make do and mend for tougher times

FairyPrincessk

Wow, I was gone for a few days I think I'll never catch up!

That said, some of you need hugs, and that I can do.


OH and I did some shopping over the weekend, school supplies for him,craft supplies so I can start working on the xmas pressies and a few normal things, plus cold prevention supplies as it is start of term today and I always get Fresher's flu:eek: We were both exhausted as last week was such a busy week and now I'm finding it hard to work today. I have so much stuff from last week still to think about :rotfl:

Smoosh- obviously you have your plate full. Make sure you find out what other support resources your Uni has. It may be worth it to ask about the Uni's counselling service to have someone to chat to as you settle in. There is probably also some sort of advice for students about hardship funds, benefits and other resources available to students. Universities can be hard to navigate, but most of them do have a lot of resources to help with situations like this. In the long run, it sounds like you have made a decision with your future and your partner's in mind. It might be tough for awhile, but you'll get through it together. Just make sure you re-assure each other. Also check the Uni for part time work if you think you can manage it. They are often flexible since they employ a lot of students and work for students is sometimes better paid than other part time work. Check amazon for used version of any books you need to buy, and resell them after term if you don't need them for future use.

I've been in Uni for almost 10 years now, so if you need any suggestions let me know, I'm practically a professional student:cool:

Fuddle: those comments sound hurtful, but possibly well meant. I sort of wish someone had been around last week to make a similar comment. I've a very good friend on my course who has a similar situation to mine, except that she has more financial support from her parents. She managed to wrangle a lot more work this year by complaining that she was broke, and although I never begrudge that as our department helped me out when I needed extra work and people were very kind offering me what they didn't need, she was sitting in our training showing off all the very expensive clothes she has just bought on her smart phone. Now, she has had a very difficult time over the past two years and I know things are tough and she just wanted a treat, but it really got to me. She is always bleating on about how broke she is and then does stuff like that. Sometimes I just wish someone would show her what it means to be really broke--and there were many people around that table less fortunate that I am:mad:

Nice to be back today. Reminds me of what is important to me. OH was rushing around this morning--new schedule and no microwave at work. He'd forgot to make his sandwich last night so I quickly did him one while I was cooking my porridge. Sounds silly, but I'm pleased we've saved the price of a sandwich for him. Also sent him off with fruit and a little bag of nuts I parcelled up from a bigger pack at Aldi. It might only save us a couple of pounds, but I feel like I stuck to what we want.:o

prepareathome

My raspberry bushes is making a liar of me, just had a wander out by fruit garden(that sounds so grand, its about 10 bushes all near each other under a fruit cage as I encourage birds so felt it was worth the money) and found two of my three bushes are laden with fruit, still green but I stopped counting when I reached 100. So if they can just survive to ripen I might get a pound or two of jam.......oh am hoping so. Also found a tomato plant that somehow ended up in a pot at other side of garden that has not been hit by blight, only couple of dozen tomatoes on it but they are all firm green but healthy looking, heaven knows why I put them there but maybe just maybe might actually get some tomatoes this year, they are only 10ft from where all the blighted ones were so am amazed they have not been affected. I have not fed them or anything as I thought the stuff in those pots was just greenery left from other plants so not going to do anything to them, leave well alone and see if they survive.

Talking about birds (well I did mention them in passing lol) we have had a couple of crows this year, never had them in garden before but they appeared earlier in the year and are always out there and so brave, never bother about me and continue doing whatever they are doing even if I go right by them.

I just had a thought, could they be the reason I have seen a sharp decline in the slugs in back garden this year, I managed to grow lots of lettuce out there in pots and did not lose one to slugs, that has never happened ever. If so am quite happy for them to continue to come and they will always find plenty of slugs to eat. I make sure food is available for the bigger birds with open feeders for them ( wire mesh trays on feeding station) as well as the closed feeders for the smaller birds. They might keep the field mice population down so we don't have any moving into the house as we have every winter. I love sitting by back door watching all the birds that use our garden - sparrows, dunocks,collared doves ( my favourite), blackbird, robins and one pair of wild pigeons who are very well behaved. This past couple of weeks around 4pm I have had sparrows lining the top of the small fence that runs at either side of the path ( HA kindly when put in path put it up so I have something to hold onto as I walk up instead of me using crutch and I never asked for it, so was very pleased), counted 37 last Friday. They sit there waiting to take their turn at the feeders.

Just that little foray has made me feel so tired but pain thankfully not bad, was hoping as dry for a change to maybe after being to friends start clearing vegetable beds for the over wintering ones that will be here by Thursday, but not even sure will get to friends now as all I want to do is sleep yet slept 12hrs, although woke up a lot but soon slept again.

Not sorted anything yet for dinner. I do buy odd ready things for hubby to make himself when I am not up to it as he says it takes to long to reheat meals I freeze (food must not take longer than 20-25mins to cook or reheat if its longer he will not do it for himself). So have the FB pies, tins of beans and sausages, meatballs and beans and if I see any YS I will pick up things like ready meals like lasange, spag bol etc, but he will never do them, so I do them for him on days when I am able to potter round later but to late to cook from scratch.

I do have a couple of basics sweet and sour sauce but they were 27p each as they are going up doubt will buy them again. I always have made my own sauces although will do say a mushroom one using a tin of mushroom soup as base. I do have tins of mushroom and tomato soup as usually costs more than a tin to make them and keep for emergencies a few tins of vegetable and chicken soup in but they would only be used mainly by hubby for a quick meal as I like to make my own soup.

I have more tins in now than ever before as part of my emergency stores so use them in meals I am making to bulk it out. If I want say stew and am not up to peeling fresh and somehow am out of frozen I will throw a couple of tins of vegetable soup in as better than no vegetables at all.

When I first took ill I was rather bad for a while not able to cook, walk or really do anything until I re-learnt how to do things( I certainly didn't have an over weight problem then, was getting told to put weight on ) and doctor asked hubby if he was cooking and of course he said no he can't and didn't want to learn, so she got in touch with social services who arranged for me to have meals at discount from Wiltshire farm food who supplies the meals for the meals on wheels service now - all frozen. I was only allowed to buy them at discount for me not hubby but social worker told him in no uncertain terms he was not to use the food as I had to have a good diet and if he wanted to live out of tins that was his choice but my food was not to be eaten by him. Must admit they were quite tasty,portions were small but fine for me but was glad when I was able do things myself again.

Hugs and Love to allxxxx

fuddle

In comparing the different lives i.e. the me when I had money and the me now, I would say that the feeling you get when you get something new and irrelevant or not needed is an instant gratification that instantly boogars off again. The feeling you get when you get something that is needed, has been saved for or is an absolute bargain, stays with you giving you an internal smirk each time you see it/use it.

Being frugal (and skint!) makes you work harder for everything and in turn everything is appreciated

Edit: apologies if this appears to be a random spiel. It's in reply to fairyprincess's smartphone clothes buying colleague

I am no longer in debt with the gas company either I emptied my savings and paid it off. Just the electric to pay off now but chipping away and extra £5 every month. I'll get there.

Also, DH and I have been talking about the house buying. Our plan is to get our own home in preparation for retirement. We would like a small terraced in a decent community (we know where) and will save 50% before we even think about mortgage hunting. Major money but it's a life plan so we can hopefully not have a mortgage or rent to pay in retirement.

meanmarie

As petrol prices are going up here every day it seems, I have gone to driving at 60kph as much as possible, OH put €20 in tank this am and am determined to make it last as long as possible...it used to be our weekly spend but has been almost double in recent times...will see how much I can save...

Sun and wind interspersed with torrential rain here so nothing doing outside, washing will go on airers and have just put heat on....OH is cold.

Marie

fuddle

53mph is apparently the most cost effective speed to go. DH took to moseying around the back roads to get home in order to conserve fuel (as opposed to motorway driving) when he didn't have the work car. He also took the back seats out (against insurance rules in normal cars, ours was a mini MPV so it was ok) to make the car lighter.

I wish you luck. Petrol is surely sending so many working families into fuel poverty - that much I'm certain.

Sunshine4

Been at the hospital today for an appointment about my shoulder.
Dr says it could be at least 18 months before I get my op.:(
So I have been told in the mean time dont rise your arm higher than your shoulder and dont carry anything with that arm. Its so hard not to do those things.

While we were at the hospital we called into a poundland on the way home and got 4 pkts sugar 1.2kg for a pound.
Tidied up my food store cupboard and worked out what else I would like to have in it.Hope to buy a few things each week even 2 pound gets a few items.

Made a nice lamb casserole for tea, there is enough for two days for the two of us, its very cold here at the moment very windy and raining.

Think its time to get the house ready for winter, hot water bottles,fleeces and hot cocoa.

[Deleted User]

YAY - Congrats FUDDLE on paying off the gas company, put out the flags, well done, make tea and generally have a celebrate, it's a red letter day and you should be very proud of yourself, Cheers (and lots of them) Lyn x.

lilmisskitkat

fuddle wrote: »

I wish you luck. Petrol is surely sending so many working families into fuel poverty - that much I'm certain.

It is a ridiculously high amount, we're lucky in that depending on which office DH has to go to he gets mileage paid so it's not coming out of our pockets but when he doesn't get the mileage it is quite an expense as it's a 45 minute drive to where he is based. Public transport is a no-go either where we live, he would have to get a bus to the train station, train into city, bus out of city and a half mile walk, plus fares are :eek: I feel sorry for families who have to spend such huge amounts simply getting to and from work It's worried me enough knowing that a monthly bus pass for DD1 next year for high school will be £56.

K xx

Possession

lilmisskitkat wrote: »

It is a ridiculously high amount, we're lucky in that depending on which office DH has to go to he gets mileage paid so it's not coming out of our pockets but when he doesn't get the mileage it is quite an expense as it's a 45 minute drive to where he is based. Public transport is a no-go either where we live, he would have to get a bus to the train station, train into city, bus out of city and a half mile walk, plus fares are :eek: I feel sorry for families who have to spend such huge amounts simply getting to and from work It's worried me enough knowing that a monthly bus pass for DD1 next year for high school will be £56.

K xx

When DH was working, his transport cost us £12 a day. Good job I work from home isn't it?!
Much sympathy re. the bus pass, we are in the same situation it's going to be £650 per year per child.

mardatha

http://iceagenow.info/2012/09/thousands-sheep-buried-alive-snowdrifts-video/