Preparedness for when

jk0

thriftwizard wrote: »

Heads up - something odd happening in the US with credit/debit cards - friends reporting that they can't use debit cards, only credit cards, and this is from more than one state, several different big box stores/garages, more than one bank, and over two days. Just a computer glitch?

ETA: Not total, but here & there, it seems.

That's interesting. Is it possible that the affected banks are different brand names for the same bank. (Like NatWest/ RBS over here.)

When the same thing happened here, I surmised that their account at the Bank of England must be empty. I wonder if that American bank is overdrawn at the Fed.

Odd that Zerohedge hasn't mentioned this.

jk0

You guys know that I was diagnosed with a gallstone just before Christmas, and I have been trying to avoid annoying it by eating a very low fat diet.

However, not having the fat makes me very hungry. I have to have toast and a glass of (skimmed) milk every night before bed, or I wake up starving in the small hours.

All this extra bread is making me put on weight though. I have gained about a stone this year, and will soon have to buy all new trousers.

Any thoughts?

moneyistooshorttomention

jko - re the gallstone. Put it this way - just how long do you think you would have to maintain that low-fat diet for in order not to "annoy the gallstone"? How old are you?

If I thought I was going to have to eat in a different way to what I myself had decided for some years for a health problem then I would just refuse to do so and carry on eating as per normal (even if I wasn't putting on weight because of varying the diet). I would be looking instead to get shot of the health problem concerned once and for all - and, in my own case personally, that would involve alternative remedies.

But then I don't do "living with" health problems and never will personally and food is very much an interest of mine - so I wouldn't dream of varying my diet long-term to suit my body rather than myself.

So - I suggest you get checking for what alternative remedies there are for gallstones. Get those googling fingers walking - I have an idea there are some natural remedies out there that will dissolve gallstones.

Frugalsod

GreyQueen wrote: »

I talk to people who have never been brushed by the cold winds of ill-fortune, professionals who have been gainfully employed for 25-30 years. They never thought they'd be out of work and are devastated when it happens to them, and they can't get anything comparable to what they had, they can barely get part-time low wage jobs.

It's sobering to talk to people who are selling their furniture to pay their bills and contemplating emigration to the middle east to work, because that's the place which is hiring.

But hey, to steal a phrase from Candide, all is for the best, in this best of all possible worlds. Turn off your brain and admire a K*rd*shi*n's plump behind, light up a joint, sip some wine; no one wants to think about what's really happening, it't too flipping depressing.

It will be those that never thought it would happen to them that will find the change toughest of all. They will then discover how pitiful the benefits are when they voted for them to be cut. Too late now.

The shortsightedness of people is primarily to blame. You get the poor voting for tax cuts because they think that one day they will be rich. Though do they realise the odds of winning the lottery are so low?

There are solutions to todays economic problems but few are discussing solutions just more extend and pretend hoping that the whole shebang does not collapse on their watch. Which amuses me when people criticise Labours economic policy when it is identical to the Tories. The only difference is who suffers most and how fast.

Yesterday there was a diatribe on Zerohedge against Keynesians yet they completely missed the point that Keynesians were booted out of policy making by Thatcher and Reagan. The fact that governments talk about spending money does not make them Keynesian, just like talking about sound money does not make them Austrian. What we have had for decades has been a variation of Monetarism and Supply side economics that reduce workers wages and rights to make things good for business because they think that business create jobs completely ignoring that customers buying those goods gives businesses a motive to invest and recruit with customers loaded up with mortgage debt or paying high rents leaves them little to spend to boost business income. Just look at this http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-05-27/humiliated-mcdonalds-stop-reporting-monthly-sales

If a global business is having problems maintaining sales of low priced items what does that say about wage levels? If people cannot afford a burger. What else are they giving up?

greenbee

jk0 - don't increase carbs to replace fats. You need to increase proteins and fruit & veg. Certainly don't replace with toast as its a refined food and one commonly associated with weight gain...

Try a banana last thing. And eat more lean protein at your evening meal (protein is filling). Or lentil dhal or soup.

If you're avoiding fats you need to rethink your diet creatively to make he change - change to a diet that naturally offers you a better way of eating rather than try to continue to eat the same way without the fat. Also try cooking with spices more, as low fat/fat free diets can be rather bland.

What time do you have your evening meal? Moving it a bit later may help.

[Deleted User]

greenbee wrote: »

Try a banana last thing. And eat more lean protein at your evening meal (protein is filling).

Also, drinking plenty of water reduces appetite, as well as being good for flushing the body of impurities.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Re alternative theorpy etc... Always go with what your Dr recommends and always talk to them before taking, or altering things in your diey, medicine.

Butterfly_Brain

I have been reading this and it is scarily accurate.
http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/
Must build up more stores and get as much of the mortgage paid off as we can

1Tonsil

The travel agents here are giving 1.41 euros to the pound on exchange. We are reluctant to hold too many at any time, as I still think we may suddenly be out of the euro, and it would devalue very quickly if that happens. That is why we have asked her to bring sterling for us. If all else fails we can exchange it for other currencies in an emergency.

This is very interesting... http://www.globalresearch.ca/why-is-the-eu-forcing-european-nations-to-adopt-bail-in-legislation-by-the-end-of-the-summer/5465265

Greece has already agreed to this happening here. It looks like our current government may be forced to collapse very soon. The ex finance minister has been charged with High Treason. They are refusing to do any more changes besides those agreed on at the summit as it will definitely lead to new elections here. It is such a bloody mess!

Meanwhile we are all trying to act optimistic and hope better things are on the way.

[Deleted User]

Finally got a day of half decent weather.

It's dry and, a little while ago, we had a short period of actual sunshine. :cool: