tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post1607308311177286240..comments2024-03-12T07:50:58.760+00:00Comments on Frugal in Norfolk: Are you a gambler? UPDATEDDchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-83909541120890349812016-01-12T23:59:42.576+00:002016-01-12T23:59:42.576+00:00When the lottery first came out here years ago sta...When the lottery first came out here years ago stateside, we did buy some scratch tickets, we won a few, but lost more. That went on for a few months here and there. <br />When the big draws stated later on, we occasionally bought one. I think we have bought maybe 3 in the last six years or so. We did purchase one last week when the win was so high, and other people there urged us just to "try it". Of course, we did not win. <br />Yesterday my husband asked me if I wanted another go at it. I turned that down.<br />At some point I might buy another one. It is for fun only, and as someone said, the hope (or illusion) of just winning. <br />I can be a kid once in awhile, but reality buys groceries, not pretend. <br />anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269208573774815462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-69228444394148570152016-01-12T13:20:24.810+00:002016-01-12T13:20:24.810+00:00I think it does depend on the person and their per...I think it does depend on the person and their personality. Your mum certainly did very well with her income.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-54984346443666738122016-01-12T12:49:50.632+00:002016-01-12T12:49:50.632+00:00My mum managed o.k. She had a two bedroomed fla...My mum managed o.k. She had a two bedroomed flat (no mortgage) and most of the things we all have....phone, t.v.(no cable), washing machine etc. No computer, no microwave, no dryer and no car (which she gave up at when she was 89 and which was second hand when she bought it 15 years perviously). She was never in debt and paid all her bills on time. She was nt frugal in the sense that she scrimped or bought out-of-date food or but she NEVER bought anything she really did nt need and she never smoked or drank or ate any junk food or really indulged herself in any way.... <br />She cooked all her own food, and only had a few M & S dinners in the freezer as an emergency in case the weather was bad and she could nt get out.<br />She had the state pension, about 90 pounds a week and a very small pension from my father, some savings that she invested and the winter heating allowance. She took care of her clothes and shoes which were very classic and which seemed to last forever and looked great on her ! She never went "on holiday" but visited friends occasionally as they did her..<br />She was almost 97 when she died, had been a widow for 38 years and had retired at 71 after working as a dental nurse for 40 years (no pension from that)<br />lizziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345707661431587475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-77957962156547682522016-01-12T08:10:07.640+00:002016-01-12T08:10:07.640+00:00I do not judge merely observe! UK government pensi...I do not judge merely observe! UK government pensions are not brilliant unless fully paid up. Only receiving a single pension, I don't think it would be possible to survive well, let alone shop in there. Other pensions would need to be in place.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-8727537079819958032016-01-11T23:59:46.568+00:002016-01-11T23:59:46.568+00:00I have never bought a lottery ticket but I have re...I have never bought a lottery ticket but I have read quite a bit about people who do..they tend to be less educated, can least afford it and cant really understand the odds. Our lottery here in the States is over a billion dollars this week - the odds of winning are the same as being struck by lightening AND becoming president..on the same day. One chance in 292,000,000. I have read another reason is that the fantasy it affords give temporary relief to feelings of hopelessness that many people experience. I dont think there is any harm in buying lottery tickets it that is what you want to spend your money on, better than smoking or drinking. <br />I dont think the elderly should be harshly judged for buying food at M & S - they have discharged most of life s obligations and responsibilities so why should nt they eat the food they like and I doubt whether they are going into debt over it...the food is lovely, tasty and fresh - I used to buy it for my mum when I visited.lizziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345707661431587475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-28473886736296234122016-01-11T18:10:53.899+00:002016-01-11T18:10:53.899+00:00When we were crafting, 4 times a year at a certain...When we were crafting, 4 times a year at a certain fair, all stallholders would pay £1 for a ticket. We never won and there were 163 of us!Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-4438122183396164192016-01-11T18:09:24.608+00:002016-01-11T18:09:24.608+00:00Wish we could help them see that although dreams a...Wish we could help them see that although dreams are free, the outcome rarely is.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-82708843412198659582016-01-11T17:53:00.142+00:002016-01-11T17:53:00.142+00:00Thank you for the link.Thank you for the link.Living Alone in Your 60'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848266282669835475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-30395316865692541472016-01-11T17:44:36.667+00:002016-01-11T17:44:36.667+00:00my husbands work syndicate of 23 people played the...my husbands work syndicate of 23 people played the lottery for 3years before they stopped. they won £30.00 over that time.phyllis weavinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770675143086861084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-54057568919964104962016-01-11T16:27:03.090+00:002016-01-11T16:27:03.090+00:00Nope, no debt, one ticket a week, we just count it...Nope, no debt, one ticket a week, we just count it in with our charity/good causes giving. There are lots of projects that it would be difficult/impossible to give money to directly. <br /><br />I know quite a few people who shop at M&S, some because the staff are nice and it's worth the extra to have a chat, my parents buy food from there now because, as Father says, they scrimped and saved for years when we were little so if he wants a small something now then he'll have it. He is a lover of Aldi too though! thrift deluxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267215022924475298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-46793062554511719822016-01-11T14:57:56.362+00:002016-01-11T14:57:56.362+00:00unfortunately I see this more lately at my work th...unfortunately I see this more lately at my work the jackpot here in the US is high and people are just spending it all on a dream some to the point that other things are in neglectemme rose legacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286356384880384944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-72079223214509197202016-01-11T14:06:02.528+00:002016-01-11T14:06:02.528+00:00Scarlet, did you want me to publish your last comm...Scarlet, did you want me to publish your last comment?Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-70523853022474867452016-01-11T14:05:31.800+00:002016-01-11T14:05:31.800+00:00It all helps although I don't know what the od...It all helps although I don't know what the odds of winning are on that.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-83454123944785033402016-01-11T13:46:22.772+00:002016-01-11T13:46:22.772+00:00Well I have starting cutting back on the lotto, li...Well I have starting cutting back on the lotto, like you say when you work it out its crazy, and we rarely win anything, I have started doing more of the health lottery.Simple Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00884864661226371141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-41358022881597304052016-01-11T13:34:57.431+00:002016-01-11T13:34:57.431+00:00My MiL used to get meals on wheels until we saw wh...My MiL used to get meals on wheels until we saw what they were - overcooked and generally disgusting although I know some are very good in other areas. In the end we cooked for 3, plated up then froze them. She did like going to M & S just for a nose around.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-80692748114399739262016-01-11T13:28:29.880+00:002016-01-11T13:28:29.880+00:00My late Mum in Law got those frozen meals delivere...My late Mum in Law got those frozen meals delivered regularly that you paid a subscription for, one day we looked at the food she was getting against the price she was paying and worked out it would be cheaper, and tastier, for her to actually go to M&S once every couple of weeks and stock up on 'meals for one' and pop them all in the freezer.<br /><br />I must say I am shocked at the piled high trolleys in there being pushed around by a lot of folk. I did go in there quite regularly but only for bits and bobs of things that we consider treats, I have never done a weekly shop in there. It would be interesting to see the same shop done in M&S and Asda and see the price comparison.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177854521955532744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-35469901962673298832016-01-11T13:26:46.493+00:002016-01-11T13:26:46.493+00:00I think all addictions are sad and wish more could...I think all addictions are sad and wish more could be done, not just for those addicted but to prevent people starting in the first place. I know many people on more pension money than us who still moan about lack of funds but who don't do anything about their wastage to tackle it.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-30752135886597665992016-01-11T13:24:09.173+00:002016-01-11T13:24:09.173+00:00I don't disagree with the charitable outcomes,...I don't disagree with the charitable outcomes, just whether people hope to buy themselves out of poverty. Life would probably be hell after a huge win unless heads are screwed on the right way.