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

Thrifty85

Hi all

HAve been lurking around here for a while and thought it about time I made myself known! I've really enjoyed reading all the tips and advice from everyone, it's been a real help. I'm finding that my wage stretches less and less each month and I'm really starting to struggle with the rising cost of everything whilst enduring a 3 year pay freeze.

Anyway, just wanted to wave hello and ask for a bit of advice......I've just started dating a lovely guy and we've had 3 dates so far. However, they've always been really expensive (cinema tickets, drinks, show tickets, petrol, food etc.) He paid for the first 2 dates (he insisted) so I insisted on paying for the last one. We went out for dinner and the bill came to a whopping £54 for the both of us. I really can't afford to do this on a regular basis and will now struggle to get to the end of the month. Anyway, I was hoping that you lovely people may have some suggestions for 'cheap dates'! I really him and want to continue dating but without it costing a fortune!

bargainhunterss

Thanks saveabobortwo, hope your having a good day too! Well, its certainly the day for being out in the garden! Make the most of it! Hope everyone else is having a lovely day in the sunshine too, and for those at work I feel your pain!

culpepper

In the veg plot again this morning. Still parched and rock hard.
The cherries on the tree at the bottom are still hard. Some years the birds get the lot so I will have to keep an eye on them.
My last HM yoghurt was too runny but it made quite nice smoothies with some liquidised berries added.
There is a new attempt on the windowsill which hopefully will thicken up better(last times was most likely not quite warm enough).
OH started his partial cycling to work on Tues. He motorcycles to London,then bicycles from a railway station as he can lock the bike securely when he gets back there. This is his second go at it. I think he'll most likely do it more often as he gets used to the saddle more.He has to wear it in, to suit his behind. I prefer my old roadster without the suspension and silly handlebar gear twisters,it is ingrained in me after so many years of riding it ,I don't like having to think about which twister is the front gear and which the rear. I am a stick in the mud LOL.
I have been following the 100 pushups website challenge. So far (week 4)I can just about do 33 .
OH is teaching DS to drive. He had him drive all the way to London last weekend(so they could leave the bike up there) and his confidence is improving. I shall not be doing any teaching LOL . I am far too much of a scaredy cat .
OH still does his special police duties. He said that he stopped a youth on a very expensive bicycle and questioned where he had got it. '50 quid from a bloke down the pub' was the answer.Apparently the police now have to pay to access the frame number database and so aren't authorised to check the numbers on bikes over their radios so there is nothing he could do but let him ride away on it! Shows it is worth having good locks if you must leave your bike anywhere .

Anyway must get on..cheerio, Culpepper

bargainhunterss

Thrifty85 wrote: »

Hi all

HAve been lurking around here for a while and thought it about time I made myself known! I've really enjoyed reading all the tips and advice from everyone, it's been a real help. I'm finding that my wage stretches less and less each month and I'm really starting to struggle with the rising cost of everything whilst enduring a 3 year pay freeze.

Anyway, just wanted to wave hello and ask for a bit of advice......I've just started dating a lovely guy and we've had 3 dates so far. However, they've always been really expensive (cinema tickets, drinks, show tickets, petrol, food etc.) He paid for the first 2 dates (he insisted) so I insisted on paying for the last one. We went out for dinner and the bill came to a whopping £54 for the both of us. I really can't afford to do this on a regular basis and will now struggle to get to the end of the month. Anyway, I was hoping that you lovely people may have some suggestions for 'cheap dates'! I really him and want to continue dating but without it costing a fortune!

sounds cheesy but what about a picnic? it is lovely at the moment. Or maybe a day out somewhere this weekend like a walk in a nature reserve (depending of course on whether or not he's the outdoor type!) or something like a dvd night and dinner?

bluebag

Thrifty, you could cook him a supper and enjoy a film together. All museums in the UK are free and most have coffee shops, coffee and cake isn't going to come to £54!!!. (gasp!!).

I would take the bull by the horns though and have a wee chat with him about finances. Maybe something cheaper such a 'just the cinema tickets' or 'just a few drinks' and you split the bill. You never know he might be relieved, especially if he was pushing the boat out to impress.

bluebag

Ugh, the weather here is awful, warmish, but overcast and dull, dull, dull. I have naff-all umph today as well. Think I'll just boodle about the internet all day, at least it's cheap and the company is usually good.

