[deepinthewoods]

!

[happygolucky]

Me and my husband had that sort of discussion tonight on our dog walks, we both have worked in homeless and with vulnerable people, we are all a step away from that. I so hate the spend on crap that we are all encouraged to do, I would hate to have a young family now, it was bad enough in the 80.s but now children are teased if they have not got the current trend and that's a hard thing to bare as a parent, I still feel guilt about not being able to afford stuff other children had. So many people have no proper home, no proper food, hope a lot of people recognised how conned we are into consumerism!!

[hughesy]

It doesn't matter how bad things get, there is always someone worse off than yourself.

[lachlanandmarcus]

I watched an interview with a man who had escaped from being forced into militias in Somalia and was living (5 years on, still bearing machete scars) in a tent with his family in a refugee camp in Somaliland which isnt recognised as a country altho it is more functional than Somalia.
His life and prospects and dignity made me think very hard about what I take for granted.

[Lesley Silvester]

Thanks, DITW for making us think about how much we have.  Roof over my head, never hungry, always have just enough money to pay the bills.  I am rich in comparison to many.

It doesn't matter how bad things get, there is always someone worse off than yourself.

When I feel down about becoming disabled, I remind myself that ok I may need crutches to get about outside but I have legs and I can walk.

[FiB]

Thanks - facing OH's quite likely redundancy (following the wonderful victory of the dinner ladies who think they should have had the same bonuses as the binmen - is it me, or shouldnt they have changed jobs? I grew up knowing that being a bin man was quite well paid, and being a dinner lady was not (my mam being one of those and loving it)......??) and a period of 'oh s**t what are we going to do'..... need to just be thankful for roof, bed and freezer full of pork (and let go of anger towards sueing ladies and bloodsucking lawers).   OM

[happygolucky]

FiB, hope things turn out good in the end  an extreamly stressful time indeed
My OH'sjob went, although he worked for an agency it was long term, we have huge bills here so we worry, thats the main reason we need to sell, people do not realise how bad counting your pennies is, we had a row over christmas presents last year and how much we should spend....THis year we both joined a few more agencies so hopefuly more chance of continuouse work, we actualy live very frugaly now and I am happy with that.....we should not be brain washed into buying so much stuff but concentrate on what we do have.....I vistited my ex last year and he asked if my husband was driving yet, now he had passed his theory but the lessons were too costly so until we get a steady income he is not taking it up, my ex had the cheek to say, well its important to drive and I replied, its more important to pay the morgage!!!!! My  husband has and does work all over scotland and uses his push bike, so in a way better.... I am looking forward to having a tiny house with tiny out goings 

[Rosemary]

I count my blessings every day. We both work hard and are lucky to have the health and capacity to do so. And we both love what we do. I can't see Dan ever giving up his "webby" work - he gets withdrawal symptoms if he spends less than 20 hours a week in front of a screen  But we're looking at our outgoings to see where we can reduce our commitments so that he can afford to be selectve about what work he takes on.

I love the sentiment of Christmas and I love getting together with the family. It's a source of some regret that in 45 years I haven't had Christmas with my sister and her family. Actually, maybe we should just do it  . Not fussed about the presents and stuff but love the feel-good factor. And watching "A Muppet Christmas Carol". Sorry, got slightly off topic there.

[happygolucky]

I think some times money gets in the way of the true meaning of Christmas, I love the sentiment as well!!! You made me think Rosemary, I went to see my brother when we got married 2 years ago, in fact we all went and met up with him in ASDA, a bit like this is your life, apart from that is also been at least 20 years since I saw him!!! 
Very hard times for families, everything is costing more and but  wages not keeping up with the increased prices.......not sure just how some people manage!

[Oneeyedhen]

I think a lot of people forget that we live in a pretty good place. Our poor have houses and clothes(generally), we have health care we dont need to pay for(directly anyway) and plenty water ! Things could be so much worse.
I feel my biggest challenge is to bring up my kids without them being materialistic or missing out. I'm turning into an old bore that bangs on about "not knowing how lucky we are"!

[jaykay]

Thanks for that DITW 
It's easy to get down about money and other things, but that certainly puts it into perspective!

[sabrina]

I think the trouble today is people want everything now, no planning and saving like you used to have to do. Kids get far too much money spent on them. I was brought up on hang me downs clothes and never thought I was hard done by. Most mothers nowadays have to buy the best for their children which they out grow in no time at all. Too much food ends up in the bin. My mother taught me that a roast chicken could do 3 meals. Sunday roast then picked clean for a chicken and mushroom pie. Bones made soup. She passed down lots of ideas that i still used today. The young just cannot be bothered. Or do not have the knowledge. Time we made more of an effort in this country.

[Ina]

Thanks - facing OH's quite likely redundancy (following the wonderful victory of the dinner ladies who think they should have had the same bonuses as the binmen - is it me, or shouldnt they have changed jobs? I grew up knowing that being a bin man was quite well paid, and being a dinner lady was not (my mam being one of those and loving it)......??)

While I understand you being upset about your OH's possible redundancy (been there, done that), please think of this: Have you ever tried to get a job as a "bin man" (note - it says "man" on the label!) as a woman? You can't. The better paid jobs are generally reserved for men. And it's even institutionalised: every farmer employing a woman goes against the law - women are, by law, not allowed to lift more than 20kg; as you probably know, all feed etc. comes in 25kg bags. (I was told, on the farm, I had to take 5kg out of the bags before I lifted them - of course they knew that I wouldn't do it, but that way they kept on the right side of the law.)
 
And I can't even get a job as a kitchen assistant because I'm bloody overqualified. Would love to work as a "bin man", but they'll never employ a middle aged woman with a couple of degrees.
 
Sorry, rant over. I still count my blessings and am grateful for what I have, even if it doesn't always show!

[Fowgill Farm]

I think the trouble today is people want everything now, no planning and saving like you used to have to do. Kids get far too much money spent on them. I was brought up on hang me downs clothes and never thought I was hard done by. Most mothers nowadays have to buy the best for their children which they out grow in no time at all. Too much food ends up in the bin. My mother taught me that a roast chicken could do 3 meals. Sunday roast then picked clean for a chicken and mushroom pie. Bones made soup. She passed down lots of ideas that i still used today. The young just cannot be bothered. Or do not have the knowledge. Time we made more of an effort in this country.

Agree 100% too much of a throw away society, the other day i was doing some mending, eg buttons on shirts, patching rips etc, my SIL asked why didn't i just throw 'em away and buy new? i just replied because they was nothing wrong with the clothes in question they just needed some TLc, she just shrugged her shoulders and looked at me like i had two heads , same as sunday joint covered sun lunch, mon tea and has made sandwiches for 3 lunch boxes, not something she would even consider doing let alone thinking about.
mandy

[sabrina]

Stress in the work place is very high these days. You are at risk from losing your jobs all the time. so many people out of work but we now live in a country that makes almost nothing. when Maggie Thatcher convinced the man in the street that he could own his own house she was being pretty clever. What an easy way to control the working man. Go on strike, lose your job, lose your home. Where is the pride and respect for a job well done. The working person lives in fear of being out of work and is often doing extra hours without pay. I myself know quite a few people doing this. Are they treated better. No.