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

alfsmum

monnagran wrote: »

Fuddle, Pinkdebs et al: It isn't only men, you know. The Rev adores all those sorts of programmes - except sport, she can't abide sport. If someone made a film called ,"Mutant Aliens Invade the Earth and Using Unbelievable Vehicles and Guns and Incredible, Magic Machines, After Much Fighting Succeed in Ruling the World", she'd be first in the queue.

Also I am perfectly sure that every Sunday morning men and women of the cloth get up early and spend time in holy reading and meditation to prepare themselves for the services ahead of them. This one gets up early on a Sunday morning to watch American Wrestling.

Well, my voice has gone again. When herself is out and I have to answer the phone some interesting one sided conversations have taken place, mostly consisting of ,"Is there anyone there? Hello? Hello?"

The weather report for tomorrow doesn't look too promising which may mean another day indoors. I've started knitting Easter Chicks - well, if the supermarkets can sell Easter Eggs I'm not going to be left behind.

x

Monna, I'm sure that film would be a massive hit if anyone makes it.

Thanks for making me smile thinking of the Rev watching the wrestling

mardatha

Fuddle, you're quite right. They shove all these DDs at us and they're always set too high and people just sit back and pay them, then find they're well in credit but find it hard to get their money back in full. I hate DDs with a passion and fight like hell to avoid them. The rent here is paid by standing order which I find far better.

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

Weather is terrible at the moment. Very strong winds and heavy rain. Finally its stopped now. But for how long is anyone’s guess.

I have been trying all weekend to lower our outgoings. Finding ways to cut back isn’t easy I tell you. Firstly, Our tv packaging is soon for the chop should we not get a discount to warrant the service.

Savings is adding up slightly too. Over the weekend I set up another E-savings account. This time everything is going in there. From the odd penny to coupon savings ect. I’ve also added the “save the change” on our accounts.

We decided that we will each month, Use whatever has been saved to pay off towards another bill. After all, If I’ve read martins debt diary right, Its better to pay of the debts quicker than taking longer to save each penny.

I need this year to become more organised with everything. I feel if we’re making positive changes to everything that we need somewhere to keep important dates, outgoings, ect.

I have been looking at a filofax, But Jheeze, They have become expensive over the years. I was also informed about a “organised mum” diary. But I cant warrant £15 for a book. I understand most people call it an investment. But that’s a big lump sum at the moment.

Can I ask, How do you all manage to keep organised? List writers, ect.?

fuddle

All dates go on the calandar on the kitchen wall princess. Its a month to view so I can see all that is supposed to come out of account/things I/we have to do at a glance and the coming weeks. A piece of paper, grided for 30 or so days will do the job just as well

I do have list and budget books and tins. I am uber organised and dont need £15 outlay to do it. Good on you for not buying and asking here.

Mrs_Chip

Px- do you have a laptop, and does it have Office on it? If so you can google for templates for home finances/menu plans - basically anything you need to do, someone will have created a template.

If you don't have office, you can download Open Office and you will find templates for that with google searches.

Edit - sorry Px not Pink!

FairyPrincessk

Morning all!

I'm easing back into work today as we returned from visiting my parents last night. This weekend will be tidying up and catching up on laundry.

Princess, you might try some of the websites that offer free printable calenders. I often use this one, which will let you do two months at a time for free, although if you want a whole year I believe there is a fee. I also think you can find more diary oriented ones. If you want it in a book style, perhaps a lever book with any printable pages you want might be an option---that is if you have a printer. Otherwise, I agree with Fuddle's suggestion of a ruler and some grids. I use pound shop diaries for my meal planners and they work brilliantly so perhaps try poundshops as well. http://www.printablecalendar.ca/

Pleased to hear of the relaxing holidays to some, but my sympathy for those of you for whom it has been tough. I can only hope that the new year will bring more happiness and fewer tough times for all of you.

Right, its back to work for me then down to make store cupboard soup from some tinned tomatoes for lunch. Will send OH out for provisions later.

PRINCESSX87

We have calendars all over the house, In fact I have one in the bedroom (Don’t ask lol) But I’m forever having scrap pieces of paper in my handbag, Around the house. I was thinking maybe if I have a diary or something similar I could keep it with me.?

I do have a laptop, But not very technical. Therefore I have no clue if it has office on there. It will give me something to look for later.

Other question for you lovely bunch. Window cleaners! Do you have one? Only we cannot get to the top to clean our bedroom / bathroom ones. So I contacted a few. Cheapest rate for a clean when “I” want one is £10. Just wondering if that’s expensive?

[Deleted User]

PX87 when our window cleaner gave up his round some 3 years ago a new firm put leaflets through all the doors round here offering a quote. It was going from a man with a cloth and a ladder to one of those whizzy van with a long handled brush that pumps water up to the windows while the man stays on the ground. Our old window cleaner charged us £6.50 to clean 11 windows and the whole porch glass and had the sense to only come when they needed cleaning i.e if there had been dry and clear weather he'd wait a few extra weeks before coming. The new folks wanted £18 for cleaning and wanted us to commit to having them cleaned every month whether they needed doing or not!!! We invested some money in a longer ladder and He Who Knows cleans them all now, cheaper by far in the long run!!! So maybe £10 isn't too bad a price? Lyn xxx.

Bigjenny

My window cleaner charges £3.50 for my bungalow, that's 5 windows and front door, about every 6 weeks.

nuttyp

Princess we have a window cleaner and to do 5 upstairs windows is £5. I have them done every 6 weeks, basically I feel better if they have been done. Maybe twice a year he will do the whole house, but I can only reach the downstairs ones safely.


Yesterday I saw a lady I have known for years. She asked while I was smiing and looking so happy. I said because its a new year! now she remembers when my girls were a good few years younger. I said I was finally free of everything. She knows about when I lost my home, so she gave me ahug and said remember to enjoy your life now. So I am!!!
I received a tip from a customer yesterday ..... wait for it £50. Now who can afford to just give away that amount of money?. So its in my saving account.
My life is run by my 99p diary in vivid pink. I keep all receipts, and any other important bits enclosed within it.
Well I am off to research car and house insurance, both are due this next week. More expense :-(


Stay safe everyone, as its very windy today.