make do and mend for tougher times

kidcat

Possession wrote: »

Kidcat if you have a Waitrose nearby I noticed a few weeks ago that they have very nice quite reasonably priced birthday cakes....

Will have a quick look, there isnt one nearby but am driving all over the place tomorrow so I assume I will be near one at some point

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

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?

It could be Fuddle. And that is another concern.

kidcat

My friend looked into a lodger when she was struggling to keep up the payments on a large house when she was alone, we spent ages researching it and speaking to people, making sure we read up. Eventually she decided that the idea of having someone else in her home was just too much and that she would rather move somewhere smaller and more affordable than consider it. I have to say I would hate the idea of living with a stranger - maybe having a friend as a lodger would be doable but a stranger I couldnt cope with

savingqueen

sending you hugs the cake. Hope your happy memories will help to ease your grief a little

sq:)

Popperwell

kidcat wrote: »

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.

My potatoes seem to last ages:por will from now on...

Those chickens I mentioned earlier...all the everyday value ones in our Tesco's have been reduced probably because they have a date of 14th October on them. So they are now slightly better value than the small chickens they were selling at £3.05. Canned tomatoes are 30p and tinned new potatoes have gone down in price again to 18p. Considering Wednesday is usually the day the new weekly offers start there did not seem very much today.

The new PIP is worrying many genuine people and most feel that they will not qualify for it but as DLA is being withdrawn they will have to reapply for this repacement and probably go to an assessment with that company that is not trusted. Also ,if you do qualify it is 20% less. Unless as you suggest you are the right age.

The changeover could take up to 2017 but it depends when they call you in...but from what you say it looks as though your Dad may be ok because of his age. Many will hope that they are called in later rather than sooner.

Popperwell

Mrs Chip I went on a day trip to Padstowe and loved it. Glad you had a great time(love your signature)

fuddle

MrsC I like it too!

I could live anywhere as long as my four walls were safe, calm and relaxing. I mean that for me, the stress of living with a stranger would be too much, I'd rather live in a flat alone than in house with a couple of strangers. If it's a goer for you pops I take my hat off to you because I couldn't do it. I guess if you want stay in a 3 bed house it might be all that you can do to keep it. Life would be so much easier for you with a one bedroom bungalow though. It really would. Is moving a definite no for you?

Popperwell

Fuddle, I'll keep looking, nothing is ruled out by choice or because there is no choice. Wish I had friends I could bring in or relatives but as it is just me or I had been older but as you saw the other day I discovered I am a year younger than I thought:rotfl:so I now have 13 years instead of 12 years to be left alone.

Then again if things stay as they are I might only have 6 years before I could be safe from some changes there are still a lot of unknowns...even the CAB don't know all that is happening.

savingqueen

Hi di hi everyone

DH is due back from college very soon and will want his pc on to relax. I must order my laptop battery asap. I haven't long sat down this eve. Just don't know where the time goes. This afternoon I collected DS2 from school, nipped to tescos, collected DS1 from cross country club at school, home for half an hour then collected DH from station so he could drop us home and then drive virtually all the way back to where I collected him (college near station) so he doesn't have a very long walk home for a change (he detests buses!) Then its sorting out school bags and homework/reading with them, tea, clearing the chaos of the kitchen, checking for nits (going round school :eek: but couldn't see anything suspect this time), cutting boys nails, supervising 2 separate baths (DS1 has verrucas for 1st time :eek:), treating said verrucas whilst simultaneously reading to DS2 and settling him down. More chores and still haven't made packed lunches. S*d it will do them tomorrow, always have plenty of time in the morning but like to know they are all done.

Had a less boring morning. Left the cleaning and went into town. Treated myself to a cuppa and cake out, bumped into 2 separate friends who were both with a friend and have to admit I felt a bit lonely which isn't like me. Bought a coat from CS but feeling uncertain now. It didn't have a label with size/material etc only a very old fashioned stitched in label looks like 1940/50s style. If fits me and seems well made and I don't think it looks oldfashioned but I know its really old and worry I am wrong and it really looks dated on me. The reason I worry is that most of mums round here and at school gate are younger, often much younger than me - I am easily old enough to be some of their grandmas - and don't want to appear even older than I am. I do get compliments sometimes for younger mums saying I don't look my age but I know I do and they are just being kind! The label will really give the coat away and its so big and sewed so tightly onto the lining if I try and remove it I think I'll rip it. I know vintage is quite trendy in some areas but not where I live, thick cheap make-up, current season's cheap throw away clothes and shoes, cheap fake tans/nails/eyelashes etc are all the rage though not for the friends I've made.

There I go rambling away and I can hear DH on drive so will say adieu (if that's how you spell it?!) I really could do with a longer browse on here but there's always tomorrow...

take care
sq:)

fuddle

I wonder if you have right to buy, not sure how it works but with your inheritance and 13 years left till retirement, maybe there's something you can do to secure your future? I suspect it's still out of your reach. When is the bedroom tax coming into force?