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

icelandic_queen

Sorry to hear about your son Taplady and hopefully something wil turn up soon. Any chance he could take on a course in the meantime? I only say this cos the colleges near me are advertising their courses at the moment. On the bright side I got a letter yesterday telling me I was entitled to free dinners. I've explained this to the girls and they aren't bothered at all as loads of their friends get them. That was a relief because when I was in school they coralled all the free dinner people into 1 section which was totally unfiar and no way did I want that to heppen to my kids. It seems that the schools have wised up a bit, but what else could they do when so many are entitled!!

determined_new_ms

icelandic_queen wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your son Taplady and hopefully something wil turn up soon. Any chance he could take on a course in the meantime? I only say this cos the colleges near me are advertising their courses at the moment. On the bright side I got a letter yesterday telling me I was entitled to free dinners. I've explained this to the girls and they aren't bothered at all as loads of their friends get them. That was a relief because when I was in school they coralled all the free dinner people into 1 section which was totally unfiar and no way did I want that to heppen to my kids. It seems that the schools have wised up a bit, but what else could they do when so many are entitled!!

I used to sell my free meal token to the better off kids and go and get a portion of chips & make a bit of profit! Ah those were the days when I only hankered after a portion of chips and a few penny sweets :rotfl:

icelandic_queen

:rotfl:Haha!! I wouldn't put it past my eldest to do that!! Fortunately she told me that it's all cashless and the free dinner pupils have their cards uploaded with 2.10 quid for every day automatically!!

lilac_lady

Taplady's children being at home will certainly change the financial dynamics in her house. It's tough having grownup children back in the nest. Mine were like yoyos until they settled down but I was glad that I could offer them a roof over their head when they needed one.

I'd like to say that they'd do the same for me in extreme old age but I wouldn't want to stay with any of them as I am so independent and in my right mind (who knows?) I'd never move in with my family.

Frugalista

Just read your post taplady - so sorry to hear about your sons job and really hope something comes up for both of them soon. What line of work are they both in?

penelopedee_2

Lots of sad job news going about at the moment. Hugs to all that need them and I hope everyone finds something soon.

I feel sorry for my neighbours as their bread winner has just been laid off without a redundancy package. Its so sad, they were devastated about having to sign on. Hopefully it won't be for long as they are both hard workers. We've been swapping money saving ideals and recipies and store cupboard thoughts It would be nice to think these hard times could bring neighbourhoods together a bit.

All this has made me squeeze a bit more out of the budgets this week to top up the emergency fund a little ... just in case..

taplady

icelandic_queen wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your son Taplady and hopefully something wil turn up soon. Any chance he could take on a course in the meantime? I only say this cos the colleges near me are advertising their courses at the moment.QUOTE]

hopefully yes he may be able to.

Frugalista wrote: »

Just read your post taplady - so sorry to hear about your sons job and really hope something comes up for both of them soon. What line of work are they both in?

The youngest has never worked as he's just finished a 2 year college course in media and film studies. He decided against uni for various reasons so needs to find something now. The eldest originally worked in computers/internet radio then was in a retail position. His real love is radio and hes qualified in that line but jobs are incredibly hard to come by.

lilac_lady wrote: »

Taplady's children being at home will certainly change the financial dynamics in her house. It's tough having grownup children back in the nest. Mine were like yoyos until they settled down but I was glad that I could offer them a roof over their head when they needed one.

the youngest DS has never left home but the eldest had his own flat(rented) until recently. I certaintly dont mind having them both at home as long as they are making an effort to sort themselves out.
I think the eldest is secretly pleased to have Mum looking after him again!;)

BigMummaF

katholicos wrote: »

....These days, I find myself less concerned about whether or not i own a house...i'm far more interested in making the house I live in, a home.

Too true :T & in all honesty, the only thing that matters. I've seen some lovely houseboats, mobile homes, etc that are so welcoming & homely, where multi-million pads can be very sterile.

My parents worked hard--well, mum did odd part-time when she could, as back then mums were at home for end of school day & the holidays--but didn't buy a property until well into their 40s [& after my sister & I had married]; we moved from railway into council housing & they bought with the 50% discount. We lost Dad at 68 & Mum managed to keep up with the mortgage repayments mainly because they struggled on a reduced income all those years bringing us up, so Dad could pay into a pension We've had a lot of discussions over the pros & cons of her moving but she feels safe & secure in her home & to be brutal, I'm not sure there are many who would be willing to take on a third storey flat for a price to cover her getting somewhere else I've a feeling that when the time comes one of my lot may be interested in moving in but would have to pay rent at least to my sister, or more likely she'll want us/them to take out a mortgage to buy her share.

Part of me feels so sorry for young folk trying to get their lives sorted, but equally I do think too much is done to help these girls who have children without any consideration to where or how they will live. I remember hushed voices when discussing a single mum, but now there is no such shame. Yes, I am a "single parent"--altho I prefer 'deserted wife'--but we had been married three years before No1 Bubbs came into my life, & ALL the three Offspring have the same dad. My parents had the 3 to sleep over one week-end as I was at a wedding but I missed them terribly & can't think of another time I left them for more than 2 or 3 hrs, even tho neighbours & friends often asked me to go clubbing & things.
Me muvva is/was/will be forever telling me to 'spoil' myself but I can't, especially when I know the bills have to be paid. I did buy a puzzle book last week for £1:50 but had put it back on the shelf 3 times before paying for it

QUOTE=mardatha;34997757]It's what is inside your head that matters in life - not what's outside your window [/QUOTE]
You come out with some real corkers Mardatha & I'd have [STRIKE]nicked[/STRIKE]borrowed this myself if someone hadn't beaten me to it Either your or my Dad must have had a pretty good bike, cuz I agree that we must be of the same gene pool :rotfl:

mardatha

I have got an English grandad - (blush) although we keep quiet about him LOL ! He came from Lowestoft and was a Trawlerman, then moved up here and went back to the fishing. Soooo ... if any of your lot came from Lowestoft or surroundings... HI SIS !

jackieglasgow

Sorry Bigmummaf but you know what they say, if you're not fast, you're last!

Although I am a bit of a fraud as I did my front garden the other day, and now what's outside my window is rather important to me as it's all my own work!