The Three C's - Coffee, Clothes & Credit Cards

Sarahwithlove

biggerpickle said:

Hope you're feeling much better soon @Sarahwithlove.

I did the same this week and logged into my council tax to see no bill so looked on the council's website to see it's going up by 5% which is about £6, I have buildings insurance due next month (managing agents have switched from Jan renewal to April renewal) but that bill hasn't come through yet nor has my water bill and my broadband is scheduled to go up by 8%. While I don't have a payrise to cover it, my tax code has improved so that might cover the ups. 

I'm getting there thanks. Still have a cough that I can't seem to shift which is very annoying. 

My bill came through this week in the end, payment is £1 less than I guessed it would be so that's good to know. I'm in 18 month contract with broadband where it doesn't change during that time fortunately. So it's just my other water bill in July I'm waiting for now. It's frustrating that everything is going up in price again. Train tickets have increased and food seems more expensive again as well. 

I'm lucky that I'm moving to step 3 of 5 on my payscale so will get a small increase every April for next 3 years. Then we have our annual pay rise which usually takes until November to be agreed and then backdated to April. It all helps in the end but with all the cuts being made at the moment I can't see it being much of an increase. 

Blackcats

Hope you continue to feel better.
the rise in bills for 25/26 probably wipes out all our increases in income - running to stand still,  but at least we've had some rise in income (trying to look on the bright side)

LzzyIsGod

It does feel like everything is going up at the moment and we are all being squeezed from every angle 

Sarahwithlove

Blackcats said:

Hope you continue to feel better.
the rise in bills for 25/26 probably wipes out all our increases in income - running to stand still,  but at least we've had some rise in income (trying to look on the bright side)

Thanks I just can't seem to shift the cough I've been left with. 

Yes I'm grateful for any kind of increase in wages just a shame don't get any kind of benefit from it. 

Chocolatefund

£18 a month council tax rise?  Ouch…I hope that’s not the case.  Mines going up by £8 a month and that’s with single persons discount.

Sarahwithlove

Chocolatefund said:

£18 a month council tax rise?  Ouch…I hope that’s not the case.  Mines going up by £8 a month and that’s with single persons discount.

Yes mine is with a single person discount and on lowest band. But think it's because I changed go 12 monthly payments part way in the year so wondering if it was reduced last year as a result. Only thing I can think of. 

Payslips are available today and have some mileage being paid next month and should have some to claim the following month as well. All helps. 

I need to gain control of my food again as started eating badly and buying food and snacks on the go as a result. Today for example I purchased 2 lattes, some cough sweets, polo's and a rock cake all whilst in office. Then on way home stopped for chippy dinner and some chocolate. In my defence I feel rotten, being in office today has set my cough back massively I'm not happy. Now I will have to buy some more night nurse and medication to try and get rid of it over the weekend. 

Makingabobor2

Have you tried honey, lemon and hot water with a dash of ginger?  I find it works much better than any medicine.  We haven't wasted our money on cough/cold remedies for years.  Just use the honey & lemon drink, paracetamol and extra vitamin C.  Works much better and cheaper in my opinion. Also putting essential oils in a humidifier.  Sounds like its the air con making your cough worse. 

Sarahwithlove

Makingabobor2 said:

Have you tried honey, lemon and hot water with a dash of ginger?  I find it works much better than any medicine.  We haven't wasted our money on cough/cold remedies for years.  Just use the honey & lemon drink, paracetamol and extra vitamin C.  Works much better and cheaper in my opinion. Also putting essential oils in a humidifier.  Sounds like its the air con making your cough worse. 

I have been drinking lots of honey and lemon and find it does help but hadnt put ginger in it. You've reminded me to find out my vitamin c dissolvable caplets though as they will help. I have got out the habit of taking my regular vitamins and this could be my bodies way of telling me off. I also need to eat better and drink more fluid as well I think. I just have got in a rut between feeling poorly and tired all time and let bad habits slip back in. 

I did think it might be the heating making it worse as air con isn't on atm. It seems alot better at home today again. Still not right but better.

dawnybabes

I keep a jar of honey in the fridge with sliced lemon and sliced fresh ginger in it,  we dip into the whole of winter. So long as they are covered by the honey they don’t go off.

Blackcats

Sorry to hear you are still feeling poorly.  The coughs, colds and bugs seem to be taking much longer to beggar off this winter/spring.  I heartily agree with the honey, lemon and ginger suggestions.  At nighttime I add a tot of whiskey.  I don't even like whiskey but find the nighttime concoction zonks me out for a good night's sleep.  Try frequent gargling with salty water and eat lots of oranges.

your mother hens are all clucking round you to help you get better.  🐓