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

3v3

Just read an interesting article A food festival to celebrate living the Good Life

A new date in the food festival calendar celebrates the growth of self-sufficiency ..... The Smallholding Fair is being held at Sissinghurst Castle on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August between 10.30am-5pm. £4 adult, £1 child. For more information, call 01580 710700 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst

At least now I know I can claim "Smallholder" status

westlothianlass

Hi all,
A belated welcome back Mardatha:D. I have most of what we would need for an Ark, but since it's pouring outside i can't quite face starting one:rotfl:. I am trying to persuade myself that it would be a good idea to do some batch cooking, since unless i put some waterproofs on the garden is a no go area but think i need some more inspiration online.

Forced myself to go to Mr T yesterday (i really don't like it compared to Mr S) but had £23 off vouchers so the frugal side of me won, but to calm the grumpy moo side of me i bought a bottle of wine.

I have decided we definately need a bigger freezer the one we have is frustratingly small and stops me stocking up as much as i'd like, so a freezer fund has been started this weekend.

I'm away now to catch up on some previous posts so hugs to all x

kersplatt

Hi all,
joining in for the first time in probably a year. Lots of things have happened and I've sort of lurked and trundled along following the It's tough now threads for some time.

I've always cooked and baked but with things obviously getting much harder in the economy with the inflation of food, it's time to get even tougher on my already tight finances. Ex husband who left me with 28k of debt that I'd cleared for him after he racked it up is on the verge of a diagnosis of bipolar and he's got himself into more financial bother since, so much so that his parents have taken over the running of his finances. Unfortunately it means that he is leaving me to service all of the debt whilst looking after the kids and living in a house that desperately needs repair, but I have no choice and know that all I can do now is buckle down, clear the debt and make the best of the situation no matter how rubbish.

So looks like I'm here for the long haul. This weekend I've batch cooked like a demon and I've always been an avid follower fo Weezl and her tips, so I'll hopefully be about a bit more

xx

grandma247

westcoastscot have you heard of a chicken tractor? There is one here.

bonnie_bumpkins

grandma247 wrote: »

have you heard of a chicken tractor?

I have definitely had too much coffee today :eek:

As soon as I saw this post I pictured lots of chickens in specially made little red tractors whizzing around a yard. And I can't get the image out of my head :rotfl::rotfl:

This is just after having spend 10 minutes laughing at a post on another forum where someone had a veg box delivered, didn't recognise one of the veg and phoned the farmer only to find it was a carrot - just not the usual colour and shape!!

Time to calm down and do something sensible I think.

ceridwen

Welcome Kersplat - you'll pick up lotsa hints and tips here - I think we would all say that we have personally.

lil_me

Kersplatt welcome, have a seat and a cuppa, get yourself a 'starter' plan, pick 5 achievable things you want to achieve first. Once you have those decide who can help achieve them & how you will. Then the next 5 and so on.

Still away,site is drying out ok. A question for when I'm home for the growers - can potatoes be planted & have time to grow from august? DS2s are almost ready (in pots) so I'd Ike to put something in them if possible & I have some roosters that have sprouted

I'm formulating a winter plan on my little iPad as I type, the big purchase made, wheels & very good All terrain tyres for less than the tyres would be, slightly used but more than enough to get us around in the snow

[Deleted User]

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Reverbe

kersplatt wrote: »

Hi all,
joining in for the first time in probably a year. Lots of things have happened and I've sort of lurked and trundled along following the It's tough now threads for some time.

I've always cooked and baked but with things obviously getting much harder in the economy with the inflation of food, it's time to get even tougher on my already tight finances. Ex husband who left me with 28k of debt that I'd cleared for him after he racked it up is on the verge of a diagnosis of bipolar and he's got himself into more financial bother since, so much so that his parents have taken over the running of his finances. Unfortunately it means that he is leaving me to service all of the debt xx

Bets of luck but amn I missing something here? If ex husband ran up debts in his name why are you paying them??My partner was crippled by his wife who ran up debts and I never understand why they make a partner responsible. You are an adult - therefore you are responsible for your own debts..Being on and off depresed is no an excuse for running up debt.

3v3

Reverbe wrote: »

..Being on and off depresed is no an excuse for running up debt.

It can be, in some circumstances. For example ( a good few years ago, admittedly), a friend of mine was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She was convinced of the worst case scenario and wanted to "live" her final 6 months to "the fullest" and maxed out on credit cards: *she* wanted to feel happy, she wanted her family to be happy - she didn't tell them what she was dealing with!. Now, a rational mind would see the pitfalls/consequences. But, fear, depression/anxiety; these are not "rational minds". As it turned out, my friend was exceptionally fortunate on the health front: consequently had to deal with the consequences of her "live now" decisions.

Of course you cannot comprehend it: you haven't experienced it. It is not a route I would be inclined to go down; but, I've not been in those shoes, I've been fortunate. Do I "condemn" my friend? Of course not! I haven't been in her situation. Would I react the same way? I'd like to *think* I wouldn't ... but, until it happens, I can't guarantee it either (although, to be fair, "credit" was a lot easier to access at that particular time :rotfl:).

The poster is paying for her OH's debts under the same ground rules *your* partner is paying for his "crippling" debts from his ex wife By your own argument, your OH is an adult, as is his ex wife. But, you already know, that argument doesn't always work, in reality