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

-taff

linz said:

Washing is drying in front of the log burner and i'm drinking a cuppa in a travel mug so it stays hot for longer. Another one who boils the kettle once and puts the rest in a thermos, especially on a weekend. I also reuse teabags for a 2nd cup too.

If the log burner is on, no  need to boil a kettle, a saucepan on top will do it

linz

-taff said:

linz said:

Washing is drying in front of the log burner and i'm drinking a cuppa in a travel mug so it stays hot for longer. Another one who boils the kettle once and puts the rest in a thermos, especially on a weekend. I also reuse teabags for a 2nd cup too.

If the log burner is on, no  need to boil a kettle, a saucepan on top will do it

I love this thread! Why did I not think of that!!?? 

Spendless

I lost my job last week. It was handy having it  as son is on the last year of his degree. We've always paid his rent as he receives minimum loan (DH has a company car so this adds on to his income as 'benefits in kind' when it comes to student finance) . DD has just finished an unfunded drama course in a different part of the UK. We still have 2 instalments to pay on their halls. I have honestly felt like we've been paying 3 mortgages. DD has been given the option of staying and finding work or returning home. 

I've had 1 job interview so far, but am also considering if not offered it to spend some time at home organising etc.  We don't pay for petrol in DH's company car so am tempted to keep shopping trips to when that can be used. Walk for local trips and just use my car for anything outside of this.  

March is usually a very expensive month as both my kids in it, my sister's twins, my Grandmother and Mother's day where a present for my Mum, MIL and and anything for me came out of the same wage packet. However DS birthday was last week and already accounted for. DD I fortunately have most things for her. She split up with her boyf and they ahd holidays planned and I'd bought in advance for that but too raw to give at Christmas, so saved for her birthday when she does have things planned (booked and paid for prior to me losing my job). My Nan is in a home so very little you can get her, I know an independent florist that buys the flowers M&S don't want, they are both beautiful and reasonably priced so will get her a bunch and my MIL has sadly died, so just my Mum as the kids are old enough to get me something themselves. My Neice and Nephew are 21 so this is the last time I buy for them. Fortunately in order to get a free gift of a travel bag a few weeks ago, I bought some perfume and aftershave. I'm going to move this over to their birthdays. I'm relieved I have a 'present cupboard' to dip into. 

Think I'm going to check what the current prices are of the local train and how frequently they run and compare that to using petrol and paying for parking. 

Rosa_Damascena

Spendless said:

I lost my job last week. It was handy having it  as son is on the last year of his degree. We've always paid his rent as he receives minimum loan (DH has a company car so this adds on to his income as 'benefits in kind' when it comes to student finance) . DD has just finished an unfunded drama course in a different part of the UK. We still have 2 instalments to pay on their halls. I have honestly felt like we've been paying 3 mortgages. DD has been given the option of staying and finding work or returning home. 

I've had 1 job interview so far, but am also considering if not offered it to spend some time at home organising etc.  We don't pay for petrol in DH's company car so am tempted to keep shopping trips to when that can be used. Walk for local trips and just use my car for anything outside of this.  

Please don't fall into the trap of "homemaking". It quickly turns into a way of life and whilst is valuable in itself is not going to bring in any income. Keep looking for flexible work because there are massive inflationary increases that need to be headed off at the pass.

Spendless

Rosa_Damascena said:

Spendless said:

I lost my job last week. It was handy having it  as son is on the last year of his degree. We've always paid his rent as he receives minimum loan (DH has a company car so this adds on to his income as 'benefits in kind' when it comes to student finance) . DD has just finished an unfunded drama course in a different part of the UK. We still have 2 instalments to pay on their halls. I have honestly felt like we've been paying 3 mortgages. DD has been given the option of staying and finding work or returning home. 

I've had 1 job interview so far, but am also considering if not offered it to spend some time at home organising etc.  We don't pay for petrol in DH's company car so am tempted to keep shopping trips to when that can be used. Walk for local trips and just use my car for anything outside of this.  

Please don't fall into the trap of "homemaking". It quickly turns into a way of life and whilst is valuable in itself is not going to bring in any income. Keep looking for flexible work because there are massive inflationary increases that need to be headed off at the pass.

I didn't mean long term. Just for a few weeks. In September I don't know if we'll still be just me and DH living here or both kids pus DS gf. It depends on whether DD gets onto her desired course and if DS and gf find work . I was thinking of using some time to plan for that eventuality. Flexible work is a tough call where I live and in my line of work (nothing special) it's full time or nothing. I've spent 20+ years since having the kids discovering this. 

tooldle

It’s worth asking about travel discounts at interview Spendless. My employer is a member of the First Bus computer travel club which means a decent discount on monthly buss passes, for staff. My monthly pass costs less than the monthly parking charge for the employers car park, coming in at just under £33 per month. My mum worked for the civil service and they offered enhancements to use the train.

Happy_Sloth

Spendless sorry to here about your job, I know things are tough it's even worse when you have kids in Uni,  my son is there atm and it's hard your right it's like having a second mortgage. Remember to be kind to yourself,  loosing a job is hard enough. 

My OH has been out of work for over a year.. i honestly don't know what was worse the stress/upset that was the cause of him being unable to work.  (His mental health wasn't good) Or the fact that he continuously beat himself up for being the 'cause' of the financial strain. 

As i said to him... lifes full of bumps, as long as we are together, healthy and have each others support we will get through anything.  

One thing i've learned in life is finances are some what variable... sometimes they are up other times they are down.  The main thing is to play smart and keep trucking. 
 

Siebrie

If you think last night was slightly warmer than expected, that's because my husband and dds forgot to close the living room window when closing the curtain, and it's been open all night. I only noticed when I opened the curtain at 7.30 this morning! It was lovely warm in the house...

Spendless

I decided to tidy our conservatory today. The winter/early spring sunshine coming through the windows make it really pleasant. No need to have any heating on. 

[Deleted User]

@zafiro1984 your home and kitchen sound so lovely and cosy x

I have been busy chopping up scrap wood for kindling this morning. My lovely girls have laid 10 eggs so far today which is just lovely and gives me joy. Still on track for my Lidl trip tomorrow, albeit that I have £25 to spend now - I think £50 will be too much of a stretch. Nonetheless, I am determined that will be if for our grocery costs for the rest of March x