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

squeaky

catznine wrote: »

Re books or kindle, we love our shelves of books and could never get rid of them but a kindle would be great especially for dh when he has to go away for meetings/conferences, we are seriously tempted but trying not to spend!

If your OH uses a laptop when away - there is free kindle for PC software available from the Amazon site. (see the first post here:- Kindle Books - free or cheap old style related ).

Obviously a lappy isn't as easy to hand as a kindle pad is - but it works for me

suki1964

mardatha wrote: »

Anybody see the news about Moody downgrading the RBS and Lloyds?

Thats me mind made up - my money is going under the mattress :eek:

Smileyt, I dont have a clue tbh. All I can see is that any money I have had in pension pots is gone and any interest I had is gone and now that Italy is going the same way as Greece, our banks are going to be taking a huge hit and theres no money here to bail them out again. So whos to say my hard earned savings wont be the next to go? There are those economists who believe this gvt should have done as the Icelandic gvt did and wipe their hands - whos to say they wont have to this time around?

My job has gone, hubby works in construction and its getting tougher and tougher for him ( last year he barely had six months work). We also have elderly parents, kids and grandkids. if our pot goes then the lot of us are in trouble.


So I might be nuts but tbh id feel a lot safer if I had control of my money now. Its not a lot since we paid off out mortgage and any debt we had whilst rates were so low but its all we have.


Anyways another soaking wet day here. So much rain my front drive is like a paddling pool and the dog turned back after 5 mins (thankfully cos I was soaked through as well) I feel like a hermit atm as the weather has been bad all week Ive not ventured out at all other then to walk the dog. Still if Im not out Im not spending

Rowan9

Sending (((hugs))) and warm thoughts to those having hard times. I will light a candle. Sometimes that's all you can do! Ah but the power of positive thinking and good wishes as well.
Libraries - such a diff in areas eh? I know Suffolk was also free to order inter-library and I think Norfolk was 50p per book ordered.
Someone mentioned Thoreau going off to live in his wooden hut at Walden. I reread that book regularly. Of course there are the pooh-poohers who say ah but it was on the outskirts of his town blah blah but I love the thoughts behind his adventure and his telling of the experience.
Cold here but no wind and beautifully sunny. Left-over sausage casserole for tea and a bit of soup left so will make more later or defrost some. The freezer is full but not really sorted so there's empty space in there that I'm paying for energy-wise:p, so I must get on and fill it up.
Am I allowed to say that Frugal Queen's blog from yesterday is very inspiring? She could teach Cam a lot:D.
What else in the land of tough? Have cut down a lot on using washing machine and am beginning to forget the technique of ironing:D. Very liberating and good for the purse strings. I remember there being one wash day a week and I'm sure we didn't have smelly clothes;).
Ok off to do stuff.
W

beanrua

[QUOTE=suki1964;47494633


Anyways another soaking wet day here. So much rain my front drive is like a paddling pool and the dog turned back after 5 mins (thankfully cos I was soaked through as well) I feel like a hermit atm as the weather has been bad all week Ive not ventured out at all other then to walk the dog. Still if Im not out Im not spending [/QUOTE]

Hi suki1964 If my memory serves me right you gave me some really valuable advice last year re my stove, I am still indebted to you for that - thanks again.:T Now if I remember correctly I only live an hour or so down the road from you and just to let you know the sun has come out here now and I'm going to hang my washing out - so maybe here's hoping the sun will be with you shortly.

Hobsons_Choice

A personal choice, but for me it's a "real live" book every time. Either the library or the cs. BHF charges £2.50 for some of their paperbacks though and I think that's just being greedy. They've been donated free of charge after all, and I'm sure they'd sell more of them if they "piled 'em high and sold 'em cheap". I've noticed my local library getting more and more empty shelves though. They've removed some of the shelving "to make it more user friendly" pah!
My friend is in her late fifties and has really bad arthritis, walking with two sticks. 'They' have decided to take away her rented disability car because they reckon she can manage without it and "supermarkets will deliver now, dear". Her appeal was turned down.She now feels isolated and depressed, although we all rally round offering lifts, shopping etc. She's always liked to be as independent as possible.
So that's how it works....cuts have to be made, let's start with the vulnerable!

katieowl_2

wmf wrote: »

Sending (((hugs))) and warm thoughts to those having hard times. I will light a candle.

