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

lovelife_3

Been in lurkdom for a few days, but still following thread.
Have a lovely day parsonswife:beer:
Annie56, wonderful news, so happy for you, i filled up too, we're a soppy lot on here:happylove
Gailey, just wanted to let you know how much i enjoy your posts, you are a lovely lady, who thinks so much about everyone and everything, your family are very lucky to have you:T

Quote
Just been complimented on my work outfit. Told them it was all from charity shops. "How do you do it" said the complimenter. Offered to show them the delights of the local chaz shops but no they only like stuff from Next and someone may have died in the clothes from a chaz shop,eh?

Is it dinner time yet?[/QUOTE]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Love this, so funny, all our clothes are from the Charity shops now and i have much better quality clothes than i ever could have afforded previously. I am so lucky too, whtever we need seems to turn up at the right time. DH asked me to keep an eye out for a cardy for him last week, yesterday got him a truly lovely dark grey, chunky wool knit cardy, you know those ones with pockets and leather covered buttons, for just £3.50, he was soo chuffed and said it was exactly what he wanted:)

Just put in my first order from Allied Foods fter seeing that there is a 10% discount code on Martins newsletter, got all the way through to payment page and the pyment wouldn't go through, think they must have too many people trying to buy at the same time, had about 6 confirmtion of order emils from the though, so not sure what to do now.....


Greent, just seen your post, my heart goes out to you honey, big hugs xx

gailey_2

bluebag wrote: »

Annie56, so pleased that the sun is shining in your world at last, you have had a rough time lately. :happyhear

Happy Birthday Parsonswife._party_

Gailey, stop beating yourself up for what you can't do, good god woman! it takes my breath away what you achieve in a day.:A

Thankyou bluebag problem is I never acheive everything I set out to do.

I think problem is when I worked fultime as retail manger it was fast paced had stucture and lots to do.
Since being a stay at home housewife/mum to 2 struggle with time management.
Hubby does expect a clean uncluttered house and nice food.
Buts sometimes he fails to factor in the kids in this.
Have 2school runs just getting out house on time seems like miracle and theres her endless social life yes im jealous 4year old has better social life than me as does 2clubs, seems to have endless parties and school social events.
My 13month old is like my shadow clings to me when Im trying to cook, cant leave her sight for loo or shut stairgate on her without huge tantrum and tears and both kids are just so messy.
Time just slips away and before I know it weeks and months have passed some days I forget the date or the day.
Baby seems to have aversion to hoover at moment.

I been thinking about if things get worse what could we do?
We made all what martin calls the painless savings and made some painful changes.

Im constantly trying to get more for less hence all the 2nd hand stuff I buy means family dont miss out.
Trying to maintain similar lifestyle but for less if that makes sense.

Feel im cash and time poor most days!

I know the only way I can cut grocery bills further is

1)shop around more-but hard to find time with kiddies and no car.

2)buy less meat-not that we buy as much now.

3)Even farmfoods bread gone up so would be cheaper to make my own.

4)With biscuits we buy the brand names that are on offer usually half price or bogoff and few packs value biscuits as backup when nice ones run out and we skint.I think could save by making more biscuits but thats extra time

5)Crisps only brought if on offer if not I buy value.I do ration them as well as my hubby and eldest crisp monstors.

6)Next year need to grow more stuff and forage more as lost my way on foraging last few months as felt so poorly.

7)We downshifted brands but dont buy all value but would have to increase the value range.

8)We could cut back on convieniance food as i admit I normally buy 1-2frozen pizzas for hubby, couple weightwatchers readymeals for me just as useful backup, nuggets and fishfingers for kids ect.
I could stop buying jars completly and make own curry sauces and pasta sauces from scratch.

9)stop the one takeaway treat we have per month

10)less family days out not that we do many:(

11)scrap any holiday next year this year we went on sunholiday 15quid each but not as cheap as we thourght as service charges added on top meant 110 for 4 of us mon-fri, and petrol money, spending money but self catered no eating out apart from fish and chips by beach. We were also fortunate mates dad had holiday home in devon charges us 50quid for weekend and we self catered so was cheap. I do enjoy hols as time to chill and spend time with family and have happy memories ould rather spend on that than lots of pressies for xmas and birthdays personally but in 2006 we dident have a holiday. 2007 we went centreparcs, 2008 no hols , 2009 cheap b and b in cornwall.

