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

Byatt

Possession wrote: »

Do you guys have any wise words of advice for me? Things are very tough financially at the moment and as we've taken a huge cut in the money coming in each month (ie it's a third of what it was) we have our own set of austerity measures. The trouble is, the kids are finding it hard. Not that they were ever horribly spoiled, but if we wanted to go to the cinema for example, we had the money to do it and now we don't. Just wondered if anyone had any ideas/experiences to help make it a bit easier for them. They are age 7 & 10.

Here's a link where someone else wanted ideas, but not sure if it's what you mean.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3995375=

Can you have a once a month treat by saving change or selling something on fleabay/car boot?

Byatt

GQ, some fab ideas, and I wish I had thought of the ice-cream van one! :rotfl::rotfl:

Poor DD been given tramadol now, I understand that's quite a potent painkiller. The district nurse still seeing her every day...some of the packing is still inside the wound so gradually leaking out. She called me at 1 am this morning in a bit of a panic, and very scared. She says she just wants a hug from me. I'm not too well myself, but will try and go to hers this week.

Uniscots97

Possession, try the freebies board for the free screenings of films. There's more screenings of kids films at the moment because the summer holidays are coming up. You have to be quick though as they can be snapped up quickly.


We're finding it hard, OH moaning about me meeting up with my Mum or seeing friends. Its ok, he's working (I got made redundant) and still spending like its going out of fashion!!!! I told him its little things like that that's keeping me sane!

Byatt

Unix, why is your OH moaning about meeting your mum and friends?
These people are really important for your well being.

Uniscots97

Byatt wrote: »

Unix, why is your OH moaning about meeting your mum and friends?
These people are really important for your well being.

He's moaning as I'm supposed to be at home applying for jobs and not driving around (I pay the bills and for my car as he doesn't drive so I have to drive him to his work and pick him up so I was tying in seeing my Mum and friends with picking OH up), however as I explained to him I need my sanity and the stuff I do there isn't jobs advertised everyday. In the now 7 weeks since I finished I have applied for 312 jobs. I think that's pretty good going.

Possession

Thanks Fuddle that's really helpful. We don't have a Vue but I think the local Picture House has a kids' club on Saturdays so will see how much it is. Will have to check out metoyouplace - that sounds like something DD (7) would like. Luckily my work pays for our phone/internet access etc as I work from home. As we are winding down our business I will have more time for them now - doing 2 jobs they didn't have very much Mummy time. : (
I'm sure they will get used to it all quickly, it's just a bit of a shock at first.

fuddle wrote: »

My VUE cinema does cinema screening for £1.25 each for kids in the school holidays. They aren't the very latest latest films but a ggod day out... box of own popping corn. Etc. Days out at a park with a picnic, ok not great with the weather but still a good day out. The library is a great place to occupy my kids although mine are 3 and 7 so younger than your 10 year old. Games on the PC via CBBC, Disney Junior or lego ninjago. Mine play on metoyouplace as they're girly girls too. You can acess angry birds and petville via facebook (your own account though) all free. Digging for minbeasts or making bird cake for the birds. Lend 1001 things to do with your kids from the library etc or the usborne craft books or science experiments are great. Save some recycling to build models etc. Homemade paints and play doh with cookie cutters. Bake or even let the older kids bake themselves following instructions. I can cook on cbeebies have some child proof recipes that are healthy. Get he clothes horse out and a load of blankets to make a tent. HTH, it is hard but kids only need the basics and their parents attention to have a ball. Enjoy letting your mind run amock with fun ideas

fuddle

They will possession, they'll get used to it and actually it will be really good for them to not rely on 'things' to give them enjoyment. They will see the fun in making stuff happen themselves. It's a good way to live youknow, really it is. Being frugal has got under my skin in many ways. I appreciate everything and constantly quiz myself about how I could do better or get more out of my money. It's a challenge but in a good way. Possession you would be more than welcome to stick around here you know. It's cool and full of like minded people who are only too pleased to help us learn all they know.

