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

mcculloch29

I haven't been in IKEA for years. Not this century, I'm almost certain.
We had one near us in Germany 35 years ago, I got it all out of my system then.
However, if they still do the herring fillets in sherry sauce that was a staple of childhood Christmases, I may reconsider. (Not from IKEA, but from Wally's Delicatessen.)
They are an acquired taste, if you like anchovies you will probably love them, if not, don't bother.
Easing my way back into MSE after the summer off. Things are good, but my arthritis knows that rain is on the way.
Those who are not well, thoughts.

ArthriticOldThing

I haven't been to IKEA for years either - but only because my lift/friend unfortunately died a while ago. Would take 3 buses to get there now and still have to pay for delivery is is not worth it.


Hi mcculloch29, good to have you back, though sorry to hear the arthritis playing up. Are you still in contact with pops?

[Deleted User]

I've been to Ikea, and very much fun and giggling was had by both of us. What a lovely morning chatting, drinking coffee (and cake!) browsing the goodies and purchasing a very restrained amount of shopping. It was so lovely to meet my friend face to face and actually get to know the real person not just on the forum, she's lovely!!! FUDDLEY ONE thank you so much for coming, I loved every second of it!!! Lyn xxx.

savingqueen

Hello doorsteppers,

Hope everyone who has been poorly/injured/had a medical appointment is ok.


Glad you had a lovely time Lyn and fuds

DS10 had another selection test this morning. It was for our favourite school and he found it really hard so don't think he will get through this one. He seems to be matter of fact about it thank goodness, another friend was upset. Some of his friends found it just as hard and a couple seemed to sail through it. it was a fairly relaxed affair, we got there early and the school canteen were serving lovely and cheapy breakfasts so we all had something. We were there 3 hours and luckily some friends of mine were there so a good natter was enjoyed by all.

Well our boiler repair lasted a week and last night back to square one. I have phoned someone different this time as our usual plumber although a nice chap is so busy he doesn't give you a definite time or even day sometimes and its just not practical. Still waiting for a call back though so if we get no alternative by Monday, it will be back to the original. Boys and I got a bath Friday night but poor DH missed out and both friends whom we would have asked to use their shower are away this weekend. Typical!

DH and I have had words again but cleared some things up so we will both try harder and see how things pan out. This weekend feels a bit like last weekend!

Part way through budget planning and tweaking and I am a little concerned about what we have going out in the coming weeks and months. We will need to get the boiler fixed, DS10 needs a new mattress, boys and I need new shoes and other footwear, DS10 a winter coat on top of a long list of things/expensive repairs that have sat on the list for ages. Lots of school costs this month- school photos, theatre trip, DS10's residential instalment, Harvest festival contributions. Our freezer, other food, loo rolls, cleaning stuff, toiletries stocks all very low. DS7's birthday, Christmas, DS10's bedroom conversion (from storage room) then MOT for our ancient car, insurance etc.

We will manage somehow but I feel more wobbly about it all than I have for a long time especially with talk of interest rates rising - thinking of our mortgage and DS10 needing all sorts for secondary school next year. I am going to cope by lots of planning and doing of course and set some challenges. I am time poor at the moment but in a week or two things will calm down and I will be wearing my OS and MSE cap 24/7!! I was chatting to some friends on Friday about rising costs and one of them goes to a good priced farm shop for bulk buys like big sacks of spuds so we are all going to have a trip and see if we can share some produce. I know I can find other savings, just need to be inventive!

shanks77

Glad a good time was has at IKEA though envious on two counts. 1 for having an IKEA so close my nearest is a 3hr drive and 2 for living close enough to meet up with some fellow toughies who get u completely. Jealous? Moi? Heck yes lol.
Heading out soon to meet up with a friend for dinner his turn to pay so def OS. Hope everyone has a good evening xx

Pooky

Glad you had fun Mrs LW and Fudds - sounds like you've put the world to rights.

SQ - Get that MSE cap on and you'll do fine. Harvest festival donations - does the school ask for specific items? If not then a tin or packet from each of your DS's will be fine. Charity begins at home.

Winter coats - have a look on fleaby - you might find a bargain, try the charity shops too if you have time.

Bedroom conversion for DS - make a list of items you're going to need and start keeping an eye on free-cycle and local FB selling groups (I know you're not a fan of FB but you can make a SavingQueen account - you don't have to have any of your real details on there but it will allow you to join local to you groups) I love the "local bargain finder" site for fleabay too - you can narrow it down to really local and grab some great bargains - DD1's double bed frame (black metal in as new condition) for 99p as they'd listed it in the wrong section

Check and see if you have any Mr T vouchers to use up or Mr S points - they'd come in handy for a bit of stocking up. Check your local 99p shops and savers for cheap toiletries - sometimes I find Wilkos cheaper so worth a price check first.

