Friday 18 April 2008

Twin Dogs and Credit Crunch



At last – technology permitted me to transmit the picture of Moll and her twin. Not that they took much notice of each other, but they are very similar. The other one is of the churchyard at Zennor and I hope gives a rough idea of the bleak beauty of the place. West Penwith at its best.

But to other more serious matters. The Credit Crunch. We are really noticing the pinch here, because everything has gone up and our income hasn’t. Or not enough. The very basic foods now cost a lot more and there isn’t much we can cut back on. We go to the pub very rarely, ditto eating out (unless paid for by dogsitting services) and I’m wondering what we can do.

Well, I am earning a bit more but because of the recent changes in the tax system, I will now be paying significantly more tax because I’m a low earner. Don’t you love the Chancellor?

However, Himself has the solution.

He came back from doing a job for a friend and said, “I know where we can cut back, Pop.”

I looked at him, full of hope.

“I asked Carole if she had any kitchen paper, and she said that she wasn’t really a kitchen roll sort of person.”

I waited for the mind blowing answer.

“So I thought, why do we buy kitchen rolls?” he said. “We can save several quid a week not buying those.”

I looked at him. “Good idea,” I said, ever mistress of the ironic. “And of course, you’ll be saving a lot of money now you’re cutting down so much on wine.”

He gave me a very old fashioned look then. And wisely kept quiet.

18 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Yes, we're feeling it too. The Green Monster in the garden, aka the oil tank, is becoming prohibitively expensive to feed and the car runs on diesel. We are staying in a lot and wearing big jumpers!
I love Zennor and I'm now going to read your blog about Sennen as we've had some happy times there too (used to stay at St Buryan (sp?) sorry, too busy to check!)

Cornish Dreamer said...

A cute picture of the two "twins"!

The one place that we've really noticed the credit crunch is when we have to fill the car up with fuel. It's eyewatering.

Katherine and Pippa said...

I tried to do without kitchen towel. What a nightmare. It was so difficult. Even worse than doing without wine.

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Zennor looks stunning. I visited the far end of Cornwall last year - stayed in Marazion; drove round the tip to St Ives - and loved it.

Flowerpot said...

Chris - it is a lovely part of teh world isnt it? but sorry you're feeling the pinch too.

RT - yes filling the car is horrifying isn't it? I've noticd you cycling a lot this week - good for you!

Flowerpot said...

K & P - in our house nothing is worse than doing without wine!!

Flowerpot said...

Zinnia - yes that coast road must be one of the most beautiful in the world. Or perhaps I'm biased!

the rotten correspondent said...

Mistress of the ironic? What an amazingly wonderful turn of phrase. I love it!

We're feeling a crunch here as well and it is no fun whatsoever. But, like you, I'm not really sure what is left to cut down. I've already cut out kitchen towels and wine. Maybe I should stop feeding my kids...

Totty Teabag said...

Inflation in Spain is around the 8% mark. Last year the Pound in my Pension bought me €1.50. This month it buys me €1.20. On the brighter side, the wine is cheap, and who needs kitchen paper when you can re-cycle your old knickers and the free press?

MarmiteToasty said...

I just LOVE your quick comebacks to your old man LMFAO....

x

Flowerpot said...

RC - it's bad everywhere isn't it? but at least we don't have children to feed. I do feel for you.

Totty - oh for cheap wine! But as you say, recycling old knickers and papers has to be the answer!!

Marmite - glad they're appreciated. tho not sure what LMFAO means....!

Akelamalu said...

Love the photos!

We've noticed a significant rise in the weekly food bill too. I am so incenced at the tax changes I have writtent to Gordon Brown and sent a copy of it to my MP asking him what he's going to do about it! It's absolutely disgraceful the amount MPs get paid and the expenses they get (that was in my letter too)yet they expect us to sit back and say nothing when they fleece us for tax. Oh don't get me started!

Elaine Denning said...

Love the photos.

I don't use kitchen towels, but my Mum can't lve without them. Strange, that.

Perhaps you should try wine making? :)

Flowerpot said...

Ak - well done you. On the news this morning there might be - fingers crossed - a climb down over this new tax change - let's hope so.

MissU - no I dont tink wine making would e a good idea in this household!! Apart from the fact that we have no room to put the demi johns anywhere!!

Maggie May said...

We are also feeling it. That new tax will make a different to all our pay packets. I reckon it is the most unfair thing that they could do & I will not be voting for Gordon in future!
With 2 small children & four clumsy adults in our home, kitchen roll is essential! We don't buy the dearest though. All that quilted, satiny stuff! We get through masses of toilet rolls too! Gosh .... I'm writing a post here! Will visit your Sennen post next.
Lovely twin dogs BTW,

Ellee Seymour said...

Yes, it's true about the taxes. We are hit badly too and I notice how expensive everything is in the supermarket.

I couldn't manage without kitchen roll, it's a staple requirement in my kitchen, along with clingfilm, they would both be impossible for me to manage without.

And please don't deprive himself of a glass or two, I'm sure you enjoy sharing a glass or two together as well.

Flowerpot said...

Maggie - I think a lot of voters will/are thinking just as you are. that's my thought too. How dare they?!

Ellee - don't worry. Wine will be the last thing to go in this household!!

Lane Mathias said...

I love that photo. Aren't they similar!

I think the credit crunch is hitting just about every 'normal' household. It feels like we have to run faster on the treadmill just to keep up:-(