(member)

30/08/2008 11:44

so its only me then

with the credit crunch imploding on my life?

or do I have company

as in, having to sell a property to pay off debt and not for greed

two daughters single and not one taker

pets that need feeding

and old age beckoning around the door...

(member)

30/08/2008 11:48

Re: so its only me then

I've just got back from my weekly shop nowcemsi, and the food that cost me Ł40 5 years ago now costs nearer Ł80,while Ł20 of petrol barely half filled the tank - and I have a VERY small car. I don't think you're on your own - a lot of us are going to be feeling the pinch. I just try to take things one day at a time and not to worry about the longer term.

(member)

30/08/2008 11:52

Re: so its only me then

Hi nowcemsi
I'm feeling it too...has just cost a small fortune to fill the oil tank... petrol prices horrendous...quite a concern for pensioners/low-paid/unemployed this winter.

(member)

30/08/2008 12:29

Re: so its only me then

Me too.
I dont have any spare property to sell. Only the house we live in.Damp problems that must be sorted out.
Two daughters, no takers, one income, five people.
How I regret giving up my fledgling career all those years ago.
Paid Ł90 to fill the car with diesel:(
J.

(member)

30/08/2008 12:32

Re: so its only me then

nowcemsi - financial pressures biting, but for differetn reason. Left H earlier this year, now renting with our 2 teenagers. I don't earn stacks, and only about a third of what he does. No maintenance. I can just about cope, until they need new clothes or shoes, and I just pray that nothing goes wrong. So I am ignoring the odd behaviour the car is doing!
I used to lie awake at night worrying about it, but I have reached the stage where I don;t anymore. The main thing is that we are together, we are free from him, and we are happy. Ok so it might be smart price beans on smart price toast for tea again, but we laugh together and get through it.
I do understand the way it feels - and the resentment that goes with it. I hope things brighten up for you soon. Big hugs from me x

(member)

30/08/2008 14:41

Re: so its only me then

I'm sorry to hear how hard it is nowcemsi, I can't imagine what you are going thru,it must be very tough.
You are in my thoughts today. Snowy x

(member)

30/08/2008 15:25

Re: so its only me then

Nowcemsi I have struggled with finances for years , all due to raising my 3 alone. But yes i do feel it is getting worse, especially gas/elec bills and filling up the car.

Having read some of the post on here about Aldi Lidl etc,I have changed my shopping habits, and am keeping a record of what I save. I am spending a lot less, so it seems to be worth it, and we are not eating inferior food etc.

(member)

30/08/2008 15:38

Re: so its only me then

No..its me as well!! As you probably read on my other post, we have a huge tax bill to pay. On top of that our gas and electric bills seem like we're paying for the whole street and not just us!
Unfortunately we have always taken buying things for granted...nice food and wine...clothes when we want them etc, even though we were never rich. Its hard to get used to things like beans on toast for dinner!!
We're trying though...like many other people in the country. I'm being much more careful with what I buy...going to local markets etc for fruit and veg, and not putting things in the trolley at the supermarket just because they take my fancy!

(member)

30/08/2008 15:57

Re: so its only me then

chemski and bumble bee and others , I think a lot of us have had it hard at times ,I remember going to bed early because I could not afford the heating ,buying day old bread from the bakery and generally scraping to make ends meet ,we did it ,we were happy and I think it made the children the people they are today .Abject poverty is a crime in this day and age but tightening the belt at times makes us appreciate what we now have.
PS BB I really admire you for getting out with your children

(member)

30/08/2008 19:31

Re: so its only me then

Just did my accounts today and I need to spend less if I want to stay in the black. I realise I'm very lucky as I have no children to support and OH is in work, but I well remember the last recession when I was on my own and I was made redundant.

I had to move out of my house because I couldn't afford the mortgage, stayed with friends and had a cleaning job to make ends meet. I felt as though I was at rock bottom.

Eventually I crawled my way back up again and will never, ever again, take money for granted.

I will adjust our spending, grow more veg, think of ways to save money and if all else fails, go out and try to get a proper job.

I should think there are very few 'normal' women who will not have to think about money and how to spend it over the coming months.

(member)

30/08/2008 21:14

Re: so its only me then

I'm thinking twice about all sorts of things, the cats have been downgraded to tesco's own cat biscuits, they're eating them but under protest.

I find though I spend far less on food shopping via the internet. I can look at the costs and empty or change the "trolley" contents to reduce the total, also stops me impulse buying. Would try Aldi or lidl but they're in th enext town and petrol/car parking etc not to mention time would cancel out the saving.

As an aside I was thinking about this in regard to the articles on fashion in W&H and other magazines, they're all still showing a lot of more expensive brands. Given we're all belt tightening, wouldn't it be good if they did a where to get new trends more reasonably in the hight st, sort of feature (obviously companies who don't exploit workers overseas though).

While we're on the subject of W&H, I'm very disgruntled with them this is the second month mine has not arrived, I shall be making a grumpy old woman phone call to them on Monday.

(member)

30/08/2008 22:58

Re: so its only me then

Hi my hubby and I are now programmed to living this so called credit crunch. Just who made up this new way of saying that your normal class person is now finding it tough to live in Great Britain.
We are both born and bred in Scotland, both worked very hard, I left my job to have our children then went back to work when youngest went to school.
Have paid tax etc since I was 14, but due to my mum having cancer she was not able to look after my dad who had early Parkinsons, add that to the fact my sister has learning difficulties I, thanks to my hubby and my children, had to give up work.
My mum died, and after 9 years of hospitals and a nursing home so did my dad. In all that time after paying into the system did I get a penny. Nope I was according to them due nothing.
My sister gets Ł200 per week, pays no rent etc, goes on trips abroad, yes she has learning difficulties but thanks to social work etc, lives the life of Riley.
After caring for so long I just couldn't go back to my type of work.
After all that ranting, why should hard working individuals have to feel any type of crunch. We live near a homeless b&b and do they feel the crunch! Warm home {must be windows opened wide rain or snow} drunk or doped every night breakfast in the dining room every morning, always on their mobile.We have an old house which costs a lot to heat, have told hubby due to heating charges going through the roof we either put the telly in the bedroom and shut off the rest of the house, or we move into the homeless unit and all is free thanks to the great british taxpayer.Think I feel better after that! [image]http://[/image] http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9671/fairy1fp2.jpg

(member)

31/08/2008 06:25

Re: so its only me then

The problem is that lots of the so called suggested economies I am doing already.

I already use up leftovers to make other meals and only buy what we eat etc. The central heating was turned several degrees last winter and if I'm on my own I put another woolly on.
I walk to work and Mr. F and I take pack lunches.
I grow lots of different herbs, runner beans, tomatoes and French beans.
We both work full time and Mr. F teaches about 6 days a year at a local college too.
I have just stopped the window cleaner. He charged Ł10 and I couldn't really see the difference. Mr F. does the outside and I do the inside windows now.

I expect a lot of forumers are doing all these things too.

I need to cut down on impulse buys, it is so easy to pop a magazine in the shopping trolley. I have started buying cards from M&S (Ł1.00 against Ł2.00+ in some shops) and a Card Factory has just opened locally and I've been told they are cheap and good.

I do buy own brands, but I have noticed my food bills going up and up. Any other suggestions from the forum?

(member)

31/08/2008 08:43

Re: so its only me then

Cards are very expensive aren't they. I have a friend who sells Phoenix cards and they are good quality and, best of all, inexpensive.

