Preparedness for when

Hard_Up_Hester

Ali, I can assure you I don't feel at all smug about my £110 a week pension that I worked 40 years for!

VJsmum

GreyQueen wrote: »

People who are wedded to the idea that standards of living move ever upwards in a steady curve haven't thought through what will happen when the oil which powers everything in our world runs out.

I often wonder what "people" expect from a higher standard of living? WHat do they mean by that? Does it mean more "stuff"? Better quality "stuff"? Better health? More leisure - and to do what?

I probably could buy more stuff - I could upgrade my laptop or my phone. I guess I probably could have a more expensive or newer car. Will it make me happier? I doubt it. I have a laptop and a phone, I have a car. I don't need a Radley bag or Louboutins - I think even if I could afford them I wouldn't have them. Far too show offey and I don't take enough care of stuff like that. My house isn't filled with things that match or that "go" with the d!cor - but it is filled with things I love, that are functional or that bring back lovely memories.

I do like my holidays - I have been fortunate to go to some wonderful places. I have also had very happy times in a tent or a caravan in a field in Wales and would be happy to do so again.

I wonder what my Grandmother would think of our consumerist times? She was born in 1903 and died in 1982 and so saw many changes - electricity, telephones, television, aeroplanes and war. Somehow, I don't think she'd have craved a pair of Jimmy Choos :rotfl: My own mother had nothing growing up - 4 to a bed and all that. She was healthy then though. Later, she had enough money and zero health - even if she'd bought some Jimmy choos, she couldn't have worn them as her feet were badly crippled by arthritis. By the end of her too short life she could barely walk from lounge to dining room as COPD put paid to being able to breathe. All the money and stuff in the world can't compensate for not being able to breathe - even washing your face or eating become a challenge.

I have a significant birthday coming up before Christmas (ask me no secrets, i'll tell you no lies ) and people have been asking what I want. THe answer is nothing really. I like a pile of books from the charity shop so I don't mind if they get read in the bath, I like posh shower gel from the body shop (not that posh - it's 4 for a tenner) and it lasts me most of the year; I don't wear bling and I don't want a posh bag. What I really want is for the four of us to spend some time together - DD is due to leave for Uni next year so it will be all change. THat doesn't cost anything.

(I am not so saintly as this appears, I have actually asked for a piece of art of some kind that OH and I will go out on the day to choose, but it wouldn't bother me if it is a £10 figure or a £20 painting - though we may spend more. And the four of us are going away for a weekend to a hotel just after my birthday - though it is on a deal, it seems no-one wants to go away 3 days before Christmas! )

THe point is though, that I am not sure what a higher standard of living is. Compared to my nan I am like a pig in muck - electricity, warm house, good food and my health (touch wood, whistle).

Wyre

Morning one and all,

Regarding the demi-john, it has been kept in the garage for 30 odd years since my Dad gave up home brewing, so it is pretty yuck - cobwebs and all. If we had a dishwasher I would give it a go through after a thorough hand wash but we don't unless we count the boy child! I'll clean it out and stick some sterilising tabs in. I have no problem using ood tins and stuff that has been in the freezer since year dot but I think I will err on the side of caution this time.

I do agree, though, that in general folks are too clean. When you go to a family home, several young kids and the place looks a show home, I feel so uncomfortable, as well as wondering how they do it! My home is cosy, it may not be the tidiest place in the world but neither does it have the clinical antiseptic feel that so many places have. My kids played in the dirty and made a mess, they climbed trees and *shock horror* played outside. They also never needed antibiotics for illnesses, which I realise can be necessary, but I feel are often over prescribed.

When I see the washing powder ad, you know the one that goes on about killing bacteria at low temperatures, I despair. How do they think the human race got where we are if every little bug is going to kill us? Most of us have an immune system, so let it work for us, don't fight it!

GreyQueen

Sheesh, HH, are you sure that's right? My Dad worked 45 years as a labourer and factory hand and his state pension is the same as my salary (£900 pcm). Have you seen the CAB/ Age Concern to check you're getting the right amount?

Wyre, couldn't agree more about these obsessive adverts. We all carry about about 1.5 lb of healthy bacteria around in our guts. Our species evolved in tandem with bacteria. We have to be careful to keep fecal matter out of our food and drink but commonsense handwashing will do that. Honestly, what are people like, thinking that they need kitchen counters sanitised to the degree that they can be used to perform surgery?

