The cost of living... what can we do?

I told my chauffeur to park round the block and walk the rest of the way.

 

I'm not sure that's true any more. From what I've read, it is down to the individual organisation. Some don't ask questions.

I think it's good that such charitable organisations exist. But I worry that those really in need might lose out because of those that just take advantage. I know there are instances of that. One of our neighbours once bragged about it. Why pay for breakfast when I can get it for free was his smug remark. I think most people have good hearts, and will help others if they can. But that gets undermined if people take advantage. I wonder how many people on an average salary would knowingly buy an extra tenners worth of shopping for a stranger if they thought that stranger might already have a better life than them.

 

I saw a bit in the news about people eating cat food as they could not afford to eat. Have you seen the price of cat food? Asda Just Essentials Baked Beans and Sausages 405 grams 42p, their cheapest cat food 400 grams 70p. We just spent the best part of £100 on cat food this morning - more than we spend on ourselves for food.

 

Have a sister-in-law- she cries poor mouth often. But will show off her new "shoe" purchased, "Jimmy Chew" (think that is how its spelled) Looked up those shoes $$$$ SMH. I don't listen to her anymore.

 

Canned cat food here, 5.5 oz is $2.30, and a 5 lb dry bag is about $24.00-$26.00, but I buy the very best, they eat less with a high end cat food, are satisfied quicker. I do a little dry and a lump of the canned on top.

 

Our cats won't eat anything until they see the receipt. Put cheap cat food down and they won't even go into the kitchen.

 

That made I larf....
Jenny namaste

 

I have my thermostat set for all the various times of day. Overnight down to around 68f, wake up 73f, leave (means all dressed but not necessarily going out) 70f, return 73f, retire- back down to 68f. With the big forced air furnace, it doesn't take long to heat up the house but on a cloudy day, it does definitely feel cooler in here! Luckily I keep on the move.

 

What fuel does the furnace run on @CanadianLori

 

With just the two of us here, there is no need to use the timer. Mr S is an early riser and sets the thermostat at 18C/64F when he gets up and that's enough while we're moving about during the day. Come late afternoon/early evening it's then adjusted to 20.5/69F, on what I'd say is a normal cold day. If the temperature is in minus figures outside it's raised half a degree more but we don't normally need it higher than that. Overnight the heating is all but off and the stat is dropped to 13C/55F. In fact the heating was on the brink of cutting in early this morning.

We have a free standing thermostat that can be placed in any room but is located in the living room.

Edit: We have a high roof and the loft space is heated by two thermostatically controlled tubular heaters set at 5C/41F to keep it frost free. We flick a switch in the linen cupboard for those.

 

Our heating runs on the schedule. Overnight 16°C. 7 - 8:30 22°C (while we have breakfast etc) 21°C during the day then up to 22°C in the evening. The house is not warm at that and today I put a sweater on (normally just a couple of tee shirts). Today the burner was on for 5 hours. House is double-glazed, with cavity wall insulation and not in a particularly exposed spot. Works out to about £1.50/day for the radiators plus the hot water on top of that.