when you reach breaking point

the_cake

Hi frugal frog, so sorry to hear of your problems - just two quick tips: if you are anywhere near a Sainsbobs, their 29p basics teabags are wonderful, really good (They were 27p a couple of weeks ago ...), and M & S often have a '3 packs for £10' on meat. I buy the chicken thighs when on offer like this, there are quite a few in each pack, they are very nice and meaty, and with your stretching skills they would probably feed you for ages. The big packs of sausages if in the offer are also very good and stretchy. Good luck, you will make it through this and it will all get better. Lovely people on this board, they really helped me when our backs were against the wall - life is a little easier for us now, so there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs, the cake xx

Popperwell

ginnyknit wrote: »

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

I'm sure that it may...Got a big stronger tog continental quilt maybe should break that out. Trouble is if it needs washing it doesn't fit in the washer,,,

But if I put it in a cover or put a fleece between me and the quilt I can avoid washing it...perhaps I could put a fleece on the mattress. In case it moves I wonder if I could attached some kind of loops that could hook over the corner of the mattress?

Pity I don't know a friend who does that kind of thing...

the_frugal_frog

Thanks The cake! I think with my mands voucher I will go for sausages and veg so I can make one massive casserole in the slow cooker, should do 6 portions, I do bulk everything with reduced veg and cheap spuds. I expect if I am careful I will be able to get some other bits for my tenner, so long as I can get some bits reduced. Thanks

Oh your username always leaves me craving iced lemon drizzle cake x

Popperwell

the_cake wrote: »

Good luck, you will make it through this and it will all get better. Lovely people on this board, they really helped me when our backs were against the wall - life is a little easier for us now, so there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs, the cake xx

You have to hope so...I don't know how people who need state help and have health problems will see their lot improve though especially if in the years near retirement, I hate the idea that the rest of my life is going to be not much better. And try not to be down. You have to hope that things will be ok...

Own_My_Own

Popperwell wrote: »

But if I put it in a cover or put a fleece between me and the quilt I can avoid washing it...perhaps I could put a fleece on the mattress

We all have cheap summer duvets on our mattresses under the bottom sheet. It protects the mattress, and makes the bed a big sleeping bag in the winter. I also have a curtain over the bottom of my bed. I like the weight on my feet.

monnagran

Frugal Frog: Go to Library, Job Centre, Dr's or somewhere like that and see about vouchers for food bank. You should be eligible. Lots of churches are doing hot meals, not only for the homeless but for anyone in need. You DON'T have to be a church goer.
Get as much UNDER your bottom sheet as you have above you. If you can ever lay your hands on an old duvet put it underneath you so you are in a duvet sandwich, you will never have been so warm.

I wish you lived near us, we have plenty of duvets/blankets etc to give out. And an unofficial food bank where you could get a free bag of food every week.

Don't despair. You are being very sensible and with the help of people on here you will pull through.

Rely on your local library, they are a mine of information, not to mention being quite warm!

The emotional shock you have had may take longer to get over. Remember, we are here for you.

Love and hugs.

x

ginger_tony

Frugal frog you sound like your having a right old time of it , you poor thing, l was thinking if you had other friends in your situation if you could all chip in a said amount and rotate the cooking at each others flats this it would mean your money might go further and the fuel expenses might not be so high. What about freecycle or gumtree freebies for free carpets. Would you not be able to access foodbanks as well l dont know the criteria but maybe that would ease a bit of the pain.
My god this govenment think we are in it all together what a joke and whats not funny is the joke is on on us. Dont be embarresed because you are not the only one and a lot more of us are going to feel it next year when the real cuts kick in. It makes me sad for my children because l think they will not see good times for a long time to come. Loads of hugs to all who are struggling out there.

