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

Auntycaz

@London1 the problem for your grandson is the fact that he is house sharing with 3 other people so even if he is really frugal with energy etc he can't guarantee the others will do the same. Would it be possible for your grandson to do his Masters degree remotely while living at home?

mandy47

During summers we weren't allowed bubble bath and my dad would siphon the water out with a hose pipe for the garden

I remember my Dad doing the same

Elisheba

Rosa_Damascena said:

I cannot sacrifice my daily bath. I don't need to use a lot of water but wash I must.

I tried cutting out my daily shower and only showering once a week, with sink washes the rest of the time, but all my skin conditions flared up so I have given that up.  Health first.  No doubt I would have faded away in the old days - I'm seriously allergic to horses as well, so I'd probably be a goner before it even got round to wash time 

Elisheba

Brambling said:

My sister knows a man who is very careful with his money and washes in the water butt but he also goes to bed when it gets dark or goes visiting to avoid putting the lights on

Oooh, the idea of those freezing mornings in winter, washing in the ice cold water from the water butt makes me cringe!  very amusing though, him going visiting to avoid putting on the lights!

Elisheba

London_1 said:

I too have a water meter and my bill is £9.70 a month whereas before it was £32.00 so well worth getting one ,but then I do my best to treat water as another commodity to use with great care. I hate waste of any kind whether it is food water or any of the other services.

Oh, that is a lot cheaper than mine!  I pay about £28.50 and month and thought that was quite reasonable.  I rent though, and am not sure if I am allowed to change over to a water meter.  I might look into it.  Almost £20 a month saving is not to be sniffed at.

helensbiggestfan

A tip to reduce fridge running costs.  

Freeze a gel pack - the sort you use for picnics and put it in the fridge until defrosted.  Makes quite a difference, especially in hot weather when the fridge has to work harder.  

London_1

Auntycaz said:

@London1 the problem for your grandson is the fact that he is house sharing with 3 other people so even if he is really frugal with energy etc he can't guarantee the others will do the same. Would it be possible for your grandson to do his Masters degree remotely while living at home?

No sadly, he would have to be at his Uni and its just not viable at the moment His next brother down Mikey, starts his Uni course this September 

helensbiggestfan

I am just going to redo my budget today.  See what further tweaks I can make.  I'm not too bad at the moment, I think I have still got a little bit of wriggle room left but it's not going to be easy.  The more savings I can make now the more I can put towards next winters rising costs.  We're not done yet.  I have a nasty feeling it's going to be a long haul.  

I can remember the "good old days". Freezing houses, damp and condensation, having to walk everywhere to save a few coppers bus fare, having to skimp on food, living life at a basic level.  

Thought we'd kissed them goodbye. Alas it seems they are back with us with a vengeance, 

Jackie.....your poor grandson.  Bless his heart.  Thank goodness he has you.  So many people are going to really struggle. I'm afraid a lot of people are going to go under.  

Florenceem

Been to have my yearly eye test and buying 2 pairs of cheap glasses. While there - a woman was paying £400+ for one pair of glasses. She said to the assistant - the cost isn't an issue.
Price of DK yarn has shot up in Wilk. - £1.60 for 100g. I usually buy online and pay £1 or £1.25 - depends on colour requirements but I needed yellow yarn urgently. I can make 14 chick creme egg covers with 100g of yarn - making £14 for the SA.

sammy_kaye18

I have spent the day today doing bits in the garden and looking up ways I can save money and make a few bits I need for out there. 

I splurged on myself today and brought compost to fill our vegetable beds with - it was £18 for 3 big bags and they delivered for free to my house so that helped and I’m hoping the seeds I have and the things I grow will save us money in the long run. I got it from a small local green grocers too so supporting local. 

Although weirdly I started filling the bed with my 17yo son Ben and it started snowing and now it’s sunny again. What is going on with this weather?!?!

Ive also say and gone through my craft stuff to see what I have that can keep me occupied and what doesn’t use a lot of electric so I have some things I can be doing there too. 

JackieO - your such a caring grandmother. Although I know mine would do the same if I was in a pinch. I hope your grandson is alright and manages to sort everything out. What Uni is he at? 

Also found out a voucher I had for Christmas so about to sit and look at hobbycraft items - not that I need anymore!