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

kidcat

I started stockpiling last year as a result of this thread and because I was very concerned that DH would be out of a job soon, thankfully he still has his job, (although how long for is anybodys guess) but the stockpiling helped me through the bad winter and meant I didnt need to shop at all during the really bad snow, when everybody around was panic buying and emptying shops I was happy that we had enough, but when DH had eight weeks off work this summer our income reduced dramatically so I dug into my reserves again and we coped. For me its now time to start build stocks back up, not just of food but household essentials, remembering of course that VAT will be rising after Christmas, and that will affect toilet rolls, washing powder etc, I want to try to gather as much as I can of these sorts of items.

csarina

, remembering of course that VAT will be rising after Christmas, and that will affect toilet rolls, washing powder etc, I want to try to gather as much as I can of these sorts of items.[/QUOTE]

I was in wilkinson yesterday they were selling the new ariel gels for £2.98 which is cheaper than the 2 for £6 at Asda, I now have 4 in stock. I also bought 9 toilet rolls. I do not have a lot of storage space in the house, will not use the attic because of mice........ so limited as to what I can store. But my shelves are full and groaning, dare not put anything else on one of them incase its just one jar too far!!!

My neighbour has just admitted to me that when she buys a chicken they only eat the breast meat the rest goes in the bin!! I amost had a hissy fit. I told her next time they have chicken to give me the carcass, I can get at least 1 meal plus stock from whats left, she said 'we don't like dark meat' asked her what they had for Christmas, did she buy a turkey, 'oh no I buy a piece of beef, it was £28 last year and I threw most of it away, we got fed up with eating it and B is not keen on it cold'. My goodness she is going to have to change her ways when she retires next year..............

purpleheather2810

Shocking! Especially in someone of that age, rather than in a younger person who might not be experienced in running a household....

I hadn't properly considered the VAT increase - might just use my Sainsburys Fairy voucher and go buy another giant box - should keep me going for a few months then.

EstherH

Even before I started reading all these threads and learning about adding oats, lentils etc. I used up all the meat on chickens (had a friend who said she had never known anyone get as much meat of a chicken as I did). I also used left over joints to make stew or pies. Hate to see good meat thrown away.

lambanana

I finally heard back about that job today, I didn't get it (which I knew) and their HR woman said she had e-mailed me to tell me, well I never received an e-mail and I check regularly! I was quite annoyed though because I really don't think e-mail is the way to go for these things, it should be over the phone. They did say my interview was exceptional and they really struggled to decide so I shouldn't be put off applying should any more jobs come up in future. I'm really disappointed but never mind, I'll just have to move on and hope other things come up that I can apply for.

I get paid in 8 days and it can't come soon enough! I am hoping that the petrol currently in the car will get me through the 3 hour drive to the family funeral and back but I'm not certain it will. My car has it's service on Monday as well so more money going out before I get paid. Spend spend spend! I'll be on the tightest of budgets for October as I've already allocated everything in my wages and they haven't even arrived yet...that job would have made all the difference to me financially

sammy_kaye18

lambanana wrote: »

so more money going out before I get paid. Spend spend spend! I'll be on the tightest of budgets for October as I've already allocated everything in my wages and they haven't even arrived yet...that job would have made all the difference to me financially

I know that feeling honey, most of my money is already allocated and thankfully I've managed to pay off one debt this month so now working on the other 4 slowly thankfully one is fairly low so should get paid quickly - two are bank overdrafts that reduce little by little each month and one is £40 a month payment. Hoping once one us paid off i can put more money towards the other ones.

Am worried though because boyfriend is being paid £650 this month due to lack of work. This wil barely cover his outgoings (£250 debts, £250 rent, £80 maintenance) so he will be left with £70 for the month. His fuel for the month alone is about £150 and the MOT and tax are up for the car and he doubts it will pass. :(:(:( hes considering cycling to work but he works 30 minutes away but in winter that will be bad, hoping though he will pay for a monthly train ticket, cycle to the station in town about 10 minutes away and catch train which takes 10 minutes max , then cycle the 10 minutes from the other end to his work.

Think my purse strings will be tighter than a camels bum in a sandstorm this month.

csarina

lambanana wrote: »

Spend spend spend! I'll be on the tightest of budgets for October as I've already allocated everything in my wages and they haven't even arrived yet...that job would have made all the difference to me financially

Me too, once we get back from Leicester we will be on the strictest budget until the end of this financial year.....I have to pay down what it cost us to move and spent on the cottage. My £14 curtains from Ikea will make a curtain for the door as well, so 1 pair and a single curtain for £14.

I will have to get my book with the mince recipes in and bulk out meat with dried beans etc......as well as large portions of veg. I can see suet pudding coming back into our menu, very filling!! My grandmother used to make both sweet and savoury things with suet pastry........

purpleheather2810

lambanana wrote: »

I finally heard back about that job today, I didn't get it (which I knew) and their HR woman said she had e-mailed me to tell me, well I never received an e-mail and I check regularly! I was quite annoyed though because I really don't think e-mail is the way to go for these things, it should be over the phone. They did say my interview was exceptional and they really struggled to decide so I shouldn't be put off applying should any more jobs come up in future. I'm really disappointed but never mind, I'll just have to move on and hope other things come up that I can apply for.

I get paid in 8 days and it can't come soon enough! I am hoping that the petrol currently in the car will get me through the 3 hour drive to the family funeral and back but I'm not certain it will. My car has it's service on Monday as well so more money going out before I get paid. Spend spend spend! I'll be on the tightest of budgets for October as I've already allocated everything in my wages and they haven't even arrived yet...that job would have made all the difference to me financially

An email?! That's not on. I'm sorry you didn't get the job. I bet there's something better just around the corner for you though. My car's gone in to have some work done today - the garage have already said it will cost around €280 :eek: which I don't have - will have to go on the credit card that I am supposed to be getting rid of...:(

EstherH

Sorry to hear you didn't get the job Lambanana, you could have done with some good news.

CupOfChai

Sorry you didn't get the job Lambanana, but don't let it get you down, chin up and carry on!

This store cupboard business... I generally happen to have some things in that could be eaten in an emergency, but I don't really keep a store cupboard. I'm pushed for space to keep many spare items, live within walking distance of shops, am young and healthy and have no dependents, so I don't even really feel the need. I'm not scared of winter .

Csarina, do you watch Great British Bake Off? They were doing suet in the last episode. I think suet/steamed puddings should come back into fashion, except that then it would start costing a fortune!