make do and mend for tougher times

kidcat

Pops - interesting that PIP will leave over 64s alone, hope thats true as my dad would struggle without it and the idea of all the appeals etc would fill him with dread.

Pops - I dont even look at dates on potatoes, just go by the look of them

Fuddle - neither of my SC is oven proof or hob proof but I believe my mums is, so if in doubt I would say not to chance it.

Its been a long day, had to pop into Mr T as I had run out of star anise for the red pork recipe, and found they had sunflower oil in 5 litre containers £6 each or two for £10, again in the world foods bit by the gluten free etc grabbed two bottles and am seriously considering buying another two at that price, cheapest I had previously found was £1.39 a litre.

Mrs_Chip

Sorry about Catto, Cake . Surrounded by catty chums down here on the farm, they are such characters.

Fuddle - I saw my new sig written in a restaurant the other day and thought of you!

Very non-OS today. We went to Paul Ainsworth's restaurant in Padstow, and were going to have the very good value set lunch for £21 (three courses) but decided to eat from the a la carte menu :eek:. OH softened it a bit by saying I could have it as my birthday treat :rotfl: but still was hard spending so much on one meal. I would not flinched in the old days, and tbh we can afford it, but I have a real problem spending any money on non-essentials theses days.

Lunch was lovely!

Byatt

GQ, thanks for the tip about the terracotta.

Fuddle, I hope you are lucky about a house sooner rather than later, Fingers crossed for you.

The Cake, I am so sorry about you losing Catto. Nothing I say can help but I do know how hard it is to lose a much loved pet.

VJsmum

emalou88 wrote: »

Because of how much money my Dad's left my Mum with pensions and life insurance etc if Mum rent's out the flat she'll have to pay that much tax on it that there's no point in renting it out. The financial advisor has told her just to let someone live in it and for them to give her a 'token gift' each month for it.

I don't get this. If you rent out a flat then you pay tax on the income - either at 25% or 40% depending on your income. So if you get £400 a month (which would be cheap here) then you would pay £100 tax (ish - i know there are other adjustments) the service charge would be just over £100 a month so that leaves an income of £200 a month. Most flats would let for more than that. Our pension is sunk into 2 houses which we let to students, there is no mortgage (cos it was the pension) and even with letting agent fees it provides us with a reasonable income. If your mum sold the flat she would have to pay capital gains tax, which always does seem harsh to me. Although isn't it that you have to pay CGT on the amount you get after deducting the original purchase price - don't know if that applies to an inheritance.

Sorry to hear of your cat, the cake.

We always bought pressies for teachers in primary school (don't in high school) - something small on the 3 for 2 in M&S. The best one was DS's only male teacher who was such a positive influence on him - we bought him chickens from Oxfam as we know he was in on that sort of thing. Doesn't have to take something home then, but the thought was there. Was quite an expensive gift though and a complete one off for a special teacher.

Painters have finished. :T DS has already put his finger prints in the tacky paint - hope his father doesn't notice :cool: Carpet people coming to measure up tomorrow.

Have started the big clear up.

kidcat

D&#8517 wrote: »

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:

Not quite - we do have a couple of pop stars in the area and at last count two footballers but only one with kids at school. Its just that type of group, I spend all my time on the PTA trying to reign them in reminding them that we have kids from both ends of the financial spectrum and how I will not condone making kids feel "poor". Last years suggestions for fundraising was a ball (complete with full ballgowns and bow ties!!) with a charity auction:eek:

They think I am a nutter I am sure but I always try to make the point about how would they feel if their child was the only one in class whose parents couldnt afford to join in or buy the big family portraits sessions etc. I am slowly getting the message through to them.

DS14 having major meltdown today as he wanted his friend to come to DD party this weekend, I said yes and spelt out arrangements including time for drop off etc, DS then went into major meltdown as he expects his friend to stay over after the party. He cannot understand that it is just not practical, for many reasons not least of which is the idea that if his friend stays I will have to clean all through first and I simply do not have time. There is also the issue that it will be incredibly hard on DS8 simply doing the party I am expecting he will be very difficult to handle and temperamental afterwards.

As a result I have had to miss a meeting at DD6 school and I havent been able to take the banners, photos etc to party venue as agreed. It means it will add onto tomorrows list which is already tight and huge.

DD still hasnt declared on birthday cake either, she was veering towards cake pops, then cup cakes then a large cake. Its now too late for me to make anything at all so am really tempted to call into Costco tomorrow after dropping stuff at venue, join and buy a cake - does anyone know if they are available off the shelf or if they need to be pre-ordered? And if pre-order how long they take?

kidcat

Fuddle - totally forgot my favourite teacher gift is the cheapo mug filled with sachets of coffee, hot choc and marshmallows, I use that one at Christmas and add a candy cane. I look at offers throughout the year for mugs, and even managed to source plain white mugs one year that the kids decorated. Cant do it this year as both DD and DS have the same set of staff

[Deleted User]

For anyone contemplating home made gifts for teachers this year, my DD said to say you can get packs of real cellophane bags on E*ay, she had a pack of 30 with poinsettias printed on them last year for around£1. The real cellophane apparently keeps things fresh better than other materials. Hope that's useful. Cheers Lyn x.

D&DD

aw sorry to hear you've had such a rough day Kidcat tell you what I'm thinking of investing in a cloning machine so I can split myself in *at least*3 like my lot always seem to need,do you wanna go halves lol XXX p.s your parents sound scary :eek:

VJ's mum hope your head feels a bit better X

Byatt

Kidcat, I don't know whether you have to preorder at Co$tco, as don't have any here, but definitely try for one.

kidcat

D&DD - if you find a cloning machine I am going to be greedy and order a dozen - I figure that way one can be on a beach somewhere enjoying a quiet interlude while the others race about:rotfl:

Byatt - have just done some very careful planning and I think if I am careful (I am doing three drop offs by nine in the morning followed by an hour or so drive to Chester for specialist eye test for DS14 which takes two hours and drive back, followed by afternoon with DD6 class and then pick ups) I can go directly after pick ups to venue and drop stuff off and then on way back call past Costco order cake/buy cake and then OH could collect it on Friday morning if needs be. Gonna need more diesel at this rate though but at least its a plan and means I am not facing sitting up all night baking, icing decorating etc.:D