Hopefully I Have Some New Readers...

So whether you read occasionally, leave comments or decide not to...welcome.

Things have been difficult finding myself alone and sometimes posts have been negative but I think dare I say that is to be expected. Even staring my own mortality in the face. Realising I am on the wrong side of 50!

There's an admission...Mum and myself never thought about age. We lived for the day and worked on the premise that "Age is only a number!" It's what you feel inside even if your body tells you different.

Income has dropped a lot since losing Mum and as has been said, things are going to get tighter and I have no idea how bad it will be. You are caught between a rock and a hard place because if you are given help from the State they decide what will give you an acceptable standard of living. To be honest most struggle and it isn't great.

You soon discover how to become frugal/thrifty call it what you will. Most of what you spend will be on Rent/mortguage, Council tax(It gets called a few names-some unrepeatable  in the past officially they were called The Poll Tax/Community Charge)

Having lived this way for approx 3 months(Is it really that long since I lost Mum)I have to say at this minute I may be able to leave my heating on longer, eat better and not keep switching everything off. The point is if you don't spend it, it will be taken from you.

Equally, though it is good to have some spare cash for emergencies(things break and need replacing/repairing)You may need some clothes...I need some new furniture and carpets(I've only held off in case I was wasting money, If I  have to move and I would not want to leave items behind)You may need to travel more one week to the next.

I could get out more but that costs money, if you need to use taxi's as I do because of mobility problems and as joints stiffen that's another reason why I have to stay warm when indoors.

Quick trips around the town are cheapish £2.50-£3.50 but if you can walk a little you are attempting exercise which you are supposed to do. They usually tell you don't just sit. Then again travel 6-7 miles and that can suddenly be nearer £15(£30 round trip)depending on the company used, whether they use a meter etc...)

Two or three journeys at that price and you soon go through money. So maybe I should travel more out of the town

New changes being introduced over coming months will affect many people and they will have to become frugal and treats will be rare so whilst I can I think I am going to go and see some local theatre shows.

It gets me out and it's more than just going down the street to the shops day after day and it will feed me emotionally and give me something to look forward to, I'll mix with others socially and have memories. And a few on here have told me to get out more, so this is one way.

I am fairly certain I will be £1,600 worse off annually at some point. And I know another benefit is being scrapped and the replacement is 20% less so that could lose me another £1,600 and if I don't fit the criteria for the replacement it could be worse. That's between the bedroom tax and the change to this benefit.

Then we'll have to see what if anything I am entitled to(less if I have come into Mum's money)but hope as that reduces I will be helped again...but there are so many unknowns.  So for anyone who thinks it's easy...it's not!

I have told the story about seeing Joe Brown, I can mention that again nearer the time of the concert and tell you what I thought. I hope to be there unless something happens to stop me(I have my ticket)but I do know I need an operation and fear that if I sort that out now, I may miss him. Of course that may be taken out of my hands. I could still miss the concert if that plays up. I hope not.

Anyhow, there are few shows(still some spare seats)that I quite would like to see(Up to seven)but having that frugal frame of mind I keep thinking should I? I suppose in reality it works out around about the equivalent of £1 a day so perhaps I'll just go for it!

I don't know how many of those I am hoping to see are known outside these shores, some are "Getting on a bit!" so perhaps it's the last chance to see them. Listen to me...as if I'm not! What's that saying about policeman are looking younger these days?

The shows I am interested in are *Clare Teal, **Martha Reeves(the Motown Diva)Joe Longthorne, Rick Wakeman, The Rat Pack(recreating the shows starring Sinatra, Martin and Davis Jr)A 60's night with  Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Animals, PJ Proby and Chip Hawkes and some comedy with Ken Dodd. I have seen Joe and Ken before but a long time ago...

Though these shows happen in September and October, it's a bit like having one every two months if spread over the year.

If I went on holiday I could spend at least that amount(I haven't been to the theatre for perhaps 20+ years or had a holiday for 14 years)Being frugal is probably why I can consider treating myself.

Today, I am travelling to see my Auntie and Uncle(there aren't many relatives left now)and this week I will finally have to think about arranging Mum's laying to rest(and I'd like Mum's brother and his wife to be with me)when it happens. I think I will use the cremation's garden of remembrance.

It is as nice as anywhere and still reasonably near to me. Then perhaps I'll look into having some kind of inclusion in a book of remembrance but in the church we worshipped in on the town to make it even easier for me to get to. Also I think inclusion is free or if not it is not as expensive.

*Cancelled **Still to decide whether to go(if any tickets remain)