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

ceridwen

Charis wrote: »

As money in the bank is effectively shrinking and prices are rising, I'm making sure the 'ship' is watertight, doing some of those big jobs that might have held out for a few more years. My front and patio doors are old, ineffective at keeping out the cold, and a security weakness so I've decided to replace them. I figured that if I sat on the money, in five years I might find they were permanently beyond my budget as I don't expect prices to fall. I've kept a reasonable amount for unforeseen expenses as I've learned the wisdom of having an emergency fund.

You know it makes sense <punch fist into air smilie> to do things like that.

I've certainly been aware that "Yer never know" re always having the wherewithal to do owt more expensive/buy owt more expensive - hence doing it all now just in case...

You are very right re having an emergency fund as well. Whether that be - as a younger person - wondering if they might get made redundant and benefit take some weeks to start coming through on the one hand. On the other hand - if one is older and told the NHS is trying to "ration you out of" necessary health treatment - not that it would be phrased like that:cool: and you know you can pay if need be if it wont turn up soon enough otherwise. It always makes sense at any point in life.

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One - not quite so obviously directly financial thing - that I have been abiding by for some time is a "See it = try it" rule for any new foods/drinks I come across (provided they're vegetarian). I read the statistics that about 50% of the population stick to the same foods and won't experiment. To me - it makes financial sense to do so (as well as adding a bit of interest to the diet and making it more likely I will "cover all bases" for essential nutrients in my diet). Reason for the financial sense thoughts - because if some item most would consider essential to a diet becomes too expensive - then I can rapidly reel off several substitutes I can get instead that fulfil the same purpose - an alternative "filler food" or alternative "fruit or veg" etc. Fortunately - I like the vast majority of new foods I try - so money is very rarely wasted by me thinking "Yuk - and its so horrible I cant even finish it on this occasion".

Speaking of which - today's experiment - I've somehow gotten through never having tried fresh dates - and I've got some I spotted for sale today - so thats one of two "new food" experiments for today.:) Any thoughts for how to use fresh dates besides just eating them as is?

paidinchickens

suzidThat sounds like a day in our life!!! even the simple things take 50 phone calls then you don't get anywhere :mad: It cheered me up to know we are not the only people that suffer. The problem is these people are stretched so thin and cover so many jobs they seldom know what they are doing or what their rules are. The last couple of places I worked things had to be done by the book, the problem being the book had been lost for years and everything used was an urban legend passed down through the generations :rotfl:

Hope your all well

PIC xxx

ceridwen

kittie wrote: »

I have decided that I not going to keep hold of my fabric hoard any more, for crying out loud there are people out there who need it much more than me, so I have packed it and it is ready for oxfam. Lots of nice stuff, corduroy and so on. I am just keeping a few short lengths of childrens fabric, in case any of them ever want me to teach them sewing.

I am doing a wartime recipe today, which is very nice and I serve it with apple sauce, gravy and cabbage and when the children were at home, roast potatoes. It costs buttons

8oz lentils, 3/4 pt water. 2 oz marg/butter all simmered 25 minutes to water being absorbed

add 12 oz grated turnip/swede

add 4 oz breadcrumbs

add s and p and 1 egg

put in dish, cover with foil and bake 180-200 for 40 mins

Dh and I have been watching the hairy bikers and meals on wheels and we are so heart-warmed by the efforts being put into getting this going again. It is so making me wonder how the `doddery` elderly manage to get their shopping in, when they cannot afford/ or are unable to do an internet shop and what if they don`t have kindly neighbours.

Thanks for the recipe Kitty - does sound cheap - might try that:)

I havenae been watching that Hairy Bikers - but, if they are trying to get these "meals on wheels" going again - then good luck to them. I think there must be an awful lot of "doddery elderly" out there who struggle with the basics like their shopping - and I dread to think how my mother will manage if she's "left on her own" (as, right now, my father takes her off for her standard weekly shop at a mega-supermarket by car - she stocks up for the week = job done). But - like a lot of elderly women - she isnt a car-driver. Also - they live that "far out" in urban terms - that there are literally no shops in easy "elderly" level nearby and its a bit of a trek for a healthy person. I live pretty close to hand - but am not a car-driver either - so cant just pile "mother and bags" into a car and take her wherever she wants to go and its the "devils own job" to persuade her to pay for a taxi for anything. I can say until I'm blue in the face "Just take a taxi if you need to for goodness sake" and am well aware it goes in one ear and out the other:cool: - and, of course, many "doddery elderly" cant afford taxis anyway..:(.

Fortunately - in our case - I can pick out exactly what my mother would like in any given circumstances and I guess I'd just have to "buy and carry" if it came to it....I've done it before and she accepts me doing that if need be - as she knows I've got her tastes very well worked out.

Howsomever - how do "doddery elderly" manage without anyone nearby?

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Re the "never tell a man you are economising" - I know that I myself would thoroughly hate being told "Its economy drive time here". My reasoning on that would be nothing to do with "The wee wifie is keeping me short". What it WOULD be is "My darn employer isnt paying me what I'm worth/what I need to live on - and that is why the question of economising has arisen". Closely followed by "WHY arent I being paid what I'm worth/need? Do I come over as a muggins/weakling to said employer and thats why they're doing that to me? Oh heck - now how do I deal with that situation?". So - from the "typical male" POV thats my guess as to why its simply not wise to tell the "major breadwinner" in the home (be they male or female) that its Economy Drive Time - because it could so easily be turned round in their mind to "I'm not earning enough - and its Not My Fault - so why arent I? What can I do about it?". Just my take on this personally - but I know JUST how often I've got angry/got upset/etc over the years at not earning enough and had to remind myself VERY FIRMLY that its not my choice/fault...its how Society has been set up to function etc etc and no reflection on me. It really DOES feel like a "slap across the face" when one sits there and thinks "I'm earning less than average salary - WHY?" Just my two pennorth on that....

rachbc

mardatha wrote: »

O god kittie I could really do with some thin rollups meself :rotfl::rotfl:
- would take my mind off the weather!

Been a long time since I had a long thin roll up!! Perhaps the solution to us all worrying about tougher times....:T

paidinchickens

rachbc wrote: »

Been a long time since I had a long thin roll up!! Perhaps the solution to us all worrying about tougher times....:T

I am sure there is a green fingered / grow your own forum :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I would like to add I do not partake as I am paranoid enough :eek:

Spinmerightround

I've been watching the Hairy Bikers programme too and found it really interesting. Part of my job is providing support for people and I do a lot of shopping for them, take them out and help with small domestic tasks. But it never ceases to amaze me how people are left on their own by family or dont even have any family to help...so so sad.
I take great pleasure in knowing that I am helping even if it only in small ways. Just seeing a smile on their faces makes my day...I just wish that there were more services to care for the elderly with such an ageing population.

rachbc

My doddery elderly grandparents (mmm have an idea how much they'd like that term) got meals on wheels - though it was a private service they paid or themselves. My own parents aren't that doddery yet but give they live hours from me in the middle of nowhere (literally no houses for miles) so I have no idea what will happen when the time comes. Not entirely sure why the thought that was a sensible retirement/ place to grow old plan but its their choice!

HariboJunkie

rachbc wrote: »

Been a long time since I had a long thin roll up!! Perhaps the solution to us all worrying about tougher times....:T

Between that and my raspberry gin our worries will just melt away.

Sorry you had to go round the houses to get things sorted for your son Suzi.

Has anyone seen the Tesco Recipe Meal Deal? I don't eat non FR chooks but it looks like a brilliant deal for those who do (and it's none of my business if people do or don't) and I'm looking forward to whatever is on offer next. It did inspire me to do my creamy tarragon sauce tonight with some pork chops and it was very yummy.

[Deleted User]

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rachbc

I think raspberry gin might be enough just by itself - why did I not hear of such a thing til now - with a good 9 months til the pyo raspberries re-open!!