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

lilac_lady

I switched from buying slabs of cheddar cheese (and freezing some of it) to buying the packets of sliced cheeses. They cost around £1.30 in Lidls and stop me from eating too much cheese in one go.

I've been using my central heating manually and have had my account updated. I'm £68 in credit but have never been cold. I'm also £38 ahead on my electricity payments so feel that all the switching off and on has been worth it.

To all of you who are having difficult times workwise or homewise, keep popping in here to let us know how you're coping. It really makes a difference to us all when we read how other people manage to overcome adversity - mostly with a sense of humour!

Kitcaboodle

DH told me today that next Wednesday is the first of two occasions where he may find out that he no longer has a job! We know about January and his current job almost certainly being obsolete. However, he hadn't really mentioned that there is an earlier 'downsizing' where the Council wants to get rid of 50% of the people in each department. An external organisation (probably costing as much as keeping the 50% of staff) has been reviewing the situation and will make their announcement then... eek!

We're prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. Worst case scenario, we would have to spend the money we've saved for a deposit on living. Best case scenario, he'll either be kept on and shifted to another department or he'll find something else soon (or at least some freelance work to see us through till I finish maternity leave).

If it looks like I'll have to go back then I'll have to haunt the directgov website so I know what changes are coming in. The sanctions I've heard about sound a bit harsh. Personally I think there should be a warning first before sanctions apply. Whether that is a warning that they do need to apply for all jobs they are subbed for or a warning that if they don't accept this job their benefit will be stopped. Doesn't sound like we'll have the discretion to do that, which isn't great. I expect we'll have a lot of unhappy people kicking off when this goes live!

elaine373

lilac_lady wrote: »

I switched from buying slabs of cheddar cheese (and freezing some of it) to buying the packets of sliced cheeses. They cost around £1.30 in Lidls and stop me from eating too much cheese in one go.

!

I have been buying Tesco`s mild cheddar slices, which are 59p for 10 slices.

ceridwen

Kitcaboodle wrote: »

DH told me today that next Wednesday is the first of two occasions where he may find out that he no longer has a job! We know about January and his current job almost certainly being obsolete. However, he hadn't really mentioned that there is an earlier 'downsizing' where the Council wants to get rid of 50% of the people in each department. An external organisation (probably costing as much as keeping the 50% of staff) has been reviewing the situation and will make their announcement then... eek!

We're prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. Worst case scenario, we would have to spend the money we've saved for a deposit on living. Best case scenario, he'll either be kept on and shifted to another department or he'll find something else soon (or at least some freelance work to see us through till I finish maternity leave).

If it looks like I'll have to go back then I'll have to haunt the directgov website so I know what changes are coming in. The sanctions I've heard about sound a bit harsh. Personally I think there should be a warning first before sanctions apply. Whether that is a warning that they do need to apply for all jobs they are subbed for or a warning that if they don't accept this job their benefit will be stopped. Doesn't sound like we'll have the discretion to do that, which isn't great. I expect we'll have a lot of unhappy people kicking off when this goes live!

Whew! Thats a heck of a lot of people to go - 50%! That poster earlier mentioned 39.5% from her Council (with both lots of cuts combined). Whew!!!

I read that about the benefit sanctions - don't know exactly when they will come in - isnt it 2013 before they do? Not a good prospect for the future - all well and good for those who arent trying - but what about everyone else? It made me wonder - with the way they have phrased this - ie about applying for every job you are put forward for - as to whether people won't even have the 13 weeks "grace" currently there in which people only have to apply for "their" type of job (that is - they are not expected to apply for "other" types of job until Week 14). How to upset everyone at once if so - ie upsetting people from skilled or professional jobs by expecting them to apply from Day 1 for unskilled work too. Also upsetting the people who would be asking for unskilled work anyway - as other people apply for "their" jobs from the outset (ie extra competition for the ones they expect to have).

shegar

lauren_1 wrote: »

I woke up this morning to find both my wing mirrors have been ripped off my car and the casings have been smashed and kicked down the road, another car also had theirs hanging off but were salvagable.

Oh it doesn't rain but it pours at the moment, OH has left again, want to stay together only see me a few times a week, we are now not engaged anymore as i whined about the ring (he didn't actually look at any rings nor take the hint of the £45 one i liked in H samuals and got the first one he saw in cash converters which is scratched, 3 sizes too big, cost £75 and is really ugly) He looked in the window of Hsamuals and decided they were too expensive!

we went back to take it back to cashrobbers and they would only give me £7 for it, im being ungreatfull for wanting a 'new' ring and not wearing his, i cant wear it unless i keep my hand constantly raised to stop it falling off.

I may sound pretty pendantic but as he saved and saved and saved for his ex's ring having a 2nd hand piece of tat just really hurts on every level.

Baby is due in around 14 weeks and although he says he wants to stay together I just feel im nothing more than a glorified f***buddy

That ring is the least of your problems right now, a ring means nothing if you are both not happy........speaking from experience.!!!!!!

grandma247

Has anyone else felt unwell after eating thai red curry sauce from af ?

starsandmoon

Kitacaboodle - I have two jobs with local authority. One is a Sunday job and seems safe although wages are frozen until 2012, my other job (for a different LA) which is my main job isnt looking very safe. Im already appealing against a 20% cut in my pay. My main worry is if I was made redundant and was applying for jobs, I can only do 9-5 type jobs due to being a single parent with no help apart from after school which shuts at 5.30. You wonder if the job centre folk would expect me to apply for jobs I dont have the qualifications to do or jobs that have hours I wouldnt be able to work because of my daughter. I would do any job but childcare could be a problem. Iam already registered with a few job sites like Reed and have applyed for a few but never hear any more off them.

I have renewed my redundancy policy which would would pay the mortgage for a year (got it a bit cheaper too) and I have some savings but they wont last forever.

Worrying times for a lot of people at the moment.

gailey_2

Apologies for my absence last few days.

disaster struck.

wed afternoon hubby came home early from work saying he had bad belly.
Had parents evening and pta duty wed got back at 6pm.
Hubby went straight to bed I got kids fed and in bed.
was cold, I was tired fell asleep on sofa.
work up midnight feeling awful myself went to bed.
Started continually vomiting from 2am.
baby woke up at 4am and eldest jumped into our bed.
Both me and hubbyspent most of early hours of thur morning on toiliet!
Hubby felt marginally betetr yesterday but still not right.
I asked him to take day off work as cant cope could barly get out of bed.
so took eldest to school then looked after baby all morning whilst I was in bed.
Things were so bad only ate an apple yesterday and couldent keep apple or water down.

He then picked daughter up, took her to gym and went to sainsburys.
Whilst I felt like death on sofa.
I made kids tea and ironed his clothes for job interveiw.
Baby got runs last night so think we all got tummy bug although hubby felt sick he wasent projectile vomiting like me, babys not been sick and eldest sees ok.
Went to bed at 6.30 and woke yup feel bit better today despite being up 3times with baby.

Taken eldest into school.
quickly did as new sale at church hall and managed to get baby some clarks walking shoes got 2pairs for 7quid so quite a saving on the 30quid I thourght I was going to have to spend. she measured 4h other day one foots bigger than other.
her old 3fs were too small and eldest fisrt walkings shoes she must have been so much bigger are too big as 5g.
picked up 4half e and 4half g bar styles and they seem to fit her fine and look in good condition also got her 2new coats and some toys for xmas!

My sisters poorly with throat infectuion, few mates have colds and hubby said few workmates had sickness bug so blaming him for bringing home the germs..

Feel so tired and stressed.

its final stage job interveiw for hubby really nervous for him.
it would change our lives a lot and give us fighting chance.
not sure how quick we find out.

Hubby tried to talk to santander yesterday again as they say if you in trouble ring and discuss but they feel he should start dmp for all creditors which is last resort so all depends what happens with job and hubbys tax rebate.

His area managers changing and got feeling hes going to be overlooked for promotion again next year if he stays.Hes annoyed as spent 3hours preparing reveiw which is cancelled now.


Was going to mobile butchers today but couldent face it wondering if can face eating again .

Babys napping so small break there.

House looks am tip but lacking motivation and energy,

Its wet and very cold here.

we need to change energy suppliers whats best way, uswitch the through quidco?
Only the boiler is gas everything else is electric, I know dryers use loads but with cloth nappies couldent love without it.

we currently with scottish power.

defnatly noticed rise in value lines and thinking what next.
as cant rely on constant stream of reductions.
agree cheese is pricey I switched to grater with smaller holes as use less.

flowertot mum-well done you have been busy.
kidcat-hope you sort school situation out.
annie-your posts always make me smile glad things working out for you.

mervyn kings worried me. Inflation still higher than predicted.
Im not economic expert my anymeans but think intrest rate and inflation are linked.
They may have to up interest rates inorder to decrease inflation.
as everythings going up, no idea bout bog roll has price of paper rocketed?
I feel inflations uk biggest worry as everythings going up and most pay being cut and loss of jobs makes it worse.

more problems with 12year old stepson.
hes run away for 3rd time now, this time he pinched 90quid from his mam took train to bridgend on way to swansea and was going to buy pitch a tent and live off mcdonalds!
We find out 2days later not alot we can do never would have predicted he would go there no family or freinds, hubbys already drummed it into him if he felt the need to run ring him and can come to bristol.
Im not sure what social are doing. he claims hes unhappy in school but dont feel thats the whole story ajnd hes in best school in the town he wouldent last 5mins in other 2 they so rough.
Anyway his mam said he no longer wants to see his sister wants one to one time with hubby, eldest will be gutted. Also pressuring hubby to buy him an x box for xmas and spend more than we spend on our kids has made me livid, so much so hubbys tried to hide it from me but heard him on phone.

I dont get it he has an xbox as his stepdads got one.
hes got ps2 or ps3
home computer
ds- that we brought him.

hes clearly not happy child but fail to see how yet another console will help.
especally when hes so behind at school and has social problems she should be encouraging him to go clubs and make proper freinds!

She reckons 2nd hand x box from game 100quid I so think its bad choice and rewarding bad behaviour we cant buy his love or respect wonder if thats what shes trying to do?

taplady

havent had chance to read or post much lately but I do pop over now and again.

Lauren (((hugs))) to you - hope thngs improve for you soon x

Met my sister this morning and her partner is being made redundant by the Police Force - he's a civilian worker with only about 12 months to go before retirement. He's looking on the black side but to me he's lucky as he has a large financial cushion behind him which is more than a lot of people do. They are trying to cut their expenses and looking into changing his car to a more economical one. My sister is very good with budgetting so I'm sure they will cope but it will mean a significant lifestyle change to them.

Douwe Eggberts coffee is BOGOf at Morrisons(big jars) so thats quite a saving and its lovely coffee!

taplady

Gailey - (((Hugs))) hope you're soon feeling better x