make do and mend for tougher times

Possession

Happy (possible) birthday Spiky!
Having internet and download nightmares here and going into brain melt. But DH has a 2nd interview which is a good thing, right?!

Pooky

Pips - feet up, rest and relax (I know it's easier said than done), fingers crossed x

spiky - :bdaycake: happy birthday (if it isn't, have the cake anyway )

I'm waiting for my new dresser to be delivered today, hurry up delivery men, I want it now!!!!!

I've even done all the ironing whilst waiting for them to turn up :eek:. Decided I really do need a new iron though, the steam function on mine has died and it's ruddy hard work. I've cleaned it out to no avail. I really begrudge buying new irons, they're not pretty and I hate using them.....harrumph!

Depending on dresser arrival time (and build time) I want to get to Mr S's for more tea bags, I brought two boxes to try and they're lovely. Mr As had 3 lts of veg oil for £3 yesterday, I got a couple to store away as it seemed a great price.

Can anyone recommend a dry packet mix for nut roast? Mr A used to do one but I can't get it anymore, was so convenient on a busy day.

kidcat

Happy birthday spiky

Possession that's really good news

We are sitting in heavy traffic on our way to cadburys OH refused to use toll road

so we are sitting with DS8 who hates traffic jams and my bad back. Had call before we left to ask me to attend a job interview on Friday not sure whether I definitely want the job and had assumed it was actually a job where someone was already chosen and they were just advertising to make it look good.

Have decided to go along and if I get it then decide if its the right thing to do.

VJsmum

Kidcat - sorry about the traffic. Doesn't the M6 toll go round Birmingham? So prob wasn't much use anyway. I got caught in that traffic last week - Junction 9 - 6 I think? Gonna be there for 18 months or so I think. The roadworks, that is, not you I hope

Enjoy cadbury's. Mine love it. I never thought you could eat too much chocolate until I went there.

Happy Birthday spiky.:T

Possession

Have a good time at Cadbury World Kidcat. Try not to make yourself feel sick like I did!

Byatt

Possession wrote: »

Happy (possible) birthday Spiky!
Having internet and download nightmares here and going into brain melt. But DH has a 2nd interview which is a good thing, right?!

Defintiely a good thing, good luck vibes for Mr P. :T

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

I agree pops. Have you ever tried contacting the county wide county hall helpline for anything? You're forever held in a queue. Much better than when we had out own district councils. I voted against, and so did many people. Didn't they just go ahead with the changes anyway?

One thing about private rented is that you don't have the same security as you would with HA. My LL could say at any time he wants his property back and we have 2 months to get out.

I tested my heating for 10 minutes today (nothing to do with being cold, ok maybe) I really need to toughen up if I'm going to cut down. Anyway, it works

All of the above Fuddle. Most of the time in my life I have been positiive, I am not known as miserable but I am now. I should try and show some fight but I have lost my "Get up and go!"

I don't feel like doing anything at all and I still cannot change what the future holds whether I move through choice, am forced, finances change or try to stay put things don't look good.

I don't know why they asked everyone to vote in that exerise as you suggest they did what they wanted to anyhow, I've never met anyone who voted "Yes!" And it's true what you say about the helpline. When I phone they usually say all the lines are busy, tell you call back later and cut you off. So even if you are prepared to wait they won't let you...

That is the worry if you go into private housing...I really do wonder and what I am about to say sounds defeatest, with what is happening in this country I am bothered about living to a grand old age, with all the worries, what should be a nice period of your life(after working, if you had reasonably unemployment)this is when you are supposed to have time to do what you want to and it isn't happening for many or won't.

I think if you are retired now it is not bad for many but even on here many are struggling so the thought its going to get worse is so depressing.

Popperwell

rosieben wrote: »

I'm a pensioner, in a 2-bed flat (LA sheltered housing) and I pay for the second bedroom. I get LHA as mentioned before.

We can see what's happening can't we...Private rented property larger than one bedroom if you are single you have to pay for the extra bedrooms...

LA sheltered housing if the property has more bedrooms, you pay for them so that is like a Bedroom Tax.

Now social housing the same again...so basically you may as well say everyone is paying BT.

Only if you can afford to buy your own property can you avoid the charges. But the worries over jobs and incomes etc...do not guarantee a roof over your head as your money may dry up so you can't afford the mortguage and we must not forget that you may not pay rent but you have repairs to do and still have to pay CT and water Rates...

They've got us every way...:(:mad: and yet there are not enough smaller properties for most to downsize to but what they do offer to single people(and couples are mainly like that song about "Little Boxes" too B***** small.

I know a couple working in Tesco's and even on their wage all they have is a property(bit like a one bedroom flat, more like a bedsit and there is no dividing wall so you walk from your bed into the rest of the interior)and obviously even working they can't get anything better.

Do you mind giving an idea how much they make you pay for the second bedroom?

I understand that the BT will be approx £13 per unused room but if you are in an HA property they will charge £15 why I don't know...

Popperwell

Forgetting about the paying of tax and those who are on a minimum wage or on benefits due to low wages, illness, unemployment etc...

They say the average wage in the UK is £250 a week(I don't believe that)but anyhow assuming you don't get help from the state...

The average property around here annually is £5,200 rent, £2,000 council tax and with BT Tax £1,344 so you have to have around £170 in wages each week before you do anything. So lets assume £250 is the norm you have £80 to pay for clothes, electric, gas, travel expenses, food and whatever else and again you may have to pay tax.

It's not good. And should you have savings £16,000 you'll not get any help, makes you wonder why anyone saves? Penalised if you do and if you don't you liveon the readline and have to jump through all the hoops to try and receive help which is getting harder to get.

D&DD

WHOOP WHOOP citylink just came and the book is FABULOUS!!!!
It must have been created 'specially for us OldStylers its so spot on..:T:T:T
Everything from ploughing up the land at the start of the war through to make do and mend,foraging oh my god I'm going to have to read it all tonight I think