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

Larumbelle

kezlou wrote: »

A friend actually offended me yesterday, she didn't realise it, but it got to me. Basically calling me a hippy (taking the pee out of me) in front of total strangers by calling me a hippy. With words of "she's making me grow my own veg" "she's making me make my own curtains" yet this person asked me how to do it so i told her. I would never make anybody do something they wouldn't want to do., including my own children.. I mean she can sew, knit, crochet etc but why feel the need to act completely different and call me a "hippy". She could have left the conversation and make me feel uncomfortable, after all she makes her own things i.e pencil cases clothes etc so why highlight me in this. Oh gawd i've gone on a total rant ignore me i'm feeling very emotional today.

Oh you poor thing :grouphug: Your friend is obviously not very comfortable in her own skin. But that doesn't give her any right to treat you like this. IS she insensitive or is she just not a very good friend?

parsniphead

Hello Everyone.

I'm a long time lurker on the OS forums and really enjoy reading all the tips and comments.:T

I just popped on the get something off my chest really before I implode.

Asds value tea bags - last week 28p this week 38p :eek::mad::eek::mad::eek::mad:

Back of to lurksville now.

Bye

alec_eiffel

kezlou wrote: »

A friend actually offended me yesterday, she didn't realise it, but it got to me. Basically calling me a hippy (taking the pee out of me) in front of total strangers by calling me a hippy. With words of "she's making me grow my own veg" "she's making me make my own curtains" yet this person asked me how to do it so i told her. I would never make anybody do something they wouldn't want to do., including my own children.. I mean she can sew, knit, crochet etc but why feel the need to act completely different and call me a "hippy". She could have left the conversation and make me feel uncomfortable, after all she makes her own things i.e pencil cases clothes etc so why highlight me in this. Oh gawd i've gone on a total rant ignore me i'm feeling very emotional today.

That is annoying. I think it's one of those occasions where people "project" onto others. That way if she says you do these things and the other person laughs or says it's sad then her feelings aren't hurt. It's like people are torn between doing what they want to do and appearing to still be a conformist or whatever the word is.

It is well known amongst my friends and family that I am into frugality and it's surprising how many people tell me that they do certain things that they wouldn't tell other people (and not always about money saving ). People seem to think they can confide in me as "I'll understand" because people are scared of being laughed at or thought of as having no money. I've even found common ground with one of DH's friends, he likes to research to the nth degree before he buys anything and so now we can compare notes about potential purchases. When people feel it's acceptable they start to open up a bit.

Larumbelle

katiegizmo wrote: »

ahhh that's really good!!! I budget a tenner max and try to come in far under that. Sometimes I struggle though, I use big bags for work that still fit comfortably around my gym bag (on my back) and the cheap ones that tick those boxes all seem to be rubbish!

Well, it's not like I just wondered into a shop one day and they happened to be there! I know which of our charity shops get better donations and which ones have the best prices. The two that fit both category I will always pop into if I am in town. Probably 19 times out of 20 I leave empty handed but it's worth it for the other 1 time. As long as I've got something - anything - to carry my stuff around in I don't actually need a new bag. It's a 'want' and if it's not perfect I don't buy. I don't compromise because I know I only need to find the right thing once, and I'm in no hurry for it.The thing is, the better the bargain you get, the more you resent paying any more next time :rotfl:

I once tried to explain to my darling sister that I get the same buzz by getting a bargain, or walking away knowing I didn't fall for the marketing bullpoo, that she does by blowing £150 on a Radley bag. She honestly believes I am mad - which is fine, because I know she is!

Charis

ceridwen wrote: »

I remember the little "conversation" that we were having round this topic a few days back - and was thinking about it today....:cool:

[...]

But it's certain that the only way forward is to bring these matters up for public scrutiny - rather than try and sweep them under the carpet. I think there ARE a reasonable size group of people who do actively want to think in some way other than "Me, me, me..." and make some sort of "contribution" towards the communal good.

I can't see how this latest proposal will work anyway. Apparently the Gov are going to cap housing benefit - so no one will be asked to leave, they'll just make it harder to stay. Have they considered where all these one and two bedroomed properties are for singles and couples to move into? I understood there was a shortage of them nationally.

The usual answer is to build more, but southern Britain is already one of the most densely populated areas in the world. There are plans for 800 new homes in this market town of 8000, (including the population of surrounding villages). No guarantee these new homes will be affordable, no provision for secondary school places or for another GP practice. No guarantee either that those waiting patiently on the lists will get a look in.

Charis

katiegizmo

As long as I've got something - anything - to carry my stuff around in I don't actually need a new bag. It's a 'want' and unless it's not perfect I don't buy. I don't compromise because I know I only need to find the right thing once, and I'm in no hurry for it.


This is true, and I rarely actually buy a bag. I've got a nice black one I've had since college with a little bit of white stitching in flower shape on, I love it. To brighten it up I've sewed buttons on it, beads, other colour stitching (not all a once, just to have a change now and then I redesign it) and it's still going strong. My favourite was when I went to New York last December I picked up loads of free holiday lights badges on a tour bus and i put them all over my bag flashing :rotfl:I looked like a kid but I loved it and it made people smile! I was only upset they didn't play a tune!

Grumpycupple

parsniphead wrote: »

Hello Everyone.

I'm a long time lurker on the OS forums and really enjoy reading all the tips and comments.:T

I just popped on the get something off my chest really before I implode.

Asds value tea bags - last week 28p this week 38p :eek::mad::eek::mad::eek::mad:

Back of to lurksville now.

Bye

Dont go Nice bunch on here honestly.

Sainsburys value fair trade are much better price wise and IMO much better tasting.

I just remembered this morning what we do when buying coffee. Turn the jars upside down to see which is the fullest :rotfl:

As for designer bags well I never fell for that one. I mostly use a rucksack that was bought in Asda for a fiver 10 years ago.It was I think one of my better buys. I trawl charidee shops for little dress bags and then there are always markets where if I actually need one I will buy from there.

Wee_Jo

parsniphead wrote: »

Hello Everyone.

I'm a long time lurker on the OS forums and really enjoy reading all the tips and comments.:T

I just popped on the get something off my chest really before I implode.

Asds value tea bags - last week 28p this week 38p :eek::mad::eek::mad::eek::mad:

Back of to lurksville now.

Bye

Stay ParsnipHead! I found a similar thing with the A$da sliced ham the other week - it had gone up 20p in ONE WEEK!! But weirdly the next week it had gone back down again.....:huh:

katiegizmo

Jo_Rourke wrote: »

I have felt like that too, Katie - but now my friends are starting to see the benefits of my "sensible-ness" i.e. I appreciate things a lot more and I'm not skint as often as they are!

Unfortunately Jo I still seem to be the skintest!!!! how does that work? LOL :rotfl:

Wee_Jo

katiegizmo wrote: »

Unfortunately Jo I still seem to be the skintest!!!! how does that work? LOL :rotfl:

Probably not, Katie - if the MSE boards have taught me anything it's that often the people that look like they're not skint who are (in secret) the skintiest of all!! :eek: