I have spent about €1400 in Amazon over the last 8 weeks!! Has lockdown sent me mad - or just bored?
Anyone else had this affliction?
Lockdown is costing me a fortune: I have spent... - PMRGCAuk
Lockdown is costing me a fortune
Written by
Constance13
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72 Replies
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Ooh Constance! I have a Brother in Arms or a Sister Shopper 🤭 📦 📦 📦 😂
It's a laugh really! Quite interesting what you can find on the net. I've got more in my store cupboard than I have ever had.
Don't mention store cupboards to me - or in my case the garage. My elder son has been doing my shopping for which I am very grateful BUT he is just like my mother was and always buys too much. I'm also having problems with freezer space as well as garage space!
I haven't that problem as I do all my own shopping from my armchair.😀 Lists to my daughter, home help and, of course, internet.
I've now heard my cleaner is not coming any more. I have three prolapses and cannot vacuum. I got the vacuum out one day and tried but was in too much discomfort so gave it up. Now need another cleaner but it is finding one that is reliable and trustworthy.
I must admit I don't do much housework. I potter around and keep the place tidy. I feel so sorry for those with this pesky illness who are alone, in pain, and have no help at all.
I could not agree more. I've approached Age UK, so we'll see what happens. It's mostly dust!
We have just bought a Philips air purifier - and the change in the amount of dust is really surprising! It is a biggish one and not cheap but at the price of a cleaner and Covid-19 laws here in Italy at present it is starting to pay for itself. Plus OH's coughing and sneezing is much improved.
On your recommendation I have just ordered one. It had better work!!
Spending again!!!!!
Can't stop! Must be the PMR brain.😀
Anyway, what else can you spend your money on in lockdown???
Money never seems to burn a hole in my pocket ...
Then you must be rolling in it by now!😜
The daughters help us out ... One in particular!
To spend it or to save it?
Spend by one, save by the other!
As PMRpro tells people - the dust will wait until you are ready to deal with it.
Use a damp cloth when you do get round to it - it picks up the dust easier.
What on earth are you buying.............you home must be over stuffed. 🙈 🙉 🙊
Are you being a little 🐒🐒🐒🐒
No!😂 I've bought masks, summer shoes (needed them because feet are swollen), knee and ankle braces for the OA, new wheelchair so that I can occasionally go into shops. Things I can't get in the village, etc etc.
Still lots of room! I'll stop now though, because pills, etc are easier to get locally again.
PMRproAmbassador
Absolutely not - don't use the Big A except for ebooks for my Kindle. What on earth have you got to show for it?
That said, we DID buy a Philips Air Purifier which wasn't cheap. And I know himself is contemplating a static bike after seeing the physio yesterday. So he might catch up with you - but it won't be via Amazon ...
Lots of ebooks too. I mostly started because I couldn't get things locally. I'm stocked up now.
I can't get shoes online - it is bad enough when I can try them on!!!!
It's a risk I agree but as I was in strict lockdown this was the easiest way. So far so good!
The trouble at the moment is that the PMR and OA are fighting each other - the all day pain is terrible (95% humidity at the moment - 95% - enough said)!!
Bit like here all week - we have already had almost all our rain for June, nearly 4 inches in 7 days, Was VERY wet yesterday!!!
Yes Constance my monthly shopping bill has gone up- getting things for my 94 year old mother on line, Boots the Chemist for a lot of items and gifts and activities for grandchildren during lockdown. And last but not least, hairdressing scissors etc for hubby and colourant for my roots. Had to look at several videos to know what to do but very pleased with results. Someone asked hubby if he would go back to hairdressers or let me cut it but I said he couldn’t afford me!! 😜x
The ASDA Man asked me if l was having a Party yesterday? 50 disposable cups for the bathroom & a roll of Peppa Pig Gift Wrap 😂
Some Party 🥳
I decided that I would finally refurbish my Ercol Windsor chair as I've been meaning to do for ages. It's been shabby for years but the seat straps finally went so it couldn't be used safely. I'm pleased that I've made the decision, but it's funny how the costs mount up. I got a remnant of beautiful fabric from eBay which was admittedly half the price it would have been off the roll, but even so works out at about £28 per metre. I bought some webbing to make the straps but then realised I haven't got the strength or skill to make these so got some ready-made ones at nearly £50, plus zips, extra strong needles, upholstery thread, wax stripper and wood stain for the frame, brushes etc. I then had to get myself a separate thread cone holder as the spindle on my sewing machine will only hold a small spool. My final cost is for 20 upholstery buttons - I've sent a nice lady on eBay a piece of the fabric and she's going to make the buttons for me. I'm very relieved that the cushions themselves are in good shape so I don't have to replace them. All this buying of individual items online is different from going into a haberdashers and buying them together. Adding it all up later it's going to be be about £160 which I hadn't realised as I was going along. Still I keep telling myself that it would have cost far more to have it done professionally, and a fraction of the price of a new Ercol armchair. Sadly I'll have to wait for lockdown to finish before completing the job, as inserting the new straps is definitely a two-person job, preferably not including me...
What price happiness? Sounds like such an absorbing, satisfying task. You will love it forever Marijo.
Yes but it’s enjoyable & something to concentrate on, though yesterday l did decide making Peppa Pig Bunting was not happening, so l ordered some 😂 l think l have to assemble it, so l can say Nanny ‘made it’.........
Lovely project ! At least you now have all the components- that’s half the work completed!! X
Totally normal for now. X
Not an affliction - treats! Money I am not spending on coffee and lunches with friends is going on some lovely ‘seven seventeen’ candles, Molton brown toiletries, wool to crochet baby blankets for my great nephew (expected in august by my late sister’s daughter) and plants for the garden - about to try growing some herbs in a raised bed and feel very ‘good life-ish’. A different life on Pred and in lockdown - much slower and calmer 🙂, most of the Time ...
I hear you! I spent £45 on a Nordic Ware bundt cake tin!🙈 but oh my, the fun I have had, it makes such fabulous looking cakes that I am then able to give to friends who are helping me with my shopping etc, their positive reactions just lift my spirits .. I’ve also got into making lemon curd for my friend’s mum who is having difficulty swallowing, she loves it and I get a great deal of pleasure knowing I’m making things a little easier for her, even if that’s only by way of a pot of lemon curd! Baking and cooking are getting me through lockdown and some related purchases have added to the experience .. I’ve just ordered some labels online and thought I might make some more curd and maybe jams... yes I am also enjoying the things that money can’t buy - more precious time with my teenage son, enjoying time in the garden with no pressure to be elsewhere etc but I very much enjoy making things easier for others and this is so much more difficult during our ‘shielding sentence’. I think we all have to do wherever gets us through ... ‘finding your happy’ in these times is so important. Enjoy your purchases. let go of the guilt.. you don’t need those feelings on top of all the others. Take care 🌈
Not really 'guilt' - just rather surprised at myself!😂 It's so 'unlike' me!😂😂👵🏻
We have just bought a Bundt tin! Any problems with things sticking? and am about to start pickling some veg once the jars arrive 😊
After a number of failed attempts with various ‘tips for greasing Bundt tins’ I came across this and it’s been a revelation, wouldn’t use anything else now, never fails.
ifyougiveablondeakitchen.co...
Good luck !
Darling husband has built me a Gazebo so we’ll always have something lovely to look back on, one Son has done a lot of remodelling in his garden & the other one managed to source a reconditioned engine & has totally rebuilt a car he had in the garage.....
So that’s kept My Boys Busy! x
Me.... New everything technical including Nintendo Switch and a Macbook + Skechers slippers imported from Kentucky and so very much else. I've been buying from Amazon since I lived in California. 1999 was my first purchase which was a CD by Royal Crown Revue x
yes, I now have too much junk.. I think it was like a shopping spree, but I've decided I'm over it now as I really can't tell what things are like without seeing the, That said, I did get some nice new bowls , mugs and plates (not amazon but online)- but too many! , but some were different to how they looked online or felt different. Obviously I do need to be able to hold and see them! same with clothes.. but I've learnt that one a couple fo years ago..luckily I have enough shoes for the next 3 years., and warm clothes I got last year. I got some gloves and I had already purchased masks in Dec and Jan., a bib for Dad, a new plate-drainer? for my sink (which is what started the whole Craze!), a couple of raincoat foldups I thought may help with covid protection outdoors ..but they are too loose fitting, books (find the word puzzles) for Dad to keep him occupied..and they arrived 5 books in 5 parcels.. New hepa filters for vacuum.. in case of covid on floor.. I purchased an air purifier (two) in January but not only the small one from Amazon as large one wouldn't be available until Feb..I now have trouble fitting into my house.. but I think I'm over it! Oh I got new daust mite covers for the beds, but not from amazon but online and new taps for the sink and bath but those we found online but my husband went out and purchased at Bunnings (his first break of isolation). He did wear masks and gloves but noone else did! They do have no airconditioning and fairly large and open and had social distancing rules etc.
LOL, I think Amazon should make a huge profit!
I hope I am (over it) - I've enjoyed it and it has helped me to 'get out of my real self' for a while. I really needed that because PMR and Polyarthritis have kept me practically bed-bound on most days just lately. It's sort of exciting getting parcels so often. Must be going back to my childhood. They say you do that as you get older - and I'm only 80!!!
