It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

ceridwen

littleowl wrote: »

There is a third option - renting privately. I do this from choice, not force, but it seems that 'renting' is somehow regarded by so many people as 'de trop'. Since I returned to the UK I have been made aware - either subtly or not - of this.
I don't believe that all politicians are so divorced from the real world - but I do agree that it is up to people in general to make their voices heard. No much point in grumbling privately and not 'putting your money where your mouth is' - to use an overworked phrase.
I have hopes for the coalition After all, it can't be much worse than either the Thatcher years or the Labour mal-administration. At least there is some genuinely fresh thinking going on - some good, some bad, depending on individual concerns. But, at least not the same old... same old... entrenched stance of the old parties.

I tend to agree.

ANY political party is going to make decisions that are unpopular with some and/or ill thought out. I think this particular decision falls under the "ill thought out" heading - those age discrimination laws havent been taken into account for one thing....

Difficult situation again - I do personally definitely believe people should be "rewarded for effort" on the one hand - and also that people shouldnt be penalised when something that wasnt their choice/fault, but really was genuine "bad luck" (like health problems for instance) happens on the other hand. Anyone of us could have health problems, for instance, and due allowance should be made for this. On the other hand it really upsets me to see people making decisions (or, to be more accurate, FAILING to make decisions and just letting things drift) and then expecting to be "helped out" by those who HAVE taken responsibility for planning their lives/making deliberate decisions about their lives.

What to do? Some people just refuse to act responsibly and then start pleading that they should be helped out for their refusal to "get a handle on their lives" - whilst others are trying their best and "getting a bum deal" that is certainly not warranted....

I wish I knew the answer to that one...:(

EstherH

ceridwen wrote: »

Well - on the subject of toilet rolls - I've been buying the cheapest white ones I could find - usually T*sco Value ones - but am suspecting that things are being "spread out more thinly" with them recently. I couldnae swear to it - but I wonder if the paper is even thinner than it was and so will be reconsidering on this.

Bit of a "motto" for a lot of things at the moment - ie "being spread more thinly". I have been using Marks & Spencers as "default mode" for clothes shopping for basic items - like undies/teeshirts/jumpers - but, having read someone complaining that she had found recent teeshirts from them were developing holes because the material had been "stretched more thinly" in order to cut more teeshirts out of the same amount of material and had a Eureka moment about "Thats why my latest ones from them feel so thin .....:cool:" I will be searching further afield for these things in future (thats assuming I ever feel the need to buy any clothing again - apart from undies and footwear - as I...<cough> did rather stockpile clothing as well <cough>).

It's Tesco or Morrisons value ones that I buy, just wondering if I would save by spending more initially.

On subject of clothes, I was always under the impression that Next was decent quality from the way other people talk and their prices, but having been bought a couple of things recently as presents from there, I am not impressed. They may look nice but the quality isn't good.

I only tend to buy clothes when I'm given money for birthday or Christmas, and underwear when it's absolutely necessary. Should do now really because it is necessary but keep hanging on.

ceridwen

EstherH wrote: »

It's Tesco or Morrisons value ones that I buy, just wondering if I would save by spending more initially.

On subject of clothes, I was always under the impression that Next was decent quality from the way other people talk and their prices, but having been bought a couple of things recently as presents from there, I am not impressed. They may look nice but the quality isn't good.

I only tend to buy clothes when I'm given money for birthday or Christmas, and underwear when it's absolutely necessary. Should do now really because it is necessary but keep hanging on.

:rotfl:I must admit I DO wonder just how to judge what goods/places are worth trying......recalling a phase in my life where I used to think "Oh...quite a few people seem to be recommending such-and-such a place to eat out...and I went there and found it poor quality....". That was back in the days when I used to eat out regularly...:cool:

I guess different people have different standards/different tastes...so one has to try and work out accordingly what YOU will think of something...

ceridwen

Anyway - <cough> back to basics....err....guess I'm meandering a bit myself...it has been a worse day than normal...sorrees....

Okay...folks...how is the stocking-up all round going? Kittie and I both have a big thing about how very useful stocking-up is...:D

Also - how is the "grow your own" food going?

..and the "Make things from scratch"....

deedee71

The co-op are doing half price Double Velvet loo rolls at the moment - 9 for £2.89 or there abouts.

I usually by Mr T own brand unless anything else is on special.

northwest1965

ceridwen wrote: »

Well - on the subject of toilet rolls - I've been buying the cheapest white ones I could find - usually T*sco Value ones - but am suspecting that things are being "spread out more thinly" with them recently. I couldnae swear to it - but I wonder if the paper is even thinner than it was and so will be reconsidering on this.
Bit of a "motto" for a lot of things at the moment - ie "being spread more thinly". I have been using Marks & Spencers as "default mode" for clothes shopping for basic items - like undies/teeshirts/jumpers - but, having read someone complaining that she had found recent teeshirts from them were developing holes because the material had been "stretched more thinly" in order to cut more teeshirts out of the same amount of material and had a Eureka moment about "Thats why my latest ones from them feel so thin .....:cool:" I will be searching further afield for these things in future (thats assuming I ever feel the need to buy any clothing again - apart from undies and footwear - as I...<cough> did rather stockpile clothing as well <cough>).

I've just done myself a chart to put by the toilet to see how many sheets people are using:rotfl:Is this taking it a bit too far??

Matalan are pretty good for t-shirts

northwest1965

ceridwen wrote: »

Also - how is the "grow your own" food going?

.

My courgettes in my recycling tub are doing great, I've had 6 already. Herbs a plenty and french beans are OK. Runners not ready yet but soon will be. Tomatoes in basket laden but not ripe. Its amazing what you can do in a yard. Lifting my potatoes at the weekend and I'll be planting again for Christmas

Spendless

deedee71 wrote: »

Not much of a poster, more of a lurker but I've not quite had my heart broke today but definitely bruised.

It's not so much being on my own I mind, it's little things like not having someone to share them money worries with - or even the money saving successes!

Anyone have any idea where to meet a decent bloke in real life - internet dating is not for me anymore!

awww have a hug ((())). You can share your money worries and successes with us, and some things will make you angry/sad/happy/laugh but we'll be with you and will applaud the successes instead of saying 'that's nice dear'.

As for romance oh don't ask me, a series of failed romances starting with meeting my 1st boyfriend the week I left school and ending with the man of my dreams turning out to be married with 2 kids led me to marry Mr S the brother of my schoolfriend that I'd first met at 15! Should have started there in the first place but I wouldn't have appreciated him without going thru life's lessons first.

What about joining clubs that you have an interest in - a hobby and see if you meet someone there thru shared interests.

deedee71

Thanks Mrs S - I've just had a phone call offering me a part time job (which fits in perfectly with my ft one)......so, swings and roundabouts today.

Part of it will be demonstrating foody stuff in M & S sometimes so you never know maybe my "can i interest you in a nibble, sir?" line might work lol.....:rotfl:

Prudent

katholicos wrote: »

For those who have mentioned 'Purple Spray'...could it be this?

I am sure it is. I apologise for not getting back to the thread before. I have had my sister staying which has been a real treat as we rarely see each other. I had won tickets for Rod Stewart on Monday eve. She is a huge fan. As it is a four hour train journey, I didn't think she would come and just texted her on the off chance. She decided to drop everything (thankfully we were both on holiday this week) and come. We met up before the show and had a meal. Rod was great and there was a good atmosphere. On Tuesday we went to Edinburgh and had a spa day using some vouchers I won earlier in the year. It was total bliss

I did buy two meals out and had petrol, train fares and parking so will need to really cut the budget in August (I hadn't planned for this and had spent a fair bit taking my daughter away early in July). However it is the first time we have done something like this and I am glad we did.

Now going to enjoy catching up with the thread and see how everyone is doing.