The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

[Deleted User]

Hiya VJsMUM did you have a great time??? I don't know if DD went back last night or is going this morning as she was battery conserving on her phone and would only text. I know they've enjoyed it immensely and Zebra has had a whale of a time too, lots of new experiences and lots of friendly people, what else do you need at 5 months old!!!

candlelight_2013

Lyn, I hope the Zebra child saw Dolly Parton last night. What an experience if he did, and doesn't she look great for 68?

All credit to her she certainly wooed the crowd by what I could see on TV, and even the young people sang along with her.

Candlelightx

moments_of_sanity

Hi Everyone, sorry to jump in here. I don't normally post on this thread but read this article and it is quite scary how much cost of living has risen according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

We all knew living costs had gone up but even I didn't realise by how much, guess that's because we are used to belt tightening and maybe haven't noticed it as much as those who aren't as frugal.


https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/living-costs-five-times-more-092959123.html

[Deleted User]

MOS I think we OSers DO realise how much the cost of living has risen but I guess we have the knowhow to still make our income do the best job it can of making our lives comfortable and how to stretch it within an inch of its life to stop running into unnecessary debt the old saying is 'making the shilling do the work of two!!!'. If you only buy ready prepared meals, steak and imported luxury goods I suspect you are going to be in for a rude awakening in the not too distant future but if, like us you know how to make the best of the cheaper meats and can do 1001 meals with a potato and have the YS habit when you are in the shops you're faring much better. We are educated in thriftiness and therefore able to make prudent choices in life, I think in the long run we'll be better off even if not as outwardly affluent than most of the rest of the nation, Lyn xxx.

Pooky

Afternoon all

For all the cost of living increases it still amazes me how many people can afford to sit outside coffee shops with stupidly high priced drinks....there's a few in our local town where you see the same old people week in week out sitting at the same tables with a constant supply of tea and coffee - how do people afford that? I baulk if I have to buy a bottle of water for more than 50p!

Been to college with DD1 to get her results and all her art work (ruddy loads of the stuff!) and we're so proud of her - she passed her course (an extended b-tec diploma) with the A level equivalent grades of A, B, B! She needed 3B's for her Uni course so she's set So pleased for her.

It's all muggy and stormy here and my head is now pounding, hope the storm hits soon.

nuttyp

Hi all, its true the cost of living has risen but im a firm believer that old fashion meals are still the best. I buy a few bits out of Iceland but I try my best to keep everything as cheap as possible. I love coupons, especially the aldi one, saving £10 a month for a start.
We have a local side of the road jobby shop that sells fresh local vegetable. We get 3lb of new potatoes for £1 so that's the week sorted.
With my cost cutting measures and shear tightness, car booting and working silly extra hours we are having our first adult only holiday this September. Everything is paid for, just some spending money to Russell up!!! And I will be using money off coupons if we visit anywhere to eat, OH will be embarrassed but I love the feeling of saving money.
Work was lovely today, have to train up someone to help open and close down each day. This means fingers crossed, that I will eventually be able to reduce my hours - or I will be as soon as I return from holiday. Prior to going it makes more spending money.


I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, its so nice to have a good few hours of it. Take care all x

[Deleted User]

Oh well done Little Miss Pooky, brilliant results and congratulations on getting your uni place, go that girl!!!

moments_of_sanity

Our income is half what they say you need for a family raising 2 children but we never feel like we go without. Like you say, making meals from scratch is the key and looking for ys shopping.

DH had a significant birthday last week and we had the family over for a bbq, we knew it was going to cost us a fair bit in food so for the last 2 months or so I have been stocking up on ys fresh chicken pieces, burgers, sausages etc and when we worked out how much we has spent the savings were unbelievable. My Aunt was worried we wouldn't be able to afford much and would over stretch ourselves, she couldn't believe that I had managed to buy 32 beef burgers from Waitrose for £5.98! Just happened to be there at the right time and we still have 24 left so going to get inventive with what to do.

There still seems to be a stigma amongst us for buying ys but I just smile and think of my bank balance!

DD recently got a new boyfriend and was worried about telling him we are a 'low' I come family, not sure why she worried though as he took her out to lunch yesterday (Yo Sushi?) and used a discount voucher which we gave them! He wasn't a bit embarrassed :T

Knit_Witch

We are finding there are fewer YSered items, the shop is basically NOT buying so much stock so when it's gone then that's it!

[Deleted User]

I've found out what time w8rose do thier reductions and just hover round the girl who is doing the reductions, I don't care what the world thinks, I get the best I can for my cash and stock the freezer if there's more than I need for the immediate meal. Well done MOS for all those burgers, that's very savvy purchasing on your part!