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

EstherH

Was it on here that I read about using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to wash my hair? Done that and going to dry it now and see how it looks.

Really need to cut back now and feel like we had already cut back to the bone.
Because of the increase in personal allowances going up in the budget, we now have slightly more income from my hubbies small pension which has taken us over the income support level. We only got pennies anyway but it meant free council tax, prescriptions, eye test and dentist. We will now be a lot worse off over the year and immediately as eye tests are needed and after what I have just been reading on here I don't want to leave that. So something that was suppose to give us a little more has ended up costing us. Can't work for health reasons.

Well dried my hair and so far it seems okay. I had been using baby shampoo for the last couple of months and that has left it soft without having to use conditioner too.

Have a good day everyone. Looks pretty grim out at the moment here.

God bless. Esther

bertiebots

Esther wont you still get your nhs cert?..I would check that out and you should still qualify for ct benefit if your income isnt any higher. I went from jsa to working 16 hrs p/w from 11 and still get free nhs prescriptions eye tests etc and majority of my council tax is payed . Have you looked on the entitled to web site to see if you still ca get help.
I earn an extra £37 p week doing my second job which enabled me to sign off jsa, but I lost free school meals that now cost £30 p/w! But I do now get wtc so it more than makes up the difference for now. As my kids get older I will have to work more hours to make up the difference as my benefits reduce (but at least I can work) The system is so messed up and I hope you can get some help so that you arent suffering financially when you should be benefiting x

I just want to share that today I got my first tattoo...not at all mse but it meant a lot to me and I am over the moon with it. I am on a natural high today!

EstherH

Thanks Bertiebots, I have got the council tax form to fill in. Made a start yesterday, will finish it and get in the post for Tuesday. Not sure what and how the system works. Find it all confusing. A friend told me that if she got a job for sixteen hours at £6 an hour she would lose all benefits and be worse off. She is on JSA at the moment having to look for work as they have put down the age for single mothers to stay at home.
We have a son here but his wage is very uncertain as he is self employed but with a part time minimum wage job for 20 hours. I thought that would stop us from getting the CTB. They want to know what he is earning but he doesn't even know that himself. Some weeks more then others but not loads. What's the NHS certificate?

Sorry to be dense. I am not at all well at the moment and find it difficult to read and take in information in this state. Hubby is wonderful, bless him, but I have always dealt with money matters better than him although we will try and work through it together.

jediteacher

Hello all,

Just quickly popping on to say that baby Daniel arrived on Monday evening weighing 9lbs 15. It was a very, very fast delivery. Didn't get any contractions until about 8pm and he was born at 11:32pm the same night. We only just made it to hospital on time as I had to have special medication to stop me bleeding. No time for any pain relief what-so-ever as there was no time. I do remember crying out at one point and saying 'I never wanted a natural birth - I wanted drugs!' The midwife found this quite funny. Anyway we're home now and settling in to life as a family of four. Thank you to everyone for their support through the difficult months of my pregnancy. :A

EstherH

Congratulatiions

ceridwen

Hippeechiq wrote: »

My recipe isn't in the index btw, so here it is:

CHANA MASALA Serves 2-3
Oil
1 Onion
1 Tin of Chickpeas
2 Tsp Lazy Garlic
1 Tsp Garam Masala
¼ Tsp Lazy Ginger
½ Tsp Cinnamon
½ Tsp Cloves (I omit)
¼ Tsp Allspice
2 Tbs Tomato Puree (I use 1)
1 Tin Coconut Milk
Salt to taste (I omit)
Chopped Cilantro to garnish (I omit)

I also add 4 Tsp Medium Curry Powder, but that's personal preference because I like a bit of oomph

Heat oil over medium heat and cook onions until golden brown
Add garlic and saute for 1 min
Add chickpeas and spices and fry for a further 2 mins
Add tomato puree and coconut milk and bring to a simmer for 5-6 mins (I cook it for 20 - again, personal preference)
Adjust seasoning before serving over rice and garnish with cilantro
Serves 2 if you're pigs, 3 if not....we are
Nice served over a baked potato too.

Just done this for lunch - as I have some canned coconut milk to use up..

Verdict = I cooked it at the end bit for 20 minutes (as you did) - as it needs time to reduce down (all that coconut milk!).

- I used the 2 tablespoons of tomato puree from original recipe
- I didnt use the allspice (havent got any)
- I used 2 teaspoons of curry powder
- I used "proper" garlic - instead of "lazy garlic"
- didnt use the cloves or cilantro
- did add salt and pepper.

Cooked pretty much as you said then..

Served with brown rice.

Verdict = nice/creamy/will be doing again/could have saved money by using cooked-up dried chickpeas instead of canned ones/could have saved money by making up my own coconut milk from dessicated coconut (but used that canned coconut milk as using up).

'Twas nice. Will be doing it again.:D

littlecal

jediteacher,:j:j many congratulations to you and your family,wow that WAS fast xx

saveabobortwo

think about the extra cash you are earning to help support your family this lady may of chosen you because your prices are more economical than the other gardener and she has to save money because prices of everything is much higher you get some folks who are hopeless at house work and jobs etc just think you are a more capable person dont think about her sipping cups of tea think about how you are earning a bit extra money from her .hope you feel better dont feel upset think positive thoughts.

Kimitatsu

r.a.i.n.b.o.w wrote: »

TOFU and SOYA products...need advice please!

I read that Tofu and Soya products are really good for you...then I read they aren't (for the same reasons!!).

Then I read that they're mostly GM...then I read that they're not.


Please help! I want to go veggie/pescetarian, and would like to try tofu and soya, but if it's processed carp (like qu0rn) or GM then I don't want to touch it!

Fermented soya is what they eat in China and Japan, have done for thousands of years and are all very healthy - mind you it could be becuase they eat far more veg than we do to!

I can only speak from my own experience but I am intolerant to ordinary soya we get here, so soya milk, soya thats added to free from items etc. But fermented soya I have no issues with......and yes there are many GM soya products out there, but you can also get organic soya too

jackieglasgow

Congratulations Jediteacher, I am so delighted for you, and glad to hear you are both safe, and well.

I am feeling a bit fed up today, but the safe and healthy birth of a baby is enough to bring the smile to even the grumpiest sods isn't it?