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

Evie74_2

Good afternoon everyone and many congratulations GQ and others on your new arrivals!

Fuddle - I've also been the victim of a few raised eyebrows at the school gates when I've happened to mention my storecupboard, or the fact that I make my own bread (I've got a breadmaker, it's not as if I am getting up at 4am every day to make it by hand!).

As far as I am concerned it is perfectly normal and sensible to keep a reasonable stock of basic foodstuffs to hand in case of emergency, and if other people choose not to do that, it's their problem. Well done for not letting it get to you.

Most of the mums at my DD's school seem to exist on convenience foods and feed their kids the same way - I've been shocked by some of the children who have come home for tea and basically won't eat anything unless it's covered in orange breadcrumbs. One child even refused to eat a "layered" fruit fromage frais on the basis that the yogurt at the top was touching some fruit.

I fear for the future, I really do. In the meantime, let those who wish to judge, judge. I know I am doing right by my family, and that's all that matters really.

Evie xx

GreyQueen

castleton wrote: »

I have to tell you that I too will become a new mummy this week.My present fridge is 10 years old and for quite a while has been going strange, I'll not go into detail. Sunday it breethed it's last. I am now waiting for my new fridge freezer. I am so excited. I am glad there is someone who knows how I feel. Congatulations on your little one Grey Queen

It's a momentous occasion, getting a new appliance. I feel I should invite people around to admire it but my pals already think I'm nuts without needing verification.

Be sure to let us know when your newbie arrives and what its name is. Mum's washing machine is called Charlie. This is because her first ever automatic washer was a Carlton= Charlie, the second was a Zanussi (Charles II) and the current incumbent is a Bosch (Charles III). It's a wonder that I'm sane, isn't it?

I know what you mean about fridge height. Most people think I have a 3/4 height fridge-freezer which sits under the wall cabinet with just enough space for the trays. Most people, I have discovered, are not terribly observant and tend to see what they expect to see, not what is really there.

What I actually have is a countertop freezer which sits on top of an undercounter fridge. The mini freezer has a lot more capacity than most fridge-freezers and it means that they can go on and off at different times. And as everyone I know who has had a FF die has actually had either the fridge or the freezer part die, it means that I don't chuck the whole appliance. After all, there aren't many women who can hug a loaded freezer in her arms and lug it into the bedroom, are there?:rotfl:It is undoubtably eccentric but it works for me, and I'm the one who lives here.

Right, going to have a wander in the wonderful world of You Tube. I came late to broadband and haven't lost the sense of wonder.......chiefly, wondering why they can't get the audio to sync with the visuals.

Remember, if you can't be good, be careful, and if you can't be careful, it's no good coming running to me for your bail money.

fuddle

I asked my MIL if she had rhubarb in her garden.. she said yey and I can have a clump so thank you for mentioning that.

My grandma always had a pantry full of cookery basics. I've been thinking about that and supposed 'progress'. Yes, there's progress but there's also an equally relevant word and that's regression. Progress is not a given and I understand that. Progress isn't what happens in life automatically but many people seem to think that it's their right to progress. Oh, I'm waffling. I just mean that things don't happen how we like them. There's travesty and adversity all over the world, all of the time.

Who knows what will happen but if I struggle to get my basic requirement of food I want to be able to stand half a chance of getting some.

Personally I don't think I'm loopy. I think I'm sensible.

[Deleted User]

We don't think you're loopy either, and you are VERY sensible. As for this thing called progress it seems to have completely passed me by I'm thankful to say. Perhaps if people tried standing still for a while, dare I even suggest taking a look back at how things have been instead of galloping forward to the next fad they might be a bit more contented and keep thier feet firmly on the ground for a change, where they will find the likes of us waiting eh FUDDLE? Cheers Lyn x. Keep the faith!!!!!

shegar

Hi all hope your enjoying this sunshine at last,hubbys in respite this week so im doing a lot of catch up jobs that I cant normally do, like gardening,stocking the cupboards up,gardening,painting, you know it all it never stops always something to do..........Dont get much time to come here, I seem to skim read very quick and thats about it, but I do like popping in.........Its a lovely evening out, I do like walking in the garden in the evenings, get the lovely smell of the honeysuckles and roses everywhere:D:D....It dont get much better than that....

