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

sparrer

JackieO wrote: »

sparrar lovely to hear the old phrase my late ma-in-law used to use about the grockels on the IoW.She used to get so cross at times as the bus fares used to increase during the summer season.She lived in Northwood just outside West Cowes and my OH was born on the island.Lovely place for a holiday but I don't think I could live there permanantly,OH wanted to move back there when he retired but I said no as it would be too far from our children and grandchildren .in retrospect it was a good job we didn't as he only had just over 8 years before he passed away and I would have been marooned over there on my own.I am off to chale in three weeks time for a fortnights holiday with my Dd and her tribe and we love having holidays there.
Newport has changed a great deal over the years though and there are alot more supermarkets than there used to be.

Happy memories Jackie. I was in Ventnor and go back from time to time. There must be something about island life, both my DB and I are retired now and would go back to live if we could. It's all very different but still manages to retain its own atmosphere...step off the ferry and you're in a peaceful place, a world away from the rat race. And property there is cheaper than the main land. One day, maybe....:)

JayJay14

Major congratulations to the frugalistas - wonderful news, nice to know there are some jobs out there.

DD2 has just got her tax rebate from last year so when it clears at the bank she will be paying back some of the money she owes me - that is good news as we were getting a bit low. She will be using £75 of it to buy one of the on offer bikes at Asda - will save on future bus fares.

Budget meeting at work at 9am tomorrow morning - I don't think it is bad news for me but can't help worrying a bit.

I'm tempted to use some of the money DD is paying me back to take a run to Leeds or Sheffield at the weekend - stock up on food at costco and have a day out Had the week off work last week and have nothing to show for it, so could do with a day to recharge.

OH is going to start painting the house this week - I've been telling him for the last 6 months that he needs to start, the paint has been in the garae for over a year!! Had 'words' over the last few days and told him that I'm not prepared to carry on working full time and not sleeping properly while he stays at home all day doing s*d all. We may have to sell the house in the new year and that is not the time to start doing it up.

Anyway sorry about the rant, I'm just a bit tired I think.

Edited to add - EstherH, if you can't us it all at once pour it into manageable portions - marg tubs or whatever - and freeze for later.

Souk08

Well done Frugalista and Mr!!!

EstherH

Fighting_Back wrote: »

Dear Esther, what is Approved Foods? Re the homemade play dough - if memory serves, I think you mix the flour with vegetable oil but it's a long time since I made it for my kids and I'm sure the internet has lots of recipes.

Approved Foods is a site that sells close to/beyond best before dates - not use by dates - Martin mentions them in his cutting grocery bills article and there is a thread on one of the shopping sites.

The play dough has plenty of salt in it, I do remember that. Just thought it might be an idea for someone to look up. I use to make a big pan of it.

Fighting_Back

gailey wrote: »

Lauren 1 try not to get upset does not sound quite right. people I know have been overpaid were not expected tp pay all back just got suspended payments for few months not good as short on money.

Have you visited the benefit forum as guess they experts on there.
I applied a few week a go but heard nothing we entitled to lowest amount.

happy birthday seabright, have fab day.

Best not look at new baby pic get broody my youngest seems so big so quick.

well today is day eldest has no preschool, hubbys day off.
Did dreaded shop at lidls and got 2 trollies full for 141, hubbys happy as follows his economic equation 1pound rouhly per item so 141 items but we got 146 so even better.
Was dire as freezer empty, had no fruit or veg in house.
Also i went mad on baking stuff as now have ban on buying cakes and biscuits.
I got mad he brought a frozen pizza for 2quid could make several for that price.
Took nearly and hour to unpack.
Not managed to have lunch yet
blanched runner beans from garden and frozen
washed and hoovered.

Think i need vitamins as feel so tired all time.

eldest driving hubby potty so taking her on long walk to tire her out and more foraging
easier without baby and buggy.

When get back planning to

make choc brownie with eldest
make tonights dinner
maybe start batch cooking
mini quiches for tommorow.
wash all free fruit and freeze.
might do a crumble and stew freeze small portions of fruit for kids.
hoover again.
bath kids.

seems neverending

Dear Gailey, I am not surprised you are tired all the time - you are looking after young children and doing all those other things you talk about in your posts. You are being far too harsh on yourself - I think you are doing a fantastic job. Warmest wishes

EstherH

Hi JayJay, I just wanted some insperation for some other ideas apart from mince and pasta. Suppose it could go with chicken and pork too.

Primrose

Frugalista - so delighted for you and your OH. It's lovely that there are so many people on here sharing your joy and your relief. Everybody who has been in your situation will have been giving a big YIPPEE on your behalf.

Lindy_-_Loo

congrats to mt Frugalista!

hello everyone,

Had Ds1 friend for tea tonight, first time weve done it - they all played good but my goodness this boy can eat!

After boys had bath we made a card for DS1 main teacher, he drew a lovely picture and its a lovely card - even if I do say so myself!
I hope she likes it, with all his teachers in reception and teaching assistant it wouls cost a fortune to buy presents for everyone so have spent £3 on chocs and popped them in a bag saying to my teachers.

Hope everyone is okay - I'm still full of cold with pounding head and sinus area. xx

Frugalista

sparrer wrote: »

Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my, Mr and Mrs Frugalista, it may still be tough/getting tougher but it's news like this that shows the silver lining is still around the cloud and gives everyone renewed hope. Many congratulations on your wonderful good luck, may it be just the start of turning the corner to a road lined with a regular wage :j:T:j:T:j:T

I'm so glad you think it gives people hope - I was a little unsure about posting the news as I know so many people on here are really struggling with ill-health as well as lack of money . However, I am just so excited I had to share the news!!

the_cat wrote: »

Well done Frugallista!!

Nice to hear of someones good luck for a change. If things are too tight until he actually starts taking home the money, why not plan a nice evening/takeaway or something for the night of his first paycheck as celebration

What a brilliant idea :T - I will definately do that. It will give me time to save for a bottle of whiskey for him, too.

Thank you to everyone for your congratulatory posts - I really feel that this board is filled with friends and it enables us all to share (and support) one another in lifes ups and downs. Long may it continue .

CupOfChai

EstherH wrote: »

The play dough has plenty of salt in it, I do remember that.

I remember that too because we had it when I was little in Reception or some similar school level, and we used to like eating it. By the end of a year there would be a weeny little lump on the playdough table where at the start of the year there was a huge pile!

Oh, as for your tomato and chilli sauce it might be nice with prawns in too?