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

[Deleted User]

Morning all, dreary, damp and cold here today and very dark still however we're supposed to lose the cloud later on and have a mostly dry day, hoorah!!!

Feeling cold is horrible and if you have to be out in this chilly weather an old fashioned dodge to staying warm in trousers is to wear 1 or 2 pairs of tights under your jeans/trousers and have a pair of socks too, it really does make a difference but you tend to overheat rapidly when you're back inside and out of the wind. DD1 who does many outdoorsy things in far flung places and up mountains has base layers which keep you very warm and wick dampness away from your body, keeping you dry. These are not cheap but usually available as sale goods in camping/sports shops after christmas. They are thin and light and dry very easily after washing. She's been warm in the snow on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in these and sensible clothing so for those of you who have no choice but to be out in the elements regularly they would be a very useful investment. Cheers Lyn xxx.

greenbee

Jeans are COLD! I find I'm warmer in a skirt and tights than I am in jeans.

I also use the trick of layering scarves and shawls, as I find keeping the draught from round my neck is important. As I work from home, I spend a lot of time sitting still in the house (being envious of those who are in nice warm offices!), so I have lots of layers around. However, I do switch the heating on if I need it when I'm working because it's not helpful if I get so cold I can't type or think, and I need to perform well to hang on to the job. Don't forget that if you work from home you can claim some of the costs back through your tax return.

I do make sure I'm wearing plenty of layers before I turn the heating on though...

PRINCESSX87

Glad i made you laugh Kez,

As i'm fairly new to OS living, I'm wondering when you lot chose to buy new clothing.

I have loads of clothes that's on their last legs & OH suggested i start buy new now that i have reused the items after repairing them. But, I dont know whether i can let myself buy something new. I'm worried i'll end up going back to my old attitude of credit & not budgeting?

I was hoping to hold out until the sales to get more of a bargain, But truth is, I dont think my clothes will hold out that long?

greenbee

You should be able to find a middle ground Princess. If find when I get to that stage I have to start throwing stuff out as I take it off - so stuff that isn't fit to go to the CS goes straight in the bin. As CS stuff needs to be washed it tends to make it back into circulation so I have to be tough and NOT wear it 'one last time'. Otherwise, if I'm not careful, I end up going out in clothes that I shouldn't leave the house in...

When it comes to getting new stuff, write yourself a list of what you need, set a budget and start looking. There are plenty of sales at the moment, and if you start looking now it will give you a chance to find the right thing rather than get the wrong thing because you need it now. Given that you are mending and making things last, try to get good quality stuff that you can do the same with in future.

savingqueen

I do something scatty at least one every day. My good friends know me for a healthy mixture of the sensible and the scatty- I try to balance it out! Yesterday school phoned to collect DS6 who felt sick, bought him home to DH who got home early after a painfully early start (big work event). Then out again 30 mins later to collect DS9 and waited outside DS6's classroom until it dawned on me.... he was at home.

Kez - sounds like a good plan for the meeting, hope it goes ok - don't forget you have an invisible army of toughies with you and we will take no nonsense!

Nutty - how are your girls now?

Forgot about tights Mrs LW - good point, I do that too. Jeans are too cold on their own but that's all my winter wear on bottom half consists of - legs too fat for skirts

Good advice greenbee too.

Talking of worn out stuff, I have been wearing some shoes with a hole in one heel on dry days. Today it pelted down as we arrived at school and one foot got very soggy. In the shoe recycling bin they go. Anything too battered for charity shop/friends/school goes in council textile collection rather than chucking out. Also makes it easier to get rid of stuff.

Princess - my DH needs new shoes, he is down to his smart pair (for important work events/odd social event) and several holey sensible shoes/trainers left. Can I get him to the shops????

Ok so make a list of essential clothes you need - if you are short of everyday clothes then yes you must get some more. They are a basic need and not a want so no guilty feelings (or we will tell you off!)

See what you do have in the wardrobes 1st - anything that could be revamped, stains removed etc (think you already do this ) and anything that can be used for something else eg I keep couple old tops for housework, cut off buttons etc. Do you need any clean rags, bedding for pets etc.

See what is left that is wearable- if anything and make a note if you are looking for particular colours, styles etc of clothes to complement these when you go shopping.

Then take yourself off the shops when you have lots of time to browse- charity shops my starting place and then places like supermarkets, Mattyland, Primalark etc especially if a sale on (don't forget any vouchers you may have). I find Sansberrys clothes better quality than Tosspots. Snap up any real bargains (referring to the list of course) and any not sures, jot down in a pad and come back another day.

If you are not sure of charity shop buys, check if they offer refunds (all of ours do), snap them up and return if necessary. Same for other shops unless they don't offer a refund (still odd shop doesn't especially sale stuff)

Then go back another day to return anything/buy anything on your "consideration list", can always double check charity shops then too.

ps I know you mention new clothes but if you haven't tried charity shops... give them a go and see what you think, lots of stuff new (sometimes with tags) or nearly new, you can tell just by looking at them - the armpits are a good place to start :rotfl:

and lastly have fun!

sq

fuddle

mardatha wrote: »

Wind has eased here and back of the house a wee bit warmer. Going upto shops today to find bubble wrap for kitchen door and side window, also Dunelm for thermal door curtain. Woke at half 5 full of beans and had to get up

Wrap up toasty Mar, house and an' all! I can't remember if there's a curtain rail at the front door at the new place. It's a UPVC door and my experience of those means I think I'm in for a shivery front room. Will have to suss it out and think of temporary draught proofing. Why do I always move in the depths of winter?

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Feeling cold is horrible and if you have to be out in this chilly weather an old fashioned dodge to staying warm in trousers is to wear 1 or 2 pairs of tights under your jeans/trousers and have a pair of socks too, it really does make a difference but you tend to overheat rapidly when you're back inside and out of the wind. DD1 who does many outdoorsy things in far flung places and up mountains has base layers which keep you very warm and wick dampness away from your body, keeping you dry. These are not cheap but usually available as sale goods in camping/sports shops after christmas. They are thin and light and dry very easily after washing. She's been warm in the snow on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in these and sensible clothing so for those of you who have no choice but to be out in the elements regularly they would be a very useful investment. Cheers Lyn xxx.

I wear tights a lot over winter - mostly these days under a pair of leggings with a baggy jumper, again layered and almost always with a scarf round my neck (cheaper/easier to wash a scarf than a top when I slop my grup so my top would get another days wear out of it ) and keeps me toasty.

I bet you lot think I'm manky :rotfl:really clean honest... just a bit tight

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

Glad i made you laugh Kez,

As i'm fairly new to OS living, I'm wondering when you lot chose to buy new clothing.

I have loads of clothes that's on their last legs & OH suggested i start buy new now that i have reused the items after repairing them. But, I dont know whether i can let myself buy something new. I'm worried i'll end up going back to my old attitude of credit & not budgeting?

I was hoping to hold out until the sales to get more of a bargain, But truth is, I dont think my clothes will hold out that long?

There's nothing wrong at all about replacing items and really it's super thinking ahead so 10/10 for thinking misses and definitely no where near the old attitude.

The way to do it, I think, is to ask yourself what you need in a wardrobe - 3 long sleeve tops? couple of shorter ones? 2 pairs of tights, 5 pairs of socks? couple of jumpers? pair jeans, trousers, leggings? one skirt maybe, coat? Then when you have the bare minimum of what you really need look to see what really needs replacing. Draw up a list of priority and look at your finances (again! I know, I've done mine again this morning too. Always jiggling eh?) and the set a budget of what you can replace. Have it as an ongoing thing with maybe £10 aside for a bargain but only if it's on the list

Once you get into the habit of having a monthly clothes budget, keep it there and gradually replace everything/add to collection each month. It's only way us, a family of four, can replace without being stuck.

It's fun P. I revel in it now and look forward to shopping each month, playing the game of getting more for my money rather than I need, I want, I should have... and pay it back later enjoy my friend. You can do it!

I passed my level 2 course :j I can now add to my CV that I have knowledge of caring roles within the health sector. I'm pretty pleased. We've been talking of jobs and come to the conclusion that I must only work around 8 - 16 hours a week for now because I'm a mam first and foremost and we cant cope emotionally/financially with the routine of childcare etc. Who knows what will happen. Can but try.

Extremely stressed and anxious. There's logistics galore to sort and somethings I can't control or influence. I'm struggling and it dampening my excitement but nearly there now.

Off to go catch up on the prepping thread now as I am very excited about making home and adding to my stocks for peace of mind. I have to think like this because this morning I was pretty beat down with everything. Also just remembered I have a mince and onion pie to make for tea :eek:

floss2

fuddle wrote: »

Wrap up toasty Mar, house and an' all! I can't remember if there's a curtain rail at the front door at the new place. It's a UPVC door and my experience of those means I think I'm in for a shivery front room. Will have to suss it out and think of temporary draught proofing. Why do I always move in the depths of winter?

We have UPVC doors and have a rail above the french doors at the back for lovely thick draught-excluding curtains If you can put a rail above the door, just make sure you are able to pull the curtain back far enough to open the door

Don't forget draught-excluder snakes too

Possession

greenbee wrote: »

Don't forget that if you work from home you can claim some of the costs back through your tax return.

I do make sure I'm wearing plenty of layers before I turn the heating on though...

I didn't know that and I've been working from home for more than 10 years!:mad:

Sad day. My son's fish has died and I will have to tell him when he gets home.:(

greenbee

Possession wrote: »

I didn't know that and I've been working from home for more than 10 years!:mad:

Sad day. My son's fish has died and I will have to tell him when he gets home.:(

Haven't worked all the details out yet as I've only recently officially become a homeworker but start here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-household.htm

Chances are there is someone on MSE who knows more if you hang out on the tax boards :cool:

FairyPrincessk

Hi all,

Home now but feeling a bit worn out so curled up with planning for tomorrow and two hot water bottles.

Hugs to those in need. Pleased to hear that the stiltchildren aren't suffering too badly.

Princess, I've recently had a similar conundrum about buying clothes. I'm in the last months of my life as a student and obviously money is tight. I only work less than part time. However, I'm hoping that when the next job cycle comes around I'll get some interviews. I'm a bit bigger than when I was last in the work world so although I have some professional clothes, it won't be enough. What is more, my day to day stuff is getting a bit worn. My approach was this: I made a list of all of the clothing items I need. I also set priorities, as some of the situations were more dire than others. I then did some research and came up with an approximate budget for each thing I needed and added that to my list. I've set aside a bit of money each month and started hunting. Now, it does seem a bit silly to spend money BEFORE I get a job on clothes. However, by planning ahead, I now have time to look in charity shops, wait for sales, compare prices and find the best quality for my money. I can't afford all of the clothes on my list right now, and definitely not at their budgeted prices, however, now that I know what I'm looking for I can start looking and saving. If I don't find something within the money I set aside each month, then it goes in a savings pot. If I find it cheaper, then great. If not, then I should have saved enough by the time I need it to be able to afford to pay full price. However, even when I do have the money saved/a salary, I'll know exactly what I decided I NEEDED when things were tight and there won't be any excuses for frivolous purchases.:D

It helps that I'm a giant fusspot about my clothes so I'm quite content to wait until exactly what I'm after comes along.