A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

mardatha

Hi Taurus- nice to see you back, keep plodding on pet! xxx

clareg100

fuddle wrote: »

Our car passed it's MOT! I cannot tell you how relieved we are, everything could have gone horribly wrong this Christmas or worse still, a bill could have landed for more than what we actually have. At last, something hasn't smacked us in the knee caps and that is a good feeling.

Had DD in tears (7) when she saw my handmade attempt at a draught excluder "but you've spoilt the surprise, I've asked Santa for one for you!" That had me in tears. Of all the things that she thought that were important to me she thought I really wanted a draught excluder? Tells me she's picking up on things that she shouldn't really be picking up on.... or should she? Is it 'good' for children to know we haven't much money? I don't want her to know we are not very well off, not worry about it anyway but I wonder will it set her up in good stead to know that we have to wait for things, work hard for things and choose more important needs before wants. I don't know. All a bit sad really.

I guess if my children grow up thinking we didn't have much money but Mum and Dad tried their very best for us then that can only be a good thing. I think. So confused and a bit upset but ok.

I too am a parent although mine are small at 2 and 4 but they have a money box each and know that it for when they go on holiday to Ireland to see their dad and grandparents for treats.
Also I do remind them that we can waste money on the rides in town or save and have a special treat like new pens or craft stuff or go to the cinema for a film, I just try and put it into perspective for them as I don't have the money to spend on "rubbish". My kids don't go without but they do need to learn the value of what they have and to look after thier toys. I think your DD was just being sensitive to what you want rather than what you are worrying about (the bigger picture) what a lovely DD she sounds.:A

lilac_lady

When I was young I knew that we had very little money and shopped and budgeted for the household from an early age (11) as my mother hadn't a clue about managing her money and left it to me. I paid the rent weekly, chose what to buy at the butchers, bakers etc and generally worried about family finances. I had a Saturday job at 14 to help out.

Looking back, I shouldn't have had to worry but it's stood me in good stead as I HATE debt and have never given in to the buy now, pay later schemes.

I never discussed money worries with my children as I didn't want them to feel as I did when life should have been more carefree.

It's hard when you have a family and are counting the pennies so keep learning and teaching here.

Gigervamp

Ooh, a new Tougher thread! :j Thanks Fuddle.


Re children, my children grew up knowing that they couldn't have expensive items, but they still had nice things, even if they were cheap.

They're now in their 20's and although they sometimes buy themselves the occasional *designer* item, they're still quite happy to buy clothes from Tesco or similar and love it when they get a bargain!

This year we've had to cut the xmas present budget. We used to spend about £70-£80 each, but we've told them it's £30 each this year and they understand that.
It's a lot easier to buy for a girl within that budget though! Especially one who likes baking.

Re fuel costs, we're over the 10% of our income spent on oil and electric, so I guess that means we're in fuel poverty.

We can't use the fireplace as the chimney needs lining, so we've had a couple of people round to give us quotes on getting a stove installed. Unfortunately it's not going to be a simple job because previous owners concreted over the original stone fireplace to install a smaller fireplace which is too small to install even the smallest stove, so it's going to have to be pulled out and the stonework behind needs repointing. We can save on some of the cost by doing the demolishing and getting rid of the rubble ourselves, but it's going to be sooo dusty!
And still more than we can afford.

However, the in-laws have said they'll help us out with the cost, so it might be do-able.

Still, at least we have a chimney. Why, oh why, oh why, do they not build houses with chimneys these days? Oh, unless you buy an *executive* house. :mad:

It's ridiculous, especially with the fact that everyone knows nowadays that oil and gas will become more scarce and therefore even more expensive than it already is (and it ain't cheap now).

</rant>

Softstuff

fuddle wrote: »

Egg and chips for dinner tonight and I can see that things like lasagne and fish pie being too expensive to make soon

I make an 8 portion lasagne with 250g standard cheapy mince, I reckon lasagne will be on our menu for good. Fish pie's been off it for a couple of years though :rotfl:

Gigervamp

I've got some fish pie mix in the freezer that I bought too long ago! And I picked up some reduced white sauce and bunged it in the freezer too. Trouble is, hubby doesn't like fish pie, hence why I haven't made it. I think I'll have to make it and he can have something else!

Lasagne doesn't have to be made with only mince. You can bulk it out with lentils, (my prefered choice over oats as they're full of protein) and grated or blended veg like carrots, courgettes etc.

hornetgirl

Fuddle I think your dd is learning valuable lessons about money that will stand her in good stead as she grows older. The earlier she understands that there's a relationship bewtween earning, saving and then being able to buy things, the less likely she'll end up with debts when she's older.

I listed all the contents of my freezer this morning, then meal-planned with a view to using up as much as possible. One of the items on the meal plan is "unidentified brown leftovers" lol. Absolutely no idea what it is. Luckily I also have a couple of fish pieces on standby in case it turns out to be inedible when defrosted.

PolkaDotsAndLace

I'm making a load of cottage pie bulked out with some lentils tomorrow - I'm wondering if OH will actually notice if I don't tell him.

We still have the heating off, haven't bought much for myself in ages either. I've been out of work for 2 months now (could be worse I suppose) and just waiting to see if I'm eligible for JSA, but I'm lucky in that OH is working, and we don't have kids to worry about. I still don't want us spending all of his wage just to live though, need to think ahead as well, so am paring down the grocery bill, meal planning, not throwing out food, watching utility bills, and trying to make my savings last as long as possible as well. Just really want to find a job soon.

paidinchickens

we bulk everything out with baked beans here, but there not that cheap any more. We had tinned tomato soup last night for 5 and that's probably the dearest meal we have had in yonks!! We always keep a few tins handy for when I can't get in the kitchen very long when DH is ripping things apart

fuddle

paidinchickens wrote: »

we bulk everything out with baked beans here, but there not that cheap any more. We had tinned tomato soup last night for 5 and that's probably the dearest meal we have had in yonks!! We always keep a few tins handy for when I can't get in the kitchen very long when DH is ripping things apart

Actually paidinchickens that's a point, I've been unwittingly padding out chilli for years. I always use tinned kidney beans but also mix a tin of beans in too. I think I do it to lessen the harsh chilli taste but now my reason is to use less mince.

Good Morning everyone. I wonder what today will bring. Loving the randomness of the talks on here. Everyone of them is so relevant and helpful