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-38718329628784955072016-01-11T12:41:48.526+00:002016-01-11T12:41:48.526+00:00Hi DC! I work with quite a few gamblers, the amoun...Hi DC! I work with quite a few gamblers, the amount of money they spend, especially on sports betting, is eye watering. Makes £10 on the lottery look like a prudent investment. <br /><br />As for M&S, yes a lot of pensioners are on 'gold plated' final salary pensions. I know more than one whose monthly private pension is more than our combined household income (over £2000), and the wife claims her government pension and invests it. That combined with a paid of mortgage? Lots of money to spend in M&S. There are plenty of pensioners struggling, but there are also many who are the wealthiest pensioners to have ever lived and they are quite a large group. Aurorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431550733615696691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-27046133384649758612016-01-11T12:39:29.999+00:002016-01-11T12:39:29.999+00:00I was going to mention that huge lottery rollover ...I was going to mention that huge lottery rollover thing in a post but forgot. We've never done it - not even £1 spent but our sons current archaeology job is heritage lottery funded so mustn't say too much!<br />Re the M & S food, many years ago my aunt shopped there simply because she could get a bus into town but not a bus to out of town store, that was before Tesco metros etc moved back into town centres and the only food shop in town was M&S. I've never shopped there either.Sue in Suffolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166036914348424622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-48012897952545497092016-01-11T11:52:55.096+00:002016-01-11T11:52:55.096+00:00Like you say, for some it is comfort/making them h...Like you say, for some it is comfort/making them happy/nearest shop shopping. It would be interesting to see a demi graphic breakdown of M & S grocery shopping though we probably would never know what income people are on to compare the trends. We recently worked out how we would fare on just a government pension each, not nice. It would in all probability be a heat or eat scenario!Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-85974876240322333202016-01-11T11:01:47.063+00:002016-01-11T11:01:47.063+00:00My Mum buys food in M&S, aswell as Asda and Sa...My Mum buys food in M&S, aswell as Asda and Sainsbury's. She has her state pension and private pensions that my Dad paid into but never got to receive. She doesn't have a car, doesn't 'go out', doesn't go on holiday, doesn't drink etc - all things that are seen as 'the norm' ( Haha - I've just realised that I'm just like her, though I don't shop at M&S). She spends money on her home, on clothes, has a grand-daughter at uni that she is very generous to :) keeps her home well heated and eats well. She says that those things make her happy and comfortable, and I'm glad that she spends on that rather than think she has to save it to leave something to me. To be honest I'm just glad that she has some happiness in her life after being widowed at 56 :( , and that my Dad made provision so that she can do those things, because fate has meant that we're not in a position to help her. When I've been in M&S with her it is predominantly older people who are shopping in the food hall, but a lot of them seem to be those who live alone if the types of things they buy are anything to go by. I think they might feel that it's easier and cheaper for them to do that than to use gas/electricity for cooking, or to waste food. Also M&S is in town, whereas the supermarkets are out of town and take 2 buses to get to. My MIL has shopped in there for stuff ever since I met J in 1981. She used to buy ham in a packet and it was so thinly sliced that it was almost see-through - you couldn't tell there was anything between the slices of bread when she made a sandwich!Scarlethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01729719876504930455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-57727989086687440732016-01-11T10:26:03.436+00:002016-01-11T10:26:03.436+00:00Hello my dear, Happy New Year to you and yours. I ...Hello my dear, Happy New Year to you and yours. I burst out laughing at that comment, you are so funny!Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-73185546512747798602016-01-11T10:23:46.040+00:002016-01-11T10:23:46.040+00:00We can only assume they have an arm and a leg to s...We can only assume they have an arm and a leg to spare!Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339317216265636215.post-78301395570134008282016-01-11T10:23:08.180+00:002016-01-11T10:23:08.180+00:00I don't know what the odds are on cards but re...I don't know what the odds are on cards but reckon they must be better than the National Lottery. Did you know there are 52 different types of scratch cards with winnings still unclaimed see here:<br /><br />https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/games/gamestore/scratchcardsDchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.com