12)downgrade sky package must admit my only luxury but enjoy the films as never get to go pictures with 2kids or get to nearest blockbuster which is miles away.

13)-Im already getting rid on contract phone and getting pay as you go.

14)lost my way on dooyoo reveows, mystery shops and surveys as found it very time consuming but need to up income if costs go up.

All these things just take up so much time.
I sympathise with families who live on frozen as it can work out cheaper on some things than fresh not all but most familes its finding the time and some dont feel confident in the kitchen.
I actually enjoy cooking so no hardship for me but sometimes its impossible to do in day due to kids so need to do at evenings when im shattered and want to collapse in heap in front of tv.
Im sick of eating frozen, freezers still quite full and although 2 big shops in farmfoods has meant we got 15days left to payday and still got plenty but none we that fussed on eating!

Think I have quorn peices and some faita mix so will do qourn faiitas tonight. Tried making flatbreads but they turned out disaster would love to know how to make perfect tortilla wrap.

Happy birthday parsons wife-have fabby day.:beer:

Annie-your posts make me smile so glad you found love!
Also your dad sounds lovley.

I used to work in chain of petrol stations for a while and never been shouted at at price of petrol thats awful not your fault.
So much is tax not just oil costs. vat rise will up again.
It costs 70quid now to fill up bmw tank and that lasts hubby a week.
The nissan micra costs 25quid to fill up a tank and lasts a week!
Although towards end of month we usually ones putting in 5-10quid of petrol.

We used to get people to fill in form of their card was declined.
Noticed lots of driveoffs too.

I know a few people with 4 by 4s bmws, pathfinders, rangerover who say their tank costs 80quid to fill but they dont care they love their car. The 400tax wont deter people who can affrod to buy and fill these vehicles in the first places.

All the rises in tax and petrol just hit the poorest hardest as most people need transport for work and usually public transports inpractical, unreliable or expensive so we just put up with it.

love idea of clothes swap party.
Also maybe harder times will bring back the sense of community thats been lost where its each to their own.

V8-good luck with job

Frugal-hope you feel better soon.
According to my french women dont get fat diet. book leek soups the best for dieting as its dieretic I suppose can hunt down recipie for you

Stars and moon thats awful news about collection.
Its great to be complimented for bargain finds, I love the thrill of the hubt me much more exiting than going down topshop or next!

v8 -agree with you know people wo say they skint but still spend and and when I suggest ways to cut back which may involve time or going without they go off idea, cant help those who dont want to be helped just got to hope they have lightbulb moment before they hit serious trouble!
My cousins just brought flat put down 40grand deposit , he earns 60grand a year, moans hes broke as he jets off to cyprus.
Most of my childless freinds have no idea what being truly broke is , cols ex recentky had a baby and said I had no idea how much we would struggle or what we would have to give up.

On issue of housing met hubby when he was 30 he was living at home with his parents to save money think hes moved back 3times and is mothers made it clear no returns.
I couldent wait to leave my mam neither could she we dont get on.

In many other cultures even when over here indians/chinese its common for extended family to live together under one roof.
owever in socail housing there is lots of overcrowding sometimes made worse of teen daughter has baby and then got baby living there too seen that happen.

Im not sure what solution is most people aspire to home security weather it be rent or ownership.
I lived in shared houses throughout uni.
My first place on my own was a bedsit.
I couldent afford as single person working to pay for house back then my rent used to be 350 amonth have lived in some dives mind and lived with some odd people.

CERIDWN-im pretty sure all the changes only apply to new tennants which means existing still have life tenacy and old rents. Was thinking may not effect many as so few social housing availiable and long waiting lists .
But if you rent privatly then you will be affected by cap as rents are not as low in cities although still think 21grand ayear is quite genrous rent for 1landlord.Seems mad to tink we paying out 30-40grand a year in rent!
Do think being 16-35 is tough time as few jobs, maybe graduate debt, problems with housing so hoping economy improves by time my kids grow up.

