2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

dizzy_lizzie

LolaLemon wrote: »

Having a cheap nite at the boyfriends, a DVD, some pakora, he has abt a quarter btl of vodka in the house, I got some blue cacarau, going to make myself blue lagoons and relax.

Come on Lola, pass us a large one over here :beer: Enjoy the evening

SandraScarlett wrote: »

As my day is pretty busy, and I'm not a Frugalista Sister anymore, I'm leaving the thread, but can I thank everyone for all the laughs, tips, and excellent posts, and most of all, for your support when DD was so ill.
Take care. xx

So really sorry Sandra that you're at this stage with your beloved OH. I can't even begin to think how you must be feeling and coping with it all.
I've enjoyed reading your posts so much. And the talent you have for writing poems is truly amazing.
I hope you manage to get through all the red tape quickly and get the help and support you need for OH.
I wish you well in your life.
Take care of yourself
x

enjoyfinancialchallenges

Oh dear SS so sorry to read your last post and despite being only a lurker for ages just had to come and say how sad I am to hear your dreadful news and send loving thoughts to you and OH. I also fully understand why you feel the need to leave us but don't forget us entirely because I know I wont. You have given some of us special gifts with your verses and just hearing your stories and what you have been up to have given us a good laugh. Your sense of humour will carry you through I'm sure but if you get desparate come and scream at anyone of us we will understand.
God bless you Sandra and OH.

Thrifty_Sister

Just catching up with a cuppa and read your post Sandra - how sad that your OH has got these dreadful conditions and the cost implications to yourselves that they have brought. My heart goes out to you and I would like to say thank you as you have been an inspiration in some of the things you have done. Although you have decided that your time on frugal has come to an end I understand and applaud your reasons. Take care hun, ((hugs)) and I wish you well.:A

LolaLemon

Going to miss you and your posts Sandra, please take care of yourself.

tylersbabe

Well I promised myself I would keep up with this thread but after working a 50hr week I have failed miserably.

Just scrubbed out the kitchen, as I have literately walked in made a drink walked out and left the mess all week; then I am off out to walk the hounds, so plan to catch up later this evening, when I have time to read posts properly.

Kerry_Woman

Sandra - Sorry to hear about your news. Hope you and your OH will get the support that you both need. Take care and sending hugs.

paidinchickens

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Hi all. Just popped in to say Hallo, and hope everyone is well. Alas, things have deteriorated very quickly with DH, and I'm now caring for him 24/7, and unable to go out at all, as he gets so anxious if he can't see me.

I've spent the last few weeks exploring the complicated labyrinth of Age Concern, Alzheimers Society, Social Services, Crossroads Care, etc, and have had home visits and assessments from some, and the others are next week.

Basically, I can have as much care for DH as I want, as long as I'm prepared to pay ................... £19.46 per hour!!!! This would make a day out a tad expensive! The problem is, we've been too frugal! But I really can't take myself too far, anyway, as I'd want to be home very quickly if DH needed me.

However, he may be able to go to a weekly centre, 5 minutes drive away, that's £35, without transport, or refreshments, but I'll willingly pay that if it means I can have a few hours to myself. The problem is persuading him to go, even for an hour or 2. There is no treatment available for DH, other than the Aricept that he's been taking for 8 years, and sadly, he's now not recognising friends we've known for 40 years.

To have Multiple System Atrophy, and Alzheimers, and an artificial knee, is a lot for DH to cope with, but I just hope that I can give him a decent quality of life, whilst he's aware of it. Consequently, I'm getting all my shopping delivered, and am being the opposite of frugal, getting him treats as if they were normal everyday items. He still enjoys his food, so I'm happy to get him what he likes.

As my day is pretty busy, and I'm not a Frugalista Sister anymore, I'm leaving the thread, but can I thank everyone for all the laughs, tips, and excellent posts, and most of all, for your support when DD was so ill.

Take care.

xx

Sandra my heart goes out to you. DH struggled with a member of his family and it still enrages him how little help was out there and what little help there is will probably be the first to go

I know nothing I say will make things any better but I wish for you some joy and happiness in this time of need. I am sorry you are leaving and I will miss you xx

slowlyfading

How's everyone doing today?

I'm hoping it'll be a NSD in the SF household, as I've bought lunch with me today (HM chicken tikka wrap with cherry toms, a pear and a yogurt) and don't need petrol on the way home

I'm pretty tired today as me and DH went out with some friends last night to the pub to watch the football, and it ended up being a later night than usual, so I feel in a bit of a daze today I've had a cuppa but it hasn't made much of a difference! Maybe I need another one...

We're having fishcakes with baked beans and HM chips for tea, and I'll have a banana for afters if I'm still hungry.

Is anyone else fed up with the weather? It's really over cast here today and gloomy and dark I guess I should be pleased it isn't raining (yet) but even so, where is the summer? Sigh.

Hope everyone is doing okay and is managing to stay frugal

Savvy_sewing

Well I am back from a break in cornwall. Alas we only had one good day. A lot of it was rather wet! But the kids had a great time. We spent a fortune! No holds barred. Now I will need to go back to my frugal ways! At least I had the majority of the money in the bank, and should have enough in the savings to transfer over and use on the credit card bills. I need £577 by the 16th July. I currently have around £300. But not sure what bills are still due to go out. However the beginning of the month is very near and the next round of DD's will be going out. So I will need to make sure that i have enough in the main account and not go overdrawn. Although I do have a £400 overdraft limit. I dont really want to dip into it. Its for emergencies not for holidays.
Biggest of Mooloo has gone back to work today, to be asked if she would return on a full time basis!. She is not sure as DGD2 is only 13months old. But as her partner left her 3 weeks ago, I think that she may really need to do the job. If we can sort out the right care for the baby of course.
I had a charge of £179.94 for Termination fee of my electric account. I was flabbergasted and I have asked for a reason, a transcript of the call that they say tells me there is a charge for changing my account, and then they did come back to me and say that the charge should have only been £25!!! but that they will look into the call and get back to me. I have also asked for a cheque to be refunded to me, not to have the credit on my bill. They are sitting on so much of my money. (I was in credit). I was still £9.22 in credit after they had taken out the money so it was lucky that I actually stopped to look at the bill and not just file it!.
It really does pay to check the bills over completely.
I still disagree with the £25 charge, but that I can live with if i have too.
Lucky if i do get that back as my estranged husband has been intouch, and the phone he lent my DS for a month, has rung up £150 worth of bill. Looks like it will be in with one hand and out with the other.!! DS is going to be in debt to me for sometime.
He left the house with the bathroom window open. The bathroom is on the ground floor. So anything could have happened. Grrrrr.
I am really tired, and could easily go to sleep.
Been sorting out the post has taken me most of the morning.
But at least I am getting it sorted.

Savvy_sewing

EDF are paying me the whole lot back! £179.94.
Thier mistake, they only said I would be charged if I changed my supplier, and not my supply! Yipee. It pays to be an MSE'r.:money:Thanks Martin and everyone on MSE. I would have let it go once upon a time.