymen call 'seeing the glass half full'. OK, you may be poor and stuck at home but on the other hand, you could be like a lot of people in the UK: sitting in traffic jams for three hours a day in the rain to drive to a cruddy business park to work for some David Brent type boss for £13k a year most of which goes on taxes, mortgage payments and petrol. At least you're free of all that!

Don't worry about being single either. Again, you are free and can do what you want when you want and aren't stuck with someone for the sake of it. (OK I know a lot of people are happily married but a lot are UN happily married as well).

SunnyGirl

I echo what others have said already but just wanted to say that I'm sending positive thought vibes your way & well done on the Christmas shopping organisation!

Have a look at the list of recipes in post 3 of the Grocery Challenge there's some brilliant ones and most of them don't see a baked bean lol!

katylou6180

I just thought I would drop a line on this thread, I was where you are back in July...although luckily for me it wasn't so cold!! I had no idea where to really start with anything, and budgeting was out of the window. I did what you are doing and followed a lot of advice on here to the letter, regarding making money stretch, getting paid for clicking and cashback etc...and I can honestly say that the support on here was what kept me going through the tough times, there seems to be no such thing as a stupid question and honestly you have never met a nicer bunch of people! I now take pride in what some would say are silly little things but being here, healthy, with a roof over your head are but a few- redundancy makes us all question what we have done to deserve it, and whether it's bad karma etc etc, but the thing to remember is it's your job that was made redundant not you, and it's no reflection on your abilities as a person. If it was would you have been capable of setting up a business? Perspective is key.....I have now fortunately come out of it the other end (albeit temporarily at the moment, this still could all be turned on its head in feb) but if it ever happens again, I know I CAN cope and WILL cope..for now take advantage of the lessons you are learning as they are valuable even though hard:) Good luck with everything, and if you are sick of baked beans and pasta check out the aforementioned recipes....they're great

Molly41

As you are fed up eating pasta and baked beans start challenging yourself to eat well but cheaply. There is the grocery challenge and lots of wonderful recipes. You can bake yourself a cake for pennies...that you would pay pounds for in a shop. Eating good food will help your mood...there is no doubt that there is a link. I agree with other people = start growing a few veggies - the exercise and nurturing will also be good for you. Dont get down in the run-up to christmas as its all consumer hype and as someone else said its their problem. You are well out of it. Have you read the book about the woman from Bristol who challenged herself to live on a pound a day for a year? I read that and had a light bulb moment. I hope you get your benefits sorted soon.xx

downshifter

Are you sure you're not me? Except that I'm in Staffordshire not Shropshire!! If we could afford the petrol we could get together.

Seriously though, I'm also in a draughty rented house which I can't afford to keep warm. I've found that living in one room was the answer to the cold and while it's hard to keep that one warm, it's far better than previous years when stupidly I've thought I should use the sitting room (the coldest room in the house) just because 'it's there'. I also invested in an electric blanket for the bed (Xmas pres?)and that's truly the greatest thing since sliced bread - if I'm cold in the night I just switch it on low and I'm warm as toast and I can have a nice cosy cup of tea in bed while making my list of jobs for the day. Going down to a cold house after that doesn't seem so bad then, even on dark mornings like this. The other thing is about food, I found, like you, that the temptation was to fill up with cheap carbohydrate stodge but vegetables have been my lifesaver I'm sure. I love just a plate of mixed veg stew (ie carrots, onions, garlic, spuds, parsnips, celery and whatever else you have, frozen or tinned too) stewed with half a stock cube or spoonful of marmite, topped with a dollop of grated cheese, gives me so much energy, lots of vitamins and tastes good too. Add curry powder for veg curry (MMMYUMM) or tomatoes and oregano to go with pasta and you'll be warm as toast and full of your 5 a day. If you have protein (an egg or tinned tomatoes and cheese on toast, or even the dreaded baked beans) for breakfast it really boosts you and keeps you going well. My self employment is grinding to a halt so I'll be claiming whatever I can (never done so before) in the new year.

And yes, next year grow your own veg, I've most of the above veg now, plus lots of spuds, fruit and herbs and it's the ultimate convenience food, just to be able to go and dig it up rather than drive to town (8 miles away in my case)

The other thing is exercise, I know its a pain and I don't always practice what I preach, but I am about to walk the 4 miles to the nearest shop to buy a local paper to check on the jobs and any free local activities I can go to. It really warms you up so that you don't need to try and heat the house for hours afterwards.

Please keep posting, I'd love to know how you're getting on, and also post your SOA on the debt free wannabe board, even though you don't have debts it doesn't matter - I'm constantly amazed when people post and really think they've cut down everywhere but a fresh pair of eyes can always find something else.

DS