Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

pink_numbers

NualaBuala wrote: »

Aw, you are such a pet to say that! Well I make no claims to be properly frugal but I am tagging along for the ride! My goal was to spend less than I did last year and hopefully I will do the same next year. And of course health issues affect our spending - yours might make you spend more and that must be really tough. For me, I'm mostly at home cos of ME, fibro and sometimes depression - so that definitely makes it easier not to spend! I wouldn't recommend it as a way of sticking to a budget though! That is such a pain about your laptop - you were very well prepared. I really need to do the same and set money aside for when appliances/equipment needs replacing. I do have some savings now but I hadn't really thought of that.

I'm still very much behind with saving up for big purchases, but I heard a friend was selling almost brand new laptop, and had to purchase it as it was about a third of the original price. I'm so glad I did it now. However, computer is the one thing I can't live without (I wouldn't be able to do any of my work!), so I guess I was acutely aware of my need to have a backup.
I'm having the same goal as you, spend less than I did last year. How have you got on with the challenge? Have you ever felt that it was too much? I found it really hard to get back into the thread after falling off the wagon, I was ashamed of failing when everyone else was doing so well!

Hippeechiq

I'm sorry to hear that hun - why is it always such a battle to get the help you need eh? How ridiculous that he has to wait for a month to be assessed when the specialist has already recommended that he needs to be on 15hours of oxygen a day!

I feel for you, I really do, :grouphug: My Mum died of Cancer, and one of the places she had it was her lungs, so I know how distressing it is to see someone struggling to breathe, especially someone you love, and you're right, it does make you feel useless when you can't "make it better" but I'm sure your love and support must be a comfort to him.

Thanks for your kind words Nuala x

katholicos

NualaBuala wrote: »

I'm so sorry to hear this katholicos, it must be heartbreaking. One thing he does have is you - having people who care is something that can't be taxed, cut or done away with. Sending love and good thoughts your way. x

Nuala, that is very kind of you, and you are so right, love can't be taxed...though i bet the current government would tax it if they could find a way of doing it :mad:

Hippeechiq wrote: »

I feel for you, I really do, :grouphug: My Mum died of Cancer, and one of the places she had it was her lungs, so I know how distressing it is to see someone struggling to breathe, especially someone you love, and you're right, it does make you feel useless when you can't "make it better" but I'm sure your love and support must be a comfort to him.

Oh Hippeechiq, i'm so sorry for your loss and that your mother suffered so greatly, i'm sure you were a great support to her and that your love bought her much comfort (((hugs)))

kezlou

JoJoB wrote: »

Well I am just obsessing over getting the food budget down - is a breadmaker a good idea do you think?

I couldn't do without our breadmaker. It has saved us on so many occassions its unreal. Not only does it loaves, you can make dough in it for pizza's , buns, cakes (untried as yet), jam etc Its just amazing. So instead of getting takeout, i grab the ingredients , put on dough cycle and voilà 1hr 30 mins later pizza dough ready to use. Also it handy to put a loave before you go out, then come back to the house smelling of fresh bread. hmmm yummy
The one we have is the argos cookworks one, cheap and cheerful!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:ah monty you groupie you!!

Lucky83 welcome to the thread! Its my recession too, but i was skint before this review. Now its time tighten up the purse strings even more. good luck with your new job!!!

Hippeechiq I really feel for your daughter, and obviously yourself included. Not good at all, especially considering all the stress your under.

aw Kath your poor father, how awful for the NHS to make him wait that long
My mother (gran) died of cancer 6 years ago, it was awful as i knew there was nothing i could do. I;m sure if he's anything like my mother, the fact that your they supporting him is worth more to him than anything else in the world.

Well OH is finishing off some work, so i'm going to annoy him, well keep him company under a warm blanket. While he lays on the floor . Well i deserve it!!!

bluebag

pink_numbers wrote: »

..... I was ashamed of failing when everyone else was doing so well!

To quote flylady, you are never behind, just jump in where you are.

I have fequent moments of doubt and pain and full days when I could just say b*ll*cks to it all.

Sometimes I wish I had no conscience and could max out mortgage, loans, credit cards, you name it and default on the lot, couldn't do it and live with myself though.

Hippeechiq

katholicos wrote: »

Oh Hippeechiq, i'm so sorry for your loss and that your mother suffered so greatly, i'm sure you were a great support to her and that your love bought her much comfort (((hugs)))

Thanks hun - it was 20 years ago now. Just wanted you to realise that when I say I know how difficult it is to watch someone struggling to breathe, that I really do. Sometimes, when times are hard, it's just nice to know someone really does understand what you're going through, even if they can't do anything to help.

Kezlou Thanks for your kind words too, re my daughter x

I don't for one minute think I've got the monopoly on struggling - I think just about, if not, everyone on here has their own struggles, just different ones, but it doesn't make them any less difficult to get through.

Tell you what though, coming on here has made a huge difference to me, and you lot are some of the nicest people I've ever met - virtually speaking

NualaBuala

pink_numbers wrote: »

I'm still very much behind with saving up for big purchases, but I heard a friend was selling almost brand new laptop, and had to purchase it as it was about a third of the original price. I'm so glad I did it now. However, computer is the one thing I can't live without (I wouldn't be able to do any of my work!), so I guess I was acutely aware of my need to have a backup.
I'm having the same goal as you, spend less than I did last year. How have you got on with the challenge? Have you ever felt that it was too much? I found it really hard to get back into the thread after falling off the wagon, I was ashamed of failing when everyone else was doing so well!

Well the way I managed was I set a very high budget to start with! 4k would just not work for me! And I have had to redo the budget lots of times - rejigging it cos my food bill was higher than planned but I hadn't spent as much on busfares, that kind of thing. Lots of folks on the challenge come and go or re-do their budgets. I don't think it was plain sailing for anyone so you will be in very good company if you pop back! You have NOTHING to be ashamed of - it is bloomin tough just keeping body and soul together these days so we are all doing great I reckon!

anguk

flowertotmum wrote: »

Hi all..still trying to work out exactly how the cuts are going to effect us...thankfully the child benefit has been left alone..he never mentioned EMA or did he and i missed it...let me know if he did...

EMA was mentioned, apparently it's going to be scrapped and replaced with "targeted support for those facing financial barriers to education".

What this means and when it's going to happen is anyone's guess.

pink_numbers

Thank you bluebag and NualaBuala (one day I will be able to type your entire name without double checking the spelling!) You two are so kind and supportive. I will venture back onto the wagon

NualaBuala

pink_numbers wrote: »

Thank you bluebag and NualaBuala (one day I will be able to type your entire name without double checking the spelling!) You two are so kind and supportive. I will venture back onto the wagon

LOL, don't worry Pink, I'll answer to just about anything! xxx

P.S. Oh and yay for you getting back on the wagon! :j