OS Daily thread Thursday 25th October 2007

csarina

Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Thursday 25/10/07. This is an “over the garden fence” type thread where we chat about everything OS and maybe a little bit more. It’s a great, inspiring and motivating thread we start each day to discuss what we’re going to do today or what we’ve achieved already. Everyone’s welcome, please do come in, put your feet up (although check the fence hasn’t just been painted first!) and join us for an OS natter. The more the merrier!

When you make a post, if you feel like giving it a title, that will help others that don’t have the time to read everything skim through the thread quickly but if not it's not a problem, we’re a laid back bunch here so you won’t hear any complaints. Please do not start a new daily thread before you go to bed at night because this often leaves things confusing with two daily threads live at the same time. The idea is that a member would start each new daily thread after they get up in the morning

Some people who chat here like to try to answer everyone. Don’t feel you have to though, a general “hi everyone, hope everyone’s well” type start does just as well.

Well, I did go to bed, but am wide awake, so I thought I would get up and share a little story with you, its quite long, so I will just give you the first bit today and then start a new thread tomorrow entitled Helping The Bucket s(Bookays)

This is the story of some friends, the lady of the house asked me for coffee and during the course of conversation it came out that her husband was shortly going to be retiring and they were facing a severe cut back in their income, to cut a long story short I offered to help if I could………..but insisted that she tell her husband as in order to do the job properly I would need to go through bills etc………this is what I found……………
Shopping I was astounded to learn (for 2) was in the region of £450 - £500 a month they buy food and waste it, they are not in trouble yet but will be if they do not do something about it tout suit.....need to try to work out a budget for them. Various things need to be done, change utility suppliers, cut down their Sky commitment, get them onto a water meter......sort out their phones and get them to arrange to pay for their bills by DD rather than when they come through the door.

The man of the house is retiring shortly and his income will be more than halved.......Mrs Bucket (thats what I call her) does not work, but reaches into the freezer and shoves what she gets out into the microwave, so lessons in cooking from scratch are also on the cards as is a visit to the shops with a weekly menu and a shopping list. I think she just went round and put what she fancied into her basket, they eat out at least twice a week including Sunday lunch and he plays golf 3 times a week, thats getting cut down to once a week!!! I have cut her down to £200 a month for food and she does not need to buy any cleaning stuff she has a cupboard full of the stuff most of which she does not need, oh yes and I sacked her cleaner.........at £25 a time twice a week she can do it herself and make a better job of it!!!!!!!!!!

We did an inventory of her freezer and more than half the stuff had been in there for more than 12 months, the meat was ok, but the rest went into the bin, about £150's worth of food................ I could have cried, it would have fed us for 2 months...........at least.

I have not suggested downsizing just yet, thought I had better hold back on that one for a while, I have a feeling that they have a second charge on the house for a loan.......they seem to be meeting the payments now, but not for long at the rate they spend dosh.

I suggested they both keep a spending diary for a month. At least they are eager to sort themselves out before they get into trouble.........which makes a refreshing change.......I think he got a bit of a shock when he realised how much pension he was going to get compared to what he had been earning........and they had no real savings, just a couple of ISA's saving for a cruise when he retired.........dare I tell them that they should think about leaving that cash for emergencies??????????? For a highly educated couple they really do not have a clue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sound very cruel, but I had to be brutal, they are living at a rate which would bankrupt them within a year if they carried on......she was weeping and wailing about how they were going to cope.......oh yes another thing, they have a Merc he was planning to get a new one, what with brass buttons?????? the car is going and we are going to look for a smaller more economical vehicle,( I did think about a Reliant Robin, but I don't think you can get them now) that alone will save them thousands, the insurance was massive and the petrol................ £65 everytime he fills the tank..........which he does twice a week.

Further instalment to follow………..need to have a further root through their paper work.

HariboJunkie

Morning Csarina and all who follow.

I'm getting a bit fed up of being here at this time. :rolleyes: Back is improving and once again thanks to all those who sent their good wishes. :A

OH cleaned the kitchen really well tonight and even prepped the girls lunches when he got in from work. I will try to catch up with some laundry today but the ironing pile is really beginning to scare me.

I managed to get the girls' their costumes for the party tonight. looked in Woolies and Tesco first but couldn't justify the price so popped into our little post office and got 2 really stunning outfits for £8 :money: . They look lovely and spent last night turning me into a frog. :rolleyes:

I'm so pleased our PO has not been axed. The one at the other side of town has been hit for closure which is really sad as it's only just been taken over by a young couple.