VJsMum, I too will be heading towards that significance before many moons have passed and am dreading the What do you want? and Shall we have a big party? convos.

I don't want anything much more than I have, and most of what I do want can't be purchased (cure for ME? More hours in the day?) and I don't like big parties, I like to enjoy my friends in small gatherings. I may run away and hide when the time comes.

I consider that I have an excellent standard of living. I have a warm clean bed with a great mattress, appliances which work and as many books as I can get my hands on. Clothes don't impress me and you couldn't pay me to wear high heels. Yet some people comment about my mobile (cheapest Nokia dumb-phone with a cracked screen) - I'm apparently missing out by not having an i-phone. Or a tablet computer. Or an i-player or an i-lobotomy.

Oh, and I ought to have carpets. And fancier food and a car and lots and lots of other things inc jewellery (one bead necklace isn't enough) and perfume and......and.....and.

One of these days this 11 y.o. PC will kark it and be beyond ecnomic repair by my trusty Computer Wizard and I'm dreading shopping for another one.

I'm a rubbish consumer..........

[Deleted User]

Wyre wrote: »

I guess it needs sterilising so does anyone have any tips or good methods please as I don't have a clue

Use Sodium Metabisulphite. Available from Home Brewing suppliers or Amazon UK.

It has an advantage over other sterilisers, in that you don't need to rinse, thereby leaving a protective sterilising film on the walls of the item.

Just stand the empty demijohn, upside down on the crockery drainer, for a few mins.

Wyre

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Use Sodium Metabisulphite. Available from Home Brewing suppliers or Amazon UK.

It has an advantage over other sterilisers, in that you don't need to rinse, thereby leaving a protective sterilising film on the walls of the item.

Just stand the empty demijohn, upside down on the crockery drainer, for a few mins.

Ooo thanks for that!

nuatha

Wyre wrote: »

Morning one and all,

Regarding the demi-john, it has been kept in the garage for 30 odd years since my Dad gave up home brewing, so it is pretty yuck - cobwebs and all. If we had a dishwasher I would give it a go through after a thorough hand wash but we don't unless we count the boy child! I'll clean it out and stick some sterilising tabs in. I have no problem using ood tins and stuff that has been in the freezer since year dot but I think I will err on the side of caution this time.

Easiest way I've found of cleaning demi-johns is scrub the outside in a sink, with the inside half full of water at the same temperature (with a rubber bung in) which saves the demi-john from cracking. By the time the outside is clean, the inside water will have sloshed around a bit and loosed most of the dirt/debris. Pour it out and rinse a couple of times. If you've still got residues on the inside (particularly old lees glued to the bottom) pour an inch or so of vinegar into the demi-john and a handful of dry rice. Put the bung back in place and shake and swirl (the boy child might be useful for this) let it sit for a while and repeat. The rice acts as a gentle abrasive and shifts the crap as the vinegar softens it.
I use Milton to sterilise them before use. Though I agree society worries far too much about "cleanliness" my concern in this case would be anything that might taint the flavour and waste my work/money in making the booze.

HTH

Wyre

nuatha wrote: »

Easiest way I've found of cleaning demi-johns is scrub the outside in a sink, with the inside half full of water at the same temperature (with a rubber bung in) which saves the demi-john from cracking. By the time the outside is clean, the inside water will have sloshed around a bit and loosed most of the dirt/debris. Pour it out and rinse a couple of times. If you've still got residues on the inside (particularly old lees glued to the bottom) pour an inch or so of vinegar into the demi-john and a handful of dry rice. Put the bung back in place and shake and swirl (the boy child might be useful for this) let it sit for a while and repeat. The rice acts as a gentle abrasive and shifts the crap as the vinegar softens it.
I use Milton to sterilise them before use. Though I agree society worries far too much about "cleanliness" my concern in this case would be anything that might taint the flavour and waste my work/money in making the booze.

HTH

Some brilliant advice thanks loads. I hope my brothers appreciate it :rotfl:

Butterfly_Brain

There is an emergency food cupboard (with recipes) thread that Rummer started
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4792045

westcoastscot

Hi GQ go canny with the carton'd toms - we had a moose visit and it bit the corner off about 20 litres of soya milk - came home from work to a flood! Mice aren't a problem we usually have, and I guess with you being upwards it may not be an issue
WCS

edited to add, Hi Hester - happy to see your blog is back!