make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

I did meatballs, vegetables and gravy last night and still finished it off in a saucepan on a hob as it had been in the slowcooker already for approx 4 hours or more...

Popperwell

I've looked round various sites about getting lodgers and it is so complicated. What to charge so it may appeal to someone rather than using a hotel.

Whether to take in a professional who goes home at weekends, a single person, a couple, a student, someone who is on state help...it is difficult. If I could have enough to help towards utility bills/CT and the new bedroom tax I guess it would be ok but no one really knows how they will be affected by the changes that there is little if any news about.

We are all having hard times so it is good to have support, help, advice and tips here and most of the time no one is judgemental. As you never know when it will be you that is affected. And life can change in seconds...

Sunshine4

The Cake Sorry to hear about your little cat (((hugs)))

I am back Went to the Drs today it was the tablets making me ill so they have been changed.
I can now use my left arm lighty what ever that means. No lifting above my shoulder or heavylifting. Only light housework.
Its really hard not to lift your arm higher than your shoulder even though it hurts.

I have been reading but not commenting as it was too hard with only one hand.

Fuddle glad you like your new job.
Shegar I know what you mean about the prices going up, it seems they are going up daily.So glad I have here to come to.

Hardup_Hester

I charge my lodgers £400 pcm, this way I don't have to pay tax on this though I do declare it to the tax office.
Hester

monnagran

the cake: So sorry about catto. It's losing part of your family isn't it? It takes ages before you get used to the space that used to be cat-filled.

Fuddle: Re: teacher's presents. Honestly, I taught for 40 years and always felt uncomfortable about accepting gifts from children. I used to get masses of chocs, candles, soap (usually highly scented!) etc but the one I remember most fondly was a little jar of homemade jam, I think it was in a mustard pot, and the child concerned had cut out robins from something and stuck them all over the jar. Why I should only remember that after over 50 years I don't know. I think it was because it was before I was married and I thought it was so understanding to give me a tiny pot because I lived on my own.
Unless the children are of an age not to want to be left out of the gift giving, I would be inclined to let them make a card and leave it at that.

born blonde: Reading through the suggestions for teachers presents I suddenly came upon - 'large vats of boiling salted water' - and for a split second thought it was a suggestion for a present. I will try to explain to the men in white coats.

As to SM prices, I have always bought Bero flour for purely nostalgic reasons. My Mum always used it. It's been £1 in T*sc*s for yonks. Last week £1.50!!!! I use loads of flour with all the baking for the Drop-in and various church events. Guess Bero's off limits in future.

Aint life grand!

We have a meeting here tonight so everything has been picked up and shoved out of sight and chocolate brownies are cooling in the tin. The house looks and smells homely. Lovely.

x

the_cake

Popperwell wrote: »

I've looked round various sites about getting lodgers and it is so complicated. What to charge so it may appeal to someone rather than using a hotel.

Whether to take in a professional who goes home at weekends, a single person, a couple, a student, someone who is on state help...it is difficult. If I could have enough to help towards utility bills/CT and the new bedroom tax I guess it would be ok but no one really knows how they will be affected by the changes that there is little if any news about.

We are all having hard times so it is good to have support, help, advice and tips here and most of the time no one is judgemental. As you never know when it will be you that is affected. And life can change in seconds...

Hi Pops, I think the most important thing would be: can you get on with the person? At least, it would be for me. I would not want to share my house with someone I did not feel was likeable and trustworthy, even better if you can share a chat and have a giggle. Clean would be nice too!!

fuddle

If you did take in a lodger or two would that not mean you would lose your benefit anyway, due to an income? Would it not be a case of just swings and roundabouts?

GreyQueen

blonde36er wrote: »

bornblonde It'll be the plug hole. I have the same problem with slugs in my kitchen, and more than once I've found one of the nasty little creatures half in/half out of the plug hole and/or overflow. I regularly throw a load of salt and boiling water down there now.

Slugs are evil. What the heck business have they crawling up your waste water pipes and out the plugholes? Boiling water is plenty good enough for them. I do out my plugholes with soda crystals and boiling water as a precautionary measure against blockages.

maryb wrote: »

If it's a Morphy Richards then you definitely can't put it in the oven. Ask [STRIKE]me[/STRIKE] my sister how I know this:D

I have an MR slowcooker so will bear this in mind.

Fuddle, I have an arty streak and am frequently stopped in my tracks by the sheer random beauty of the world. Such as seeing a scarlet virginia creeper cascading down through a still-green tree and reflected in the river. Gorgeous stuff abounds.

I guess there will be a renaissance of simple pleasures if we can't afford to distract ourselves with purchased entertainment. I've had some great times just hanging out with pals playing board games, strange as it may sound. Or going for a wee stroll or just chewing the fat over a cuppa.

Re council vs HA tenancy, what I was always taught was that Council tenancies are "secure" tenancies and HA ones are assured shorthold, but it's been a while since I learned that and I may be hazy. Around here, the HA homes are more expensive but the Govt's stated intent is to bring Council rents up in line with HA rents which themselves should be 80% of market rents.

Being as market rents free-float, heaven knows what they will do to the social rents. TPTB don't seem to have understood that every penny spent on rent is a penny which cannot be spent elsewhere in the local economy, nor can it be saved for a rainy day or whatever. Being bled white to keep a modest roof over one's head, when they implement laws to stop you camping in the woods or parking a caravan on waste ground seems to be all wrong, to me.

And breathe.

Today I will have Thermonuclear Chilli again. I went off-piste with curry powder instead of using a Colman's mix earlier in the week and think I may have overdone it a teensy wee bit......... Shame I don't have a cold as that concoction would have blasted the virus out of my system for sure.

Have a good evening, peeps.

ETA: the cake, really sorry to hear that catto has died. (((hugs)))0

Jem8472

Not really sure where to put this but this seems like a good place for it. I saw this sort of idea and had to try it. Took longer than planned due to the fact we live in a flat and dont have anywhere where I can make a mess painting.

We just bought 3 cheap shelves from B&Q and painted them white and I found a place locally that sold rope.

I just used a pillar drill to drill the big holes in the shelves and threaded the rope through. I secured the rope in place with some nails that go into the middle of the hole so they are hidden.

Looks far better than the cheap nasty and very rusty towel rail it replaced.

D&DD

aw Cake so sorry to hear your sad news about Catto but pleased you had a few extra precious weeks with him XX

Ginny ooh she sounds brilliant very pro active hang on to her for all you're worth! Glad to hear it went well,thingy sent this am so should be there tomorrow depending on our wonderful postal service..well I've gotta say that haven't I

Kidcat my god I'd hate to be a parent there..do you live in premier football league shire??

Craigy glad you got them in ok hopefully they'll tide us over a bit if prices do soar.

Maryb did you get your appointment sorted for your arm? In our house at present I'm lobbing more than just flamin' lettuce about :rotfl: