Everytime we save money .....

reetnproper

.... something goes up: the cost of diesel; of fruit and veg; meat; milk; bread and so on.

We've reduced our monthly shop to the barest essentials after nearly a year of honing what we use, looking for good, cheaper alternatives etc.

We buy our fresh produce from local butchers, green grocers, dairy etc.

We've reduced our electric usage from 18 units a day to 4-5 (not bad for a family of 5 in a 3bed semi.

We only have one vehicle, as the bus service around here is pretty good, and we drive that at no more than 56 mph on the motorway which has increased our fuel economy from 30mpg to around 37-40 depending on how much local driving is done.

Dh has reduced his cigarettes (aiming for a total stop) dramatically.

We never have takeaways and luxuries are few and far between.

Yet, every time we make a saving it's eaten up by some other expense!!! Namely diesel. But dh has to travel South to work twice a week. It's so frustrating. The cost of living has gone up but dhs wages haven't gone up in 5years and with 2 small children at home, we can't afford for me to go back to work yet! Arrrrrrrghhh.

It's like a never ending cycle.

riddlesticks

Oh I so know how you feel. We are in the same boat and I dont even remember the last time we had a luxury!!!!

chevalier

reetnproper wrote: »

...
The cost of living has gone up but dhs wages haven't gone up in 5years and with 2 small children at home, we can't afford for me to go back to work yet! Arrrrrrrghhh.

It's like a never ending cycle.

Sorry if this is harsh but has he asked for a payrise. I would be looking for another job really as this can't be good. Sounds like they are taking advantage of him good and proper.
chev

Shineyhappy

riddlesticks wrote: »

Oh I so know how you feel. We are in the same boat and I dont even remember the last time we had a luxury!!!!

I wouldnt have thought a boat was a good thing for a dfw to have

I think a lot of us know that feeling. I get a refund on my water bill for 65 quid:j then the next letter I open is for my flats management company asking for 65 quid:mad:

There is always something like I cleared 1.5k from a 2.5k od:j then I remember car insurance so I am back to 1.5k instead of 1k. It does seem like a lot of hard work is wasted but if you think about it, if I hadnt have paid off 1k of my od then when that bill came in, how would I have paid for it? On a credit card leaving me deeper in debt and more stressed.

Just keep trying to look at the positives and keep smiling

Kaz2904

Life sucks at times doesn't it!
I didn't get a payrise for years with my old job and it was incredibly hard. We kept asking for payrises but were just told that the company couldn't afford it. Never mind the fact that our costs of living kept increasing, council tax doubling every year.

GirlieSurfer

Dont get me started on the price of fuel!! We live out in the sticks (because its was the cheapest place we could find when we were hunting and we like peace and quiet rather than hustle and bustle). I have a 50 mile round trip to work because I couldnt find anything closer when I was looking. My OH is self employed and his job requires a lot of driving. We spend on average £380 per month on fuel which rises dramatically with every penny that goes on the price/litre.

If I changed my job and worked closer I would take a drop in wages and would still have to drive as we have NO public transport within walking distance, and the nearest bus runs once every hour if you phone the bus company and request it!!!

Its all well and good putting the price of fuel up to get cars off the road but it will stop some of us working eventually if it carries on!

saffronflowers

I totally appreciate what you are saying, and am really sorry to say this but just so you are aware it is as much illegal to drive slower than the speed limit as it is to drive over it. It is a daft annomally but if the vehicle is capable of driving up and to the speed limit then that is the legal requirement.

Please dont think that I am having a go I am not.

SFx

lauradora

I know just how you feel, I think we all do here! The thing is you just have to keep at it and you'll see the results eventually!

This is the place to be though if you need any help!!

It does sound like your OH needs to be asking for a payrise though!

The_Economist

GirlieSurfer wrote: »

Dont get me started on the price of fuel!! We live out in the sticks (because its was the cheapest place we could find when we were hunting and we like peace and quiet rather than hustle and bustle). I have a 50 mile round trip to work because I couldnt find anything closer when I was looking. My OH is self employed and his job requires a lot of driving. We spend on average £380 per month on fuel which rises dramatically with every penny that goes on the price/litre.

If I changed my job and worked closer I would take a drop in wages and would still have to drive as we have NO public transport within walking distance, and the nearest bus runs once every hour if you phone the bus company and request it!!!

Its all well and good putting the price of fuel up to get cars off the road but it will stop some of us working eventually if it carries on!

I dont think there is any need for fuel prices to be so high other than pure greed of the Goverment. Do they pay for there fuel they use out of there own pocket or is there another allowance they have rewarded themselves to pay for it. Things are getting why out of order in all aspects of life in this country. Bring on the election.

Kaz2904

saffronflowers wrote: »

I totally appreciate what you are saying, and am really sorry to say this but just so you are aware it is as much illegal to drive slower than the speed limit as it is to drive over it. It is a daft annomally but if the vehicle is capable of driving up and to the speed limit then that is the legal requirement.

Please dont think that I am having a go I am not.

SFx

I think you ought to check the highway code. A speed limit is precisely that- a limit. You must go no faster. You can drive slower but if you drive unsafely then you can be pulled over.

skintscotslass

saffronflowers wrote: »

I totally appreciate what you are saying, and am really sorry to say this but just so you are aware it is as much illegal to drive slower than the speed limit as it is to drive over it. It is a daft annomally but if the vehicle is capable of driving up and to the speed limit then that is the legal requirement.

Please dont think that I am having a go I am not.

SFx

SF, I dont think thats correct. I'm sure that there is only one place in Scotland with a minimum speed limit. This is the sign

and I'm sure I've never seen it. I've never seen one anywhere else in the UK either. I'll check at work tomorrow.