Libraries - such a diff in areas eh?

W

I think I'll join you in the candle!

What you say about libraries is so true.. when I first came here I went to have a look at my local, and I swear I've got more books than they have!

I was talking to a friend the other day, and she said she'd cashed in an ISA to pay for something, and it had LOST £1200 since she put it in there. It must have been one of those 'remember shares can go down and well as up' ones...but even so!

I've got B&B people coming tomorrow, so today is mainly prepping up for that, but I've got a batch of lemon and lime marmalade on the stove, from some of the reduced stuff I bought in Bookers the other day, and last night I made some Middle Eastern Preserved Lemons, and with the last few I think I'll try my hand at some HM lemon curd, as I've never done that before. I also got some nice fat mangos reduced in Mr T yesterday, so another batch of my HM Mango chutney will be produced...but I think I've nearly used all my kilner Jars :eek: which to be honest I didn't think was possible, so my cupboards must be packed! I shall have to ponder whether to buy more kilners or scrounge jam jars. We get through so much stuff that I've abandoned using little jars, and do everything in the big kilners, I just keep a few jam jars for the odd bits that don't fit in.

Later I'm going to buy a 15k bag of complete dog food and 24 cans of meat from the farm shop for that guy I mentioned yesterday. If I don't see him tomorrow in the cafe, I'll get his address off one of the staff and drop by. I can't NOT do this, and thinking on all your advice I'm going to be honest and say 1) I was laying awake feeling sad for his dog 2) That I hope it will tide him over until he gets sorted and 3) that it's pay it forward someday. I figure that amount will give the dog at least 48 meals as I feed mine, half tin half compete. Maybe they will sort his appeal by then. I hope so.

Oh well better go and do some work or these guests will think I don't
appreciate their custom

Kate

beanrua

katieowl wrote: »

I think I'll join you in the candle!

Kate

I also light candles for all those who need it - I put them in the stove and close the glass doors - it helps me to kid myself that it is lit and makes me feel a bit warmer. Multi functional candles!

shelley_crow

wow, yesterday was the first day I have been into the town centre for a long time. Granted it was market day so it was busy, there's hardly any shops left open. Also, you know it's bad when the charity chops start closing down, which they have!x

Glitzer

I'm a bit lost as to where I was before! I think I need to start subscribing to threads.

I went into work yesterday and got sent home after 3 hours due to the pain and discomfort. I am mostly walking fine at home but I am able to properly rest, with my feet up on the sofa or in bed. A desk doesn't quite allow for that and as such even after just an hour I was limping again, mainly from the pressure on my back I think. My manager doesn't want me back in until I've seen my GP and I can't get in to see him until Monday, I could see another one today but it would mean going over everything again. I've got Monday off as holiday anyway (the childminder is on a course).

The MRI went fine this morning thank you. I couldn't believe how noisy it was! I should get the results tonight or Monday morning.

It's bright but breezy here today, one load of washing done and out on the line. I don't have any more to do.

I need to plan our menu for next week and do the online shop. There are benefits to being at home all day.

smileyt_2

I didn't pay the bill at the vet's on Wednesday when I had the hens put to sleep as I was too upset, but they are OK with this and agree beforehand that you can pop in or phone a couple of days later to settle the bill. I have just done this and it came to £104. I've asked for an itemised receipt so I can see what cost so much. I know I booked a double appointment because there were two hens so I was expecting a bill of around £65, perhaps a little bit more for the disposal of the girls' bodies, but £104? How can it cost so much to put two hens to sleep? I feel a bit sick. I am glad I made the decision not to have any more animals (only have the dogs now) as I really could not sustain that kind of price. Fortunately I have some savings which I can use to cover the bill. It's a good job I was sitting down when I made the phone call.

I'm going to have a cup of tea and try to get over the shock.

ETA Glitzer I hope it is good news from the scan. xx