Struggling along as best I can

Skint_yet_Again

Great news about the Iceland voucher nannyg. 🤗

My DF went to his local garden centre last week and they had all seeds half price so it may be worth keeping an eye on any garden centres near you. 

Enjoy your weekend with the pup 🐶 

WinterWarrior

Fabulous news about the voucher 😛

KxMx

It's always worth checking with your water company, but social tariffs often only benefit families because they are only cheaper if you use over x amount of water.
My water company did a through assessment for me but as a single person household (no bath either) the standard tariff still comes out cheapest.

nannygladys

KxMx - I did enquire about any cheaper methods with the water company, but like you I don't qualify but the amount I use is quite small, it's the providing the water and disposable of drainage and sewerage that is the big bulk of the bill and there's not much I can do about that. I'm still very careful with it though, saving used water for the loo and garden watering.

nannygladys

Skint_yet_Again - luckily I bought nearly all my seeds when the Wilko sale started, but you can never have too many 😄 I bought some from Lidals last year and they have been quite good as well, so will be trying them again and there's always Premier Seeds online that I usually use! If you DF can't get some seeds 'premier' are quick, cheap and I've haven't had any problems with any I have bought from them.

nannygladys

WinterWarrior - i think I will have to try harder to empty the freezer a bit but at the 'warehouses' they sell all food not just frozen, so could have it all in chocolate 😄 

nannygladys

So besides taking pup for walks, having cuddles and clearing the garden up I haven't really been doing much! But I did stir out of the house today and went to the library, had a visit to a new local independent cafe , it's only been open a couple of weeks and I want to support it (it's a mother and daughter venture), and then did a big stock up shop at Tesco's, which cost me £61.07 yikes!!!! Most of it was buying winter stocks, I think I spent less than a fiver on food for now! The community pantry is still not open, I'm beginning to wonder if there is a problem there, it hasn't been open for weeks, I may start looking around for another one - just in case. 
I saw a YouTuber making a loaf of bread in a slow cooker the other day, it looked interesting and I might have a go one day just to see if would work for me, I do have a bread maker but it takes a long time and guzzles electric so this way may be the answer!!

I went to the Lottie today to water and pick produce, I coerced eldest dgd to come with me and look after the pup, she went off with him picking apples and plums from the community orchard and now the dogs ear fur is full of sticky weed seeds 😄 he's a spaniel so he has fluffy ears! Anyway I picked loads of veggies (for me and two dds) and one plot neighbour has a spare blackcurrant bush for me so I will have to find a space for it, wondering whether to plant it at home instead.
So that's about it, the world keeps turning and we're all still in here, take care everyone.
Nannyg 

nannygladys

Another day another dollar.
It's been a busy couple of days. Pup went home, 'not my cat' has been boarding this week and then the last couple of nights I've had my eldest dds dog staying!!! So I've cuddled, fussed and petted and been left with lots of fur tufts from both dogs and cat, but what else would I be doing??
I haven't been to the Lottie for a couple of days but going tomorrow to water and collect some beans for tea, and that's about it really. I did go to the community pantry for a few free bits they were offering, I just hope the organiser gets well quick so it can fully open, poor lady has been poorly for a few weeks now, so hope she's feeling a bit better.
I went into the city and spent some clothes money on a couple of 'hoodies', a long winter coat and two hot water bottles, all from primarni and for winter wearing, so it didn't cost too much. Besides some new leggings (thermal ones) and a new dress for a party I'm going to, that'll be it this year.  I'm very slowly knitting a jumper and I'm going to make an extra door curtain from left over material that I have (it will be very colourful!) But it's going to act as an extra lining to the curtains on the French doors to help keep some heat in, well that's the idea anyway🙂
The weather has mainly been sunny here but it's definitely cooling down now and we've even had some rain. Middle dd, husband and dgs have decided to come for Xmas and new year, so I will have to start organising sleeping arrangements and food, they have said they will help with food and g&e, but I will have to start and get a few bits in over the coming weeks, I have said we're not doing presents this year though as dgc will just be getting some money that I will give to their parents, that I have already saved up so at least that has been done🙂
Right lights out for me, I'm having trouble getting a decent nights sleep but at least I don't have to get up for anything in particular (well only on a Tuesday!!)
Nannyg 

nannygladys

I didn't realise how long it was since I last posted, time goes quickly when you're trying to get by!
Anyway I'll update my grocery spends sig after I've posted but it doesn't include an extra £65 I've spent on pantry stash, I think I've finished for the time being as I can't get anymore in there so it'll be one out one in situation now. The freezer is rammed and the Lottie is in full production at present.ive also bought some more clothes for winter, two pairs of fleecy PJ's and some lovely fluffy socks. I still need some waterproof boots and a good umbrella but it's ongoing and some more money will have to go into that particular budget 😃. I seem to have lists for everything, candles, batteries, blankets etc it's never ending but I am shopping around trying to get the best deals for myself.
I haven't heard anything about pension credit or anything about the very small private pensions I have, wheels turn very slowly where money is involved unless you owe them, I haven't had my Iceland voucher yet either 🙁
My car broke down this week on mossers carpark and I had to call the breakdown company (so glad it came with my insurance), long story short I picked it up today and the mechanic flicked a switch and it's ok, it does need an update but it's not necessary, doesn't affect the way it drives or passing it's mot, just a gizmo that is put on to make it a bit different I suppose. Anyway it didn't cost me anything so I may buy a Xmas tin of chocs to take there, it's a lovely family run place and I've been using them for years.
I'm following Martin's advice on g&e, but I was looking at past bills and besides it being so much more now my actual unit use has gone up steadily over the last few years, I'm not sure where though especially over the last few months as I've been cutting down such a lot! I'm wondering if it's the fridge freezer as it's getting on in years. I'm tempted to compare the unit use over 24hrs switched on and then  switched off, but I will have to choose my time first though! 
Anyway that's about it, the nights are really beginning to draw in so it'll be time to get the winter woolies out. And I'm beginning to see Xmas decorations in the shops and it's not even October.
Nannyg 

Sun_Addict

If you ever find a decent umbrella that doesn’t turn inside out with the slightest breeze and doesn’t weigh a ton please let me know. I’ve had so many supposedly wind proof umbrellas that have failed 😞 

In my experience anything that’s being paid to you takes forever but anything you owe is taken straight away. Hope you hear something soon.