when you reach breaking point

ginnyknit

Frugal frog, I found M&s do reductions around 3.30 but you have to fight old ladies for the stuff. I did do well there once or twice with Ys stuff and they will give you change in the form of another voucher, so you could spread it out to a couple of trips. hope this helps. Are you keeping warm, as it makes you depressed when you get cold. A hot water bottle is very comforting I find.

Thank goodness you have lots fo commonsense and can stretch your food, I agree that you need a change even if its only a jelly. Keep your chin up, we are here for you x

the_frugal_frog

Thanks Ginnyknit, yes I have 2 hot water bottles, I pop these in bed a little before I go to bed, quite nice and warm, I have all doors closed and am layered with socks and a big dressing gown. I have lit a few candles each evening just to make it a little cosier. I have found that fairy lights cheer my mood up, silly, but seeing them twinkle is quite theraputic.

This house is very cold, I cannot afford to buy carpets, I moved here as it was such cheap rent, I didnt factor in loosing my job, I was planning on buying from ecarpets (which I have done before) and fitting carpets myself. The cost including delivery for my lounge is 65pounds, which is good value I think. I can fit carpets, I have done it before.
I just feel so fed up sometimes, I am 29, last year my whole world got ripped apart in the space of seconds,I went from having a family to waking up and it being just me. I have always worked, and struggled, I am desperate to better myself, to drive , I see how well people my age are doing and I feel embarrased. x

D&DD

Frugal Frog don't feel embarassed hun in fact you should actually be very proud of yourself for not being up to your eyes in debt and with a wallet full of credit cards that reaches the floor so I for one think you are doing really well You sound like you have a very wise head on young shoulders. Trying to think how to squeak a few extra pennies for you will put my thinking cap on and come back later (you'll hear the cogs grinding!)

Popperwell

the_frugal_frog wrote: »

I just feel so fed up sometimes, I am 29, last year my whole world got ripped apart in the space of seconds,I went from having a family to waking up and it being just me. I have always worked, and struggled, I am desperate to better myself, to drive , I see how well people my age are doing and I feel embarrased. x

Don't feel embarrased we're all in a similar situation and as for doing better many of us are stuggling and trying to cut corners.

I am in bed as I write this...no lights on and though under the duvet I am freezing...

D&DD

now I'm impressed Pops if I typed in the dark I wouldn't make any sense...some would say I don't ever anyway

Own_My_Own

the_frugal_frog wrote: »

I did manage to make a massive shepherds pie and bulked it out with beans. I bought 1, yes 1, burger from the deli, reduced to 20p, I broke it up and used carrots onions and good ol baked beans to bulk it out, mixed in with gravy, topped with mash. It tasted quite good, made it stretch to 4 dinners, with loads of reduced veg on the sides.,

A really cheap way to bulk out shepherds pie, is to add a couple of table spoons of stuffing mix. Morrisons do a value box for about 15p.
Add it to the gravy then pour it over as normal. It really thickens the whole thing up.
Don't add to much or it will go a bit solid.

the_frugal_frog

Popperwell, I layer up big old towels, and I found some old curtains which I drape over the end of the bed which seems to help with the warmth,just as idea. Sure my bed looks like a junk heap, but I am warm under the layers.

When I ran out of tea bags, I poured hot water from the kettle onto orange squash, warmed me up a bit, when I was in bed.

Poundland have waterbottles, mine both came from there last year and have lasted well.

Failing that, a quick blast from the hairdryer , which I have done before, must sound ridiculous, but It took the edge off the sheets being so cold.

Popperwell

D&DD wrote: »

now I'm impressed Pops if I typed in the dark I wouldn't make any sense...some would say I don't ever anyway

Well D&DD,
the light from the screen shines onto the keyboard but if I cannot see them I have a rough idea where the appropriate keys are so there is a bit of touch typing going on as well, if I hit the wrong one I just delete the wrong character.;)

ginnyknit

pops put a fleece blanket under the duvet its amazing how warm you will be. Hope this helps.

GreyQueen

the_frugal_frog wrote: »

I just feel so fed up sometimes, I am 29, last year my whole world got ripped apart in the space of seconds,I went from having a family to waking up and it being just me. I have always worked, and struggled, I am desperate to better myself, to drive , I see how well people my age are doing and I feel embarrased. x

((((Frog))) Please don't feel embarrassed. You're doing the best you can with where you find yourself, now. None of us can do any better than their best. You will get past this, and things will get better.

I kinda know where you're coming from, comparing yourself to your peers, as I didn't have my own (non-shared home) until I was in my late thirties and didn't even own furniture/ appliances (unless you count a director's chair and a sandwich toaster and kettle) until my early thirties. Still can't quite get over not having to fight anyone for first dibs on the washing machine, though.:o

Some of my friends bought their homes and got caught in the wrong point in the ecomonic cycle and ended up being divorced with 2 kids and a repossessed house behind them by the time they were thirty. Hard times happens to all sorts of people.

Sending you all the very best and hoping that payday will see you in a better place. GQ xx