make do and mend for tougher times

Uniscots97

savingqueen wrote: »

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.

if you like the coat and it fits you well don't worry. I volunteered in a CS whilst job hunting and the one thing I did learn is most of the younger Mums do secretly look up to the older ones and they way some of them dress (i.e. nicely dressed in what suits them rather than latest fashions). Most of the younger ones want to dress smarter but don't have the confidence to know where to start.

stiltwalker

Just having a wee cheeky test of my very own wine! Ok so I cheated - treated myself to a little wine making kit when OH got extra discount last week as I've never done it before but been wanting to for a while. Just got a 6 bottle chardonnay 7 day kit and at least now I've got buckets and a hydrometer and syphon etc - well it's lovely!! Tastes like 'proper' wine. Now got empty containers so need to go and research some other homemade from scratch wines.

tessasmum

Popperwell wrote: »

It could be Fuddle. And that is another concern.

I don't know if things have changed, but when I was pregnant [13 years ago!], I waited a month before my lodger had moved out to claim maternity allowance because I thought that my lodger's payments counted as income and the lady on the phone told me that money from lodgers didn't count as earnings....and that may be the difference - you are not earning the money, just letting out a room in your house. Worth looking into if it will make a difference to you.

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

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?

Supposedly April:mad::(
I think it will be out of my reach too, i doubt they'll let me buy for as little as Mum's savings and if I started to buy and then things went pear shaped that might be worse.

Thank you Tessasmum:)

Popperwell

stiltwalker wrote: »

well it's lovely!! Tastes like 'proper' wine. Now got empty containers so need to go and research some other homemade from scratch wines.

I always enjoyed my home made wine...one day who knows I may do some again;)

The_Dragon

I have a nice rosehip wine recipe

Byatt

tessasmum wrote: »

I don't know if things have changed, but when I was pregnant [13 years ago!], I waited a month before my lodger had moved out to claim maternity allowance because I thought that my lodger's payments counted as income and the lady on the phone told me that money from lodgers didn't count as earnings....and that may be the difference - you are not earning the money, just letting out a room in your house. Worth looking into if it will make a difference to you.

For means tested benefits it's counted as income.

edit, you also lose your single person's discount for council tax (25% I believe)

There's loads of info on the net if people use Google. http://housing.ncha.org.uk/ui/content/content.aspx?ID=611

I am sure the benefits section would be the place to post though.

Popperwell

Byatt wrote: »

For means tested benefits it's counted as income.

That's the thing Byatt so IS and HB possibly CT/BT so it may be a dead duck. But DLA would not be affected but of course it changes next year to PIP and there is no guarantee you'll qualify and as said earlier that will be 20% less...

Thank you all the same for the information...much appreciated.

Popperwell

Just had meatballs, diced vegetables and gravy...normally I do it in the slow cooker, this time on the hob at half setting, all done in approx 15mins. I wonder if that used much energy? It certainly was quicker...and tasted quite nice...certainly quicker than putting it in the oven.

ginnyknit

well that was a day and a half! Knock on door this morning, surveyor from the council re loft insulation. I now have to empty the loft of 30 years of junk/ valuable antiques :rotfl: and dispose of it. Apparently the law is 10" of insulation, so thats the loft out of commission for ever. DS is going to take a day off and get everything out for me with the aid of Dd's OH.

Social worker came today, Im sure I said Thursday - oh well - she was young, sweet and a fan of MSE. Never heard of the bedroom tax so gave her a quick lesson from my notification letter. Was very helpful, told me what was what and arranged a few things to put in place when I need them. I may get a grant for a short break but things are tight, well if I do :j and if I dont never mind. She actually seriously asked me how I was still standing after all the crap I have gone through with the DWP, hospitals and looking after OH. I simply said 'I have no choice' So I will wait and see what happens.