Im such a muppet this morning meant to buy daily mirror for last lego token and ended up buying the blooming sun so got to buy mirror so end up with 2 tat papers I dont read.

Couldent help but browse headlines on some of front pages, my local shopkeeper lets me browse for free:Dhe good to me and often if im few pennies short he says pay me next time and gives kids the odd freebie.

The daily mail-im conservative but my least liked paper as so right wing and scary is as cheerful as ever. Not quite sure who they think they represent middle england I guess but article was about how many people who overextended to buy ahouse at 5times there salary , how reckless that was and that intrest rates go up 3million people could be affected. we havent had anything like the repossesions america has but daily main indicates we could go that way as if people are not worried enough.I think it was tone tat annoyed me the most saying something like people like to blame the greedy bankers for crisis but what about the greedy lenders who dident save deposit, borrowed too much and have no savings.
I just thourght lost of people I know cant save as all goes on bills or other debts. Everyone thourght property was good investment seems no one saw it coming so to try and find someone else to blame, makes a change from attacking public sector workers I guess.

Mam buys mail she came over other day there was artice on benfits and housing and all the familes that were claiming karfge rents on masions were immigrants or ethnic minorities found it quite racist and offensive!

Hubby says not to read it as when pregnant with 1st read article about mothers dying during childbirth and ended up all upset.
Unfortunatly express has gone equally extreme.

the mirror equally awful complaining that a lady who gave birth early before 25weeks wouldent get her health in pregancy grant and why well surly the title in preg gives game away.
Its being scrapped in jan its been out for 2years can only claim at 25weeks and its to ensure you eat healthy in preg but its cash payment and bit late on in preg to have any benefit midwife says its laughable.

The surestart maternity grant of 500quid per child goes in april.
I know couple people online on their 5th kids claiming yet more money. seems mad as having 2myself and same gender you just reuse what you have from april will be limited to one child only.

every day mirror has sad looking picture of family moaning how hard done by they are usually with flat screen tvs in background!
Seems hard to find a paper these days that is not bias, accurate and bit more cheerful as most so gloomy, plus am I only saddo who doesnt want to read about x factor candicates they not celebs!

Anyway must stop waffling and reading papers as just gets me worked up.

hellsbells45

Hi, haven't read any posts for the past couple of days, having a rough time with the ME/CFS. But have ;had to jump in and share my good news with you all. My SW contacted me yesterday and told me that the computer says yes to my personal care budget and has allowed me £100 per week:j:j:jDidn't think I'd get anything (must be worse than I think):o Anyway, will now try and catch up on posts TTFN

Margaret54

greent so sorry love xx
piglet My dh resigned from his last job which was truly stressful, affecting his health and we hardly had any time together. I was afraid for his health and he really was suffering. He went from a driver to Manager of the depot, with no office of his own, having to drive back and forth from work to home, sitting in the car everyday with laptop on knee waiting on drivers to come back to check paperwork etc. Then it was expected of him to drive all over the north as well, and still do his own work at night. The firm were bought over by an american firm and the changes were coming thick and fast. He was up at 4 am and was in yard for 4 45 am and he wasn't finished to 7 30 pm and then it was dinner and shower and bed for him. Phonecalls on day off he went in as there was no one else, lots of different things too long to post here. He is 58 and he was shattered and really regretted applying for the promotion. The moral was very low with the drivers and things were getting so stressful, and he put up with this for 18 months, and one night he just sat down and it all came out for an hour and a half, bless him. He was looking for work as well, and had attended an interview but did not get it. I told him to resign before he collapsed and a few days later he did just that. He was able to get another job no stress but minimum wage £6 an hour, so a great drop in income, but I got my dh back, and yes it is very tight money wise but we will get by. take care xx Margaret

wheretheresawill

v8monkeyboy wrote: »

StarsandMoon,


I'm so hoping I'll get the job I'm going for on Friday. Not only because it's exactly what I want to do, but also because it's really well paid. It's private sector mental health nursing, so there's not as many benefits as in the NHS, but at the moment, I'm willing to take my chances, just to have that first paypacket!

