Living on $12,000 a year

Pandora123_2

I don't think this site has been mentioned yet on this thread:

Mother Earth News: The Original Guide to Living Wisely

American, but still lots of good info. Thousands of articles, going back to 1970.

:A

ceridwen

Chipps wrote: »

I think I have that one. Is it the book that describes itself as a "knit your own dishcloth kind of book" ?
If so, I bought it in a library sale more than 20 years ago, and covered it with fablon to match the kitchen (yuk!) cos the cover was falling off. The only thing is, that the title of the book was only on the front cover - hence I am only guessing it is the same book - pretty sure it is, though!

Now - THAT is virtuous - home re-covering of a book to keep it! Impressed! I shouldnt think its the same book -mine describes itself on back as "The cost of living is forcing us all to make do with less and to learn to mend more around the house... can no longer afford to throw away on a whim..organized account of home economy and maintenance for the householder of the seventies" - includes; spending/care and repair/laundry etc/family clothing/repairs and mending (a stitch, a patch, a darn in time)/household hints (inc using up fabrics)/simple electricity and plumbing/garden/consumer protection.

Very O.S. as you can tell.

Hi Pandora - thank you for that (ie the mention of Mother Earth News) - it hadnt been mentioned previously.

moanymoany

Thanks Austin Allegro, It was not being able to ask anyone that made me reluctant to raid the skip. I went past a few times and saw no-one to ask, when we got there and saw what was in it we decided to go ahead. I would certainly always ask before taking from a skip outside a house.

Re the chickens: :easter: DH has confessed that he is not keen. He says he hates the idea of 'putting down' sick chicks and that vets would defeat the object of keeping them. I know that other people must get around this problem, Sallygirl, how do you deal with it? If we do go ahead I will certainly take your advice and get three. The wood is there to make a big enough house :www: if we change our minds.

moanymoany

Hi all, second post because it is an entirely different subject. I saw this on a frugal site and thought of us. The payment is $20,000 - any takers?

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60304694.tip.html

It's a wife swap prog - wants a frugal mom ...... :rotfl:

Hardup_Hester

I'm not sure if this belongs on the thread, but here goes.
As I've said previously I do various things to earn extra as well as trying to cut cost's.
I have a Remolska that I'm using as often as I can to cut costs.
I also take in lodgers, this is not turning out to be very money saving, my newest lodger, who hasn't arrived yet but was due yesterday has announced she want's picking up at the station with 3 friends & they all need feeding!!
She has also been shopping & I'm awaiting an announcement that she has no money & can't pay me.
I have decided I will have no more lodgers & I'm not sure how long this one will be stoping.
Hester

taplady

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I have a Remolska that I'm using as often as I can to cut costs.

whats a remolska Hester?

ceridwen

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I'm not sure if this belongs on the thread, but here goes.
As I've said previously I do various things to earn extra as well as trying to cut cost's.
I have a Remolska that I'm using as often as I can to cut costs.
I also take in lodgers, this is not turning out to be very money saving, my newest lodger, who hasn't arrived yet but was due yesterday has announced she want's picking up at the station with 3 friends & they all need feeding!!
She has also been shopping & I'm awaiting an announcement that she has no money & can't pay me.
I have decided I will have no more lodgers & I'm not sure how long this one will be stoping.
Hester

That sounds a bit cheeky of your lodger - feeding her is presumably included in the rent you charge - but feeding 3 friends as well is naughty. I guess if I took in lodgers on a bed and board basis I would probably think drinks of tea and coffee etc for friends fair enough - but meals for them as well wouldnt be included in the rent (well - I would expect a bit of extra money from lodger to cover the extra food I know).

Of course - if she says she hasnt got the money for the rent after the shopping then I'm wondering if it is still possible to deduct it from the returnable deposit (now that the law has changed on tenants deposits - would one have to prove to some outside person about any deductions that were due from a lodger?)

Hardup_Hester

I've probably spelt it wrong Taplady, it's a large pan on a stand & the lid heats up, Lakeland sell them.

I had a chat with her re 'cultural differences' & she paid a months rent up front, also she had brought her own food for today, so I did roast cold chicken & salad.
hester

moanymoany

Hester, we decided to take in a lodger, on a rent a room basis - no meals. Our first choice was a disaster, I was determined not to take any rubbish from him and when he stepped out of line I told him, he was out within the month. We also deducted the cost of a ruined sheet from the deposit, but we did give him the sheet.

Second was a much better choice as he was chosen using our experience from the first.

Telling what the rules are and expecting them to be followed, being firm, is the way to success. We also wrote down the rules, we have a long list but it does say things like no drugs in the house! After reading the forums on renting we decided to do this. Our first lodger used the washing machine to wash 3 items just about every day, so in the agreement went putting full loads in the machine. Also the first did not get to grips with which button to push on the dishwasher and we ended up with 90 minute cycles for half a load. So in the agreement we put which setting it must be used on.

It sounds petty, but it does give a basis for agreement. Both parties know where they stand.

Get firm with the new lodger. It is your house and if she knows what is expected of her - including rules regarding visitors - it will be easier for her to settle in.

If you would like a copy of my agreement I will be very happy to send it to you. Just pm me.

ceridwen

2 articles in todays newspapers;

http://business.guardian.co.uk/retail/story/0,,2161302,00.html

(re conditions of factory workers abroad producing clothes for British shops)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=479509&in_page_id=1770

(article re a family who furnished their house entirely from eBay, at a saving of thousands of £s).