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

silvasava

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hi SILVASAVA how is you niece getting on? I hope shes made a good recovery from the stroke and now living a relatively normal life again? Pushkin sends his regards to Pushkin!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

Thanks Lyn - Niece is making slow progress mainly due to SiL 'encouraging' her (think Sargeant Major!!) She still has problems with the sight in one eye but we're hoping as she continues to improve there may be some improvement there too - fingers crossed.
Pushkin sends her regards to Pushkin too. We were away in the 'van a few weeks ago & Push went missing. We called her, banged her food dish, went all round the fields calling her - no luck. The next night the weather turned & it 'persisted' down and blew a gale - at 1am she'd had enough & came home - don't you just love a long haired cat soaking wet, covered in leaves & burrs who wants you to give her a cuddle - she's worse than a teenager!

gailey_2

Hi guys.

still living day by day having good days and bad.

Had row with hubby over house friday its too small we dont have enough storage he stored out to garage brought some fags after days not smoking was so upset.

Sat better-dad came over gave kids their belated easter eggs 2months out o date but they enjoyed them.

Then went to freinds garden birthday party which kids enjoyed she always does a good party and weather stayed nice.

sunday went to some large local parkland massive and explored took picnic did lots of walking, met some nice freindly people. was good to get out kids collected conkers , picked few blackberries.


We got some good reductions(food in co-op)have next 7-10 days meals planned and will keep trying pick up reduced meat, fish and bread as did good store cupboard shop so can make some nice meals.

Schools dinners significant cost right now agreed with eldest 2 days.

Some news on finances

rang housing today been 2 weeks we in system but council only process on a monday we handed in form on monday so they dont deal with it until following monday so we lose one week which doesnt seem fair.

jsa sent hubby text today saying hes been awarded jsa but job centre said unlikly and no money in account.

Hes suppost to start new job monday so needs to come off jsa.

Not heard from tax credits. need to inform tax credits and housing about he will have a job but worried that may halt our claim as hes had 2 weeks money from old employers. been unemployed 3 weeks.
we not seen a penny of help so far its been so worrying and frustrating.

we think we getting 2weeks worth rent next week but not sure?
jsa who knows.
tax credits said would take 3working weeks hoping when in system be quick and easy to change circumstances.

He wont be paid for new job until end of october and that will be 3 weeks pay on low wages not enough to cover all our outgoings.

Decided to look at social housing in entire city/surrounding areas and its not come up with 1 house just 8 flats so guess that,s not viable option.

Trying to be positive hard when feel have so little control over life right now.

Hubby,s worried about new job and bad reference.
we told friends/ family hes just changed jobs.

Hubbys not had much agency work just 1 day a week so £40 paid friday which will help.

Just very tight month we have something like £100 for entire month of october after bills are paid.

should be ok on food as being very careful.

weather was bit rubbish today still on hunt for cheap tumble drier.

trying to keep myself busy doing house, making to do lists.

have odd addiction to value ginger biscuits.

kidcat

Cheapskate wrote: »

Wow, what are they buying for that? Caviar and champagne every night? :eek:

A xo

It all seemed to be the usual stuff just lots of it and loads of things doubled up - six bottles of chilli sauce, four bottle of mayo type of things. Am stunned, I always thought people spending that much were buying all luxury stuff to be honest.

katieowl_2

kidcat wrote: »

Oh my I am watching the Jamie Oliver money savers program and am astounded, one man and his daughter are spending £750 a month on food shopping, I am speechless

:eek:

Kate

Knit_Witch

So Jamie Oliver is doing an Economy Gastronomy thing (same as Allegra McEvedey/Paul Merritt and The Hairy Bikers have done!)

Popperwell

I agree so much about spending time with loved ones and how precious the time is. Not always easy to do thanks to outside forces. A lot pf people have been affected touched by an article and radio broadcast by BBC Business reporter Robert Peston today about what makes us Human.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio2/human/human_20130930-1706a.mp3

http://www.newstatesman.com/2013/09/robert-peston-what-will-survive-us-love

What on earth are two people eating or what is there income to afford £750 per month I felt bad spending £21 last Friday but even if I did that each week that's only £84 per month for one person and £168 for two. That's still almost £600 less than their budget.

Still haven't taken to JO's programme though. Keep meaning to watch the new series on BBC2 which I think would suit me better. But I'd have to adapt on cost and servings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bv3vm

Even Nigella kept it simple today...

http://t.co/GOrT1UbEPd

bluebag

Popperwell wrote: »

It was a lovely sunny day but sadly I did not take advantage of it...perhaps Wednesday/Friday or the weekend I can. It gladens the heart...

it's amazing how much better everything is when the sun shines.

Popperwell

My Gingerbread Man gave up his life this weekend, I decorated him but my friend made him. Very nice too...He did not suffer for too long )

kidcat

Gailey - benefits system is so strange - OH lost his job mid august but we are only just getting the letters to say we have been awarded, they wouldnt let me cancel them until they were awarded either, so I am now having to call again and cancel them all. Tax Credits were incredibly quick though, payment went into the bank within a week, but we are just receiving the letters. May be worth looking at your bank account

katieowl_2

kidcat wrote: »

Gailey - benefits system is so strange - OH lost his job mid august but we are only just getting the letters to say we have been awarded, they wouldnt let me cancel them until they were awarded either, so I am now having to call again and cancel them all. Tax Credits were incredibly quick though, payment went into the bank within a week, but we are just receiving the letters. May be worth looking at your bank account

Tis' true. DD got her Tax credits in her and her OHs's accounts, before they got entitlement letters through.

Kate