Giving every £ a job

Dottles1

Thinking about small businesses and how they will cope through all this reminded me of what my daughter said the other day.  She is going to keep using local businesses that she frequents and has bought vouchers to use when we are through to the other side. It might not be a lot but if we all bought a  it will put some money in their coffers right now and we can use them at a later date and we are celebrating.  

Blackcats

That's a very nice idea Dottles.  I've mentioned on here that I've been shopping at my local butchers, greengrocers and bakers for the last 6-9 months.  It's great to go to these shops and see familiar faces and continue to support their businesses.  The butcher has been shocked at the amount of meat that people are buying and on Monday of this week had already taken his usual weekly amount of money.  Obviously he wasn't complaining but was worried about having sufficient supplies for all his regular customers.
A friend has just got in touch to say that their 6 month temporary contract has been cancelled after 4 days!  Very scary for them. 

joedenise

Went to my local butchers today, only wanted some sausages and burgers and was limited to 8 sausages.  I usually buy a couple of dozen at a time and freeze them, so we will only be having sausages once over the next couple of weeks!

Blackcats

JoeDenise - enjoy those sausages!  

Well Boris has helped me make stringent adjustments to my eating out budget.  What extraordinary times we are living in.  I feel pleased for workers who will have had some reassurance about their income today.  Goodness only knows the logistics and the costs but at least some people will have less worries today.
After a week of working from home I'm going to make an effort to make the weekend different to the week.  I'm lucky that I can shut the door on my home office until Monday -it's not so easy for people who have been thrown into home working without time to prepare.  

Finances are looking ok.  Getting hair done tomorrow - budgeted for and much needed. 💇‍♀️

Franalamadingdong

That's a good idea making the weekend different to the weekday. I had been thinking similarly for my son, whether I should make a distinction.
Enjoy your haircut. My friend is a hairdresser and is concerned if/when they're told to shut.

Dottles1

I went to the hairdresser's yesterday Fran and she said that she has been unbelievably busy.  People are saying they need an appointment "before they get locked in".  Crazy times

Blackcats

I was pleased to get my hair done.  The hairdressers had spread out appointments and only 2 of us in at a time with big gaps between us.  Lots of handwashing etc.  They had postponed the appointments of their more elderly clientele.
Whilst sitting waiting for the colour on my hair to "cook" I had time to think of how I've changed my ways over the last few months.
use it up - I now get the last out of tubs and tubes such as hand cream, moisturiser etc.  Previously I got to near the end and was excited to throw it away so I could buy shiny new replacements.  Still working through shower gels cos I had so many in stock .
mending - I've mended a few items of clothing that previously I would have thrown away or ignored in the wardrobe.  It's given me back some of my favourite items of clothing.
fix it - I've fixed the broken Dys*n by buying a new battery.  Twice the original battery life for a fraction of the cost of a whole new machine.
keeping an eye on money - I cancelled BT sports and Sk y have just paused my sports subscription saving £18 a month.  They offered me the option to add on movies at £11 a month which I declined. 😇.  I will take stock and review my subscriptions when sports start again. 

Shopping from home (trademark Foxgloves).  I've worn scarves and jewellery and used bags, purses and gloves that I'd spent fortunes on and which were languishing in the wardrobe.  I've enjoyed the variety and they are all things that I like and had forgotten about.  And as for the candle stash ..... still lots in the cupboard 😄
lots of positives and learning from these sites.

Franalamadingdong

Sounds great Blackcats! 

Blackcats

Drove home at about 8pm from a visit to elderly relatives - very strange indeed - the drive home not the elderly relatives!  A,though they do have their quirky moments 🤣 No sign of any people on the streets, pubs and restaurants in darkness.  I found myself singing "ghost town" by the Specials.  

savingholmes

Glad you are able to shop from home more.