Preparedness for when

2tonsils

Catznine, yes I read the article, I sometimes write commentary pieces for that site and one called Hellas Frappe. I think the labelling is different here in Greece on foodstuffs. If a food is imported they have to list the ingredients in English as well as Greek, but if its a food produced in Greece then its only labelled in Greek. Its a bit of a nightmare as I am celiac and have to be really careful when I check the labels, no matter where the food comes from. The only good thing is that the Greeks use far fewer e numbers and colourings in their processed food. Most of the time I just eat real fruit and veg, meat, eggs and cheese. It's safer that way.

The storms are just on their way back again, the sky is pitch black and all the cats have disappeared off the street...a sure sign its on its way back lol

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

I thank you for all of this.

DD has been learning about the Tudor times and yesterday saw a spinning wheel in action. She's hooked. I would like to learn about natural dyes too.

I still yearn to be as self sufficient as possible. There's houses all around me with solar panels on the roof. I wish we could afford/had stable housing to invest.

So do I Fuddle...good luck if you have a lottery ticket for tonight(You never know;))

Even if it was just enough to set you on another path, if you are interested some private houses are being advertised in the local freesheet form my town and the rents seem ok but the only problem is they are all two/three bedroom which brings me back to how difficult it is for me to consider downsizing. It could be different if they'd get some more smaller and decent properties built ASAP.

Unless I become homeless or am forced somewhere horrible. That's why it is awful to sometimes be criticised by some posters as often things are not always black and white and simple because I try to stay put...and if getting a lodger or even two in is a goer, the house will not be under occupied. And could give two more single people a roof over their head, even a married couple as long as it is possible financially and we can all get on. Or I can live like a hermit and absorb all the extra costs being brought in.

By the time that happens I will probably be an OAP/retired but by then the changes may not affect me anyhow if I can ride the situation out. As if we don't all have enough to worry about...

Popperwell

More to worry everyone...let's all give up now...the comments are interesting.

Even if you could save and put a little aside, it stops you getting any of the help needed now so you are penalised if you don't save and penalised if you do...

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-set-lose-billions-171946860.html

princesstippytoes

Popperwell wrote: »

More to worry everyone...let's all give up now...the comments are interesting.

Even if you could save and put a little aside, it stops you getting any of the help needed now so you are penalised if you don't save and penalised if you do...

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-set-lose-billions-171946860.html

You can put thousands aside before it affects your benefits. And if you have more than that then why should you get help?
Have you thought about doing some voluntary work with the less fortunate. It might take your mind off your own problems for a while.
Am just trying to read through this thread. Some of you are a real hoot! :rotfl:

mardatha

Second what PTT said - the best way to help yourself is to help somebody else

westlothianlass

Hi all
Loving the corsets:rotfl:, my bra's dont have much room for any major stashing but I have been known to stuff my phone down (interesting looks from peeps when it vibrates).
I bought some reduced strawberries, raspberries and grapefruit yesterday and I am looking lovingly at them in my dehydrator:D.

I was in Home B today and they had bags of coal for £2.99 so I bought a couple along with some eco log thingies, so the fire starter a.k.a my darling OH is playing happily.
Hope everyone is dry and having a nice day
WLL x

Popperwell

mardatha wrote: »

Second what PTT said - the best way to help yourself is to help somebody else

Had years of looking after Mum/Dad and approx 20 years of doing voluntary work in a hospital and remember like yourself I have health problems(and no I am not having a go...not my nature and it is easy to misread what is said without the tone of voice or facial expression)I am so easy to get on with and I am so non judgemental.

And I cannot see away of saving without income being affected PTT as can be seen all over the MSE site...and the link I gave was about pensions...

Tried to find some reduced items when I was out...no joy so well done WLL. It's good in one way but so many cheap places around here. In a twelve mile radius we have 4-5 Aldi's and 2 B&M's and a Lidl. New Aldi on my town soon...they are needed but it's sad that they obviously see us as a poor area but an ideal place for them to make a profit.

cutestkids

Popperwell wrote: »

Had years of looking after Mum/Dad and approx 20 years of doing voluntary work in a hospital and remember like yourself I have health problems(and no I am not having a go...not my nature and it is easy to misread what is said without the tone of voice or facial expression)I am so easy to get on with and I am so non judgemental.

And I cannot see away of saving without income being affected PTT as can be seen all over the MSE site...and the link I gave was about pensions...

Tried to find some reduced items when I was out...no joy so well done WLL. It's good in one way but so many cheap places around here. In a twelve mile radius we have 4-5 Aldi's and 2 B&M's and a Lidl. New Aldi on my town soon...they are needed but it's sad that they obviously see us as a poor area but an ideal place for them to make a profit.

re the bit I have highlighted you just do not seem to get what people are trying to tell you, do you?,
The point of the benefit system is to help people in times of need whether that be through illness, job loss or any other reason.

If someone has the means to save enough money or to inherit or win enough on the lottery that it takes them over the limit for means tested help it is only right that they should use that money for their day to day living until such times as the balance comes down to below the limit.

There are many people on this site who live day to day with regards paying the bills and putting food on the table who do not have the luxury of so much as £10.00 in savings to fall back on never mind having enough to take them over the limit to get any benefits.

These are the people who it really is a choice as to whether to heat their homes or put food on the table some weeks as there is no back up plan and nothing to fall back on.

Funnily enough it is never these people who come on with tales of woe and complaining, they are the ones who are making the best life they can from what they have.

Popperwell

I agree, I am not complaining and...I am not full of woe sorry if it is coming across that way. Again, the link was not about benefits but pensions. I know what the system is for and what you say regarding if you came into a big inheritence or won the lottery, I agree some struggle on less than £10 daily.

I am not really going on about it that much TBH most of my posts are OS based and I am learning so much from others on here...

cutestkids

Popperwell wrote: »

I agree, I am not complaining and...I am not full of woe sorry if it is coming across that way. Again, the link was not about benefits but pensions. I know what the system is for and what you say regarding if you came into a big inheritence or won the lottery, I agree some struggle on less than £10 daily.

I am not really going on about it that much TBH most of my posts are OS based and I am learning so much from others on here...

Fair enough that particular link was about pensions but the general theme of your previous pots is to do with having benefits reduced or stopped when your savings go over a certain amount.

You have inherited, you posted originally saying around £20,000 but after the costs etc were taken from the estate possibly around £17,000 left.

Either way a substantial sum of money and I have to say for the people on here who really can not afford to put the heating on a bit of a kick in the teeth when they know that you do have that to fall back on but still come on saying that you are cutting back on food, heat, lights, etc.

I really am not trying to have a go at you pops I just think that you have no real idea what it is like to try and survive on very little especially if you have children.

My son has just asked if he can put the heater on in his room while he plays, I have said no to come through and play in the living room as I can't afford the extra electricity.

I have 22p in my bank account until my OH gets paid next Thursday, You are not truly in the position that a lot of us on here are, and if your bank balance is as low as mine that is only because as you admitted yourself you are in no hurry to get the inheritance wound up and paid out because it will affect your means tested benefit.