The hardest challenge yet

Siebrie

elantan wrote: »

A friend contacted me last night, were going out for lunch ( 2 couples) next month, so this is gonna be a mini challenge, how to afford a meal out with friends and still stay in budget.... I will be ready for it though

I love a challenge How do you normally order at a restaurant? Pick the thing you fancy most without looking at the price? Do you look at the veggie options? Pick only a starter or a dessert, not both? Stop at one glass of wine/beer, and have water, maybe even share a bottle? Check with the others if they would consider the set menu (usually per table)? It may come with a set winelist for a reasonable price, usually cheaper than individual glasses of wine.

I'm a bit extreme, in that I look at the cheapest option and consider if that would be something I would like, if so, I pick that. OR I pick something I wouldn't make at home, for instance most shellfish dishes.

PipneyJane

elantan wrote: »

Thanks for the reply people

Wednesday, he has seen therapists in the past, just now what's happening is his work are trying to take up to 35k worth of wages and pension from him, never mind the sick pay and holidays, they are threatening him with a lot of stuff, he has been battling and trying to stop this for well over a year and it has been constant for him, he is emotionally and physically exhausted from it all, but he will not give up ( his work are wishing he would) I totally get what he is going through and help as much as I can but have had to take a step back for my sanity, he knows I will support him no matter what ...

he is the strongest man I know and he will not give in, even if it costs him his job, I am more proud of him than I can ever express ... but the fight goes on and they will keep trying to keep it going on till he gives in

Now THAT is stressful and explains a lot. Does your DH have the support of a Union? Or a good employment lawyer?

I will keep my fingers crossed for him and you. It can't be easy to live with.

- Pip

elantan

boultdj wrote: »

Groupon vouchers any good El?
Or is it anyone's birthday? Some places let the birthday person for free.

I wish .. that would make it much more affordable, its just 4 friends meeting up that havnt seen each other for a long time

Siebrie wrote: »

I love a challenge How do you normally order at a restaurant? Pick the thing you fancy most without looking at the price? Do you look at the veggie options? Pick only a starter or a dessert, not both? Stop at one glass of wine/beer, and have water, maybe even share a bottle? Check with the others if they would consider the set menu (usually per table)? It may come with a set winelist for a reasonable price, usually cheaper than individual glasses of wine.

I'm a bit extreme, in that I look at the cheapest option and consider if that would be something I would like, if so, I pick that. OR I pick something I wouldn't make at home, for instance most shellfish dishes.

Now this got me to thinking, I generally have a starter and a main meal, I drink water always when eating, but may have a coffee after the meal, I dont look at price I look at what i enjoy and fancy, I'm kinda hoping maybe we can get a pre theatre meal or something and that should help with costs, i'm going to suggest a certain restaurant whose food I love but the price isnt too much, they really enjoy buffet food, i dont, i prefer my food to be made fresh for me so hopefully the will agree to this restaurant.. Will need to see

In other news the plates arrived today, they look lovely, the table is half cleared and getting there, took a friend to Glasgow for the day, she lives in Edinburgh so has only ever been to Glasgow for a gig or a certain art gallery she wanted to see,, Today i took her around the Glasgow mural trail

https://www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/

the cathedral

https://www.glasgowcathedral.org/

the necropolis
https://www.glasgownecropolis.org/

and we tried to get into the panoptican but it was shut

https://www.britanniapanopticon.org/

we stopped for lunch in the Princess square shopping centre, pulled out our soup, cake and nuts and sat and blethered, when we got up we noticed we had sat directly in front of the sign telling us not to bring our own food and drink in but to buy from the restaurants :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Oh well

Was great day with a good friend and apart from diesel free

elantan

PipneyJane wrote: »

Now THAT is stressful and explains a lot. Does your DH have the support of a Union? Or a good employment lawyer?

I will keep my fingers crossed for him and you. It can't be easy to live with.

- Pip

Pip the union are worse than useless, he has had to do most of their work for them, we have been to so many meetings with them, he has went through the local rep and is dealing with the Scotland rep for his work, she doesnt return his calls, she basically doesnt want to deal with it, i think it is a bit too involved for her. He has one guy from the union on his side so the two of them are working on it together, the rest and as an organisation i would not recommend.

We have paid for private legal representation, which has cost us a fortune, he has said that OH has a good case but that it would cost us approx £20k before we even went to court as it is so involved, he said to us look i would love to take your money and say i will do it, but i think you would be better getting the union lawyer to get his finger out, Oh has been to the union lawyer several times, and has directed him to do a certain amount of things ( as advised by the lawyer weve paid for) the union lawyer has and really didnt like it. but it has helped put Oh in a better position...

It's just a total mess of a situation to be in

dreaming

Oh Elantan - what a complete and utter PITA for Mr El. I can see why he is so stressed and turning to "comfort eating" now. It's probably a wise move to ease up about the takeaways for now but I hope things get resolved for you both sooner rather than later.

elantan

Thanks Dreaming .. he is working hard towards it

[Deleted User]

elantan wrote: »

ive also ordered somethings for the kitchen table, in a desperate attempt to also get on top of my weight issues i have decided I am no longer eating on my lap in front of the t.v if Mr El wants to that is his look out but ive never liked it and i aint doing it anymore, so ive ordered a nice water jug and a beautiful flower vase, just big enough for a single flower, ive also ordered myself some lovely plates and a candle holder, will order some nice water glasses also ( i only drink water with my food) i'm going to try and make my meal times a more relaxing pleasant experience rather than a rushed just eat cause you need to affair, now to clear the kitchen table:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Hi Elantan, I have this same issue. OH would prefer to eat off a tray on his lap in front of the TV. I have made a point of having the kitchen table set up to look nice, I also light a couple of candles and set up a jug of water of juice. But unless I make a point of it we end up in front of the TV. I am going to make a pledge to eat at the kitchen table from now on.

Well done on the progress you've made:T.

PipneyJane

elantan wrote: »

Pip the union are worse than useless, he has had to do most of their work for them, we have been to so many meetings with them, he has went through the local rep and is dealing with the Scotland rep for his work, she doesnt return his calls, she basically doesnt want to deal with it, i think it is a bit too involved for her. He has one guy from the union on his side so the two of them are working on it together, the rest and as an organisation i would not recommend.

We have paid for private legal representation, which has cost us a fortune, he has said that OH has a good case but that it would cost us approx £20k before we even went to court as it is so involved, he said to us look i would love to take your money and say i will do it, but i think you would be better getting the union lawyer to get his finger out, Oh has been to the union lawyer several times, and has directed him to do a certain amount of things ( as advised by the lawyer weve paid for) the union lawyer has and really didnt like it. but it has helped put Oh in a better position...

It's just a total mess of a situation to be in

Poor Mr El! I am so sorry that his Union is worse than useless. How much longer do you anticipate this situation continuing? Is it going to Tribunal?

- Pip

elantan

It could continue till atleast 2023 with things going on the way they are ( reasons for this I dont want to divulge publically) We have been in touch with Acas and the company are refusing to recognise Acas

yes sadly we fear it will go to Tribunal.

it's very frustrating

elantan

Just added up the full and final spend for the month of January ... drum roll please £503

Now if I were to put exactly what we spent it would be less than £500, I rounded up, so if I spent £13.50 I wrote down £14.

so I'm claiming a victory, Let's see if I can manage two in a row