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

Siebrie

My friend tells me to look through and take out any items I want to wear; she can't wear them anymore. I may wear them once or twice and then pass them on.

Husband's relatives are, unfortunately, rather demanding. I just pass on what I have, they are always complaining; it's a balancing act to 'help without hurting'. They are used to their eldest sister (my sister-in-law, who is 56 now, has lived in The Netherlands since she was around 20, when her Dutch husband returned here and brought her with him) sending any money she made, always thinking about the family. It was needed at the time, but they have gotten used to it and the men mostly sit on their bums. The wives work and do housekeeping; I don't mind that most items I send are for the wives' and children's benefit

Longwalker

YoungBlueEyes said:

@longwalker do you mind me asking where stayed when you were in Edinburgh? I’ve never known a hotel where you can turn the heating off. I’d actually pay a wee bit extra for that ha haa! 

When I said cheap, it was cheap, a travel lodge - no rad - an electric fire

And we had a window that opened  Best nights sleep Ive ever had in a hotel in my life

Rosa_Damascena

Longwalker said:

We are just back from a 3 night stay in Edinburgh - our holiday for the year.

We done it on the cheap, very cheap, flights cheaper then the cost of taking a cabin bag, so we carried two tiny 10litre back packs with enough clean clothes to get by on and wore our big heavy waterproof coats and boots - and the weather was fabulous. Only having the one coat meant I was too hot to be wandering about shops - made an even cheaper break

We walked everywhere and only paid for one tour that we were interested in. We visited more then a lifetimes worth of free galleries and museums and must have explored every inch of the old town - and a lot of the new town. We did donate where donations were asked - St Giles etc 

Breakfast was at Wetherspoons, a full fry for £5 and everlasting coffee for £1:30 - a lot cheaper then the hotel , we did go all out for two evening meals, but even then that was only £20 a head including a drink.The first night we were so tired we had a pizza and glass of wine at the hotel and collapsed in bed by 7pm If we were home, Id have baulked at paying £20 a head for a meal, thinking that would do me a week, but it was a holiday and we had budgeted and saved for it and for once it was nice not to look at the price and worry

So after being so warm in Edinburgh ( it was 7oC but dry ) and not having the heat on in the hotel room, Im back home where its dark and lashing it down and Im feeling cold and already tempted to light the fire

We got heating oil before we left 700ltrs for £650 , hopefully that will get us to the new year. We have it on an hour in the morning and it goes on again at 4pm when it gets dark, until around 10pm. But if its going to be a long wet winter, it will need putting on more, the house is never toasty, just warm enough to function in wearing jumpers 

I dont know when we are going to be seeing any help with heating costs. Rumours are it will be January. Unfortunately you pay for oil in advance so for a lot of people here its very very bleak. We are fortunate that we can cover the costs as we both still work and can always increase work hours if we need too but I have friends on fixed incomes ( benefits/pensions ) who are already rationing the heat 

Edinburgh is wonderful - but wasn't it a bit rowdy last might with all those political shenanigans going on?

YoungBlueEyes

Ooh I love a travelodge/premier inn. Saves the pennies for the good stuff 😊

Longwalker

Rosa_Damascena said:

Longwalker said:

We are just back from a 3 night stay in Edinburgh - our holiday for the year.

We done it on the cheap, very cheap, flights cheaper then the cost of taking a cabin bag, so we carried two tiny 10litre back packs with enough clean clothes to get by on and wore our big heavy waterproof coats and boots - and the weather was fabulous. Only having the one coat meant I was too hot to be wandering about shops - made an even cheaper break

We walked everywhere and only paid for one tour that we were interested in. We visited more then a lifetimes worth of free galleries and museums and must have explored every inch of the old town - and a lot of the new town. We did donate where donations were asked - St Giles etc 

Breakfast was at Wetherspoons, a full fry for £5 and everlasting coffee for £1:30 - a lot cheaper then the hotel , we did go all out for two evening meals, but even then that was only £20 a head including a drink.The first night we were so tired we had a pizza and glass of wine at the hotel and collapsed in bed by 7pm If we were home, Id have baulked at paying £20 a head for a meal, thinking that would do me a week, but it was a holiday and we had budgeted and saved for it and for once it was nice not to look at the price and worry

So after being so warm in Edinburgh ( it was 7oC but dry ) and not having the heat on in the hotel room, Im back home where its dark and lashing it down and Im feeling cold and already tempted to light the fire

We got heating oil before we left 700ltrs for £650 , hopefully that will get us to the new year. We have it on an hour in the morning and it goes on again at 4pm when it gets dark, until around 10pm. But if its going to be a long wet winter, it will need putting on more, the house is never toasty, just warm enough to function in wearing jumpers 

I dont know when we are going to be seeing any help with heating costs. Rumours are it will be January. Unfortunately you pay for oil in advance so for a lot of people here its very very bleak. We are fortunate that we can cover the costs as we both still work and can always increase work hours if we need too but I have friends on fixed incomes ( benefits/pensions ) who are already rationing the heat 

Edinburgh is wonderful - but wasn't it a bit rowdy last might with all those political shenanigans going on?

