If things get tougher?

It seems that this thread was started over two years ago and we are still tightening our belts !! where will it all end eh ? I have noticed how empty the shops are becoming and I think everyone is thinking more about what they eat and buy and are being a lot more 'prudent' as Gordy would say. I am still working my way through my freezer and cupboards .I had a bit of luck yesterday I bought some tickets at my DD school fair and for a pound won
a tin of tomatoes, handy for spag bol
a tin of Spaghetti hoops, useful to go on toast for lunch during the week
a tin of Heinz golden sponge pudding, a nice pudding for mid-week with custard
A Colemans Beef Bourginon sauce mix.I have some stewing steak in the freezer to go with that
and a packet of 16 lollies on sticks ,which I shall donate to my smaller grandchildren
So I did well for my quid.

also i sold my tumble dryer and bought a good dehumidifier and hanging rail, pop clother straight from machine onto plastic hangers and dry all year round, its saved me loads, because a dehumidifier is much cheaper to run
and they dont need ironing!!

I've been following this thread for a while too, and I've posted before, but thing continue to get tougher and tougher.....

We've tried to sell our house, to release the capital and downsize (pricewise) but no joy as far as I can tell the housing market has ground to a complete and utter halt. My son needs to start 6th form in September, but we've decided we have to just give up on the sale and stay put.....For another two years until he finishes his A levels. As we borrowed money to finish the house for a quick sale (LOL) we need some serious, blackbelt measures now. Especially as my Daughter has finished school, and tax credits, and CB for her have stopped!

We are pretty frugal usually...but these are our 'extra' measures

My OH has given up his workshop, as he's not had a proper job using it for two years... he'll be out by September and working from home (should save 1/3 on his overheads) As the fuel to get there has now gone up to £58 a week...It HAD to be done! Business is pretty slow generally for him, but what he call's "other people's DIY" still seems to be coming in - you don't need a workshop for that.

I've turned the AGA - which is now costing £50- 60 a month to run - OFF for the summer - I've set up a kitchen camp in the garden, consisting of a Gas Barbeque, with a ring burner, and my twin ring camping stove....we have a couple of bottles of gas knocking about...but even when they are replaced it think it will still be cheaper than running the AGA. I've rigged up a tarpaulin cover, so I can still use it when it rains...

My son has been asked to pay for Broadband and tv license out of his EMA and part time earnings...otherwise both would have to go (He's the one who can't cope without the internet) He's also been tasked with finding the best value provider.

When my Daughter goes off to uni in September, I'm going to see if I can get EFL student/s in her room. Several people are advertising for Homestay families locally. If I put twin beds in instead of her double, I should be able to get two friends sharing, and earn more. We've has enough school exchange students over the years (all my kids do well at languages) so we know what we are letting ourselves in for.

And to make up for NOT being able to move this year...I'm going to bring forward my plans for chickens, and tuck just a few in the garden.

Regards

Kate

We've been away quite a lot for the past month or so and I've done two weekly shops in the time I've been back. The first one was about 50% more expensive than what it used to be - I was miffed and though it was a bit higher because we were doing a bit of a restock after having been away. Went to Tescos today for a normal shop and it's still coming in at around 50% more:mad:

Trouble is, I'm wondering where to cut back now?? As we're vegetarian, we spend quite a bit on fresh fruit and veg so we can't really cut down much on this - we have a market but it's not that conveinent for me to get to and the produce doesn't seem to last as long either.We meal plan and bring packed lunches every day - I'm just feeling that if we ate ready meals and frozen pizzas we'd be saving money:mad:

jennyjelly wrote: »

We've just started making our own wine again ager a gap of about 15 yrs when looking after children left us no time. As we drink at least a bottle a night this will give us a huge saving. Even buying 3 for £10 in Asda we are spending aroung £100 a month, and I reckon the same amount of HM will cost us about £20.

I make it from ordinary carton fruit juices and it's fab (not to mention stronger that the stuff int eh shops!)

Anybody wants to have a go I'll post our cheap and easy recipe.

Yes please - red preferred!:beer: