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

maryb

Hi ATG

Welcome to the thread. I don't like Tesco's food at all so I only buy dry goods/household stuff there for the most part. I save up any clubcard points till Christmas because you get bonus points doing that and I do use their Christmas Clubcard savings facility as you get 5% interest tax free on top up moneyand you don't have to put the money on until 16th October. So when that comes I will buy a whole load of dishwasher powder, toothpaste and shampoo etc.

I'm lucky I'm not stuck with Tesco as I have nearly every supermarket close to me and I have worked out a route so it is feasible to go from one to the other to pick up whatever is cheapest. That means I do tend to keep an eye on prices. I suspect Lidl and Aldi will price match Tesco on the things that were the same price eg butter has gone down from £1.19 to £1.10 and that was always the same price everywhere.

Edit to add:

Was looking at the wrong year -= it's 6% interest not 5% for 2011 and you can top up until 21st October. You can top up any amount up to £360 but you only get £6 maximum bonus (£3 if you top up less than £100) so it doesn't make sense to put any more than £100 exactly on. That's an effective return of over 8% if you've kept the money in another savings account until the last minute

Emptynester

suzid wrote: »

Weepy wimp here . Deposited my last chick in Uni on Friday and finding the nest VERY empty for the first time in almost 36 years :eek:. Keep telling myself to get a grip as I'll see him on Saturday when we take all his food down, but seeing his washing on the airer, empty rail in the bathroom, and empty room just sets me off. I hope you other ladies who've taken your offspring to uni are faring better.

Got a busy week ahead, cooking and baking. All went very well at the uni and the reserved freezer was collect and installed without a hitch. DS sounds happy and getting to know his flatmates, one of whom lives quite close to us. SIL took her eldest back yesterday and was dreading leaving him.

On a happy note, DD saw a friend of mine who I hadn't seen for several years, and she's 'ordered' us both to call round to a coffee morning on Friday. Looking forward to that, inbetween all the baking .

Very sorry to hear of you loss Charles Aunt and anyone in a similar situation (((hugs))).

Have a good day folks and enjoy the good weather we're promised this week. Love reading all your post, thank you everyone. :T

My name says it all. Have a virtual hug and learn to put yourself much higher up the list now. Your youngster has a whole new life about to open up in front of them and you can too.

I learned to love my emptynest and had it for 2 years before the eldest returned whilst she built up a deposit. She should be flying off again soon but will the younger two be back for a while?

Enjoy this new stage in your life. Charge your batteries while you can. Your offspring will be back.

Best wishes for you and your students

Empty

maryb

I have three more years until my youngest goes off to university and I really don't want the time to go as fast as it seems to.

Having said that, I got used to it fairly quickly when DD1 went off. She is home for half the year, anyway - and I go and see her at least once during term time (actually, she would probably be happy if I could just send my credit card, lol. No, that's unfair - she really does enjoy taking me shopping;)). It helped to get a one month rolling contract for her phone from Tesco which gives her 500 minutes and unlimited texts. She's much better at phoning regularly now.

westlothianlass

Hi all,
Thanks for your very kinds thoughts, feeling better today, man has been and fixed the window so we can see out again:rotfl:. I know many are dealing with a lot worse but it shoke me a bit yesterday.

Charlies-aunt, I have 2 very old and very loved moggies, so send a hug to you x
GQ another one here that managed to get your recommended book for 1p on amazon and just had email to say its dispatched, so looking forward to it arriving.
Suzid, not had to deal with that emotion yet but can't believe my baby is 16 in 2 weeks, but can totally appreciate how strange it must be x hugs

jamanda

Charlies-Aunt - Sorry for your loss, but you have been unselfish and done the very best for the cat.

I too have had to buy the recommended book by GQ - makes a change from Kittie spending it for me :rotfl:

Re - empty nest.

Don't worry, they don't stay away. Just as you think you have time and space they come back and take it off you again.

Best wishes to everyone, am having trouble keeping up with everybody at the moment. Think my brain is going into winter hibernation mode.

mardatha

My god Jamanda you must have kids like mine
Suzid, its a natural part of life pet... you can't keep them wee forever, or teenage forever or anything forever. Just embrace the change and enjoy the good bits !
Can anybody mind that TV ad where the mum and dad were waving off the son looking sad - and were holding two huge bottles of champagne behind their backs?? that was us !:rotfl::rotfl:
Is 10C here. Sunny but not warm.

GreyQueen

jamanda wrote: »

Charlies-Aunt - Sorry for your loss, but you have been unselfish and done the very best for the cat.

I too have had to buy the recommended book by GQ - makes a change from Kittie spending it for me :rotfl:

Re - empty nest.

Don't worry, they don't stay away. Just as you think you have time and space they come back and take it off you again.

Best wishes to everyone, am having trouble keeping up with everybody at the moment. Think my brain is going into winter hibernation mode.

Golly, 4 sales off my little recommendation; d'you think I could make a case to the publisher that I should get commission......?:rotfl: Seriously, it's very good and I don't think anyone will be disappointed with it.

Well, the sun has come out and I shall wash my hair with an OS vinegar rinse and walk to the lottie allowing it to dry in the breeze. Very thick hair matching the head underneath and one of the last chances to do that before the weather turns cold.

Free blowdrying....just don't call me a tightwad; it's only an example of multi-tasking and energy efficiency. Honest!

Have a good afternoon and evening and hi to the newly de-cloaked.

mardatha

O/T question - do you think its extortinate to pay £7 for a knitting pattern?

Rowan9

mardatha wrote: »

O/T question - do you think its extortinate to pay £7 for a knitting pattern?

Not if it makes your heart sing:)
W

NualaBuala

mardatha wrote: »

O/T question - do you think its extortinate to pay £7 for a knitting pattern?

Yes - unless it's for how to knit your own money!

Show us what it's for, must be summat good for 7 quid.