money saving tips

[manxminx]

Thank you all for the very warm welcome back although GEZZZZZZZZ muddypause mate that first bit was a bit depressing lol I have explored all the possibilities but unfortunately there are not many options for a single parent with no job, savings and prospects lol don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining I came to terms with this a long time ago I got myself into this mess and I’ll get myself out of it. I’m more than happy with just seeing my dept go down rather than up and although it may take some years to do I also know that I will be dept free again. All I ask is as much advice, tips, hints and of course tea and sympathy as you can spare lol I know I don’t want much do I. And as for ina and shirlz your posts were very sweet and made me cry (happy cry of course) THANKYOU

[Tigerhair]

Hi! Silly! Not feeling right about this place! Honestly It's cool! I still shop at Sainsburys - however, since being on here, my shopping habits have changed - chosing items from this country, some organic, less packaging, etc... And it's really inspired me to grow more of the veggies I love this year.

How old are your boys? I have one two-year-old. If they are older, which I assume they are from what you say, I'm sure they'd LOVE to get their paws dirty and help you plant some veg... Then they can help themselves from the garden this year...

There are loads of websites for gardeners with bad backs - including the bbc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/p ... care.shtml

I would suggest getting a handy friend to find some pallet wood and make you raised planters for your veg, then get in contact with the local gardening club and beg, borrow.... but don't steal!... some soil/compost etc, and get to it!

Raise seedlings on your windowsills in old re-cycled margarine tubs (or whatever) with little holes in the bottom for drainage - and go from there.

If you lived near me it would be a pleasure to come and help - and maybe the local gardening club will do the same?

Good luck and keep us posted

[Tigerhair]

Oh and... only grow the veg you LOVE - try new things from the supermarket before growing them...

How about making things to sell over the internet? Are you crafty in any way?

My brother in law makes sliders for guitars from wine bottle tops... sells em to the us market for £10 each!

[Wombat]

I don't think that I can add much more than what has already been said except to say "hang in there, we're right behind you".

Nev

[Muddypause]

GEZZZZZZZZ muddypause mate that first bit was a bit depressing

It was, wasn't it!. It started off as an attempt to empathise, and ended up as a poitical rant. People ought to tell me to shut up more.

[Wombat]

A man of your breadth of experience, stature and political clout?

We're not game!

Nev

[manxminx]

Hi tigerhair my boys are 8 and 10 and they did help me last year with the garden we had great fun so I’m sure they will be more than happy to help again. I have no intension of giving up on the garden yet not without a fight anyway lol. I’m having a good day today (just the one stick) so I’ll get out and do some clearing at least and I will have something growing in the garden this year if it kills me I really don’t like to be beaten. As for making stuff to sell on the internet that’s a REALLY good idea I am good at crafts and do a lot of volunteer work at the local primary school doing just that (when my back allows) so thank you very much you have certainly given me something to think about.

[manxminx]

An idea has come to me as I sit here putting off the Monday morning housework for as long as possible. That it may be of some help if I did a post for say a month on my shopping habits what I feed my family and how I run the house for so little. My 2 boys are both very fit and healthy they do a lot of sport my ten year old has a six pack if you can believe it (god I can just see the girls beating down the door in a few years) so it can be done without jeopardising your nutrition I’ve been doing this for about a year now so tend to forget that maybe its not as easy to as I think.

So maybe this can be the contribution I can make to the forum let me know what you all think.

[Wombat]

Sounds good to me , Kerry! Give it a go....

Nev

[ina]

Great idea! I think we can all learn a lot from that!

Ina

[Tigerhair]

Great idea... how big is your garden?

[Millymollymandy]

Yes please! I'm always looking for ways to cut my shopping bill. I'd like like to see a section for money saving tips anyway - I have a few!! Andy (where's Andy?) what do you think?

[Guest]

o0o0o come on m3 dont keep them to yourself share lol i need all the help i can get

i'm feeling really smug with myself today i had £18 for shopping this week and needed some of the things that i still buy brand names like washing powder, i've found it doesn't pay to buy cheep brands all the time but i still managed to do the lot for £16.06

[manxminx]

oops t'was me i forgot to log in lol thats what i get for being smug

[Chickenlady]

Hi Kerry

I remember your post - welcome back. Do you post on the MSE forum? Your style and some of your details look familiar.

I think we all have loads to learn from you, rather than the other way around, as far as money saving goes. Since your original post, where I said I feed my lot for £70 a week, I have got that down to £60! It will be less still when the allotment gets going.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is Freecycle. Since I joined 6 months or so ago I have offloaded loads of stuff, and been given new curtains, a child's bike, dance shoes, a sewing machine and 4 lovely oak chairs!! If there isn't one on the Isle of Man, I don't think it is hard to start one up.