As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

Kittikins

Wow, rhubarb and orange jam, that sounds amazing, wish I lived closer!

Charis

Reverbe wrote: »

The problem is in our area there are a lot of students, single people and old people who use our local Tesco
who dont have the jump in the car and go elsewhere option. Even the staff have said their manager has no clue who their shoppers are.

You can be sure that Tesco are not feeling the pinch at the moment. They're campaigning to build a bigger store in our town, or rather as far out of town as they are allowed to build. Most of the locals don't want it. Many of their current customers come on the bus which passes through the town, so won't be able to get to the new store (high percentage of elderly here)

During the recession in the 80's, when builders were laid off and the building of housing ground to a halt, my father pointed out the number of new Tesco stores going up everywhere. The same thing is happening again, capitalising on the disappearance of smaller businesses. I hate having to go into a shop the size of an aircraft hangar to track down the four or five items I want. Thank goodness we've still got some of the old fashioned kind of shops with personal service. Oh dear, I sound like my late Nan.

GreyQueen

fuddled wrote: »

We owe £300 to gas for last winters use I thought it was a mistake as my usage has gone down in comparison to the previous year but no, the figures match up. I'm kicking myself for not looking at my account earlier but never mind. Going to have to throw money at it over the summer in the quest to start off in October owing nothing.

Already sussed that washing on 30oC doesn't activate the gas boiler. All these small things are going to add up (£40 in credit with electricity since the tumbler broke down and will not be fixed) small things alright... just need them to make a huge difference!

:eek: OMG, that's a horror, you must be shaking. Someone I know had something similar but on a quarterly variable gas bill; paid a series of estimates which turned out to be under-estimates and ended up with a bill that was bigger than that month's mortgage payment. That's never good.

Have nipped into Mr T with my beady eye and the Tesco 200g peanuts are still not there but with a notice that they're due back in on 27/05. Have nabbed 2 x 18p Basics pasta sauce and 30p Basics peaches for my storecupboard. Rate prices are going it's a better rate of return than my savings account.

Reverbe I'm really sorry you're having such a hard time, hun, know what it is not to even have windowsills. Those in my flat are 2 inches wide and I don't get a lot of natural light as my flat is shaded by other buildings. If you can garden, is it possible that someone you know might have a little patch of ground in their garden which they might loan you in the use of? Some people have "arrangements" to do this for a share of the produce. Is there a LETS scheme in your area which you could join to exchange some skill for some help for your needs? It grieves me that people are struggling so. HTH.

fuddled_2

GreyQueen wrote: »

:eek: OMG, that's a horror, you must be shaking. Someone I know had something similar but on a quarterly variable gas bill; paid a series of estimates which turned out to be under-estimates and ended up with a bill that was bigger than that month's mortgage payment. That's never good.

Similar kind of thing. I enter my own readings online and pay a standard direct debit but the direct debit payments have not been high enough to ensure we were paying for what we we were using and have accumulated.

I'm not quaking but annoyed because I requested my direct debits be increased last year and was refused.. reason? I'll be over paying. :mad:

It will even out some over the summer when our gas usage is at the bare minimum and of course i'll add extra payments every month to clear it.

What was it I read? It's predicted that gas prices will increase by 15% by the winter? The heating is fast becoming a luxury isn't it? Just when my mam was a little girl huh?

bluebag

Good grief, reading some of these posts it makes it hard to believe we live in a first world country, my thoughts are with those struggling.

It's quite shameful really that we can offer overseas aid and support Europe, but the homefires are not exactly burning.

Makes me shake my head with sadness.

Keep your chin up girls, at least good company, a kind word and positive thoughts are free.

modern_millie_2

Just popping on to say congratulations to stiltwalker on the new baby, you must have your hands full!
Redlady, v. sorry about the OBB. I'm sure he must have had a wonderful life with you. My two are very dear to me too.

Had a few lean days with wages, but hopefully no big bills this month, so aiming to make an extra council tax payment - hoping to clear this by October. Am also trying to stock up on tinned toms, tinned and dried pulses, essential cleaning stuff and basic toiletries. I'm no fan of Mr T, but as they are giving me £6 off vouchers atm I am using them to stock up - will revert to shopping around more when these finish.
Things I have stopped buying in favour of HM alternatives - cereal bars, muesli, quiche - think hm are better and cheaper.
Gailey - don't worry about giving your family beans on toast - actually very nutricious, esp if using wholemeal bread. You could do a lot worse!

i am finding cheap free range eggs v. difficult to source - try to buy local, but do any of the supermarkets have a good deal?

Butterfly_Brain

I have been shopping today and prices have risen since last week especially in Farmfoods. Their milk is no longer 2 for £1.50 it is now £1 each so I will just get it in Aldi now and not bother with FF any more.
I pay my gas and leccy monthly now I just submit a reading on the 15th and get the bill on the 27th at least I can see where it is going every month.

redlady_1

Morrisons value eggs are free range. I cant quite remember but think its about 15 for £1.79.

attentionseeker1

Tesco were doing 15 mixed weight for £2.50 - not sure if that is still going but I just bought 6 Farmpride free range eggs for 99p. I think getting mixed weight is the best way to get free range- I find I can select eggs of the right size from the box by eye if I am baking or something

Reverbe

Charis wrote: »

You can be sure that Tesco are not feeling the pinch at the moment. They're campaigning to build a bigger store in our town, or rather as far out of town as they are allowed to build. Most of the locals don't want it. Many of their current customers come on the bus which passes through the town, so won't be able to get to the new store (high percentage of elderly here)

. .

I hear you Charis. In our area they did build a huge superstore which opened recently and due to the lack of choice in ours and the fact they would sell non foodswhich no supermarket in our area ever did I got quite excited .. til I went there. They seem to have avery poor use of space in it.Most of which is taken up by a huge travellator. The non food and clothing section is not a whole floor but a mezzanine half floor where a tiny amount of goods are crammed.Its a bus ride or v long walk away but I will not be going again.. I will wait til I have my hair cut twice a year and go to the stupendously big Mr S instead. Thats 2 bus rides or a collossal walk but I do that anyway when going to get my haircut..