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

rosieben

good list alec e, I've decided to go back to OS cleaning and laundry supplies, ditching the expensive chemical-laden bought cleaners, better for my health and better for my purse!

I'll be investigating the The Health, Beauty & Fashion MoneySaving Board too, hoping to find more tips there

alec_eiffel

rosieben wrote: »

good list alec e, I've decided to go back to OS cleaning and laundry supplies, ditching the expensive chemical-laden bought cleaners, better for my health and better for my purse!

I'll be investigating the The Health, Beauty & Fashion MoneySaving Board too, hoping to find more tips there

OS cleaning supplies are great - because they're good for so much more than cleaning, I was thinking about the cleaning cupboard when Hugh was making those lemon pancakes last night *yum yum*. I think anything we can use that has more than one function is a great thing. For example a rabbit is both a pet and a hot water bottle (that's why we have two, one for me, one for DH)

In terms of clothing, I think a "capsule wardrobe" is a great thing. Buying everything in a few key colours means everything mixes and matches, plus it reduced the risk of not having a full load of laundry as there isn't that one random item that has to be washed on its own! A capsule make up bag is great too - throwing away a half used thing because it's gone manky, I don't think so

Frugalista

mardatha wrote: »

I am a bit low just now, even savage old bats have sad days :rotfl: but trying hard to stay positive.

Aaawww! (((((Hugs))))) :grouphug:- We all get days like that - hope you feel better tomorrow.

By the way, I just wanted to say that I love your signature :rotfl: - unfortunately, you will now always be Mad Arthur to me - not quite what you intended, I suspect .

skyelark

MummyOfTwo wrote: »

absolutely rosieben. i have spoken about the CSR with several people, and the general concensus seems to be, head in the sand, itll be right! i just cant do that, i need to be as prepared as i can be... the thing i like about coming on here is that we can air our worries and fears with people that are interested and educated enough to understand, and to provide good practical advice. I am old enough to remember my parents losing their home in the 80s, and i never forget those times. they were made so much harder by my mothers inability to budget/say no to spending, which has left me with some real issues around money.

I agree. I feel so much more confident since joining this forum. I feel fully armed with information and ready to take it all on!
Whilst, unfortunately, I don't have an awful lot of advice to give at this point - I have really benefited from the collective wisdom of the people on here.
I too remember baillifs at our door demanding money when I was a kid. I was terrified. Thankfully, my Mum struggled her way out of her troubles, but it left a similar mark on me as the one you describe, MummyofTwo.
I have reached a point in the last year or so where I thought, 'how much more c**p can my financial situation get?' Taking the common sense approach, cutting back on spends, saving on bills, and listening to you folks (for a while in lurkdom), has given me confidence and made me feel empowered in a time when I was less powerful than I can ever remember being.
I just wanted to say thanks. To each and every one of you who has ever posted any advice or about your own struggles. You really have helped me, and I appreciate it :A

kezlou

okay peeps i 'm going to post this on the grocery thread but thought i would put it on here as well.

B & M
49p tin thinks it 450g coconut milk(full fat, low fat)
1kilo of basmati rice 49p
49p whole wheat organic pasta 500g (one for you ceridwen)
1l of olive oil 99p
red / thai green curry paste 29p a jar
4 tins princes chopped tomatoes £0.99p
Home bargains
49p tin thinks it 450g coconut milk(full fat, low fat)
for the ladies out there 18pads (medium) for 49p
4 tins princes chopped tomatoes £1.29
500g of mornflake porridge oats 49p
100g fairtrade percol coffee £1.59,colomibian flaours and some others. (norm £2.50)
Sainsburys
4pack of large baking potatoes 30p (i got the biggest one's there) so i got two of these.


Oh and if you eat tuna, this may be useful to you. Sainsburys basic tuna 45p and part of the freedom food range. Lovely chunky and hardly any brione. While the tins of 4 for £3.50 out of there, the tuna was quite mushy and 70 brine. So i will be now buying only the basics brand once again.


Hope this is of use to you all.

taplady

alec_eiffel wrote: »

I think anything we can use that has more than one function is a great thing. For example a rabbit is both a pet and a hot water bottle (that's why we have two, one for me, one for DH)

:rotfl::T:D thanks for that Alec - made me smile!:D

LannyLee

I don't post too often, & usually with not a lot of advice, but I do like the feeling of [FONT=&quot]camaraderie & all being in it together that this thread gives & feel that this outways any concrete advice that is given.

Although I have noticed that if a question is asked answers come thick & fast & are always incredibly useful, just my 2pence worth
[/FONT]

hellsbells45

Wow missed lots, but not surprising considering what we are all going through. For what its worth, yes, this thread can get a bit chatty, can be a debating ground, can seem like daily diaries, but that is what I love about it. The debates really help me to think through things properly, the chat helps things stay normal and also help me through difficult times, even if its just knowing that as tough as I think things are for me, there's alot worse off. I love the fact that we can all share our knowledge/wisdom gained from the school of hard knocks. In essessence this is the point for me of this thread and really does epitomise the title of the thread. There are times when I think this particular topic really needs thrashing out and should be taken to the arms. Maybe thats what we should post 'right, you've really peed me off now....TO THE ARMS:rotfl::rotfl:' That way all spats could be taken elsewhere IYSWIM. But on the whole, please don't change, to quote the song 'I love you just the way you are':D.

Ceridwen - re your post about blogging. Would you mind if I pm'd you, just want to bounce a few ideas of someone?

Welcome to Monty, Rachel and seductivesmile

:T:TWell done Annie G:T:Tthese are the posts which giv us all hope

Thanks for the Big brands for less link, my big sis has just placed an order, she's thrilled (unfortunately lives in NI so can't share P&P)

re council house discussion, made me smile, my parents had a three bed house, and every time one of us left home they would smile and think ah, now we can get the house as we want, then blow me down, something would happen and the house had to get elastic walls again, worse time was when there were 9 of us in there:D that was a rediculously cosy time.:D Did'nt have to worry to much about heating due to all the body heat, and not to mention developing quick reflexes to get in the newly vacated chair:rotfl::rotfl:Have to say. its a Bl'''dy mess, but its what we've got to deal with at the mo:(BUT we can TOGETHER:T

Frugalista

I've been thinking about kitties' original "It's tough" threads and the fact that this particular one is the latest one in the "series". Would it not be possible to put a sticky/link on the first page to these older threads?

I am certain that a lot of information on the previous threads is still relevant today and it would be a shame if they were lost forever. Also, on a purely personal note, I have never read the originals and it would make it so much easier to find them :D.

I don't know this requires some sort of permission from MSE or if just anyone can do it - but I think it would be great if could be "sorted". Thanks .

alec_eiffel

Frugalista wrote: »

I've been thinking about kitties' original "It's tough" threads and the fact that this particular one is the latest one in the "series". Would it not be possible to put a sticky/link on the first page to these older threads?

I am certain that a lot of information on the previous threads is still relevant today and it would be a shame if they were lost forever. Also, on a purely personal note, I have never read the originals and it would make it so much easier to find them :D.

I don't know this requires some sort of permission from MSE or if just anyone can do it - but I think it would be great if could be "sorted". Thanks .

Hi,

I'm re-reading the original thread as we speak and it's great. I think it's a good as a refresher course for those of us who have been Os for a while and for those of us just starting out. Well worth taking the time to get through it.