Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

Sunshine_girl2

The cake stand and cups sounds lovely HH . Bit naughty of school not to be paying you your full worth, but sounds like all money well received at the minute. Sorry to hear things are not good financially for DH, I hope some work comes your way soon.

Enjoy Sunday, not long till half term.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Good that you're meeting your step dad for coffee, it's early days with his GF though and understandably you're feeling loyal to your mum. Nice to have the cake stand and cups

Thank you SA .

Sunshine_girl2 wrote: »

The cake stand and cups sounds lovely HH . Bit naughty of school not to be paying you your full worth, but sounds like all money well received at the minute. Sorry to hear things are not good financially for DH, I hope some work comes your way soon.

Enjoy Sunday, not long till half term.

Thank you Sunshine .

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I met stepdad for coffee this morning and bought some fruit and veg, etc. I got fish in batter (two packets at half price), fish fingers (DH likes them), a bag of pre-chopped casserole veg, raw carrots, cherry tomatoes, grapes and bananas, which all came to £10.57. I was pleased that I didn't buy anything else . I also queued up in the bank for twenty minutes to pay in £12 worth of coins :mad:.

Since getting home I've put a wash on and hung it up to dry on two clothes horses. Now I've put on a second wash on so I'll have to tumble that load. I've also ironed a pair of work trousers, my two cotton work cardigans (I think it's getting cold enough to need them soon), and two tops for work. I've also put away all my summer clothes and got out all my winter clothes.

I've checked surveys but One Poll doesn't seem to be working at the moment and PA and You Gov seem to have abandoned me. DH hasn't brought in much money this month so we're using the VAT money to pay our bills at the moment . When the VAT bill is due we'll have to use our EF to pay it unless DH can earn some money .

School has told me they can only afford to pay me MTA rates for my TA cover which is disappointing, but I suppose it's still more money that I would have had. Sometimes I think I'm destined to be poor until the day I die.

I'm having a rest now before a relaxing shower and a night of telly. I hope everyone is having a good Saturday .

I agree with what others have said about meeting your Stepdad. It must be very difficult for you but you're coping so well:A, especially as you seem to be making such an effort to accept them as a couple. He's been a big part of your life for so long so it's nice that you and he can stay close. I bet he really appreciates that and must realise how hard recent developments have been for you.


You're putting me to shame by being so organised with your summer/winter clothes. I really must dig out some winter stuff this weekend as there's a definite nip in the air now.


What a shame the school isn't going to pay you as much as you'd hoped for your TA cover:(. You'll still have the opportunity to show them what you're capable of though and in some ways that's worth more than money. I hope DH gets more work soon but at least you have the EF cushion to fall back on if things get really tight.


Survey haven't been too good for me recently either:(. One Poll seems to be constantly having website issues and the PA ones I get are only worth a few pence each. As for YouGov, I'm annoyed with myself for getting sucked in again after my last £50 payout. It took me about 2 years to get to it and I vowed not to start on the long journey to another one. Here I am still on less than 2000 points and a survey about once in a blue moon. They used to do some really interesting political surveys but all I seem to get now are those brand ones or what I watched on TV:(


I hope you have a relaxing Sunday and the weather is kind to you:beer:

Willowtree222

The school are very naughty doing that. I am glad you are getting some more though as it sounds like it will help.

Your Saturday sounds nice and the idea of an afternoon tea in memory of your mum will be lovely too. x

HairyHandofDartmoor

Scrimpess wrote: »

I agree with what others have said about meeting your Stepdad. It must be very difficult for you but you're coping so well:A, especially as you seem to be making such an effort to accept them as a couple. He's been a big part of your life for so long so it's nice that you and he can stay close. I bet he really appreciates that and must realise how hard recent developments have been for you.


You're putting me to shame by being so organised with your summer/winter clothes. I really must dig out some winter stuff this weekend as there's a definite nip in the air now.


What a shame the school isn't going to pay you as much as you'd hoped for your TA cover:(. You'll still have the opportunity to show them what you're capable of though and in some ways that's worth more than money. I hope DH gets more work soon but at least you have the EF cushion to fall back on if things get really tight.


Survey haven't been too good for me recently either:(. One Poll seems to be constantly having website issues and the PA ones I get are only worth a few pence each. As for YouGov, I'm annoyed with myself for getting sucked in again after my last £50 payout. It took me about 2 years to get to it and I vowed not to start on the long journey to another one. Here I am still on less than 2000 points and a survey about once in a blue moon. They used to do some really interesting political surveys but all I seem to get now are those brand ones or what I watched on TV:(


I hope you have a relaxing Sunday and the weather is kind to you:beer:

Thank you Scrimpess .

Nicnak wrote: »

The school are very naughty doing that. I am glad you are getting some more though as it sounds like it will help.

Your Saturday sounds nice and the idea of an afternoon tea in memory of your mum will be lovely too. x

Thank you Nicnak .

HairyHandofDartmoor

VEGETABLE UPDATE:
On Friday night I had a sweet potato and a raw carrot.
Last night DH cooked a concoction that included faux chicken, onions, sliced carrots, button mushrooms and spinach.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Today is grey and misty and we don't want to spend any money so we're staying indoors.

I have a list of things I want to achieve today:

-Iron two more work trousers
-Iron four more work tops
-Wash socks and underwear
-Wash towels
-Photograph some of my clothes
-Try on two dresses to see if they fit me
-Pack cake stand and teacups in bubble wrap to store
-Clean sink
-Clean bath

The reason I photograph my clothes is to make me aware of what I have. That way I'm less likely to buy things I don't need. For example in doing this I realised that most of my tops are blue and so I can look out for tops in different colours. It also frequently makes me realise that I DON'T NEED ANY MORE CLOTHES.

I feel a bit bleh at the moment but I think it's the grey weather and the fact that we're not going out today. I'll force myself to do something and then I'll feel more cheerful hopefully.

badmemory

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I also queued up in the bank for twenty minutes to pay in £12 worth of coins :mad:.

School has told me they can only afford to pay me MTA rates for my TA cover which is disappointing,

I am not at all surprised at the school not paying you full rate, they most probably have nothing left in the pot. I am more surprised that they are not cutting down on any paid staff at present. *Hopefully all this new money they are giving schools may help the situation.** Yes from there* to ** was a joke!


Do you have a supermarket with self service tills anywhere nearby. If so, use one of those to get rid of your change. I got rid of over £5 worth of copper once & they actually had to empty the container for me to finish. I apologised & they said that it was fine it saved them paying for change to be delivered.


Glad to hear you are upping your veg intake. My life has changed somewhat this year (an old relationship getting stronger I suppose you could say) but what you said made me realise that my energy has been flagging & realise that my friend doesn't eat veg, which has meant that my intake has dropped a lot. So new resolution here to eat more veg! Thanks for making me get the heads up!

teafor2

Hi HHD It doesn't surprise me about the pay at all. The TA's at my old school have had hours and rates cut. But at the moment you're gaining experience, showing your worth and getting paid. :T

The cake stand and teacups are just the sort of thing I'd love to keep and use.

Are you on your last week now before half term. I think it's gone really quickly - again! DS doesn't seem to have been back 2 minutes.

Hope your energy levels improve and you have a good week. xx

doingitanyway

Just back and catching up. Well done with your daily veg intake and I hope you can get your bloods done with your GP soon.

Someone else mentioned your SD will be thankful for how well you have handled the new relationship as I am sure he values you in his life. You've done so well with all that.

Glad Pilates is back too.

Happy Sunday.