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

Larumbelle

Also meant to say, I adore your hug smilie It's very expressive and makes me want to go and hug the nearest person

I had a card through my door this weekend, from the daughter of the neighbour who recently passed away. It's a thank you card, for being a friend to her and looking out for her. It's not necessary, as 1) as far as I'm concerned, neighbours should look out for neighbours, especially if they live alone or are vulnerable, and 2) it wasn't a one-sided friendship. Irene was a friend because we were friends, not because of any sense of obligation or pity. It was such a sweet thought though. Like she hasn't got enough to be dealing with without worrying about the neighbours.

I found a fantastic quote today.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
- Theodore Roosevelt

I thought it was very apt, and inspirational. Simple and to the point.

jediteacher

Silvercharming you should be proud of having savings - it's where we are aspiring to be in 5 years after we've paid off all our debts (apart from mortgage). Our car according to the garage is worth £2500 so the value of repairs is less than the car is worth and according to the mechanic it only becomes silly to repair if the repairs are more than the car. I was in that situation with my previous car. It was only worth £200 but I was paying out between £400-£500 every 6 months to keep it working! That's when we decided to get the car we have now. We didn't buy new it was two years old when we got it but new to us. Anyway, it'll be fixed this time round and we'll have to look at what the future holds when it arrives!

Larumbelle

Tiff :grouphug: Good luck with your interviews! It's great that you got so much debt sorted so quickly! And yes, it will be good to be able to pay cash and not lose sleep wondering where the money will come from. Also to be able to find the one that we want and not just the only one we can afford.

jediteacher

silvercharming wrote: »

I found a fantastic quote today.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
- Theodore Roosevelt

I thought it was very apt, and inspirational. Simple and to the point.

Brilliant quote and very apt

Prudent

Its always a bit of a gamble with cars. I replaced mine this spring. Not really because I wanted to, but because I do a long communte twice a day with some of it on a busy stretch of motorway. Several minor things on the car were starting to need attention and I worried about being without it if it did break down as there is no simple way to get to work via public transport. I have vowed to make a car last years and years if I ever get a job close to home. Replacing cars frequently is also a bit financial drain. I definately could not afford to give up work as I support myself and my daughter.

Prudent

jediteacher wrote: »

Brilliant quote and very apt

I agree its a great quote. I am going to put it over my desk when I go back to work after my holiday.

Prudent

silvercharming wrote: »

. OH is looking to spend around £2k but that's a huge chunk out of our £3k savings... but we are lucky to have savings, I know that, so I shouldn't be grumbling. It's just we've never actually had savings before...

You will replenish your savings, Now you have proved to yourself you can save there will be a real incentive to continue. I am a big believer in the old saying about looking after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.

Larumbelle

For any mums to be out there: I think it was Lauren who was talking about re-usable nappies a few weeks ago? For her and any other expectant mums it's worth checking out this thread if you haven't already seen it - Asda has packs reduced from £40 to £10, there is also a discussion about where to pick up second-hand ones cheap. Thought it might help someone.

katiegizmo

Argggh cars... they're so annoying!!! We got a new car this year due to our fabulous little KA finally breaking down one too many times - being towed home from Shropshire to Surrey is an experience I don't wish to repeat!! Was a difficult decision and so hard to spend our savings, but it meant we got a good finance deal by paying the deposit. I feel really edgy not having the back up behind me though, esp now DH is jobless and we are surviving on my salary alone. The payments start coming out in August and I am dreading it. In hindsight would have got a deal over a longer term but its done now and we have to live with it. Least we have a nice car, and DH can go to interviews easily now.

Been quite moneysaving this weekend, as well as my homemade pizza made baked bean pate today, slurp! plus inherited some new bathmats from my mum to replace those lost by DH's attempt at 'fixing' the bathroom cabinet the other week - glass and cough medicine was everywhere!! I've switched the gas and leccy (again!) so we have saved enough to theoretically get a month free. I've done the home insurance quotes today and will change that in the week plus taken our lovefilm subscription down from 2 films to 1 (sob, thats our only ongoing luxury!) so saved a few quid there. Went to the library to stock up on books, free entertainment. Been picking some up for DH too and he's actually been reading them!

Started doing the grocery challenge now.... got lots and lots of ingrediants in the big shop this month which means I'll have to cook more - least I am learning new skills!

Feeling more positive than this time last week - DH has 2 interviews this week (the last one was a no, boo!) and the job seekers is going through. Thinking to start a diary on the MFW board to keep me on track, I don't want to slip back into bad habits at any time!

lauren_1

silvercharming wrote: »

For any mums to be out there: I think it was Lauren who was talking about re-usable nappies a few weeks ago? For her and any other expectant mums it's worth checking out this thread if you haven't already seen it - Asda has packs reduced from £40 to £10, there is also a discussion about where to pick up second-hand ones cheap. Thought it might help someone.

OMG you have actually made my day however I can probably predict that they will all be sold out by tomorrow and ebay will see an influx of the bambino mio's.