T xx

To be honest, mental health is increasingly becoming privatised, i work in the forensic sector (NHS)- we are actively competing with the private sector for patients, I think forensics in particular will become privatised in my working life (only 30yrs to go!!).....
I wish you luck, its not easy getting a job and when you get the job its certainly not an easy career, as a service user i hoped to change practices, 18 months in i'm not so sure I can

ginnyknit

Been lurking a lot lately but had to come on and show support for all those having a worse time for various reasons. Yes Mardatha I have to agree there is no cash in my pocket nowadays and spending even more time in the house. I can keep myself occupied mostly but the cracks are beginning to show. Yesterday got up feeling very low and blitzed the house again. Still packing up all our belongings for when the builders come in - landlord,at last , using some of our rent to do up the house. The thing is I am worried that they will cut corners, as it is they will only decorate 2 rooms and hall stairs and landing counts as 2! Which means the rest of the house will bear marks of rewire, new bathroom, loo and kitchen for a long time as we only have a limited stock of paint in. Dh decorated the upstairs, very slowly, when he came off work. Its going to be a stressful 3weeks as Dh cannot cope with stress so am crossing my fingers that it goes smoothly.
Happy Birthday Parsons wife :beer:

And Annie 56 - :T:T nice that you are in a good place but mostly good that someone has restored your faith and you are enjoying life.

Step grandson is here for 2 days as his Mummy is having a new baby and daddy has a lot of paperwork to do regarding leaving the army. So we have enough petrol and packed a picnic so off to free museum.

skyelark

the_cat wrote: »

I agree with the comments from yesterday..... I feel much more skint now than I ever have done. Weird really, because due to silly low mortgage rate, we still have about the same amount of spare money per month as in our flushest times. (Not more because everything else has gone up!)I think that as more and more info comes out about the future, I have realised that I am going to have to pay out for much more than I would have believed possible a few years ago.
Pension..... good final salary scheme shut. So huge spends there
University............. DS2 wants to go and we would want to help him as much as possible. News today says up to £9000 A YEAR!
:eek::eek::eek:And that's before digs/food/living
Housing for DS1 and DS2............ The way things are, they will be living here for ever! Don't get me wrong, I love having them around but it's not what I want for them as adults. They will pay rent once they are employed but we will be helping support them until way after the age our parents supported my generation. Plus if at all possible, we had always planned to give them a lump sum to help out when they left home
AND BREATHE! Sorry rant over, it's safe to look back now:D

On a money saving note, Big Brand Foods have a special 100% extra on ALL food items from today till Friday. Seems to be you order 1 of anything, they will auto send you 2. You have to use the special code though. Linky below.... HTH

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...2782320&page=5

I am with you on the kids/uni worry! My daughter is appling for uni now. Unless she gets to Glasgow (where we live) I honestly don't know what to do. I have looked at what is available in loans/grants, and it does not add up! What a defecit! :eek::eek::eek:Where does the other massive chunk come from? She has been trying to get a job for months too!
I just hope she satys at home, that will be difficult, but managable!:(

starsandmoon

Parsonswife - Happy Birthday x

Annie56 - glad things have worked out so well for you

Gailey - I have a Micra. I love her. Have been from one end of the country in her with 4 people in, moved house with her aid and can do basic services myself and she doesnt cost a fortune to run. Also they are kind to pedestrians who stray into your path and have a "crumple zone" which means they give the ran over person a nice hug and dont kill them. Found this out when I clobbered a wheely bin (only a tap) and the bumper folded in. More reliable than most men too!

Still no sign of the missing collection. I wasnt in charge of this one. The last big collection we had I took money out and locked it away when the envelope was being passed to another floor. I usually get sent out to buy the pressies as being the office thrift guru I get fab bargains.

Right time to heat dinner for work. Quice and beans today. God help my colleagues later with that combination :rotfl:

muffin_man_7

:bdaycake:HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARSONS WIFE MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY

jackieglasgow

Skyelark, we have to think ourselves lucky up here though that at least they don't have tuition fees. My friend has a son who's just started at St Andrews, and his hall fees for the first year alone were over £5000. If he had fees on top it would have made it prohibitively expensive.