I know you know all of this, just thought a reminder might spark something that you hadn't thought of.

Shanks - I'm envious too - I don't think there's anyone this far down in Kent to meet up with.

DD2 has gone to a house party tonight - I'm very wary but I have to let go at some stage - she's going with her BF and I know he'll keep her safe. DD1 is working until 10pm so DH and I are going to be really decadent and have a take away. Oh the guilty pleasure of it! Not sure what yet but I found a £10 note in my handbag that I don't recall so it's going to be put to good use.

nuttyp

LIDL has there own make washing liquid on offer today and tomorrow for 1.79 its a 40 wash bottle. Not sure if anyone needs any but it a bargain if you can get/use it.

nursemaggie

So pleased you had a good meeting Fuddle and Lyn. I too am envious both of your meeting and being able to go to IKEA. No danger of me spending much. The one and only time I have been DS20 was a toddler and it was in Bristol.

We don't have a car. IKEA is bus then train then walk to next station another train, another bus and then a very long walk I cannot manage. It would probably be time to come back by the time we got there.

DS starts a course next week, for two weeks. He had to take and exam. He said he did not think anyone could fail as long as they had a braincell. He would have had a job to fail it when he was in the infants. I guess the college have to do that to get the money. I don't gather he will actually learn anything. It is supposed to be essential work skills for any job. Jobs are so varied how can they be for any job?

Has anyone else got a Mr M within walking distance like we have? The new loyalty card will include price comparison payments to your card, including Ald! and L*dl. It's being rolled out between now and Christmas By then it may not be worth us going to Ald! because we have to get a taxi back from our Monthly trip. Only £3 or we would not go. There are a lot of things already cheaper than Ald! in the Indian aisle for instance.

Sounds good to me will still go to market every week though the bus stops right outside the market.

fuddle

I did have such a good time. Lyn is exactly how I imagined her to be and more. It is nice to talk to someone who is on the same wavelength and because Lyn and I knew so much about our lives we could bypass the catch up stuff and talk about the good stuff. Lots of laughs. We kept to our shopping list and only swayed with a little bit from the Christmas section.

We have had the Ikea cinnamon buns for supper. Lovely they are, simply lovely.

Poor DH didn't cope with Saturday in Primark, however. He had a nose bleed. Ooops. And we should have took you up on the offer of showing us where it was Lyn, as we walked far past it because of all the food stalls. :rotfl:

My shelving unit is very nearly complete with my dried foodstuffs

sq good luck be with you for those expenses that you cannot control or budget for. You will get through it I just hope you can keep the stress levels down

savingqueen

thanks Pooky and fuddle. The organisation the school are collecting for send a list of what they most need or they say you can give a cheque! I usually make up a bag for each child to take in but as I have been donating regularly to our local food bank I know I shouldn't feel guilty sending in less this year. For all our bills and spends coming up, we do not go cold or hungry and still have our little treats. When we are more flush, I will give more to the foodbank. I put in a jar of own brand coffee this week without thinking of our budget at all but I am still glad I did. That could have gone to the school collection - doh!

I do have some nectar points actually but not many clubcard points as I rarely buy anything there any more. Thinking about it I also have some boots points, not the cheapest of places but I could buy some bits like toothpaste and brushes and buy my friend a little gift there at least. That's something. I have a birthday M&S gift card for £15 I have hanging onto so I could buy some food maybe something special for Christmas.

I will also do the FB thing, didn't know you could set up a more closed account, will have to have a play. That bed frame was an absolute bargain Pooky! I used to use freecycle, mostly to give away so will check that out though have hardly anything to put up myself as given lots to friends and charity shops recently.

The plumber came, fixed the boiler temporarily and is ordering a new part and I am getting it serviced. Shortly after he left, it packed up again :rotfl:I know there is nothing more to be done until the part comes and no point phoning him this evening - the poor man wasn't feeling well and had added us as an extra job late in his day as we live nearby (I checked out the addresses purposely ) So DH still hasn't had his bath. Good news is though he didn't charge a call out whereas our old plumber did last week so that was £40 down the pan .

Now my laptop is playing up again despite the new battery. I hope nothing else packs in, half the things in this house are going the same way. Saves on the gas and electric bills I suppose if we can't turn things on .

I may well be picking all your brains for ideas in the coming weeks, you are so brilliant on here.

We are very lucky with our choice of supermarkets but no Morris dancers.... however we will have one in a few months time. The other thing a friend said was she will alert me to any bargains in supermarkets etc and I will do the same. I am going to stop using my credit card (for the points) for a bit and draw out cash and do the envelope system. DH is a devil for picking up extras and treats so I am going to be bossy and show him exactly what we have to spend on food. I have been rather slack lately but no more, let the thrifty battle begin!