Possession

Hmm we live on the edge of countryside so I'm sure there must be something we could forage, if only I could figure out what it was, LOL! The children love picking blackberries etc so they'd enjoy that. DD would also enjoy charity shop visits but going into town with her is a bit of a nightmare, even at 7 she's a shopaholic! So I might have to work myself up to that one, I've been completely avoiding all but food shopping. I did start comping - never won anything - but stopped when we started the business and I was working all the time. I will start again. We already have loads of DVDs, Blu-rays from the good old days, so a family film evening is very doable.
We aren't on the breadline, there are many many people far worse off than us, and hopefully DH will find a job sooner rather than later.

mcculloch29 wrote: »

Hello Possession. My marriage broke up 20 years ago when my children were 8 & 13, not too different in age range from yours. I was overseas, but had a pt job and managed quite well, then I came home to no job, a house to run and endowment payments to meet... it was scary but we got through. My daughter has said that looking back she's not sure how we did it, but we did.
The children understood that there wasn't the money for all that they would like but we were all in it together.
We became top class foragers (I know what elderflower looks like...) and it was fun, going out into the countryside locally.
I scoured charity shops for clothes for us all.
It's impossible to live on benefits (you just exist) so I took up childminding again, although I also did some courses to improve my employability prospects.
Re the cinema. We used to arrange the furniture in rows of chairs, pop popcorn, draw the curtains and have a home cinema experience with a video. Locally around here, quite a few community halls do family film sessions.
Toys and games... I entered every competition I could get my hands on and encouraged the children to do this too. We were very successful. These days most competitions are on the net and skill in slogan writing is rarely needed.
The children both joined local organisations such as the Boys' Brigade, which gave them a lot of experiences that I couldn't have afforded to give them in weekends away. Other parents helped out with SH uniform.

Try Freecycle for bikes for the children - or yourself - or other toys, jigsaws, books, games etc.

Please do ensure you are claiming every benefit that you can - I made sure I did. I got the house insulated too. Make sure you thoroughly investigate anything else that claiming a benefit entitles you to.
Good luck!

Byatt

unixgirluk wrote: »

He's moaning as I'm supposed to be at home applying for jobs and not driving around (I pay the bills and for my car as he doesn't drive so I have to drive him to his work and pick him up so I was tying in seeing my Mum and friends with picking OH up), however as I explained to him I need my sanity and the stuff I do there isn't jobs advertised everyday. In the now 7 weeks since I finished I have applied for 312 jobs. I think that's pretty good going.

That's extremely good going! :T It takes up so much time too, and yes, you definitely need a break...hope your OH understands that.

stiltwalker

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

We have had sun today - sorry!

I must admit we spent the best of it cleaning out one of the fryers - a horrible job but necessary, but it has been lovely all day. High cloud piling in now so I expect tomorrow will be rain. Good job we grabbed an hour or so in the garden, never know when the next time will be .

Oh I feel for you - cleaning the fryers is one thing I really don't miss from my tea room days and I only had one small countertop one! I used to have to do it before I opened up in case the customers heard me swearing at the blummin, flippin thing!

Bit of a blow today as found out DD is going to age out of her therapy group at the end of this term - they'd tried to keep her as DS will need to be referred and she is still really benefiting from the group but there is no room for her.:( Think I may have to get stroppy as the provision from here on in sounds pretty carpy. I know the NHS is overstretched but kids with disabilities really shouldn't be missing out on vital therapies due to resources shortages! :mad::mad::mad:

SDG got the pulled pork in the oven at the moment - just had a cheeky tester and it's fab. DH and I having it for dinner tonight then it will do a couple more dinners and some lunches over the next few days while I do some mad last minute cramming. Speaking of which I must stop reading MSE and go and re-read a few more chapters while I give DS his last milk before bedtime - he's not going to be impressed at being dragged away from his sister's musical instruments to be put in his sleeping bag! But my ears will be!

Hope your exam went ok today Ivyleaf!