Ive had a very sick looking great tit on my feeders for more than a week and I noticed it had something on its head, I took some photos of it,, poor little thing, Ive done a bit of research and I thought it had got "avian pox" so I sent the pic to RSPB and they have confirmed it too, its a bout the size of a broad bean on top of its head and its pinkish, yet it seems to be eating away at all the feeders, but sadly it wont get over it.............Hate seeing animals/birds etc in that state.............
Right im off to have a wander round the garden and shut the hens up for the night............

prepareathome

Hi all, love this talk about stocking up, can I let you into a secret I ran ( well technically still do as it still exists) a group on yahoo which I started way back in 2001 and it was all about how to survive in your own home during most emergencies ( obviously there are somethings that mean you must leave your home) but I even had a website - again still do giving info on stocking up. I switched servers as managed to get 'getting british business on-line to pay for it which means I never have to worry about the fees but not got round to putting back all the info that once was on it, although still have all the files backed up on discs.

It was never about coping away from home although I did put info on starting a fire, making shelter with what was available, what to put in a BOB (emergency bag if you have to leave home suddenly) then health took turn for worst and for a good few years barely did anything. Group was quite busy at one time and of course we did have people come on to try and talk about weapons etc but that I banned as following UK law.


I think my interest came from childhood, we never had any food apart from some tea, sugar, milk and porridge in the house over night, shopping was done on a daily basis. It did mean if shops closed for any reason we went without and not just me but brothers and sisters all only feel happy when we have food in the house even if its just a weeks worth ( that has happened to us a lot in recent years) I thought it was because we were poor but when I was looking through old accounts books after dad died last July I found he had a very good income but only gave me enough each day to buy what he said - he priced up things and if mum said she had to pay a penny more he accused her of lying, boy I remember those rows as he would only price things out once a year so of course things rose in price but for that whole year he would not give her an extra penny - in 1962 he gave her 3s( 15p) a day and she was allowed to spend up 5s(25p) at the butchers as he ran a tab there and paid it weekly. All his money went on his 'inventions' and he used to say he never got much for them but his account books show different. Mum put up with it until I was 10 and then it was my job to feed a family of 6 then 7 on 10s ( 50p) a day. I know I came up with some weird and wonderful meals and of course wasn't just food but all the toileteries etc.

I should be the frugal queen with such a training but when I first got my own flat I rebelled and spent money like water - in those days I had the money to do it but once married and started a family and hubby not exactly into working hard I soon had to manage again on shoestring after we came back from Scotland. Stock cupboard has ensured my children never went to bed hungry or even went without any meals or even treats it was and is a store cupboard yet an investment cupboard also and nothing makes me happier than when I am adding to it (cupboard can mean dried, tinned,frozen, household, pet food, clothes, bedding etc.) I also try to ensure I have alternative ways to heat and cook as well as other odds and ends.

Sorry waffling, displacement activity as trying to stop worrying as on Saturday we received 3 letters ( and now told another on its way) from WTC informing us that we have been overpaid nearly every year since 2005/6 even though I have had them check and recheck through out the year we were getting right money and had benefits charity who filled in ESA form for me check over the years as well - they always said we should get more money as well as HB and CTB but those I have sworn I will only touch if hubby becomes unemployed as whenever we had had it in the past due to hubby being off sick the minute he has gone back to work they write and tell me I have to pay it back - I have reams of paper giving me all sorts of daft excuses why I have to repay it ( like when oldest son turned 18 and they decided he was my spouse and earning £250, although he was still at school getting ready to sit his A'levels ) but I thought I really had ensured we would never be overpaid from WTC.

When I phoned eventually today - just not up to it mentally yesterday and said I am phoning to find out why I was overpaid and before even asking me my name or NI number the woman told me as if reading from a card ' I have to inform you that we take the recovery of any overpayment very seriously and we will take legal action which could result in a custodial sentence if you refuse to repay it'. Then when I gave my details she asked me was I paying it all today or would I have it paid by 28th July which is when they want the overpayment cleared by.

I could not get any reason why they decided I have been over paid - I checked with them the figures I gave each year for the year ahead and each year we had, had less income not more as hubby's wages have been going down since 2004, and although my income was given at correct rate each year.

So just when we are getting things sorted, we now have a nice debt. The woman as I mentioned wanted me to pay it all in one go, or by end of next month and amount is more than our income so when I explained this she asked what my rent and council tax is and told me I was to pay it back at £50pm, no ifs or buts its that or I am classed as refusing to pay and will get taken to court so I had cut and cut so we had enough to live on and buy my bits for my garden and get one audio book ( via audible) and two knitting magazines and my £2 a month fees for WI but will now have to make more cuts. I don't think I spend money on anything else for me.

I am so tired of this, if I could at least go out and about it would maybe make it easier but being stuck here and knowing am going to be stuck even more as if we have a nice Sunday at all this summer its unlikely I will have the money for the petrol for a run out. All my dla is basically wasted on my fold up mobilty scooter as got it so we can go out for runs but up till now we have only had one nice sunday when had money for petrol, its so annoying I would happily go out in it but dare not take the chance of going out on my own as most likely run someone down.

