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

fuddle

Frugal queen! I forgot about froogs. I haven't read for ages. That's my evening sorted.

So much knowledge on the thread. Really nice to read all the tips and experience of stretching.

I'd best stop talking in riddles as my toughie mates are worrying. DH hasn't lost his job, no not at all thank goodness, far from it. The reason why we're up in the air about where we'll be living is he is tentively looking into transferring to Dorset. A prospect I am very excited about. That was last week. Yesterday we came home to a letter from tax credits. I had not know that the company car had a 'cash value' that adds to DH's salary amount and has pushed us over the earnings threshold. Not only have we lost our tax credits but we owe over payments. I'm very embarrassed I didn't see it happen and didn't want to advertise my mistakes on here. I'm angry I mucked up (being a control freak) and angry that the system let us incur the debt all through the year... I know it's my fault really as I should have known but a bit deflection to 'the system' makes me feel better.

So I get my wish... Completely free from state help (other than child benefit) but very scared about losing the money and über scared about what the repayments will be.

So lucky in that we may get to move to a new life and all the anticipation that may bring but conflicting emotions with financial worry and anger.

So don't worry. It's just far from ideal and what do I do when I'm panicked? Spring into action overload. Sorry for worrying anyone and being mysterious. I just try to keep my dirty washing to myself more.

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE lovie you do what you always do when adversity comes calling, you look it in the eye and do whatever it takes to beat it! You are a very brave little being and always try your best to make life good for you and yours, bless you for always doing your very best no matter how big the thing you're facing, you really deserve a better deal in life and you'll make it happen by your own hard work one of these days, Love Lyn xxx.

Pooky

Florenceem wrote: »

I am doing FQ's Austerity August challenge - spend as little as possible. I have decorating to spend out on.

How's your renovations going? Are you builder free yet?

kezlou

Sorry chick for calling you earlier x


Froogs blog is brill and where a lot of inspirations come from.
My, problem with a girl named jack is that it cost of front. She also users home grown herbs so doesnt factor them in to pricings.
If your trying the burgers they are quite sloppy and I think need more flour to thicken them. a lot of the recipes don't fill my OH up so have to add fillers.

Weezls blog is really good cheap family recipes.


Sorry everything thats, just my opinion x

twofishes

My favourite meal as a kid - which I've only just realised was probably used by my parents when money was tight! - was mashed potato wrapped in ham and covered in cheese sauce before being baked in the oven. Replacing the ham with economy brand bacon would probably make it cheaper? I'm sure veg like leeks and broccoli would be nice added to it as well.

Hardup_Hester_Mk2

Egg volcano's! Mashed potato, made into a mountain shape, shelled soft boiled egg in the top split so it runs down the sides, a squirt of ketchup or brown sauce, yummy.

bunbun2

thank you everyone for all the great ideas!

Jazee

I also find that meal planning keeps the food bill down. I only plan a week ahead, but sometimes also cook in bulk and freeze the left over portions for another week. I also make Yorkshires in bulk and freeze those, they only take a couple of minutes to heat through from frozen.

jem132

I have tried to post 5 long posts in the last few days but they dissapear.

We have also got no tax credits this year due to oh overtime so we are my house keeping down a week so really need to cut the budget to just milk and fruit iv got ever else pluses iv got kids uniforms coats shoes and wellys for us all x

Keep going we will get through it x

nuttyp

Hi everyone, I remember from my childhood spam slices warmed in gravy. We also had streaky bacon wrapped around a dollop on sage and onion stuffing and then slowly cooked in the oven. The odd occasion it had a little bit of cheese in the middle.

I use to make the Yorkshire puds with chopped up sausages in, we always had mashed potatoe and hidden veg mashed in it.

Fuddle, we too last year were told tax credits were wrong to the tune of over 2k. OH had changed jobs mid year, they used previous years earnings and that's were the error happened. I contacted them and if you have an award for this year and possibly following years they can take it from that. If not we just had to offer an amount and pay a DD for the next 4 years..... Not ideal at all but better than nothing. I mentioned we are nearly out of our BR and didn't want any problems, they were very helpful after I said we had experienced it in the past.

Today I am totally pooped, we went to a party last night but was home by 11. I just feel so worn out. I cant take kelp as it effects my AD, I checked at the surgery. We picked up the tv unit in solid pine I won off [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL], absolute bargain!!!!! I am so happy. I was going to polish it up, but its in situ now.

Take care everyone x