My husband was out of work twice when the kids were younger - yet they have no real memory of it, though they were not babies then.

I spoke to my youngest only a few days ago about the last time, and how one day we had walked back from town rather than catch the bus because there was not enough money for the fares, and found that walk was a pleasant memory of being together on a lovely Summer's day.

Consider how you can live more cheaply, but don't give up on ideas which could bring in extra money - though anything speculative might be something to avoid, in the current situation.

I once taught a couple how to use a knitting machine, they'd had one for years and never used it, but the man had been made redundant and the wife wanted to try to make some money knitting things for sale. For the first lesson I used a hat as an example of what could be made. I never did a second lesson, as they were too busy making and selling hats. From being in danger of losing their home they made enough to pay the mortgage and run their car, and it tided them over the years until they got their pensions.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: