Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

foxgloves

P.S @Humdinger1 - re your comment.....I did get elected a few years back & served a 4-year term locally but although it was interesting, it was also deeply frustrating. We live in ToryTown, so I think mine was a bit of a rogue win - not enough fellow comrades on the council for me to to feel I'd been even slightly effective, except for my role at a local mental health charity, which I did enjoy, as well as getting on well with the service users & volunteers. I wouldn't attempt to go any further politically, even though I have been approached by people hoping I might stand for other councils. I got to middle-manager level in the public sector when I was working  - we were not allowed to express any political views at work, so I had to go about with a virtual zipper over my mouth, especially difficult as I worked in a succession of areas which were struggling socially & economically. Yes, we are living through interesting times, but I'd like to see a bit more come-uppance for those in need of being taken down a peg or ten. 
F

foxgloves

@makingabobor2 - It really varies depending on where you live, if you are in a frost pocket, etc. We are northern end of East Midlands & I will sow some outdoor stuff in March, but will cover the containers with glass to be on the safe side......unless the weather warms up of course. I start most stuff off in my greenhouse (unheated) or if it's tropical veg like aubergines, peppers, tomatoes, etc, I use my little heated propagator. Sorry not to be able to give you a more definitive answer. Mr F is the potato/allium grower & I know he hasn't got his shallots in yet because he thinks it's too cold. I don't think he's doing potatoes this year as he has other projects.
F x

Makingabobor2

foxgloves said:

@makingabobor2 - It really varies depending on where you live, if you are in a frost pocket, etc. We are northern end of East Midlands & I will sow some outdoor stuff in March, but will cover the containers with glass to be on the safe side......unless the weather warms up of course. I start most stuff off in my greenhouse (unheated) or if it's tropical veg like aubergines, peppers, tomatoes, etc, I use my little heated propagator. Sorry not to be able to give you a more definitive answer. Mr F is the potato/allium grower & I know he hasn't got his shallots in yet because he thinks it's too cold. I don't think he's doing potatoes this year as he has other projects.
F x

We are East Mids as well, the bottom end of Leicestershire, just about on the Warwickshire boarder.  I know I put carrots in in March last year, but it was a lot warmer if I remember correctly.  I've got some peppers that it says to start indoors and last year I started herbs indoors. So will get on with those I think. Maybe I should see what I can find to cover my containers with. Does it have to be glass, or does plastic/perspex work? I bet my FIL has some old bits lying around, he never gets rid of anything.  Wish I had a greenhouse.  Thanks for your reply, really useful. x

foxgloves

@Makingabobor2 - Anything transparent will do. I use glass because I have a few panes that are a good size for covering containers. They were actually glass shelves from an old bathroom unit, which I kept to re-purpose. Even a sheet of polythene would provide a bit of additional protection, as would horticultural fleece. I've used old voile/ muslin curtains in the past too.
The old folk advice about planting times was if you can rest your bare bum cheeks on the soil comfortably, then it's warm enough....but I've never tried that as our garden is overlooked!
F x 

Makingabobor2

foxgloves said:

@Makingabobor2 - Anything transparent will do. I use glass because I have a few panes that are a good size for covering containers. They were actually glass shelves from an old bathroom unit, which I kept to re-purpose. Even a sheet of polythene would provide a bit of additional protection, as would horticultural fleece. I've used old voile/ muslin curtains in the past too.
The old folk advice about planting times was if you can rest your bare bum cheeks on the soil comfortably, then it's warm enough....but I've never tried that as our garden is overlooked!
F x 

LOL....the old folk advice made me laugh. Yes we're a bit over looked as well. Think we're forecast to go down to -3 next week over night, so definitely need to keep them warm if I get them in before then...which I may not TBH, we have sleet forecast next week as well, so might have to leave it a week or 2, but I'll see if I can find out something to cover it all with. Thanks so much x

EssexHebridean

That really is an extortionate price on that cat food isn’t it - I suppose people pay it though or they wouldn’t still be charging it! I remember shopping about all over the place to find the best price on HRH’s “Cats Like…” brand too. 

foxgloves

@EssexHebridean - Yes, extortionate. I remember at one point last year, cat food was cited as one of the fastest rising prices. And the boxes we are buying are now also security tagged. 
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pennywisepoundstupid

foxgloves is it Sh3ba that you buy for your cat, if so have you looked on the online store Bother as it may be cheaper.

foxgloves

@pennywisepoundstupid - Thanks, yes that's the one!  I expect I could find it cheaper online, but we're trying hard to support our high street/local shops atm, as so many of them have closed here in the last few years. I did buy Soot & Ash's flea treatment online last time though, as the price differential was just too big to ignore.
I wonder if cat food brands will become more competitive when inflation falls back, or whether the big companies which own the brands will keep them artificially high to make the most of the situation. I suppose we will just have to wait & see.
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Suffolk_lass

Not sure if it is all their range of cat food but I think the sachets just reduced in size as our subscription was not delivered because they have run out of the size we have.

Your point about public sector not being able to speak about political things. I similarly maintained the party line, implemented government policy with integrity, supporting our customers, despite the fact that I fundamentally disagreed on a personal level. I think the fuss about Sue Gray resigning to become Keir Starmer's chief of staff shows a number of things:

• he is saying I will be following the rules
• I am putting in place someone of unimpeachable integrity to run my office properly, without chancers and know-nothings
• that he truly values the skills and honesty of the Civil Service
• in contrast Catman Moggy and the mad-woman once again demonstrate they do not value the public sector and do not understand it is possible to do your job and deliver, even when you personally disagree. It explains to me why these privileged MPs cannot distinguish between personal and professional interests.