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Know how your feeling.my work dried up last sept.self employed plasterer.lad at college all we had come in was the wifes £72.00 a week.it was a toss up between car or caravan going car lost then the transit had to go.bills keep coming.been working the past 5 weeks so bought a cheap van for work.you will survive its not nice but keep your chin up and keep your caravan.

atb.neil

I can empathise totally with you - last year was probably the worst year financially we had for years.  Hubby also a self-employed plasterer and work was non-existant last year, it got so bad at one point we couldnt' even afford to advertise.  Having the bongo was the only thing that kept me going.  Luckily, at the end of the year before we had ferry for France booked and paid and I had bought camping cheques in advance so we were able to go to France as we had planned.  The rest of the year would have been dismal but for the changes we made to our camping life: still go but go to nearer places, look for cheap sites (there are loads of them) where you have the basics - you can make your own fun - CC's and CL's are also good.  Take as much food as you can with you and BBQ just about everything (bananas are great done in their skins!).  If you don't have one and you can afford it a cadac is great cos you can cook almost anything on it so food from home saves take-aways/eating out.   One very important thing I never skimped on - the vino - always had some LOL.  I do hope you can keep your caravan.

edited to add - hubby signed on with an agency and eventually got enough work to keep us going.  This year has been a bit better so hopefull things will improve all over.

Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 05/3/2010

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Take as much food as you can with you and BBQ just about everything (bananas are great done in their skins!).

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"(bananas are great done in their skins!)."

With a thin knife cut along the inside edge (the concave side) and then drizzle some brandy in or maybe Ameretto. Wrap in tin foil and pop into the embers whilst you eat the main course.

Bit of cream or better still ice cream if you can get it from the site shop

Mmmmmm 

Phil

with such a drop in your income this would surely affect Child/working tax credit.  Make sure you inform them, and also make sure you claim every other benefit you are entitled to.  I know a lot of people don't like claiming, but you are entitled, you have paid into the system.

Have a look here

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

I agree with keeping the van, things are slowly on the up, but it is going to take some time.  Hang on in there.  Best of luck

Shirley

Hi we were in the same boat from April last year down to working every three out of four weeks with a 25% drop in income. It was and has ,and still is hard but are managing to survive for the holidays. Just got to be realistic about things. We had two weeks in Brighton last year, including fuel and spends it was just short of £650.00, much better than the last time to italy on a package deal.

We have booked the usual weekends away and main holiday 8 in total and the cost is £600.00, just got to save up a bit now, first week away is in Windermere after the Easter holiday weekend.

As for getting rid of the van not in a million yrs its the only thing i have which is fully paid for and mine i.e house, car, etc.

Enjoy the year one and all.

Chris W

Know the feeling, hubby lost his job last year in April, he might be getting a job soon as a carer, his police check has just come through.  We have still booked up for a week with our tent, will be £70 for the week, will have to go easy on spends though but need some time away. 

Don't get rid of the caravan, hold onto it.  We nearly got one really cheap but then my car won't tow it, I'm gutted but pleased at the same time, as I don't think we could of afforded the insurance and storage etc.  If you allready have it, it's easier to hang on to. Hope something comes up for you and anyone else struggling at the moment.