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

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sun_Addict said:

If you save money by using the Chilly bottle it will pay for itself over time.  Mr SA is practically self isolating now as he's worried about picking something up, his immune system is so rubbish, since the stem cell transplant he picks up everything going. I can't see the harm in DH going for a walk as long as he doesn't come into close contact with anyone or touch anything then washes his hands as soon as he gets in. 

Thanks SA . Yes I think it could pay for itself quite quickly as lattes are quite expensive to buy.

Onebrokelady said:

Hi Hairy, I watched a question and answer session last night and apparently if you are high risk and need to isolate it means you shouldn't go out for a walk anywhere,you can go out in your garden but only if it's big enough that you can keep a two metre distance from any neighbours 😟

Thanks OBL . That's a bit grim as it would be very depressing not to be able to leave the house for up to twelve weeks. Our garden is tiny too .

I though the virus didn't really spread that well in the fresh air. I should think a walk on Dartmoor would be quite safe as you can go for miles without seeing anyone.

Chrystal

It's totally pointless self isolating if that person is having contact with the other people in the home who are going out.  Self isolation means just that, and it's going to be extremely difficult for lots of people.

[Deleted User]

Chrystal said:

It's totally pointless self isolating if that person is having contact with the other people in the home who are going out.  Self isolation means just that, and it's going to be extremely difficult for lots of people.

I agree, especially about the difficulty it will present.  For example, if people opt for home delivery of groceries, how many people have touched and handled the goods that will be brought for people?  It may be doing away with having face to face interaction with the deliverer but I heard  the medical advice is that the virus can stay active on hard surfaces  such as tins and packets for up to 72 hours!  Even if everyone in vulnerable groups could physically self-isolate there's still be lots of other ways that the virus can get in.

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

On the news today it was saying that over 70s and at risk groups (like DH) will be advised to self isolate in the next few weeks 😱. It's worrying but sensible I think. DH could drive me to shops and stay in the car whilst I go in I suppose, or we can go for online deliveries. We need to collect DS3 in two weeks time but we thought if we go there and back in one day as usual and only go into the service station to use the toilets then it will minimise risk to DH. We can take all food and drinks with us thus saving money too .  I think a lot of people will find their events/holidays, etc, disrupted in the weeks to come. It's not good news for people who work in hospitality or travel businesses 😥

....... The government say that self isolating people shouldn't even go out for walks but I think that walks in the fresh air if you keep a distance between yourself and others would be fairly low risk (not if you have the virus obviously, only if you trying not to catch it). 

.


 

When we think of the logistics of self-isolation it seems like a minefield, doesn't it?

I agree that a good walk somewhere like Dartmoor (and the lovely isolated places near us) will be beneficial and certainly lift the spirits.  Everyone knows to keep a distance and should anyone be within hailing distance they're hardly likely to come up and talk as they won't want to risk catching anything IMO.  Having said that, my DH seems to attract strangers like a magnet, I've no idea why.  Sometimes he goes for  long secluded walk just for that, the peace and being on his own for a bit and to enjoy the lovely views and he always comes home and complains that the minute he stopped somewhere for a sit down or even just gets off his bike for a rest someone always turns up and wants to engage him in conversation.  They are total strangers and the area quite desolate. It baffles him where they suddenly materialise from. Maybe that won't happen any more although it did as recently as yesterday afternoon!. In Italy and  Spain the police were driving round the streets telling any walkers to go home.  I doubt they'll be patrolling Dartmoor though so you and DH should be safe .

I can see the sense in your plans for DH leaving the house just to drive and even if a blanket lockdown happens people will probably  still be allowed to go to supermarkets and pharmacies etc if the other European countries are anything to go by.  The point of the elderly/vulnerable self-isolating first is to be to lessen their chance of catching it   It's probably advisory rather than compulsory but I've just heard something on TV as I type this saying the elderly/vulnerable will 'have to' self-isolate making it sound as if there'll be no choice.

I wish someone would tell the public exactly what's expected and why.  People in this country are quite happy to obey 'rules' so long as we know exactly what they are!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

On the news today it was saying that over 70s and at risk groups (like DH) will be advised to self isolate in the next few weeks 😱. It's worrying but sensible I think. DH could drive me to shops and stay in the car whilst I go in I suppose, or we can go for online deliveries. We need to collect DS3 in two weeks time but we thought if we go there and back in one day as usual and only go into the service station to use the toilets then it will minimise risk to DH. We can take all food and drinks with us thus saving money too .  I think a lot of people will find their events/holidays, etc, disrupted in the weeks to come. It's not good news for people who work in hospitality or travel businesses 😥

....... The government say that self isolating people shouldn't even go out for walks but I think that walks in the fresh air if you keep a distance between yourself and others would be fairly low risk (not if you have the virus obviously, only if you trying not to catch it). 