There's bound to be someone selling these near you. Maybe even a fellow forumer.

http://www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/corp/

(member)

31/08/2008 09:09

Re: so its only me then

I agree we can make daily small savings that help; instead of taking a bottle of wine to a friend's meal yesterday I took a bag of homegrown veg. I make necklaces for friend's birthdays etc..
When I was last feeling the pinch badly I took in a lodger for 6 months- not easy when you love your own space, but there's usually an answer.
I'm lucky to have a job.I think if I was on my own long-term I'd look into communal living,growing our own veg, sharing chores etc; a very challenging way to live but with lots of benefits.

(member)

31/08/2008 20:36

Re: so its only me then

The shop costs more each week! We are going to need to get our roof looked at soon (it's not leaking but some of the battens aren't in good condition) and have been putting off getting estimates. Just had a letter from the gas offering to freeze the price for three years and are wondering if that's the right thing to do. It's difficult to economise more and more each year as wage increases are no where near what the financial experts say the rate of inflation actually is. Oh well, I guess we'll all survive - we always do!

(member)

01/09/2008 11:31

Re: so its only me then

Cemsi

I have a son who is single and no takers Yet!!!

Would your daughters be interested LOL

(member)

01/09/2008 14:00

Re: so its only me then

Quote:

Cemsi

I have a son who is single and no takers Yet!!!

Would your daughters be interested LOL

Yes proviso must be age range 21 thru to 33

and must be old fashioned nice lads

deal!

(member)

01/09/2008 14:13

Re: so its only me then

we have to sell up wont go into the reasons here
and I find the outlook scary as in, where will we be living in a years time?
it seems to me some get help others dont, historically we never have we have always worked
I am too ill to work now and yes I know worse things happen at sea and in New Orleans

shall just think in the moment

(member)

01/09/2008 15:26

Re: so its only me then

It really is quite scary these days and I feel that the news is always designed to send panic through us.

I really really made a big effort this quarter to reduce my electric and gas usage - turned off gas water heating if I could manage and used the electric shower. Turned off all standby lights each night and during the day if possible. Amazingly have just had my lowest gas and electric bills for years, inspite of the price rise : I know the winter quarter will be higher, but at least I have shown myself I can do without stuff. Watch the small portable tv rather than the plasma which I think uses mega electricity or even listen to the radio - much more fun!
As Spanishlady says, I think we have all experienced hardship through our lives and its a case of ducking and diving to keep head above water. Not so bad if you are only a couple, but doubly hard if you have kids with their wants and needs.
Think I will set a limit on Christmas this year as to be honest grandkids really do have far too much.
Hang in there nowcemsi, the government cannot even make ends meet, so why should you!
Sometimes a rented property on a secure tenancy takes away the angst of essential repairs and insurance... for every negative, there is often a positive. Hugs.

(member)

02/09/2008 08:15

Re: so its only me then

Cemsi he is 22 and at college.

(member)

05/09/2008 20:48

Re: so its only me then

cemsi,

I'm okay financially at the moment, but no money to spare. However I have been strapped for cash, so here are my tips

1. Nights out have to go, but nights in can be fun. Set aside one night a week, and a few pounds. Friday or Saturday is best. Treat you and OH (and kids too if you have to). A bottle of wine, some beers, a couple of g&T's, whatever is your tipple. A big bar of chocolate. Set the table with candles, or eat in front of the TV, but it has to be different from usual. Food should be nice - sausage and mash, pizza (buy cheap ones and add your own toppings), even shepherds pie, but it has to be "effort food", even if cheap. Maybe some red wine, cheese, whatever. Put on that nice top and some lippy. make yourself feel good, and OH will appreciate it, even if he doesn't say. Make it special.

2. Buy a notebook. When you see something you really want in a magazine or on TV (I don't mean a Ł500 handbag, but something that ought to be in your price-range) write it in the notebook. Check the notebook in a few weeks, and you'll find you actually haven't missed it. I still do this. I've saved thousands that way, in my mind at least.

3. Find a money box, jar, or whatever. Save all your money off coupons, then when you cash them in (but not Tesco - see item 4), put the money in the jar. Usde Boots card points for essentails like toothpaste, shampoo, and put the money in the jar. It's money saved to fritter later. After all, you've earned it. You made the effort.