Not much else planned for today, just whatever my back will allow. (God I'm a whinger aren't I)

HM Pizza for tea if OH is home in time to roll out the dough.

Hugs to Smokey if you're around. x
And to Pink who has a rotten cold. :kisses3:
Twink.....Glad you're doing well with the painting. Tell Kyle to take that avatar down at once. it's bringing me out in a cold sweat. :eek:
PenPen. Glad you are enjoying your trip to the frozen north. Don't know why I didn't tell you about the planetarium. it's fab isn't it. You could have popped into the hotel I stayed in a few weeks ago to grass my OH up for nicking their hairdryer. :rotfl:
Luxor...I'm so glad your news was good. :j
Snowy.....Get back on here miss. I miss you starting the daily.

Off to fire up the kettle.

Take care all.

Haribo x

Edited to add. Morning Amie!! Enjoy your day with the family. x

AMIE399

GOOD MORNING CSARINA AND ALL TO FOLLOW....
WOW......£450 A MONTH ON SHOPPING !!!!!!!!

WELL I WENT TO BED AT 9.30 BUT AM UP AND WIDE AWAKE NOW, COOKED A CHICKEN IN THE SC YESTERDAY, THEN TOPPED THE STOCK UP WITH VEGGIES AND LEFT OVER CHICKEN AND PUT IT BACK ON AND MADE CHICKEN SOUP, HAVE JUST STUCK IT IN THE BLENDER.Mmmmmm smells yummy !!!!!!!!!
have my sister, nephew and nan comming down for the day and we are all going out for a pub lunch, then maybe a stroll along the seafront if its not raining.
done lots of washing yesterday and managed to get it dry out on the line, so i now have a huge pile of ironing !!!!!!!
well im going to look at the comp thread and try and win a holiday, a car and lots of chocolate and wine !!!!!!!!
Loraine x


good morning Haribo x

SnowyOwl_2

Morning everyone....remember me???:rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry for being unsociable lately, life has been a bit of a non-event, and OS has rather gone out the window. I've been reading most days though, so keeping a latent interest going at least.

Errr, so that means I've got nothing to report, it's just the same old same old here.

Keep well everyone.

Snowy

HariboJunkie

SnowyOwl wrote: »

Morning everyone....remember me???:rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry for being unsociable lately, life has been a bit of a non-event, and OS has rather gone out the window. I've been reading most days though, so keeping a latent interest going at least.

Errr, so that means I've got nothing to report, it's just the same old same old here.

Keep well everyone.

Snowy

:j :T :A :beer: :kisses: :kisses3: :kisses2: :santa2: _party_ :hello: :wave: :dance: :grouphug: :money:

Erm...I mean.... quite nice to see you back and all that.

AussieLass

HariboJunkie wrote: »

(God I'm a whinger aren't I)

Well now that you mention it. Yes.

Goodmorning everyone,

Been in the kitchen most of the morning. We've had a few light showers later this morning but it seems to be gone now. Washed Benny and I have to photocopy some recipes out of a couple of books I need to take back to the library tomorrow. I'm meeting up with XDIL & DGS tomorrow and he's staying here the night. :T

Amie I made a double batch of lettuce soup today. :rolleyes: Probably not as nice as yours by the sounds of it. Enjoy your day out with sis. I'm spending nex Tuesday with mine.

Haribo Hope you get some more sleep. You'll be shattered otherwise.
Csarina Big job. I hope they are both willing to change, otherwise all your hard work will be wasted.

Well better get going. I've still got a bit to do. Have a lovely day. Byeeeeeeeee

Snowy, you snuck in when I was posting. If we forgive you, will you post more often? Lovely to hear from you.

mrs_mix

Morning everyone
:hello: Aussielass :hello: Snowy welcome back
Haribo glad your feeling a bit better but don't over do it:grouphug:
Pink hope you feel better soon:grouphug:
:hello: Amiee
Csarina sounds like you've got your work cut out there good luck

Been up ages can't seem too sleep past 4am at the moment and I'm getting fed up with it but on the up side it's payday today for what it's worth dh works so hard for not a lot really for what he does
ds2 and dd are going out for the day as I have hospital this afternoon and I have to travel to a little cottage hospital about 20 miles away so it saves them getting fed up
I have an electrician coming today to see if he can fit the room thermostat as dh and I haven't got a clue but he's reccomeded and reasonable in cost better than blowing myself up :eek: :eek: I would have hair like that
not sure whats for dinner today something quick
have a good day all
:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: to all
pam xx

charlies_mum

Morning :wave:

Getting back into the swing of getting up in the mornings but it is so dark, I'll have to put the dogs flashing collar on so I can see where he is this morning :rotfl:

Day of sorting and Ebay listing today, and then need to rummage in the freezer for tea.