.


 

When we think of the logistics of self-isolation it seems like a minefield, doesn't it?

I agree that a good walk somewhere like Dartmoor (and the lovely isolated places near us) will be beneficial and certainly lift the spirits.  Everyone knows to keep a distance and should anyone be within hailing distance they're hardly likely to come up and talk as they won't want to risk catching anything IMO.  Having said that, my DH seems to attract strangers like a magnet, I've no idea why.  Sometimes he goes for  long secluded walk just for that, the peace and being on his own for a bit and to enjoy the lovely views and he always comes home and complains that the minute he stopped somewhere for a sit down or even just gets off his bike for a rest someone always turns up and wants to engage him in conversation.  They are total strangers and the area quite desolate. It baffles him where they suddenly materialise from. Maybe that won't happen any more although it did as recently as yesterday afternoon!. In Italy and  Spain the police were driving round the streets telling any walkers to go home.  I doubt they'll be patrolling Dartmoor though so you and DH should be safe .

I can see the sense in your plans for DH leaving the house just to drive and even if a blanket lockdown happens people will probably  still be allowed to go to supermarkets and pharmacies etc if the other European countries are anything to go by.  The point of the elderly/vulnerable self-isolating first is to be to lessen their chance of catching it   It's probably advisory rather than compulsory but I've just heard something on TV as I type this saying the elderly/vulnerable will 'have to' self-isolate making it sound as if there'll be no choice.

I wish someone would tell the public exactly what's expected and why.  People in this country are quite happy to obey 'rules' so long as we know exactly what they are!

Today someone in the government said that self isolating people would be able to go out for walks (if they're not ill presumably) so that would be more sensible I think.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I've had a nice normal day at school away from the virus madness in the media. It was lovely and sunny too . Although a boy at school was running around the playground pretending to sneeze and then shouting coronavirus 😱😡. Most of the children came to school today anyway.

We're all being told to avoid pubs, restaurants and clubs now but DH and I had already decided to do that in order to protect him. I'm glad I'm not a pub or restaurant owner as many will close I'm sure.

I managed to buy ibuprofen, antihistamines, eggs, tinned tomatoes and bread on the way home from school. I feel like we're spending a lot of money on food at the moment, but whilst not panic buying we are building up a little stockpile on the grounds that we don't know what's ahead of us.

I feel tired today as I didn't go to bed early enough last night so I'm going to get my light out by at least 10.30pm tonight.

I forgot to mention that I bought two second hand books in the NT bookshop. Murder Among Friends by Elizabeth Ferrars and Until Death Do Us Part by Mary McMullen. I've started the first one and it's really good. You can't beat a good murder to take your mind off your worries 🤣.

I hope everyone is having a good Monday .

milann

Enjoy your books. 

Yes I heard that as long as you don’t present with any symptoms walks for exercise are ok away from crowds if you fall into the vulnerable category. You are lucky to be in a lovely part of the country. Stay safe 👍

HairyHandofDartmoor

milann said:

Enjoy your books. 

Yes I heard that as long as you don’t present with any symptoms walks for exercise are ok away from crowds if you fall into the vulnerable category. You are lucky to be in a lovely part of the country. Stay safe 👍

Thanks Milann . Yes we are lucky that Dartmoor is a ten minute drive away and we should be able to have some lovely, lonely walks there.

elizabethhull

I have set up DD1s ex-room as a jigsaw room, using the pasting table !
Everything I do with people has been cancelled - it's a brutal situation. I'm not scared of catching a virus but I'm a 'social animal', my friends are my lifeblood, and face-to-face contact is how I live.
Am really hoping it's not too many weeks/months........
Sorry for self-centred complaint !!

Keep well, everyone, and HH, enjoy your area. As the weather improves, you will appreciate it more than ever.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Not self-centred at all Elizabeth. Many of us use social contact and getting out of the house as ways to stay happy and cheerful, I know I do. But I think you're very wise to cancel all social events. It will be a big adjustment. We may all have to take up new indoor hobbies to keep us from going bonkers, so your jigsaw room idea is a brilliant one . I haven't done a jigsaw for years and don't even own one at the moment. I used to borrow them from the old lady who lived next door when I was a child. Jigmaps were my favourite .

 At least we have social media/skype, etc. I intend to go for walks in the fresh air as much as possible anyway to keep me cheerful. Hopefully it won't be for too long but we are very much entering the unknown!