'supporting each other through really tough times'

VJsmum

Blimey - just been on an easter egg hunt and a half

There is barely one to be had in my town - I had left it as DS and DD had said they didn't like what I chose and could they choose their own (I am making it sound harsher and more ungrateful than it was), due to the weather and DD's school show, we haven't had time to go. I just about managed to get them a couple of eggs and some small cream filled ones, I think it cost more in petrol than the price of the eggs. Mr M had about 6 Bailey's ones - but at £10 each I wasn't buying those.

Also just had to buy new washing line, new toaster and new bread bin, threw in some matching storage jars and that was £100 in Agros - the only consolation is that I got a £10 off voucher.

Edit - oh no, Kidcat, what a shame.

[Deleted User]

CRANKY what kind of cat does the House Elf have for a friend? DD1 is considering getting a friend herself and is looking at Maine Coons at the moment and I remember you saying that your cat is very affectionate and kind and likes being handled and cuddled, but can I remember what breed, no I can't!!!!

fuddle

Peanut, hang on in there. Do an SOA even if its just for your own recognition of where the money is going. Look at the necessities and bills first. Do you have enough money for these essentials and then food? There's ways and means of dealing with everything so don't despair... and if all else fails do what I did "as long a I have ration amounts I can survive" grocery bills are spiralling but with some careful planning it can be beaten I absolutely sure of that.

I admire you for being so switched on about this, those of us who don't bury our heads in the sand and be proactive about tough times get through it. Honestly peanut, hang in there

Kidcat, I am gutted about the halogen and floor. You are tested daily and that is just not fair.

nuttyp

kidcat, bless ya. Its one thing after another at the moment. Hope your ok.

We just did homemade garlic bread with bacon bits and cheese on top. Sort of mini pizzas in a way. They were quite nice even if I do say so myself!!

SDG31000

Hello everyone

I know I've been MIA for a while, but I have been reading along. DH has been off work with a chest infection, I've been working extra shifts in the charity shop to cover for people leaving/not turning up and have just wanted to sleep afterwards.

MrsLurcherwalker I think Cranky has a Korat. Here's the UK website http://www.korats.org.uk/frameset.htm Hope that helps.

kidcat Have a huge hug from me (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) I hope tomorrow goes as well as possible.

fuddle I'm so glad the new job is going well and get well soon xxx

mardatha I know how you feel and the weather has been much better here. I feel like a flower waiting for sunshine and warmth and have had enough of waiting.

I survived a trip to Mr Ts yesterday, but it was heaving in there and they were out of lots of stuff. I was hoping for some cheap legs of lamb, but have had to settle for a fresh turkey instead. They were the same price as the frozen ones without the hassle of defrosting the thing. Hopefully there will be leftovers to see us through next week. Thankfully one of DS2's favourite things is turkey soup. I think I have some ham and puff pastry in the freezer to make a pie as well. I'm stocked up with chocolate and fingers crossed DH won't get called out tomorrow. He went out at 4am this morning for 9 hours of overtime.

That's enough waffling from me. Nearly Doctor Who time

Take care and stay warm everyone xxx

mardatha

Kidcat - I'd smash my hand on his lug if that was mine!

Peanut2013

Electric (no gas) £50

Water £29

Rent £650

Groceries £161.66 (includes nappies and formula)

Mobile Phone (both mobiles) £57.86

Internet / Home Phone £31.25

Council Tax £119

House Insurance £4.75

TV License £24.25

Eating Out £58.25 (had 2 friends birthday meals)

Petrol £56.63

Presents / Cards £17.32

Entertainment (football ticket, heavily reduced tickets to local zoo) £18.20

Other (includes ink to do baby handprints and paint for nursery)
£28.20

Baby stuff (includes sleeping bag, bouncy chair and swimming costume, so luckily not every month!)
£45.97

Pension £17 (lowest it can be without cancelling)

I 'think' that's everything! I thought we did well for ourself too, apparently not!

Nargleblast

Peanut - can you do Pay As You Go on your mobiles and allow yourselves say £15-£20 a month on them? And texting rather than phoning is usually cheaper.

Council Tax - is that over 10 months? If so, can you pay it over 12 months instead?

Electricity - could you switch to a cheaper supplier?

Groceries - well, you are in the right forum, look at the Grocery Challenge sticky.

If you also post your SOA on the Debt Free Wannabe forum as a new thread, the old hands on there will be delighted to help.

kidcat

VJsmum - apparently it is the same here, I wouldnt have a clue as I bought all of ours in the Mr T offers, although I did buy some LIndt bunnies on Thurs evening when I was at M@kro - reduced to 99p each BOGOF.

MrsLW - cranky does have a rather delightful Korat who is extraordinarily affectionate (his pics are gorgeous) she also has his half sister Borat who is a minx
Maine coons and Rag dolls are also highly rated for their cuddliness too:)

Peanut - we have four mobile contracts and I also have a wifi sim for DS14 tablet, my bill is still much lower than your mobile bill, I would guess you can save significantly there.
And your TV licence seems high too - we pay around £12 per month

I know you are off work at the moment - and am not sure on your incomes but have you looked at whether you are eligible for any housing benefit or council tax benefit(its not called that any more as its a local thing) and as nargle says ask can you pay your council tax over twelve months rather than ten.

Other than that I suppose the option is to see if you can get a deal on the home phone and internet - ours is due for me to look at again and comes in at £25 for both

Good luck I hope you manage to find a way to bring it down to a level that you can afford.

Have calmed down about the halogen and have finally finished cleaning the mess up, I had it stored on the worktop that was freestanding(not on top of cupboards) closer inspection reveals he has been twiddling with the legs and made the whole thing unstable - now I can redo it but if he has done it once he will do it again now, so the whole thing has to go, meaning I lose significant worktop space.

I am going to look into a trolley or something more substantial this week.

CRANKY40

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

CRANKY what kind of cat does the House Elf have for a friend? DD1 is considering getting a friend herself and is looking at Maine Coons at the moment and I remember you saying that your cat is very affectionate and kind and likes being handled and cuddled, but can I remember what breed, no I can't!!!!

Pixel is a Korat, which is an ancient Thai breed. Her naughty half sister is half Korat half Burmese. They are both short haired, shed very little, extremely interested in any visitors and very affectionate. Maine Coons are lovely but your friend has to be prepared to spend a lot of time grooming the cat and having interesting dusty fur balls wafting around the house :rotfl: