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

jackieglasgow

You've no need to apologise, Elona, everyone's problems are important in their own lives, and if you need to moan about them we are all willing to listen. X

LannyLee

I agree, I'll be waiting to see what's in store for us after 22nd October, but at least we've taken the 1st step in being on MSE in the 1st place, hopefully we'll pull together & ride the worst of it out :T

ginnyknit

That sounds good to me - ready for the double dip!

v1ckyt

Hi Everyone,
Finally finished reading this thread (phew!) and so thought I would emerge from lurkdom. You all have such good advice to give which I'm always grateful for reading, but thought I'd introduce myself and say hi.
I'm married to my lovely OH, Kevin, and we have 2 kids boy of 8 and girl of 3, and another third (and final!) baby due in November. We also have his daughter from prev relationship and her sister (his stepdaughter) to stay every other weekend, so reasonably big family. Oh has recently changed jobs to have more time at home, with lower wages hence focusing on the pennies, I work part time from home and am also partly self employed, so plenty to keep us busy. We're not into the gardening side of things, but fortunately my parents are, and they supply us with lots of lovely fresh veg and eggs, without us having to do much apart from invite them over for dinner to share with us.
I used to be career girl, but happier to potter at home these days with the kids, although could quite cheerfully throttle them from time to time. (Like now, both been in bed a while but can hear tell tale footsteps upstairs!)
Money wise we're careful, but could be a lot better, debt limited to 0% cc which will be paid off before offer ends and mortgage, but think popping on here will help us to keep/get more focussed.
Anyway, enough waffling from me,
hi to everyone, and looking forward to joining you all a bit more often,
Vicky

northwest1965

Hi Vicky & welcome

Join in as much as you can, the girls on here are just blooming wonderful. Everyone has got so much good advice.

jamanda

re. price of food - I usually by DH a tin of crab now and again. £1 in Asda own brand. Went on Sunday £1.49! I was gibbering at it in the aisle. Today found some Princes ones in B & M for 79p (I think).

Talking about having it tough, there is another temp at work (contracts finishing as they are no longer allowed temps). I think she needed to vent tonight as coming out of work she said she hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday lunch. (This is at 5.00 p.m. tonight). When I looked startled, it all came out. There is no food in the house. Apparently lost her husband when kids were little, one grown up son at home with special needs, and she said they eat toast and marg for breakfast, toast and jam (30p jar) for tea, and sometimes they have beans. She says she can't even get her son's prescriptions free. Anyway, cutting a long story short, I'm trying to send her to Citizen's Advice. I'm struggling to believe people in this country are in such a state (no debts either from what I can gather). I am still in shock at this one.

ceridwen

jamanda wrote: »

Talking about having it tough, there is another temp at work (contracts finishing as they are no longer allowed temps). I think she needed to vent tonight as coming out of work she said she hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday lunch. (This is at 5.00 p.m. tonight). When I looked startled, it all came out. There is no food in the house. Apparently lost her husband when kids were little, one grown up son at home with special needs, and she said they eat toast and marg for breakfast, toast and jam (30p jar) for tea, and sometimes they have beans. She says she can't even get her son's prescriptions free. Anyway, cutting a long story short, I'm trying to send her to Citizen's Advice. I'm struggling to believe people in this country are in such a state (no debts either from what I can gather). I am still in shock at this one.

Do you have a branch of this near you?

http://www.fareshare.org.uk/

D&DD

Jamanda as her son has SN it may be quicker to find your local carers centre for her..they help with advice on all sorts of things as well as assisting with benefit checks.She'd get in to see someone a lot quicker probably.

jamanda

Do you have a branch of this near you?

http://www.fareshare.org.uk/

Thanks, but no there is nothing near here. If I'd known I'd at least have bought her a sandwich or something.

I might chuck some garden stuff in the car tomorrow and wait for her in the car park in the morning. I won't be able to live with myself if I don't. I don't actually know her, which is probably why she could burst it all out to me. Maybe it's easier if you don't know somebody very well. I feel awful, because I've had a couple of quick chats to someone sitting next to her about preserving garden stuff, freezing etc. And she has no food.

jamanda

D&DD wrote: »

Jamanda as her son has SN it may be quicker to find your local carers centre for her..they help with advice on all sorts of things as well as assisting with benefit checks.She'd get in to see someone a lot quicker probably.

I'll check this for her. Thanks.

Best of it is, we're working for social services.