make do and mend for tougher times

fuddle

Softstuff wrote: »

Jeez Fuddle, it's hard enough coming here with a bit of cash in hand, but coming out in debt :eek: I hope they have some decent jobs lined up and a plan for housing. I think 10-15 years ago it was easier here, but then again, wasn't it everywhere?

They are coming over with an emigration firm. He has a decent job lined up but she doesn't and won't work. They have £1000 worth in their pockets for when they get over there but they think that's ok as the firm pays for their rent for the first few months. Personally I would be really, really worried but I'm a worrier.

Possession

Ollycob do you have a pre-payment certificate for prescriptions? It makes them very much cheaper but I can appreciate it might not be possible to get if you're already trying to find the money for extra bills. : (

Softstuff

Well, I'll add my crossed fingers to those already crossed for them. Like you though Fuddle, I'd be, if you'll pardon the expression, cacking my pants!

When I moved over I had plenty of cash in hand, hubby (before he was hubby even) had a pretty well paid secure job and we were living with his parents. I had a degree and plenty of good experience. And to cut a long story very short, it hasn't all been a walk in the park (though I still wouldn't change anything for the world, but that is all down to hubby). I think also that things were easier here even as little as 5 years ago. Still, there's plenty to recommend about living here, and I don't think living is all that easy in England right now .

valk_scot

mardatha wrote: »

just wish I lived somwhere stuff would grow for longer in the year .

Polytunnel? They cost a bit up front but a friend of mine who lives up north near our mutual pal A has a polytunnel and said it paid for itself in the first year of growing.

katieowl_2

Food prices are already going up....I was saying yesterday that when went to the bulk market Friday morning in Newcastle Emlyn that the onions in sacks (@£7.50)were a lot more than Bookers, the cash and carry (last look £5) and one of the other traders said that his prices (the Emlyn man) was pretty good usually, and we were speculating that it's just the new season's prices filtering through - the pickle lady was saying that apples had gone up to £12 a box wholesale. I guess when DD and her BF move out this week (:j) that I'll do that run of a Friday anywaay and we'll split spuds, onions and some fruit between the three households.

Yeah I'm pretty worried about the price of food too. I already shop 'to the bone' pretty much :mad:

Kate

midnight_express

Prepaid prescriptions cost £29.10 for 3 months or £104 for 12 months. You can get free prescriptions if you are on income based JSA.

born_blonde

I normally use rapeseed oil in cooking, that has now disappeared from my local Morrisons which might be something to do with the recent harvest.

I will go back to olive oil and buy when on offer but I have recently read somewhere that the olive crop has failed in Spain.

So I'll be going even further back to saving the fat when we cook meat .
We don't deep fry but use oil everyday to soften onions etc.

fuddle

MrsL you're always in my corner. No i'll never be on my own going through this which is why I wish Popperwell would take the olive branch and come back so he can get the support he needs when times change.

Does anyone use hand cream? My hands are awfully dry. Is there anything out there that is proven good good for housewife hands and has stood the test of time... without being any more than a couple of £'s?

Ollycob

midnight_express wrote: »

Prepaid prescriptions cost £29.10 for 3 months or £104 for 12 months. You can get free prescriptions if you are on income based JSA.

Really?! Amazing! Will speak to the JobCentre on Monday when I sign on next or do I speak to the Dr? I'm on about 5 different tablets - 3 for my back and 2 for my IBS (I'm a medical disaster :rotfl:) so it really adds up.

mardatha

Prescriptions are free here and have been for years - I dono why the hell they aren't down south! So unfair.
Thinking the wartime cookery books wil come into their own this winter - with the shortage of fat and meat they had then.