Feeling very... meh.

Thrifty85

I would take the bull by the horns though and have a wee chat with him about finances. Maybe something cheaper such a 'just the cinema tickets' or 'just a few drinks' and you split the bill. You never know he might be relieved, especially if he was pushing the boat out to impress.[/QUOTE]

I hadn't thought of that, thank you. I'll definitely mention it. THanks for the suggestions everyone. I had thought about cooking for him but as it's very early days we haven't been to each other's homes yet. THink I'll bite the bullet and try the whole 'dining at home and DVD' evening. GUess I'm just a bit nervous....been single for 4 years and I don't want to ruin it so soon! THanks again

suzid

Good afternoon all,

Many thanks Ches re the Honesty, that must have been where the vague memory came from regarding peeling the pods.

GQ rather than two wooden spoons I think we should have a spoon and a trowel in your honour with all the lottie activity. Love the idea of a pirate type banner as I was always the pirate as a kid, or the Indian never the cowboy. Quite the tomboy and nothings changed. DD had a book to test whether you have a male or female brain tendensy. After I did the test she burst out laughing saying "OMG by mother's a bloke" :eek:

Redlady the phrase dodging his cloud really made me laugh, and he's been doing it since Oct last when the vet was dubious about giving me a months meds as they are so expensive. Hope he's like yours Kimitatsu.

Freud if there's one phrase i loath it's 'yummy mummy'. Far better to always be there for your kids. Mine have said the fact I was always there when they were ill, even as teenagers, was such a comfort. The house was always full of kids. We didn't have the money to take them to attractions or on holiday. We had Russian students stay several years running, and I remember one evening coming home from my evening part time job to find my five, our two Russians, plus all the neighbours kids soaking wet having a wonderful time with buckets of water and water pistols. They'll remember that for the rest of their lives where as paid attractions are often a disappointment. I also never knew who I'd find sleeping on the floors when DS1 was a teenager, and one of DS3's friends almost lived here. I bet that wouldn't happen with the 'perfect, we have everything, media illusion families'. I spent years thinking things had to been done a certain way because we're hold it has to be, but in the end you realise it's all false and built on floored values, marketing hipe and people trying to force their personal values on everyone else. Trust your instincts, don't try judging yourself by anyone else and carry on being the great mum you already are. Here endeth this sermon by an old bird who knows just how you feel.

Charis

GreyQueen wrote: »

Nan isn't sentimental about the old days; she says that people knew nothing but work, but that people seemed happier, too. I hear that last comment from a lot of the oldsters. I think we suffer a lot from comparing our lot to that of others in the media; everyone is prettier, richer, better accessorised, more accomplished with better relationships and super kids and a lovely home.......it's all so false.

From today's BBC news page, here's a slideshow of how world events are affecting some less fortunate families, in this case, Armenians. These people's ancestors survived two genocides in the 20th century so they are a hardy bunch. When it got to the comment about the children and fruit it really brought home how lucky we all are.

stiltwalker

I've always thought it'sthe fun occasions that we remember not the money spent - think the buckets of water sound fun! We used to have amazing fun belting round on our bikes with empty washing up squeezy bottles repurposed as water pistols, (the water goes a loooong way!) My OH reckons that when the kids are old enough we'll be the ones with the houseful of their friends as the cake and biscuit tins are always full!

Someone (sorry can't remember who - blame the baby brain) was mentioning earlier about having been taught or not taught OS skills by parents and grandparents well my parents taught me lots of things about cooking and sewing and various traditional skills but have never had to be quite as frugal as me or for quite as long and they are in awe of the use I've put those skills to (together with various things I've picked up along the way), I'm pretty good at stretching the pennies now but it has been a steep learning curve along the way and I do find it frustrating when friends who have double the income we do complain about being skint and then go and buy DVDs or computer games! There is a wealth of info out there (much of it on this site and this thread) and always people willing to share that info so just ask.

OH is due back from work soon so I'm going to get him some lunch then abandon him with the children while I go and have a potter in the garden - the weeds are getting a bit OTT - not done them since before DS was born - have done a bit of gardening already was earthing up the potatoes when he was only a week old!! but been shirking the weeding as it's one of my less favourite tasks. Will have to get on with my OU assignment after that as it is due on the 9th so busy afternoon ahead.