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

mardatha

I am speechless Smiley. Totally. I hope these bloody morons get their come uppance some day.

jackieglasgow

Thanks for that kit, that's handy to know, but for my sister and smileyt it was one of those back to work interviews where they help you look for a job. My sister had signed on in time. It also caused some sort of mix up with her tax credits too, not sure what, but it took ages to sort out. She didn't know her mother in law was going to pass quite so quickly, and was relieved she had missed the appt as it turns out it was the last time she saw her alive. She did appeal and they refused it.

lambanana

I went on a money saving (or rather bargain hunting) adventure this morning and bought some things at the big Home Bargains including loads of toilet roll, kitchen roll, dried peas, dilute squash and some toiletries. I've promised my mum that when I get paid again we'll make another visit and stock up some more on toilet roll before the VAT goes up. My mum also gave me the bargains she'd picked up for me at Netto plus some ham and cheese a friend had given her that she wasn't able to eat. A productive day I feel!! Also getting the washing powder my mum had picked up for me meant I was finally able to make a dent in the overflowing laundry basket.

Had a bit of a food-waste type disaster when I dropped a full tub of HM soup when getting it out of the microwave made a massive mess AND it stained the wall where the landlord used the cheapest paint ever (it's on wood so you'd think they'd use gloss but no...whatever it is just washed off whilst I tried to clean up the soup!) I will have to repaint that bit...I am more annoyed though at the loss of the soup. I hate wasting food.

Was also comparing prices on fairy liquid in Mr A, they've got one of their cleaning deals on which has 2 bottles for £1 BUT they also have the fairy original in the white bottles that look like the old bottles for 50p and that's 510ml so more than is in the bottles that are two for £1 so I got 4 of those as I was down to my last bottle from my previous bulk washing up liquid buy (about 18 months ago!!)

It's so cold today but DH and I are wrapped up warm and will not be putting the heating on any time soon. I was shocked to see that a friend on facebook had put hers on today, she doesn't have small children nor is she old or suffering from any illness, she should be putting a thicker jumper on I say!!

parsonswife8

(quote lambanana)

It's so cold today but DH and I are wrapped up warm and will not be putting the heating on any time soon. I was shocked to see that a friend on facebook had put hers on today, she doesn't have small children nor is she old or suffering from any illness, she should be putting a thicker jumper on I say!!

It was cold here too earlier on and I was sat here with a warm rug over my chest and to my feet. Seems to have warmed up a bit now though.

fayhare

It's even getting a little bit nippy here in Brighton, just cold enough to be shutting the windows during the evening and popping on some socks. Oh is still wearing shorts and I am still in sandles/crocs during the day. (and obviously clothes too!)

I have a new bedspread/quilt coming next week and I think it will just be cold enough to put on the bed. I can't wait as I love getting wrapped up and am much more suited to the colder weather.

Kitcaboodle

Cutting back on the excess snack food has certainly made our shop cheaper. We stocked up on some wine for when my sister comes round but it was still a reasonable total for us. You can tell I'm baking again as there were no biscuits or cakes. We bought bread but that is because (a) DH found a tiger loaf in stock for once & he loves them and (b) I don't like breadmaker bread as much as store bought bread unless it's a flavoured loaf like onion or pepper bread. For plain old white bread it's Warburtons or Kingsmill for me!

I am currently waiting for the dough to rise for my first ever batch of home-made crumpets. If they are a success I might try making bread without using the breadmaker and see if that tastes nicer.

penelopedee_2

Its cold here too tonight. I'm just about to find some nice warm socks and my furry slippers. There is no way the heating is going on yet

The boys are still in Tshirts and bare feet and think I'm imagining the cold.

I've had a good day here. We have 3 chest of drawers upstairs where some of the drawer runners have fallen apart. I took the worst one apart and used any decent runners to mend the other two. Then I stripped out the metal work from the big bottom drawers, leaving the two smaller top ones, and moved the half empty unit into the dining room. It matches the furniture there and now the bottom space is holding my study files and the kids toys - all nice and tidy. It was so easy I don't know why I didn't do it before. Wonder how long it takes DH to notice

wagglessmells

re 0845 nos: i recently ramg wtax credits but as they were es[ecially busy their number connected and said that due to many call to call back and then disconnected me!!!! i therefore kept hitting redial until i finally got through!!!! when i received my phone bill it was in excess of £100!!!!! i rang virgin to ask what was going on and they said that all 410 calls i had made had been to wtcredits!!!! the call which had gotten through had been 22 mins long and had cost £2.50ish. i asked why the other call shad cost so much only to be told that: it costs 11p to be connected to an 0845 number and a further 8p per minute. each of my calls that had been disconnected had cost me 19p even though they only had a duration of approx 10seconds!!! because they didn't want to helpi asked to be put through to disconnections where the lady i was connected to completely understood as she had gone through the same thing previously and halved tyhe bill for me!!! was still not happy but at least they helped me out a bit!!!!

hope you are all well,
alex x

northwest1965

Kitcaboodle wrote: »

I am currently waiting for the dough to rise for my first ever batch of home-made crumpets. If they are a success I might try making bread without using the breadmaker and see if that tastes nicer.

Do lets us know how they turn out.

I've just made a loaf, its probably my best one so far, its amazing how they can turn out differently, only earlier this week I had my worst one:). If I can anyone a tip, the wetter the dough the better. (I think I learnt that from Paul Hollywood) oh and another tip, while kneading - put oil on the work surface and hands, it stops the dough sticking. If you keep putting flour on the surface it goes into the dough altering the recipe.
I would love to do a bread course, so if anyone knows of them up here in the North West please let me know

smileyt_2

jackieglasgow wrote: »

Thanks for that kit, that's handy to know, but for my sister and smileyt it was one of those back to work interviews where they help you look for a job. My sister had signed on in time. It also caused some sort of mix up with her tax credits too, not sure what, but it took ages to sort out. She didn't know her mother in law was going to pass quite so quickly, and was relieved she had missed the appt as it turns out it was the last time she saw her alive. She did appeal and they refused it.

Bl**dy Nora! That really is appalling! How heartless is it possible to be?

I know I won't stand a chance if I appeal, but I am thinking about it because it would be worth it just to say they ought to have some compassion. It is the first appointment I have missed so it's not like I make a habit of it. Thankfully I will be able to go in on Tuesday morning and sign off and I will shake the dust off my feet as I go. Actually the people who work there haven't been too bad to be honest, it's the decision makers who obviously are removed from the real world. I am so lucky that I am not in debt and I live a ridiculously frugal lifestyle so I have been able to save a small amount to act as a buffer at times like this. Otherwise I would be up doodah creek without a paddle.

The job I am starting will only pay for 9 weeks and I will have to survive five weeks without any pay as I don't get paid over the university holidays or reading week. So although it will feel as if I am rolling in money, in fact I won't be because it has to last. Thanks to you all and the tips on this board, I am able to plan ahead.

But it's a warning to anyone else on here who is on JSA (Annie56?) - they won't cut you any slack so don't give them the slightest excuse to dock your money or they will!