Popperwell

Own_My_Own wrote: »

We all have cheap summer duvets on our mattresses under the bottom sheet. It protects the mattress, and makes the bed a big sleeping bag in the winter. I also have a curtain over the bottom of my bed. I like the weight on my feet.

monnagran wrote: »

Frugal Frog: Go to Library, Job Centre, Dr's or somewhere like that and see about vouchers for food bank. You should be eligible. Lots of churches are doing hot meals, not only for the homeless but for anyone in need. You DON'T have to be a church goer.
Get as much UNDER your bottom sheet as you have above you. If you can ever lay your hands on an old duvet put it underneath you so you are in a duvet sandwich, you will never have been so warm.

I wish you lived near us, we have plenty of duvets/blankets etc to give out. And an unofficial food bank where you could get a free bag of food every week.

Don't despair. You are being very sensible and with the help of people on here you will pull through.

Rely on your local library, they are a mine of information, not to mention being quite warm!

The emotional shock you have had may take longer to get over. Remember, we are here for you.

Love and hugs.

x

I wonder how many people are alone in the UK often not through choice and because of some traum.a and go back to an empty house. They keep going on about so many living alone and yes many enjoy their own company and do have a social life but I bet it's more the situation we see on these boards. And many are struggling.

Its like when you fill the census in...they'll ask who is in the property nothing more but if they would allow people to give more detail they would get a real picture of how the population is living, likewise they ask if you have central heating, you may have it but be unable to afford to use it.

I'll consider doing that...I have put a fleece on the mattress and that has made it warmer but my feet are still cold so will dig out the bed socks...thank you the both of you for the advice, time for the PJ's again perhaps...

I can sometimes get away with leisure shirts and something similar to tracksuit bottoms but brushed cotton PJ's will be better, I think.

the_frugal_frog

Thanks for the foodbank suggestions everyone, my nearest is about 20 miles, I do have food, just not alot, and I am having to be very careful and creatve, I have no money for 4 weeks before my first wage, this worries me. However, I have put up cleaning ads and babysitting ads, I have a few trinkets I can ebay as another collection only. I need to find £40, to keep the electric on, until I get paid and say, 20 for food. I am fed up , but determined. Really though, the food is not important, I can live on beans on toast its boring as ever but wont do me any harm, I sill have the voucher to spend too, so I will be planning the spend on that military style, right down to the last penny!

By my calculations, If I can plough every spare penny into paying off arrears and debts incurred since losing my job I should be back to square on on the last day of january 2013. Febuarys paycheck there should be a few pounds spare to start my savings plan.

And I am craving a chocolate bar, like never before! I may trot to the nearest store tomorrow and get a small 15p fudge, I have a bag of 2ps,

I will go to town tomorrow and stock up on tins, I like the savoury rice, its 26p a pack, and is quite tasty, I just have it with a bit of mayo for my lunch, tins are heavy but I can squeeze 8 in my rucsack, and its less painfull than when the bags hurt your hands, if that makes sense? and I have 2 big strong hessian bags for the lighter stuff. However if it is pouring down again tomorrow I will just stay under the covers!

I also like cooked sphagetti, just boiled and drained and then salt, pepper and a tiny bit of butter on it. Costs pennies!

I have leftover veg, carrots and onion, and a tiny bit of cauli, which I will roast with some stuffing balls, cover this in gravy and it is just like a roast, so although I dont have much I am ok.

Morrisons also always have cheese on their deli counter reduced, I get a smallish block for 50p and some basics digestvies, this lasts me all week as an evening snack. I also wrap some up if I am having to walk to town, Its something to nibble on as a trip there and back is 3 hours minimum, and that way I am less tempted, annoyed when I walk past the shops and smell the bakery lol. Always take a bottle of water too, all these things keep the spends to a minimum.

Thanks to everyone for the advice this evening, I am off to bed, night all x

I have about £8 to play with food wise , I will let you all know what yellow stickered delights I manage to grab x

D&DD

Good to see you sounding so positive Frugal Frog even with all that worry
I was thinking we traded in some dvds etc last week which paid surprisingly well,my son checked game,CEX and magpie for the best price and we traded accordingly.
Also can you list any bits however small you have in the cupboards we can help hopefully stretching it a bit X