Goodness knows what my children will think when I 'pop it'!
👵🏻😈💃🍾🍸💥
yes, I took the opportunity to buy a set of portmelion I wanted 20 years ago..or at least the bowls at 75% off...and some Denby which seemed nice..again at 75% off.. figured if not now then I'll never get them I guess
We are loving Amazon - as long as you have the money just enjoy it - at least some of the economy is working
Of course - that was my aim - boosting the economy!!!🤪
And, Me! 📦📦📦📦📦
I have bought a new iPad, my old one kept crashing. I had been meaning to before lockdown, just hadn’t got round to it. Also several tops from Debenhams, items from Amazon and stuff for hubby from M&S! It brightens the day having parcels delivered, apart from food delivery, nothing to spend our money on🤣. Oh have visited a couple of garden centres lately and treated myself there too 😜🌺🌺🌺
Good for you! 💐💐
Amazon has been my best friend. I am not 100% comfortable with their non payment of uk taxes but at least I am now helping this charity by using Amazon smile.
I have relied on them during lockdown for things like bulk cat food, washing liquid, coffee and various other things that we needed. I have made a few extra purchases like some recorders and music books to keep myself entertained. We are Prime members so the TV and music have kept us happy too 
That being said I have also won bids on eBay and shopped From Joom too. Haven't overspent though and it fulfills my shopping fix as I am certainly not going to physically visit shops at the moment
This has really made me laugh, it's like looking at a delicious menu when you're not hungry as I'm not a great online shopper apart from kindle books. The only time I tried to buy something (sunlounger) they'd sold out until July so that told me! I'm such a rare visitor they offer me free Prime every time I appear.
Now Sainsbury's is a different matter, I seem to have entered fine dining zone with a vengeance - my daughter's staying with me, that's my excuse. Currently working our way through all the Green and Black Organic icecream flavours (I know I know) whilst watching the National Theatre online, fantastic afternoons spent sharing time together.
I had this same problem at first.... but then, I started to clean out closets, cupboards, drawers, boxes, etc and selling the stuff. I am getting rid of stuff I no longer want, on FB Marketplace, Ebay and Gumtree! Not even counting the big items (two good road bikes) we've sold for £480... I have sold close to £400 worth of STUFF! Just stuff I haven't used in ages; some of it has been packed away in for ages! It's time consuming taking photos, uploading them, writing a description, etc, but it keep me off Amazon!!!!
MrsNails in reply to
Don’t tell my husband! 😂 We sold loads of ‘stuff’ when we moved here & it was very satisfying, l think we should really do it again once Lockdown is over......
I didn't sell anything in either of our 2 major downsize moves - the first time the cancer shop in Blairgowrie told me we had probably "donated" well in excess of £1,000 to them. Most of it wasn't mine but the stuff left in my house by my MIL that her other son hadn't commandeered (i.e. the stuff he didn't think might be valuable 
) but it was all stuff that sold well. That was over 20 years ago - things are so different now. I wonder if it affects the charity shops?
That's what I need nearby - a charity shop. There were three in Cirencester and I visited them all regularly. I know why now!
Exactly - none here. Probably some in Bozen, 70km away. The Italian sort-of answer is flea markets - but they are extra-old rubbish, not really what charity shops in the UK offer
We raised over £2,000 at Hope House Hospice with what we donated from Terry’s Mums Wardrobes, she made me look like an Amateur, Bless Her💕
Our Local Hospice is taking donations of Clothes & Household Goods now but actually at the Hospice as they Shops aren’t open yet, probably Monday l think but they’ve lost a huge part of their revenue during the last three months......
We donate money to a local children's hospice. We hand it to the matron (don't tell anyone)!! She uses it to buy things the children really need or to give them pleasure. If it went to the charity it would get lost/or spent on administration or something.
The charity does an excellent job but they have soooo many obligations.
in reply to MrsNails
Yup, I usually donate to Oxfam or the Martlets Hospice... but none of our charity shops are open.
in reply to MrsNails
Yup... as you know we're hoping to move soon.. so a BIG clean out!
Constance13 in reply to
Can't remember where you are moving to M?
Constance13 in reply to
My daughter keeps telling me to do that. But the effort........?
in reply to Constance13
It is a big effort, and time consuming, but quite therapeutic rewarding! Also, it's better to be making money than spending money!
Constance13 in reply to
Spending it is working for me at the moment.😂😂😂
I'm using our "holiday money". I have always put money aside for holidays but we just can't travel far now. Nothing to do with lockdown. My OH is 85 and he doesn't like driving for more than two hours. It won't be so very long before he has to give it up.😢
in reply to Constance13
That's great!!!! Good on you, enjoy!!!! We are moving so I am "trying" to save... or just not spend!
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