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

[Deleted User]

It's getting more difficult to maintain what people have come to take for granted as a standard of living, but, just because we have had to be sensible about what our wages will do doesn't mean we are living in poverty. When you look back to the 1950's and 60's (If you are old enough like me) we didn't have even a quarter of the things most families feel hard done by if they haven't got. I can remember getting the first fridge we ever had in 1961 and feeling we were posh. I can remember the first time I could offer a friend tea or coffee - it was a real treat for us then. We didn't get central heating until the mid 70's but I really don't remember feeling cold or hard done by because we were all in the same boat. It was the same with things like sweets and going out to the cinema etc. we didn't go as often because we just didn't have the spare cash but we enjoyed things all the more for that. People are very adaptable and we will manage but it won't be easy and we are all here to help in whatever way we can and from all your posts more than willing to do so.

Mrs_Chip

The hardest steps are always those that take you backwards - they are even harder if you are not taking them by choice.

I agree our expectations are so much more now, some things people consider to be essential I think of as a luxury that could be sacrificed - but that is because I grew up in a home like Mrs LW. I am sure there were things my parents took for granted that their parents though were luxuries (particularly as they were the generation trying to raise families duing the war).

I do detect a sea-change though, at least for part of society, a move away from commercialism towards making every penny count. I am sure we will see more people having rather than chosing to do this, and a lot of people teetering on the edge of being able to keep body and soul together.

tiff

I feel the same as the last two posters. I also feel more and more like I'm "nesting". These last two weeks we have been very careful as its been a long month since payday, next one is next Friday. The other day I knew I needed to stay away from the shops, so went home after dropping kids at school and changed some things around in my house, cleaned, lit candles etc and just felt very grateful for what I do have. I've done a lot of baking lately, sometimes for something to do at the weekend to kill time and have something nice to eat at the end of it. My husband thought it was great!

As a couple we have learnt a lot, financially, over the last 4 or 5 years. It has been a complete turnaround from how we used to be, we still struggle but instead of having to find our next penny with debts hanging over us, now we're almost debt free and struggling to live within our means which is a big difference.

SDG31000

Good Evening everyone

VJsmum my Kitchen Aid mixer is called Daisy Darling and my shopping trolley is named Dotty. So a bit like me really. DH has an iphone 4s as his work phone and the boys have an ipod touch each, which I am a little envious of, but then I wouldn't use most of the apps on them anyway. I have a 2nd gen ipod mini the lives in a docking station in the kitchen to entertain me while I cook.
MrsLurcherwalker I agree with much of what you say, but I went to the cinema a lot more than my kids do and my Mom went more than I did when she was younger. Now with the multiplexes it costs a fortune just to see the film without the added cost of drinks and treats. Whereas I used to go to an old cinema with 3 screens and pay around £2-3 per film. My Mom had a cinema in the place she grew up and paid a lot less than that. It was a regular weekly thing to go and watch a film. Now we go once or twice a year if that.

DH phoned earlier to say that his Granny had got him gardening. DS1 asked if she could take pictures as proof as DH is normally only found in the garden lying in a hammock on sunny days. I have to admit that the garden looks terrible and needs a lot of work. The problem is that we don't have the first clue where to begin. It's very heavy clay soil and the only thing we have successfully grown is ivy that is threatening to turn triffid like. I would love to grow fruit and veg, but every attempt so far has failed.
Mr S delivered earlier, but sent 6 sausages instead of the ordered 10 that were in the 3 for £10 deal. I wish they would subsistute so that you still get the deals. I also now that the ingredients for yogurt marmalade cake I've been meaning to try. Recipe is here http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/07/yogurt-marmalade-cake-to-die-for/
My theory is that anything containing natural yogurt is healthy and therefore allowed....hence the size of my thighs lol.
I'm finally trying ChocClare's chinese chicken recipe after telling myself that I should for ages. Hopefully the soy sauce is ok as I brought it years ago and then had to go on a low salt diet due to high blood pressure. I'm in the mood for mash tonight so must go and peel some spuds soon.
Then I need to separate DS1 from the ps3 and find something that everyone will watch. It might be time for a Big Bang Theory marathon. I have to admit to loving that show and having a soft spot for geeks in general.
Take care everyone. I'll let you know how the cake turns out xxxx

paidinchickens

silvasava wrote: »

OOhh - just got on to the main site & got the new 'MSE Masthead' made me go all 'wibble -wobble' 'cos I couldn't find out at first where to log in & the forums are going to get 'done over' on Monday :eek:
I need a drink

That's what I thought when I put it on last night so I'm glad I am not the only one

I watched the midwife programme on Iplayer during the week and really enjoyed it (I don't usually watch much TV) My little old man (old next door neighbour who stayed here at Christmas) rang me last night and he was telling me a few tales as his Mum used to be a midwife in London. We had a good old natter about this and it made me smile knowing he would be thinking about different things his Mum told him so he can tell me next week bless him.

Had the foster babies just over a week now and they are slowly coming round. They are eating better and have even managed to play a little. I try and spend at least three hours in total through the day with them but blimey it has been so cold they have practically kicked me out, shut the doors to the pen and turned the heating up themselves.

Made some more butter, done some baking and got a few things from a jumble and they days has whizzed past.

Must dig out some stuff for Feebay tomorrow but tonight I may have a Christmas present Voddy or two

Have a great weekend

PIC x

greenbee

SDG - I'm on clay soil. Roses grow really well to improve the soil I dig in sharp sand, grit and chicken poo. I mulch with bark which then gets dug in. Over time the soils has improved hugely.

Mrs_Chip

SDG - I'm sure the soy will be fine, I don't think it goes off!

Have you thought about raised beds? A bit of an outlay to start with for frames (unless you are building them with the rocks you have dug out of the garden like me:D), and infill, but having them made growing stuff in the garden in London, (which included all the rubble from being bombed in the war!) so much easier.

3v3

When to stock up on peanut butter today; yesterday it was 52p a jar of Tesco value pb - today? 92p!!!!! :mad: That is one big hike in price!

PB is now off the menu! I'm an "old-styler" not an old fool

shegar

Me and hubby are both trying to eat healthy, which means we arnt eating cakes,biscuits,wafers, yoghurts,sweets etc etc......And I cant believe how the shopping bill has gone down, we are eating porridge every morning which is very cheap to buy and im buying the branded stuff not cheap super markets own brand........Im making something for tea that is near enough from scratch.......Good healthy stuff, we always say "we cant cut back anymore" but you can and will find cheaper and better alternatives.........We had baked tater with baked beans on , now thats cheap, filling, and cheerful, Im going to make rice pudding for tomorrows tea for desert, thats very filling and cheap to make,probaly do roast chicken for main meal.........ive got loads of new cheap meals im going to make in the next month or two, trying to cut back , but still eat healthy ,and most importantly hope to lose a pound or two in the process...:D

jpscloud

3v3 wrote: »

When to stock up on peanut butter today; yesterday it was 52p a jar of Tesco value pb - today? 92p!!!!! :mad: That is one big hike in price!

PB is now off the menu! I'm an "old-styler" not an old fool

Wow that's the biggest "value" hike I've heard of so far. They are such bandits!

Edit: I notice Asda and Sainsbugs have also hiked their smartprice/basics pb up to 92p as well.