Very well meaning ex-husband bought son and daughter a flat in deepest darkest Devonport, in Plymouth. It was cheap and it's affordable for my son. However, very well meaning ex-husband has never bought a property (everything inherited) and literally bought the flat off a 'man down the pub'. It's worth what he paid for it but it's tatty and needs work. Lovely son of mine is a builder but on very short hours and is just paying the rent/mortgage and there's nothing left. Consequently, he hasn't been able to get the gas tested, the boiler serviced and there is no heat and no hot water. Tomorrow (not going to be a frugal day!) there will be. He has lived independently for years and it used to roughing it as a contractor, who sleeps where ever he lays his head. It was meant to be a home for our daughter too, but because of her inner turmoil; she took one look at a grimy damp flat and turned and never went back. Tomorrow, it will look a lot better and will be the start of becoming home for her, when she is ready to live there.
As I was saying, daughter is 'mini-froogs' and was delighted with our charity shop today. I took her shop to shop showing her what was cheap. Bedding, towels, tea-towels, crockery, saucepans, curtains and pennies and no where in comparison with new prices. She chose and I bought the following for her today. A double quilt for £2, retro double sheets for £1 each, double duvet cover and pillow cases for £2, a shirt for 50p and one bath towel, two hand towels and a bath mat for £3. The loveliest thing she found was a set of curtains for £7.50 and I couldn't buy the material and make them for that. She was excited by the cheapness of everything and acknowledged that living independently was within her means, even if she has to temporarily claims benefits until she is well enough to work.
I've known plenty of teenagers in my career and very few embrace the second hand items that can make a place a home. She spent ages looking a crockery, cutlery and saucepans and was really friendly and chatty to the ladies in Salvation Army shop (my favourite, also one of my favourite charities and I always try to spend money in there).
She fully understood when I became excited to find a preserving pan for £5, also in the Sally Army shop as the pan I use at home (the cleaned out chip pan) isn't quite big enough and I'm always afraid that it will boil over. Depression comes and goes for her and today, although it was a strain to get out, was an adventure for her and she had great fun.
Many thanks again for the kind words.
Until tomorrow, Froogs xxxx
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