Sorry am just feeling sorry for myself, I am so scared all the time that my money will stop - this morning it wasn't in the bank till gone 4am, its usually in around 12.30am and I couldn't sleep as was so worried that they had decided my pottering in my garden for half an hour every week or so or coming on-line proves I am capable of working - there is an MP who said that if someone can 'tweet' all day then they are able to work and called on people to' shop' anyone on benefits who does this. With all that is going on now I cannot relax at all as a paper saying I will get it for the next two years is no garantee anymore, and I doubt I will fit what they want for the replacement of DLA so scooter will go and that will be end of any days out if can get money together.

I know there are people on here living on less than us am sure its just knowing this massive debt is hanging over us which is going to take years to pay off.

Had just budgeted for car brake pads to be replaced next week which I will still be doing as they must be replaced, we had an advisory to replace them in around 2 months after the MOT in April and without car I will definitely not go anywhere as car thankfully is paid for so its running costs work out cheaper than if I was to use taxis to go everywhere.

I know I need a big kick up the *** am tired as even after money appeared in bank I was past sleep.

So apart from bills I am going to try and not spend any money for a while ( do have to get birthday card for DGD and her and DGS presents) - at least I have the soaps you made for them MAR, as I want to try and throw as much money as I can to this debt to get it cleared as soon as I can - woman did say if hubby did overtime she would expect me to pay that to them towards the overpayment.

Arggggggg just realised I wanted to get more tinned tomatoes from Mr S as they have some for 31p a tin and some more lentils to bulk out my meals, have some but not that much, but apart from that have enough to keep us going for a while but again it means my store cupboard will disappear.

Did pick up a few more YS things - they had their basics beef and veg pasties pack of three reduced to 34p so bought 4 packs, might not be the healthiest food, but couldn't make them for that and two with some potatoes and veg will at least fill us up. They had another lamb roast reduced from £6.50 to £3.24 so have cut it up into two so another two lamb meals which will be nice and other bits and bobs like a dozen basics bread rolls for 12p, again cheaper than I could make so bought 2 dz , so freezer is totally packed, not a gap left. I at long last remembered to pick up more ground ginger as was totally out and hair condtioner - their basics 24p for 500mls and it makes my hair lovely and soft with a glossy sheen.

So will go back to my extra frugal days, as I admit not as frugal as I could be, always something you can do cheaper or make something last longer or go further.

Feel free to kick me up and down to get me out of this poor little me I am so hard done to mood........I will bounce back I promise........

Eyes are closing so going to shut this down and go to sleep

Hugs. Love and Healing to all

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Byatt

PAH, I am sorry about the overpayment, trying to get a sensible answer out of them is like trying to fly to the moon. I am psyching myself up for a phone cal tomorrow as I've not heard from them regarding a letter I sent over a month ago. Just dread it, and I'm used to civil service bods. It's so frustrating. May I suggest you write to them and ask for an explanation?

BTW I got the tinned pots yesterday, I was really surprised at how large the tines are for 20p! I bought 4 and going to try some and if ok, will get more. I also got their cheap dry mash stuff to try.

Well done on your happy acquisition GQ and Castleton, I daren't name anything now as I get too attached.

prepareathome

GQ forgot to say congratulations on your new arrival - ours is 12 years old now and although the shelf has been taped over to fill in the gaps from when I dropped it and it smashed, it still works just doesn't look that good - I have a ff which has normal size fridge with half size freezer as full size on just looked daft in our galley kitchen and it means top can be used for microwave rather than take up any precious work space ( but I do have a medium size chest freezer that is 8 years old that lives in the hall behind the front door). Our all singing and dancing coffee maker actually lives on top of the microwave - must have used it all of 20 times but cannot bare to part with it as I actually love the thing, I hasten to add I didn't buy it was an anniversary present from daughter years ago.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to list everything I have and then work out a basic meal plan so can see if I do need to add anything

Hugs, Love and healing xxxxxxxx

Possession

Yes PAH if you are sure about your figures I would write for a breakdown of where they think you have been overpaid. Though I must say I don't understand any of it - I have 2 degrees and DH is a chartered accountant but we are floundering around not knowing what's going on except that we used to be entitled to WTC and now we aren't. I hate to think of all the people now worried they aren't going to be able to make ends meet - the system desperately needs reforming I know but there ought to be a better way to do it.

Mrs_Chip

PAH - so sorry you are having problems with the HMRC idiots -

you can open a dispute - here
God knows what they think they are doing, where on earth do they think you will get the money from????

I guess you have used the online WTC calculator to check your numbers?