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

determined_new_ms

grandma247 wrote: »

Determined you could put away money as savings either for when you want to step down or just in case things go belly up. Well done on getting rid of the debt.

thanks grandma :A that's the plan although being the main breadwinner oh isn't as keen on me taking less responsibility & hours because of the reduction in earnings. I keep telling him if we can pay off £10K between us in 10 months we don't need as much money as we have. Its gonna be a long process getting him to get behind my dream... x

sammy_kaye18

determined_new_ms wrote: »

so I took drastic action & have worked so hard at clearing my debt since Jan & I'm very happy to say I only have 1 more month and (hoppefully) I will be debt free

Happily I took up running recently to help with stress & if anyone has the inclination to try it then do, its wonderful & really has made me feel like I can cope with what's on my plate -- I have started on a programme that starts off very easily and builds up gradually.

Congratulations on almost being debt free chick. :T:T:T:T:T:T:T

As for running I'd love to take it up but am looking for a programme that breaks me in gently. would you mind sharing how you did it????
I'm due my 6 week check Tomorrow - even though holly is almost 8 weeks now and that seems an ideal exercise to get into and I can take pooch with me in the evening.

jackieglasgow

Couch to 5k, Sammy. There is a thread over on the Health Board. I started on it earlier this year but I has an accident an injured my back so running is out for a while, but it looks a fab programme, and the two weeks I did it I definitely noticed an improvement in my fitness straight away.

determined_new_ms

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Congratulations on almost being debt free chick. :T:T:T:T:T:T:T

As for running I'd love to take it up but am looking for a programme that breaks me in gently. would you mind sharing how you did it????
I'm due my 6 week check Tomorrow - even though holly is almost 8 weeks now and that seems an ideal exercise to get into and I can take pooch with me in the evening.

I've pm'd you x

lickylonglips

katholicos wrote: »

I've never been one for microwave cookery but today in a charity shop there was an offer on of any 4 books for £1 so one that i picked up is the Good Housekeeping Encyclopedia of microwave techniques and it has 250 recipes as well as step by step guides to show you different techniques of using the mike.

Currently i only use ours to warm wheat bags and to nuke a jacket potato. I've had a little look through the book and some of the recipes actually excite me...especially the fudge and sweet assortment ;-)

The other three books were a psalter (nowt to do with seasoning!), Nanette Newman's Christmas Cookbook and 100 Best Recipes - Baking.

Not bad, all the lot for £1.

was this a chain charity shop or just a local one-off one?

Primrose

determined - well done on reducing those debts. It must be a big relief in the current economic circumstances. If you're having problems getting and keeping your OH on board the savings campaign, perhaps you should keep him on his toes a little and keep talking about reducing your responsibilities, (even if for the time being you're not proposing to do so). Don't let complacency slip in until you've achieved your savings target!

JulieGeorgiana

Primrose wrote: »

determined - well done on reducing those debts. It must be a big relief in the current economic circumstances. If you're having problems getting and keeping your OH on board the savings campaign, perhaps you should keep him on his toes a little and keep talking about reducing your responsibilities, (even if for the time being you're not proposing to do so). Don't let complacency slip in until you've achieved your savings target!

I agree... my husband has to sit down and look through our finances... if my son needs shoes... HE has to find the money!!

This works, as he is suggesting to me how we can save money... even reading a book on sailing on a tight budget (??) from which he decided we needed a pressure cooker (haven't I been asking for one all year)... it's working!

HOWEVER, we both agree he should not be allowed control of our finances... or there would be trouble afoot!!

taplady

Kathlicos - this is a recipe for a yummy flapjack type cake done in the microwave - it is one of my DHs favourites. I got the recipe from this site several years ago - couldn't find it now so I'll rewrite the recipe for you. I warn you its very moreish!:D

Jam Crumblie

6oz butter/marg
6oz dark soft brown sugar
6oz porridge oats
7oz plain flour
pinch of salt
half a teaspoon bakin powder
4oz jam

lightly grease an 8" square baking dish(I use my ceramic "lasagne" dish as its microwave safe)
cream the fat and sugar together.
stir in dry ingredients and mix thoroughly
press half the mixture into the baking dish
metl the jam in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then spread it over the base,
Crumble on the remaining oat mixture, pressing it down lightly
bake in the microwave for 7 mins(full power)
cut into squares and cool in the baking dish!

the original poster of this recipe(I think it was Queenie) also did a Christmas version and put mincemeat in instead of jam and dusted it with icing sugar.

Might have to make some now you've reminded me of this recipe:D

seasalt_2

My mum cooks everything in her microwave - cakes - the lot - to save electricity. I really only use mine for heating things up, principally OH's tea as I never know what time he will be in!

flowertotmum

Taplady :T thanks for the recipe will have a go at it and let you know how i get on...