No idea, we came home yesterday afternoon

And yes , Edinburgh is wonderful. I loved it. The history thats there in your face with every step, the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone we met - even the airport staff were human  

I think best part of the trip for me, was being at the top of Carlton Hill just as the sun was beginning to set, still being able to see out to the Forth bridge, but the lights coming on in the city below us. I did have every intention of going up Arthurs Seat before we left, but woke to rain so decided on a leisurely breakfast before heading back to the airport

Longwalker

YoungBlueEyes said:

Ooh I love a travelodge/premier inn. Saves the pennies for the good stuff 😊

Exactly this. All we need is a comfortable clean bed and a hot shower, we dont go away to sit in a hotel room , we go to see what we have gone to see.

RobM99

Longwalker said:

YoungBlueEyes said:

Ooh I love a travelodge/premier inn. Saves the pennies for the good stuff 😊

Exactly this. All we need is a comfortable clean bed and a hot shower, we dont go away to sit in a hotel room , we go to see what we have gone to see.

I'm a "Holiday Inn" person myself but  agree with the sentiment.

EssexHebridean

Longwalker said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Longwalker said:

We are just back from a 3 night stay in Edinburgh - our holiday for the year.

We done it on the cheap, very cheap, flights cheaper then the cost of taking a cabin bag, so we carried two tiny 10litre back packs with enough clean clothes to get by on and wore our big heavy waterproof coats and boots - and the weather was fabulous. Only having the one coat meant I was too hot to be wandering about shops - made an even cheaper break

We walked everywhere and only paid for one tour that we were interested in. We visited more then a lifetimes worth of free galleries and museums and must have explored every inch of the old town - and a lot of the new town. We did donate where donations were asked - St Giles etc 

Breakfast was at Wetherspoons, a full fry for £5 and everlasting coffee for £1:30 - a lot cheaper then the hotel , we did go all out for two evening meals, but even then that was only £20 a head including a drink.The first night we were so tired we had a pizza and glass of wine at the hotel and collapsed in bed by 7pm If we were home, Id have baulked at paying £20 a head for a meal, thinking that would do me a week, but it was a holiday and we had budgeted and saved for it and for once it was nice not to look at the price and worry

So after being so warm in Edinburgh ( it was 7oC but dry ) and not having the heat on in the hotel room, Im back home where its dark and lashing it down and Im feeling cold and already tempted to light the fire

We got heating oil before we left 700ltrs for £650 , hopefully that will get us to the new year. We have it on an hour in the morning and it goes on again at 4pm when it gets dark, until around 10pm. But if its going to be a long wet winter, it will need putting on more, the house is never toasty, just warm enough to function in wearing jumpers 

I dont know when we are going to be seeing any help with heating costs. Rumours are it will be January. Unfortunately you pay for oil in advance so for a lot of people here its very very bleak. We are fortunate that we can cover the costs as we both still work and can always increase work hours if we need too but I have friends on fixed incomes ( benefits/pensions ) who are already rationing the heat 

Edinburgh is wonderful - but wasn't it a bit rowdy last might with all those political shenanigans going on?

No idea, we came home yesterday afternoon

And yes , Edinburgh is wonderful. I loved it. The history thats there in your face with every step, the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone we met - even the airport staff were human  

I think best part of the trip for me, was being at the top of Carlton Hill just as the sun was beginning to set, still being able to see out to the Forth bridge, but the lights coming on in the city below us. I did have every intention of going up Arthurs Seat before we left, but woke to rain so decided on a leisurely breakfast before heading back to the airport

Mr EH asked me to marry him up there a good few years ago now - so that is without question on of my very favourite places in the city!  We went for a wander up there when we were last there and it is fabulous these days with all the information boards giving you details of what you can see from each viewing point. A lovely spot! 

We're usually very happy with a P. Inn/T/Lodge for a couple of nights but above that tend to look for an airbnb or similar as we find often the savings on being able to self cater for meals offsets the extra spend, plus you get a more comfortable environment to just sit in when enough exploring/ time on feet has been had, as well. 

Florenceem

London_1 said:

One of the reasons the SA is my go-to charity of choice, I donate what I would spend on Christmas cards to them as a rule and all my friends and family know this and are quite happy about it Being an ex-londoner I have see the work they do to help people in dire straights, and this is really where people who really are in deep trouble and despair can get help. I do hope the outcome for D is good and will add him to my chats to the 'Big Guy' tonight before I go to sleep.

JackieO xx 

D is critical in hospital with kidney failure, pneumonia and sepsis.

YoungBlueEyes

Ah poor man. Hopefully he finds some ease 🤞🏻