It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

CKhalvashi

Haven't been able to post as this may have gone legal, looks like it won't now so I will post something.

Mom had a severe car accident last Friday, ended up in hospital until Tuesday (it was raining, she was planning to enter work through A&E but didn't have quite this scenario in mind). She's very bruised but ok.

I went somewhere close to Cambridge to collect her belongings from the car yesterday (if you end up doing this, take a suitcase, it will save you a lot of time when doing this, even with arriving and leaving in a vehicle). It's quite sobering seeing a vehicle you know quite well in that condition. The dashboard has been forced backwards by 5-10cm (looking at the position of the air conditioning dials and gap in the dashboard, this is the best guide I have so may not be accurate).

Please everyone wear a seatbelt and make sure your passengers are doing the same as well. Also make sure there is as little as possible behind you that is heavy. Some gardening tools in there have actually pushed half of the rear seat out of the bracket, but luckily didn't fly forward.

Can anyone here recommend something Fiesta/Corsa/i20 etc sized? Manual gearbox is preferred and preferably not more than 3-4 years old, but all brands will be considered subject to budget (preferably about £7k, but can be stretched to possibly £10k).

[Deleted User]

I am sorry to hear about your mother’s accident, I hope she recovers well.

I suggest popping this on the motoring board though, for advice about vehicles. As has been mentioned up thread, this thread needs to stay on topic to remain open. I for one stopped posting because the chat got so off topic - and the topic it was set up for is now more prevalent than ever.

I mean absolutely no offence. I’d hate to see this thread go as it’s a real comfort to people like me who are watching every penny at the moment.

Take care, ASB x

CKhalvashi

Deleted_User said:

I am sorry to hear about your mother’s accident, I hope she recovers well.

I suggest popping this on the motoring board though, for advice about vehicles. As has been mentioned up thread, this thread needs to stay on topic to remain open. I for one stopped posting because the chat got so off topic - and the topic it was set up for is now more prevalent than ever.

I mean absolutely no offence. I’d hate to see this thread go as it’s a real comfort to people like me who are watching every penny at the moment.

Take care, ASB x

Yes, apologies, I will do. In line with keeping the thread on topic, my initial thoughts are along the lines of cheap to run and reliable (both of which are a need), but maybe the motoring board is better.

Woolsery

CKhalvashi said:

Can anyone here recommend something Fiesta/Corsa/i20 etc sized? Manual gearbox is preferred and preferably not more than 3-4 years old, but all brands will be considered subject to budget (preferably about £7k, but can be stretched to possibly £10k).

Dacias are cheap, basic and very reliable. Anything from Toyota, Suzuki, Kia / Hyundai and Honda should be better than average.

 

I will shut up again now.

YoungBlueEyes

I hope your mum's ok CK. Even if it's just bruising, it's the shock of it that can take a while to wear off. Reluctance to drive again, too.

I have a Suzuki Swift, and when it dies on me I'll be buying another one It's reliable, economical, and a lovely size to drive - big enough for proper back seats and a boot that is usable, but small enough to wiggle through small spaces. 

Also shutting up now,

JIL

Floss said:

Interesting as the last few pages have been, could we get back on topic before the thread is culled?

Floss said:

YoungBlueEyes said:

Oh and I hoovered up yesterday and Henry is fine. Took a couple of emptyings but he got there

He's not challenged by new carpets!

In these absolutely ridiculous times of hardship, we all reach out for a bit of togetherness. Even those advising us to stay on topic (I mean absolutely no offence by this, just using this as an example of the togetherness v topic)



Going back to the title of its getting tough out there, feeling the pinch,  it certainly is getting tough and affecting people in more ways that financially.

I hope the mods will therefore give a little more insight before deleting what is actually a very supportive thread.


So sorry to hear about your mother. @CKhalvashi.

YoungBlueEyes

Re posts going off topic. I personally love the 'rambling' threads. In my mind it's like the old days of sitting in the pub talking to various people, the conversation grows and changes as a new person says something or a different topic is introduced.  But I don't agree with it on threads that are shorter and have a specific query/problem. Why is my boiler doing this, or what's the best way to cook pasta, or my sister is being a pig over our mother's will etc etc. 

However, longer threads like this one with a fairly vague topic (and the similar and equally as long threads) will naturally veer off in a multitude of directions as the conversations digress and flow with the new input, or swerve to include an interesting news item, or something garnered from the internet or real life. 

I say this with my hands up as someone who loves to hear from and about other people, and am probably guilty of starting the veering on some threads or at least contributing to the veering someone else has started. In my opinion it's human nature and is needed by some folk as interaction at times when their real life doesn't provide it (for whatever reason). For me, this is literally my only 'social media'. As well as being good fun, it's interesting and useful and informative.....

How I speak and behave on here is how I speak and behave in real life. I can be dry at times but I never mean any offence. And I will always love to talk about whatever it is you've got to tell me But not on short specific threads!

Floss

The rambling, veering-off threads used to have a home but that board was shut down & never reopened.

Personally I quite like some of that, but I've also been a regular contributor to threads that got killed due to going off-topic hence the prompt.

Re smart meters - my supplier contacted me today about signing up for their money-earning energy saving sessions, which are due to start next week.

slm6002

Floss may I ask which energy supplier you are with.  I hear British gas are going to be doing something but I couldn't see anything on their website as yet.  I may be being too impatient

linz

Sorry to hear about your mum @CKhalvashi. Hope she's on the mend soon.

I can't remember if it was on this thread or the frugal living one but someone mentioned community grocery stores. I didn't think we'd have one in my town but to my surprise we do! It's been open about 6 months apparently. I joined today. I wrestled a bit with my conscience as i'm not on benefits but I do live on my own and therefore have to pay for all bills myself and so am feeling the pinch so I decided I would join. Hopefully I am supporting the community by being a member and paying when I shop there. I did give them a bag full of bramley apples from a friend's mums tree which they put out with the fruit and veg stock. I don't think I will use it as much as members are allowed to, I'd want those who really do need the facility to get what they need. But once or twice a month for fresh fruit/veg would be great. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the fresh stuff. I also got a wonky brocolli and a packet of peanuts from the free shelf.