It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

valk_scot

I keep cash in the house, usually the equivelent of one weeks housekeeping money. If the weather gets bad I use the very local shops for small purchases and feel silly getting out a card to pay for 2L of milk. I don't tell Hubby about it though...he's hopeless about diverting 50 yards out his way to the cash point en route to the pub, lol. It's also possible I could be having a bad day (have disc problem) or get flu or whatever in which case the kids pick up odds and sods of shopping for me en route back from school and they need cash for that, and for school things. So I always have at least some emergency cash kept seperate from my weekly money.

rachbc

Ahh - Darling trying to flog his book with a shock headlline - good oh! Two hours from running out of cash is actually quite different from what he actually said which was "We were at the stage where in a very short period of time, one of the world's biggest banks would have to shut the door and switch off the electricity".

We do keep cash as we do all our 'housekeeping' from cash every 2 weeks - but on the preparing for winter people were talking about having 'several hundred pounds' around - for people for whom this isn't a possibilty then yes they might panic that they can't be properly prepared.

jamanda

No, this was a known fact about the banks way before Darling started wittering on about his book.

Being prepared for winter or anything else is about doing the best you can with what you have. I shouldn't think any (or at least many) of us have large floats knocking around, but a little safety net in all quarters is a good thing if you can manage it.

maryb

I got a fair bit of cash out round about the time that RBS almost went down because I had picked up various rumours - not just on the internet . DH laughed a bit but did the same. He doesn't mock me since that admission came out that the cashpoints very nearly did stop working. There was one day when all RBS could do was pray to make it through to end of trading.

I don't think there is chaos on the same scale brewing in the near future (although things could get interesting in the Eurozone if Germany's constitutional Court rules against the bailouts when it announces its decision tomorrow. However I would think they are likely to fudge it). RBS is being sued by the US over Ninja mortgages but that just means we will have to give them more money, it won't go bust, not now that it's owned by the taxpayer.

However I am still very careful about keeping money in banks that are covered by the UK compensation scheme eg I wouldn't put any savings in one where you had to rely on a foreign government scheme. I still can't quite bring myself to trust the Post Office even though it now uses a UK subsidiary of Bank of Ireland to run it rather than the Irish parent company. I could never understand why people rushed to put money in Irish banks when the Irish government announced their 100% guarantee - it was obvious they could not stand behind it

scottishminnie

redlady_1 wrote: »

And if you need any confirmation as to what is wrong in the country then this link pretty much sums it up! What a prat!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8743065/Tourist-complains-about-sight-of-fish-in-harbour.html

I'm so glad they named this idiot rather than the usual policy of "protecting" peoples identities. The more people that realise what a complete moron he is the better.

shellysue

I am thinking about putting all my money in our local credit union

paidinchickens

redlady_1 wrote: »

And if you need any confirmation as to what is wrong in the country then this link pretty much sums it up! What a prat!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8743065/Tourist-complains-about-sight-of-fish-in-harbour.html

Sounds a little fishy to me :rotfl:

bonnie_bumpkins

Really interesting to read everyone's opinions and experiences - thank you!!

I've been lurking on the 'preparing for winter' thread too. After reading last night I went out and withdrew £200 cash, which I will secrete around the house. I wondered this morning whether it was a knee-jerk reaction as I live within walking distance of 5 cash points (lucky, I know). Then I thought back to last winter when I was house-bound for a couple of months after a car accident (black ice - ouch) when I was not able to walk to any of them! Now I only have one month's essential living costs in the bank (and nothing else anywhere) but I feel better for knowing I have some of my money immediately to hand, if that makes sense.

This year I am viewing things very differently. I'm in a worse financial position than last year - currently looking for work and claiming JSA (they treat you like dirt here as well where there are more jobs, and the more well-spoken and educated you are, the worse they seem to treat you, I came home in angry tears last week after a couple of barbed comments and condescending looks, but I digress....)

Thanks to info and ideas on MSE I have been much more savvy and organised. I've never been well off as an adult and I was not well off as a child. But I think I've been complacent in many ways and thankfully I have now have a much more realistic attitude. I would never have thought of buying food past its 'best by' date (I didn't know you could); I am now and it tastes the same. Similarly, buying cheap fleece blankets to line curtains, and making soup out of leftover veg - I've never had such tasty lunches and I'm no Delia believe me

I feel via various circumstances I've been given a kick up the backside and I'm better off for it.

bonnie_bumpkins

Originally Posted by redlady_1
And if you need any confirmation as to what is wrong in the country then this link pretty much sums it up! What a prat!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...n-harbour.html

scottishminnie wrote: »

I'm so glad they named this idiot rather than the usual policy of "protecting" peoples identities. The more people that realise what a complete moron he is the better.

What a complete *rse. I hope he's getting all the stick he deserves from everyone he comes into contact with. Two-week family holiday during school hols in Devon ain't cheap either.

Gingerbiscuit_2

Had some bad news yesterday housing assocition want to flog off our carpark or let us rent a space for £49 month!!! I nearly fell over, I don't have car but carer uses and the council are bringing in permit for the road, we are long road in between lots of parking zones already. So it will cost me £3.50 per day for visitors permit for her. Either way I am mega screwed!!!! I don't pay her huge amount as it is so don't know if she will stay as local carpark are about the same cost (London) how they suggest you cope if you have carer few times a day I don't know!!