Learning to walk before I run

South_coast

Buying something you need in an emergency from the emergency fund is not something to beat yourself up about - that's exactly what it's there for. You needed a suit, couldn't find it cheaper, and it will last you for years. Be kinder to yourself please

Suffolk_lass

To get best value from that suit, consider getting a second pair of trousers from your personal spends, if you can.

Well done on helping your MIL. When my BIL died just beore his 50th birthday, we found my SIL had never shopped, budgeted, cooked or navigated. She could not use a cashpoint, drive, or provide directions to her home when people offered her lifts. At 46 it was a steep learning curve and lots of support (mostly from her children) was needed.

Please don't beat yourself up, you are doing your best, both of you

LadyWithAPlan

South_coast said:

Buying something you need in an emergency from the emergency fund is not something to beat yourself up about - that's exactly what it's there for. You needed a suit, couldn't find it cheaper, and it will last you for years. Be kinder to yourself please

I agree 100%.

I am sure your frugal, financial  and budget wisdom will be hugely helpful and appreciated with your OH and MIL..  

killerpeaty

Suffolk_lass said:

Well done on helping your MIL. When my BIL died just beore his 50th birthday, we found my SIL had never shopped, budgeted, cooked or navigated. She could not use a cashpoint, drive, or provide directions to her home when people offered her lifts. At 46 it was a steep learning curve and lots of support (mostly from her children) was needed.

This is so interesting. It's like being dumped into the world without any lessons. Is she doing well now?

Suffolk_lass

Yes. She can cook, shops with her daughter, and does not need to budget, having remarried and been predeceased a second time. She has never learned to drive, but is walking distance from her eldest daughter who lives in her former home, and she looks after her grandchildren. I doubt navigating or directing has been acquired. I don't know about cash point use. 20 years ago, it mattered a lot. Less so now. Apparently sh used to look at the cosmetics, toiletries and hair adornments while BIL ran round the store, meal plan and list prepared. He trained as a chef, so just did it.

edinburgher

Drat! Grubby browny/green Mark on the collar of the new sodding shirt! All I have to hand is Napisan and usual cleaning stuff, will try an overnight soak.

Paspatur

Ed do you not have time to return it?
Does Napisan not contain bleach, it used to (talking 70's/early 80's terry nappies here)
Any right to return it will be invalidated if you bleach it? Or maybe even if you wash it

edinburgher

Paspatur said:

Ed do you not have time to return it?
Does Napisan not contain bleach, it used to (talking 70's/early 80's terry nappies here)
Any right to return it will be invalidated if you bleach it? Or maybe even if you wash it

It had already been washed and no, returning it would be a 90-mile return trip. So I need to get it clean somehow!

edinburgher

A gallon of Napisan seems to have done the job - stain banished to the land of mist and shadows

A nice quiet slow day before back to work tomorrow

We went round to see MIL and "inherited" a 3-bird roast, some stewing steak and a pork fillet that FIL would have worked wonders with but which MIL couldn't be bothered cooking. Our freezer is now heaving, which is very helpful.

Looking forward to getting back to something closer to normality tomorrow, DD1 has her Highland dancing class and I'll need to make an early start of work. The plan is to keep my mouth shut re. purchased leave-gate and just make bland pleasantries with my cack boss. Plenty of time for job hunting when you WFH

savingholmes

Well done on the suit and helping MIL. Good luck for tomorrow. This too shall pass...