Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

Laushappy

Inspirespirit I really want to wish you all the luck in the world in getting one of the jobs you have applied for. You deserve one of those jobs just as much as anyone else, having arthritis and being 57 (which by the way is not old at all!) should not put you at a disadvantage.
let us know how you get on.

Laushappy

Dizzielizzie I too am a big baby when it comes to medical procedures (which is ironic considering i used to practice as a nurse!!!), so i know how your feeling. You will be fine though, allow yourself a little treat to look forwards to for afterwards, Kids get stickers and lollies when they are brave at the doctors/dentists, why shouldnt us adults have a little treat too!!!;)

slowlyfading

inspirespirit wrote: »

slowlyfading. your bread sounds terrific. I could almost taste it. yum. yum.

It really was, even if I do say so myself! I'd heard so many horror stories about trying to make bread and it just being a disaster, but this was so simple and straight forward (the hardest bit was waiting 2 hours for it to rise!) that I'm definitely going to try and make bread on a weekend on a regular basis

redglass_2

Good luck, Inspirespirit and Sandra and Dizzy Lizzie.

And Spiral, I seem to have missed your house move as a result of Thanksgate, so congratulations on that.


The SoW for Jan and Feb shows that I'm overspending by about 20% each month. I've been unlucky with breakages (car heater, PC monitor) so that accounts for some of it. BUT I'm hundreds of pounds in credit with ScottishPower, even though we've just come through the coldest months. Looking on their site I see that they do a 'review' each year (though it doesn't say when) and if you've overpaid, they don't return the money but do a 'bonus payment' (a measly few quid) or reduce the payments. I'm not too impressed by this, in the circumstances (ie we're coming into spring and summer) I think they should repay most of the credit AND reduce the payments. Has anyone on the thread managed to get overpaid DDs back from ScottishPower?

tumptyteapot

Did anyone read this at the weekend - http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/mar/19/bankruptcy-life-after-debt basically it lists the things that are allowed as reasonable expenses if you have been declared bankrupt - they include a TV licence, which I really don't see as an essential - what do you think? We haven't had a TV for years, we watch DVD's and the Iplayer but not live and I listen to the radio. When I visit people with a TV I'll watch anything though :-)
This is the bit that really got me though - "Family holidays and pet-related costs (food and vet bills) will be considered individually, but the guidelines say these are "not allowable unless [it is] to cover [a] reasonable domestic need". The most a family of four is likely to get for a holiday is £960."
I can't imagine spending just under a thousand pounds on a holiday!

tumptyteapot

Laushappy wrote: »

Does anyone know how long pastry lasts out of the freezer before you have to use it? i took it out yesturday to use today but didnt get round to doing the chicken pie i had planned to make, would it still be ok to use tommorow or even tuesday?

I would have thought so, I have had some out of the freezer for about a week and I intend to make it into pasties tomorrow so I hope so!

I always overspend in Mr S, I have delusions of income when I go there

SandraScarlett

redglass wrote: »

.

Has anyone on the thread managed to get overpaid DDs back from ScottishPower?

If that's the same as Scottish & Southern, yes I have. But not without a struggle.

xx

SandraScarlett

inspirespirit wrote: »

I have applied for 3 jobs this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for me please everyone. I have been my son's carer for 3 years since his autologous stem cell transplant and now he is due to have a hip replacement on April 18th. due to my own problems (osteoarthritis), I am finding it difficult physically and my youngest son has come back to live to take over the caring until he recovers and I am hopefully going to work. I need a job where I can literally sit at a desk with a computer and phone and they are few and far between. However there were 3 this week that are all perfect. Just hoping my age (57) and my arthritis won't go against me. I know it shouldn't, but we can't kid ourselves that it won't.

It's girls like you that put the "Great" into Great Britain! :T With your determination, tenacity and spirit, you deserve to succeed. Fingers, legs, eyes and nostrils tightly crossed for you!!

xx

SandraScarlett

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

I've got my cortisone injection tomorrow morning...only realised when I saw the appointment card in my purse. The homeopathic remedies did ease it a little but it looks like I'll be going in the morning I'm a baby, it's only going in my thumb but I had stitches once in my finger and it was blimming painful...

I have spent a lot these last two weeks but I feel I deserved it, and also treated daughter to some new clothes.
I must get a handle on my spending now though...otherwise I can see me treating myself a little too often!

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend.
Luv Dizzy x
♥

Absolutely agree! Of course you deserve some treats, and why not? Nobody can ever experience anyone elses pain, and the thumb is a darn tender place. You are a very brave girl and let's be honest - a little treat, which I call a treatette, is what we all need now and then. Good luck.

xx

dizzy_lizzie

Thanks soooooo much for all the well wishes everyone. It really means a lot to me because I feel like this so have had some of this
and now feel like I need this

You really are all just so lovely

Luv Dizzy x
♥