4. Tesco clubcard points can be traded in for better deals - days out, magazine subscriptions. But best of all they can be saved for hotel vouchers. Save them up for a weekend in a nice hotel with a pool. Doesn't need to be far away, it's the posh room and facilities you want. You could use the money saved in item 3 to pay for dinner (you could eat somwhere cheaper than the hotel), or to buy some wine, choccies, nibbles to take with you. It's free weekend away.

You might need to cut back, but you still need to enjoy life

..wispa

(member)

05/09/2008 21:00

Re: so its only me then

Those are good ideas, Wispa.

On the 'small savings' theme, any Ł2 coins that you're given in change can be put in a jar and will soon become a little stash for a special occasion treat.

I'm finally using up a lot of small bottles of body lotion I'd amassed by emptying them all together in a pump dispenser and religiously applying after bath or shower. The smell is, um, a mixture of various scents but it doesn't seem to matter and I'm finally remembering to apply body moisturiser daily, which can only be a good thing!

(member)

05/09/2008 22:12

Re: so its only me then

Wispa I love the idea about the notebook and will certainly give it a go!

(member)

06/09/2008 08:44

Re: so its only me then

I always buy a piece of gammon and cook it in my slow cooker. Makes lovely ham for sandwiches for a fraction of the price of buying ready sliced ham and tastes so much better too.

(member)

06/09/2008 14:36

Re: so its only me then

That sounds good, MT.

I also find I spend much more economically on birthday presents if I set aside a morning to buy any presents required in the next two or three months, rather than leaving each one until the last minute, inevitably not being able to find anything suitable and therefore spending more than anticipated.

(member)

18/09/2008 16:19

Re: so its only me then

No, you definitely have company.

I'm managing (just) to pay for a large house and feed us on a very small salary and working tax credits. I can't sell my house either.

Somehow, I don't think I'm going to be able to sell this year. Perhaps next - who knows? I've ended up having to take out a small loan to pay for my divorce so I've got that now as well. BUT - we're all together, happy, and managing to get along.

We don't have the heating on unless very necessary (and this is difficult because I hate being cold) but with gas prices rising, there's no choice. Wish I had an open fire.

(member)

18/09/2008 16:52

Re: so its only me then

We are only 2 in the house and my shopping has went up
Ł30 resently cant think what familys are paying I add lots of veg to stews and curries it makes it go further and is healthy

(member)

18/09/2008 18:23

Re: so its only me then

I'm sure food shopping for two of us costs more than Ł60 a week now (I don't buy ready meals, everything's home cooked and it ought to be cheaper that way but having followed someone with a trolley of frozen stuff through the checkout lunchtime I now know different - my basket of fruit, veg, bread flour etc cost more!). I'm going to have to start writing down everything I buy as I don't know where it all goes (we don't waste any food apart from the peelings and maybe the odd bit left on the plate).

We've got a two pots hidden away - one we put Ł10 a week in each to pay for holidays and the other any pound or two pound coins we get. The coin pot has just taxed both cars and the holiday pot's paid for two weeks away so far this year plus spending money. Because the money's being put away regularly in relatively small amounts we've not noticed that it's not been there to spend each month.

(member)

21/09/2008 20:48

Re: so its only me then

Am I allowed to pass on two money-saving websites we've just discovered? Well, I will anyway and if they're not allowed I'm sure they'll be removed! I won't give the links, just in case, but you'll find them if you type into Google.

1) Quidco
Lots of scope for saving money, eg go to M&S and try on clothes but instead of buying them there and then, order them online (if the value qualifies for free postage) so you can go through Quidco and get money back.

2) Petrolprices.com
Bought petrol today on the basis of this information and found that the named cheapest petrol station's price was actually 3p/litre lower than I'd been expecting. Not exactly a bargain (considering the exorbitant price!) but felt very good.

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