Hope everyone is OK x

scuzz

Morning Early Risers

I went to bed so early last night - 7.30pm. I was just so tired. But feel much better for the sleep now. Had a lovely dinner - chicken pieces cooked in mushroom soup in the over with mushrooms and couscous.

Getting rid of an unwanted sewing machine for my Mum later. There's a charity near here who collects unwanted tools and sewing machines to send to the Third World to train people to be able to work for a living instead of having to rely on hand outs. So it feels good that we could potentially be helping someone get out of severe poverty and help their families.

Seeing lots of charities today for work. Good to give them promotion and handing over a collection to one of them. I asked everyone in the office for a pound - thirteen coughed up. So through the charity, we'll feed a Ugandan orphan breakfast every day for an entire 13 months:T :T

Can't believe it's still pitch black outside and it's gone 7 o'clock.

I've lost my favourite hat, which I'm not happy about. Hoping it will turn up, but not sure if I dropped it outside and someone has just picked it up.

Hope everyone's ok

dlb

Morning everyone.
Hiya Snowy, great to hear from you again.
Hope you are all keeping well? Well i was so glad to go to bed last night after the hectic day we had, but once in bed i couldnt sleep, i thought i would be out like a light but havent slept well at all.

Today have to pop into town to meet a lady from freecycle to collect a book, and buy the kids some new earrings they have lost the backs off theirs!
Then FIL is coming at around dinnertime, have no idea why? Just phoned up and told dh hes coming....not can i come are you busy!!!!!!!
But i have loads of ebaying to sort out so that should keep me busy whilst he winds the kids up!!

Feeling ok otherwise have got my head around my new budget which starts on payday tommorow, i have cut back even further on a few areas and i have opened a new savings account to put the extra money into, so i can acctually see my savings and this is where i will put my ebay earnings into from now on too.
Hoping by having a sepearte account that i can see the money building up in will mean i dont spend it.

Right off to get another coffee before kids get up.
Take care
Donna
xx

mioliere

Morning all.

HARIBO - glad your back is getting better. I also think that closing more POs is a dreaful move. So many people depend on their local one. Mine saves me a horrendous queue in the main PO and they sell lots of other things, too. It's about time the powers-that-be started realising that they should be saving community services.

AMIE - have a lovely day. Save some chicken soup for me - I love it, especially on a cold day like today.

CSARINA - Wow! The Buckets must have been living like royalty on food shopping bills like that! I hope they heed all your expert advice - I think OSing has saved me loads of money but it's not just that, is it? HM food is so much better for you. My DH couldn't believe that, last week, I managed to get three good meals, including puddings, out of about £4! On Saturday, we had lunch out - it was only fish and chips, and two cups of tea (revolting made with really cheap teabags!), but it cost £11 AND no pudding! Nearly broke my heart! Good luck with your challenge - if they listen and act, they'll be so shocked at all the money they have been wasting.

SNOWY - Good to hear from you.

Once again, I want to thank you all for your good wishes re MIL. No change to report, though. It was a week yesterday since she was taken ill and she's not given up the fight yet so we're keeping fingers crossed.

Just packed DH off to work with HM bread for his sandwiches and three types of HM cake! He was very impressed when he looked at it all - especially as, when I was ill, there were no cakes and he was making his own sandwiches! He considers himself a very spoilt husband - I keep telling him he's the luckiest man alive!

Today's to-do list includes making a stew in the SC - I bought some lovely Scottish beef; we had some last week and it was absolutely delicious. TWINK and KYLE, I think the best beef in the world comes from your neck of the woods! I must post off the fuses and ciggie papers that my friend in France has asked me to send her - I meant to do it yesterday but didn't get the time. I also need to re-list my Amazon books because they've expired and I also want to catch up on some knitting.

We had a flyer through the door yesterday saying that a mobile library service will be coming to our road on Wednesday afternoons, so I shall look forward to having a nose in it when it comes next week.

Anyway, off to have a shower and get cracking on the list of chores so, see you all later. Have a great morning. (((hugs))) to all who need one and to JACKIEO, SMOKYBABE, PENPIN and MRSMIX. Oh, and LUXOR - so glad your news turned out to be good.

KathyXX:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: