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

nuttyp

Hi everyone, well the post arrived and it contained the tax form for the car - £220. So that needs paying at the end of the month. House insurance is due on the 9th, renewal was £140 and I just paid under £60 from a comparison website. My car insurance is also due on the 9th and then quoted nearly £400 for the year, again I did the comparison website and that's changed to hearly half the amount quoted.


I was reminded to have a quick look and that meerkat site was excellent. I have 2 of the new baby meerkats on the way as a bonus. Mite just list them on landofbay, more pennys for the holiday fund.
I bought some reduced price ted baker wash bags from boots, I got 5 of them for £2 each. Just sold them all for £10 each, see good profits for holiday fund.


Well dinner to prepare, take care all x

alfsmum

Shegar and fpk take care of yourselves, hope your health improves

onthecatbus welcome and don't be disheartened. Falling off the OS wagon is a bit like having a slice of cake when you're on a diet - it's just a hiccup and you don't have to write off the whole month, just start afresh and keep trying.

Lyn hope Docky dog is ok. Weather very unpredictable here, torrential rain this morning now a bit of sunshine. Floods everywhere, some of the villages are sitting like little islands in the water here with churches in the centre, safely built on higher ground by ancestors who knew what they were doing.

Trying to get back on the 'using things up' wagon now we are back at work and DH isn't shopping with me in the week (as I pick up what we need on the way home from work) so isn't there to put whatever he fancies in the trolley;)

Also continuing with decluttering a few minutes a day and starting to notice the difference.

Possession

OH has just taken himself off to a job interview - positive vibes much appreciated. He has another on Thursday.
I managed to get free cat and dog food today (I don't have a cat, but a friend does), decent size bags, so if you have pet insurance do check their website for customer offers occasionally. We're with Petplan and I'd never have known if I hadn't looked for a different reason. I also got some very cheap bargains in Asda - DD wants a sleepover party for her birthday in March (I may possibly run screaming from the house) and I got some very cheap 'spa' type goodies for party bags as well as some slipper boots for next Christmas for £2 and some Christmas pajamas heavily reduced for both children for next year. Well this year I suppose. I am about to go and hide them in the garage but just wanted to let you all know that Asda has some major bargains. According to HUKD Sainsburys does too but I don't have one close by and don't 'need' anything else that would justify the journey.
I see the whole of England and Wales is now on red flood alert, and parts of Scotland, so I hope everyone stays safe. Truly yucky weather we're having but I guess at least it isn't minus 24 degrees as well.

FairyPrincessk

We had a short break of sunshine this morning but its raining again, which prompted me to wonder, have you managed to get your tumble drier yet, Fuddle? I hope it makes things a bit easier for you!

Princess, I think Mrs. LW's suggestion is a good one. I also wonder if you have done anything to mark your progress--like a way to celebrate each time you meet a small milestone, or a way to keep track of things? Perhaps a 'paid off another debt' cake that you can light candles on, or maybe make a grid, each square representing £100 of debt and each time another £100 is paid another square is coloured in--this way its easier to focus on what you have a achieved and not what is yet to come?

Onthecatbus, welcome! Don't worry about moaning! I wonder if the situation could still be helped even now? One slip up doesn't mean all is lost for another month---sort of like a dieter who eats a fry up for breakfast and then gets discouraged and writes off the whole day! Could you tell us about what food you bought for your dinner guests? Perhaps we could come up with some ideas for how to prepare it differently and stretch some of it into a few freezer snacks for your party guests on the 18th?

Lyn, I'm WELL JEALOUS (See I'm even green!):D

Jem, I too would love to see photos!

NuttyP, you've reminded me, I think our house insurance is up soon. I'll make a note for OH to price compare it before it comes up.

Kez, thank you.x

And, for any of those of you who would like to be astonished, there is a list circulating of castles that can be bought cheaper than NYC apartments. I thought it was a good reminder that what we think of as a struggle might be someone else's luxury (just like both the apartments AND the castles are beyond my means!:rotfl:)
http://imgur.com/gallery/R0c7bJT

shegar

Well I had real sh*t start to the day, our daily carer didnt turn up on time, I did phone her because I had to leave at 8.15 , and she would have normally been here by that time.............I didnt get any answer , and as hubby was in the bathroom waiting for her I had to go in there very quick and dress him without his shower, and in my rush he got very confused what was going on , resulting a absent seizure.....................

To cut long story short I did in fact leave here about 20 mins later than I wanted to......I missed my appointment and so had to sit an extra 2 hours to see my dr...........:mad:.......
Got a tex from carer to say " sorry I overslept by 2 hrs"....:mad:.......
Result at hospital , ive got to stop all caffeine , so no more diet coke:eek:, no more decent tea.:eek:....I bought some decaff tea on the way home , I do hope I get use to it, I expect I will given time , if I have which I do.........Just sitting down waiting for kettle to boil for a decaff mug of tea....OMG...:eek::eek:....Sheila

kidcat

Hugs shegar. What a rubbish morning and how irresponsible of the carer to let you down. I have dramatically cut caffeine right down since October and feel loads better for it. I have also lost weight as a result.

Good luck with the decaf tea I have tried the decaf English breakfast and that was ok and not at all nasty. Can't abide decaf coffee though.

fuddle

Sorry your carer let you down Sheila too many people rely on us. It just can't be done. A virtual kick in the shins from me from one carer to another. hope you let her know just how she has effected you and your OH.

shegar

KIDCAT....Ive just had my first mug of decaff tetley tea and it was very good, im so surprised that it didnt taste as bad as I thought it would, so im ok drinking that from now on, pity I stored a lot of normal tea in prep in November :mad::mad:............Never mind I may take a couple boxes back to the local shop as they are well in date , and may ask nicely if they will swap them for me.....:).............Tea is so expensive now.......

Im glad you feel loads better on decaff , its given me hope that I may also reap the benefits ...:T........Maybe a stupid question , I know tea , coffee and lots of fizzy drinks have caffeine , but what else has it that you are aware of please.............Thanks ..Sheila

FairyPrincessk

Oh Shegar, what a trying day! I'm glad you've found a decaf tea you enjoy. Caffeine is also in chocolate, although my understanding is that it is not in Horlicks. Also watch out for ice creams that have chocolate or coffee in them, pain tablets, fancy vitamin water, and anything that suggests it gives you 'energy' (although I'm sure you know about those being diabetic!)

kidcat

shegar wrote: »

KIDCAT....Ive just had my first mug of decaff tetley tea and it was very good, im so surprised that it didnt taste as bad as I thought it would, someone toldm ok drinking that from now on, pity I stored a lot of normal tea in prep in November :mad::mad:............Never mind I may take a couple boxes back to the local shop as they are well in date , and may ask nicely if they will swap them for me.....:).............Tea is so expensive now.......

Im glad you feel loads better on decaff , its given me hope that I may also reap the benefits ...:T........Maybe a stupid question , I know tea , coffee and lots of fizzy drinks have caffeine , but what else has it that you are aware of please.............Thanks ..Sheila

It seems to be mainly drinks shegar I just read labels on everything. Mine was a choice so if I accidentally missed something it didn't matter. There is a food website someone told me about which tells you everything to avoid I will root it out for you.