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

mardatha

sods. LOL!

flowertotmum

kidcat wrote: »

Just a quick warning on using the non 0845 number for tax credits, I always use saynoto for numbers and use the calling from abroad trick for tax credits but last year I was asked if I was calling from abroad to which I replied no, the adviser then informed me that if I used the non 0845 number in future they would not discuss my query. I simply informed them I was using the 0845 number but she was adamant that her system wasnt wrong (I have worked in a few companies whose phone systems tell you which number your caller has dialled ) and she was noting my file.
I went on to call again a few weeks later and got someone else who before speaking to me asked my details then asked where I was calling from, when I said home she refused to deal with my query and told me that I had to use the 0845 number and that I had previously been told this. Since then I have tried any number of times the abroad number but always get told I must use the 0845 number and they hang up.

Its so bloody frustrating...i have tried at least 30 times to ring them and always get cut off...a friend suggested pressing 1 for why have my tc stopped...and they transfer you to the right dept..tried that and got through finally:)...

northwest1965

Just back from my weekly shop. I called into HB on the way home. I still get very shocked at the difference in prices. Kenco coffee which I like is 65p per jar cheaper in HB. I could go on:) Stocked up on more toilet rolls.
Morrisons have the low fat milk again at 50p

Back to the subject of juice - on that Food programme last week they were comparing some of them. Its amazing how much sugar is in them. Presenter called them type 2 diabetes in a carton:eek:

Kitcaboodle

fantacee wrote: »

Thanks for the recipe Kit.. I too made these last night and they are gorgeous, taking them to DS's footie this morning the kids will love them, if there's any left by half time:rotfl:

Glad you enjoyed them!

flowertotmum

narabanekeater wrote: »

when we movedi in the old owner left us some lovely gifts. A massive box of sex toys complete with new batteries. I had my friends round to help with the unpacking and had to have them all explained to me. Some of them looked like torture!
oh yes she left us also some balliefs and debt collection agents and several cats

:rotfl::rotfl:

When we moved into our house we found buried in the garden 2 bin bags full of dirty knickers..:eek:..and when i say dirty i mean no loo-roll had been used:eek:...thing is we exchanged with her , we also had 2 huge men in black coats knocking on the door looking for her...i had to show them id in the end to get rid of them...she also left me with a huge gas bill...coz she didn't inform the gas board she was moving,they left the meter in and i had to fight them to get rid of it and the debts ...

bluebag

penelopedee wrote: »

I'm a wuss too and I'm not that old yet Its really cold / draughty here this morning. I think I'll have to find my furry boots rather than just my slippers as my legs and feet are freezing.

I got some really thick fleecy sox and bought a size bigger slippers to go with them £3 the lot reduced in primani. It makes a huge difference when your tootsies are warm.

Mr bb is always warm so I keep the heating on low and wrap up well.
I always have a fleece on and sox. Add in the thermals and a fleecy blanket at the start of October and I'm good to go.

penelopedee_2

My boys always laugh at me cos I like stripey knee high socks under my trousers/jeans to keep warm. Honestly it makes such a difference.

I have my own office at work and I hardly ever have the radiator on. As soon as its starts to get colder, out come the stripey socks, thin vests, thicker cardi's etc. There is loads of nice stuff in the cheaper shops to still look up-to-date. The other staff come in, in shirts/blouses, no jumpers and then rack their heating up. Its like the tropics in some of their offices. It just makes me feel stuffy and unhygienic.

csarina

Our heating is on as well, just for an hour or so in the morning and before we go to bed. When the temp goes down in the evening I light the stove, which wafts heat through onto the hall and bathroom.

I am miserable if my feet are cold, I wear socks in bed in the summer unless its scorching hot.....

D&DD

I've had our heating on for an hour here and there the last few days too,it really seems to have got a lot cooler and Ds2 is feeling it a bit atm.

The local shopkeeper was chatting this morning about the VAT rises and is wondering if they are going to sneak in a few extra pennies too like they usually do,he's thinking of stopping doing newspapers now as he said he just doesn't make enough to warrant the petrol picking them up!

Have noticed prices steadily rising here too

gailey_2

bluebag wrote: »

I got some really thick fleecy sox and bought a size bigger slippers to go with them £3 the lot reduced in primani. It makes a huge difference when your tootsies are warm.

Mr bb is always warm so I keep the heating on low and wrap up well.
I always have a fleece on and sox. Add in the thermals and a fleecy blanket at the start of October and I'm good to go.

I think I need to get down primark.

need totes and one of those jml snuggie blankets.

getting cold here had heating on and taking hot water bottle to bed.
weather quite grim here in west today.

Hope everyones having good weekend.

good news here the all day sickness bit better here but only because im eating more have huge cravings for weightwatchers chicken hotpot and chocolate trying to eat a bit of what I fancy which in grocery bill probably costing me more and doing hardly any cooking as cant face it hoping things improve 2nd trimester in few weeks.

Bad news hubby imforms me bmw exhaust not right im sure its had a new exaust but hubby says im confusing it with the 3cataletic convererters over last few years!:rotfl:
I have to laugh about car or would cry!

mil wants fatherinlaws old car gone.
its 10year old nissan micra 1lit not been driven in nearly 2years so plan is get it on our driveway but needs mot and tax hoping wont cost much to ensure.
hubbys thinking use it in weelk for work as be more economical on fuel i hope as another penny on petrol soon.
bmw costs 65pounds to fill a tank now its 1.8litre.

We still plan to ditch bmw hopefully before xmas but hubbys been stalling about job as comes with car or car allowance.
but 2nd job interveiws postphoned until they can find someone to conduct intererveiw moving at snails pace in job limbo with nothing else in pipeline and food retailers not recruiting so close to xmas and recruitment agencies so useless wonder how they dont go bust if they commision based.

Im after some car info? is there a car board on mse as such?
as a non driver im not an expert but we need to swap bmw for people carrier or car that takes 3carseats with largish boot.
Given they bigger do they all cost more wondering whats most economical and more importantly reliable brand.
we cant afford to buy new so would be used 2-3grand so budget limits us too.
Want to do my research b4 making mistake sure hubby will hate them all but 38 and skint time to change!

Cant remember if mentioned other day proud as managed to make 5jars of chutmey without being sick!:j
Went round mates house he did lovley cheap rice recipie so need recipie as was yum was like an oriental pealla.took him 2jars of chutney as present for hols home.

seems a few freinds now feeling its getting tougher was worried we only ones struggling and wondering where we going wrong.
sorted out repayment plan with very some debt management companies are so nice but its first debt need to clear.

Might try get bankcharges back under hardship rules worth a try nothing to lose.

Hubby did small shop at farmfood spent 60quid and small amount sainsburys too.
Skipped butchers last week but might try do one roast this month cheer us up a bit as its familys fave.

Still debating xmas meat.
feeling worried as only brought 2presents.
off to nct sale next sat.
waiting until 2nd trimester to do chutneys/jams
but needs to do wines and alchol recipies now.

daughter has first full week of school hoping to forage as I missed elder berry, blackberries, hazlenuits, chesnuts and sloes.

got to pay full terms worth of school dinners which be a lot I think.:(