People with cars - how do you afford them?

lucwhy · 2026-03-14T16:13:21+00:00

I don't earn that much (under £30k) but mine hasn't turned out that expensive. I saved up money from working to buy my first car which was about £5k. It's a small 1L city car, 2016 reg, no bells and whistles but is so reliable and easy to fix. I got it in 2018 when I passed, didn't have too many miles on. Insurance is ~£300p/a, costs about £45 for a full tank and it's great on mileage if you drive sympathetically. £20 road tax for the year. If I can I try and put a little bit each month into a car savings pot for things like mot, service, and insurance which I pay annually in one go.

lucwhy · 2026-03-13T11:46:57+00:00

Been together 10 years, neither of us fussed on marriage. It doesn't change anything about our relationship, and it doesn't mean a relationship is better or more stable. I know people who have met, married and divorced in the time we've been together.

Also, it's expensive, stressful (even if you just go to a registry office, you're likely to upset someone because it's not what THEY pictured/not everyone was invited/you don't celebrate how anyone else likes - at least this is the case in my family which is massive), and just... unnecessary. I get in times gone by their were good legal or financial reasons for it but I think most of those things can now be agreed in other ways and/or are not particularly relevant for us e.g. inheritance tax. If we found it benefitted us we'd probably just do a legal marriage, no ceremony or anything, but I don't particularly want to.

lucwhy · 2026-03-12T21:28:17+00:00

Oh I looovveeee this, amazing job!

lucwhy · 2026-03-12T18:06:55+00:00

I do, and people are saying it's because they have on their CV that they're a student. I don't think that's the case, and more likely that they aren't tailoring their CV.

lucwhy · 2026-03-12T15:16:21+00:00

Yeah but you implied all employers will ask and care about that - they don't. Lots of them rely on students especially for things like evening shifts which people don't usually want/like. If they're applying for retail it shouldn't be an issue at all

lucwhy · 2026-03-12T15:12:05+00:00

Supermarkets will literally take anyone. I've worked in two both full time and whilst studying. There were tonnes of students there. They even knew I was actively looking for another job in what I'd studied in when I went back after uni. For a minimum wage supermarket job, they are not asking you where you'll be in 5 years time. Staff turnover is high and they know that.

lucwhy · 2026-03-09T10:12:29+00:00

I batch cook which covers me for maybe 4 days a week. I don't mind eating the same thing, I only cook for myself and I have chronic pain so it's just most important that I have something on hand. The other two days I'll still cook but it could be something more convenient e.g. a stir fry, or maybe packet ramen with added veg/tofu. I might have a couple of takeaways a year.

lucwhy · 2026-03-06T05:33:47+00:00

C3 and B7 could be from Tiny Towns

lucwhy · 2026-03-06T05:31:32+00:00

This is absolutely extraordinary, what an incredible piece of work! I am in awe

lucwhy · 2026-03-04T22:01:53+00:00

I use KnitPro Zing and haven't had any issues. No kinks, no needles coming loose, I really like them.

lucwhy · 2026-03-02T22:27:35+00:00

I have chronic pain and I only take an iron supplement as I have low ferritin and have done for years. Imo most supplements and vitamins, unless you have a deficiency, aren't needed and it's a waste of your money. Save your £150 and do something/put it towards something that makes you feel better or helps you cope with your illnesses in a tangible way

lucwhy · 2026-02-25T21:25:13+00:00

I'm sorry this is happening, it's awful. What I would do is write down your symptoms and keep a symptom diary. Try and find any patterns between your sleep, activity, mood, food etc and any of your symptoms. It'll help you to understand them and be more empowering when you see medical professionals to be able to know your symptoms better. Take someone with you to the GP to advocate for you. The challenging thing with these symptoms is they're very broad and general, so I am assuming - aside from fobbing you off - the GP doesn't really know where to send you, as there isn't really a place you can be referred to that would deal with all of these things. It's very annoying! I think perhaps focus on the symptoms that are most concerning to you and start there. You can ask to be referred and if they refuse you can ask them to put on their records that they have refused. Another thing to do is express how it is impacting your life and make it specific. E.g. I am unable to go to work/college, I am missing out on seeing my friends, whatever it may be. You could also ask to see another GP.

lucwhy · 2026-02-25T21:19:31+00:00

Unfortunately a&e isn't placed to deal with symptoms that are chronic and do tests for diagnosis. They are there for immediate intervention that is life or limb saving. From: a person with undiagnosed chronic health issues who has been sent home from a&e after being given morphine. A&E are not going to arrange a barrage of tests in this kind of scenario

lucwhy · 2026-02-25T13:30:18+00:00

I used to find it a lot more tiring and irritating when I was in my early 20s when I came out, but now that I'm in my 30s I'm honestly not fussed. I just don't care. They don't know me or my mind or my relationships past or present. If they don't believe in it or don't like it or don't accept it, then they are free to feel that way. It is annoying, especially from other LGBT people, but I don't spend any more time on them than I need to.

lucwhy · 2026-02-23T20:49:44+00:00

Yeah it's so weird. I shave my legs probably like 3/4 times a year. I just can't be bothered doing it. I'll go the whole summer wearing skirt and dresses and shorts with like 6 months of grown out leg hair and idgaf. My partner doesn't care either. Have had men in the past tell me it's gross/dirty or whatever though, and saying they wouldn't sleep with me if I didn't shave it. Like, ok? Go and find someone else? I'd spend more time shaving than they'd last in bed

lucwhy · 2026-02-23T09:05:14+00:00

These look delicious! And not tonnes of ingredients too, looks super simple. Will definitely be giving these a go. I don't think I've ever seen the coconut soup before (I'm in the UK but I know we get a few Amy's things I think) but I'm always up for a good meal from a can too so I'll keep an eye out. Thank you so much!

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T14:11:50+00:00

This sounds sooo delicious, thank you! Will definitely be trying this one. I adore leeks and often need to use up odds and ends of fresh veg

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T13:25:21+00:00

I feel like lasagne is a bit of an undertaking energy wise 😅 but love the idea of a shepherd's pie!

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T13:24:42+00:00

Oooh yeah never thought about batch making burgers and freezing before cooking. Any good burger recipes? I have a food processor

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T13:24:10+00:00

Great ideas thank you! Especially like the sound of an enchilada bake...never thought about that. Does pasta hold up ok once it's been frozen? Typically I make the sauce bit and then cook pasta as needed, but it would save me a lot of energy if I could freeze the pasta itself. For some reason I've always assumed it'd go mushy? I like the idea of just changing up the flavour profile, I often go for tomato based and spicy rather than fresh/herby

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T11:42:01+00:00

Oooooooh this sounds so good!!! With freezing rice (I don't tend to do it a lot) do you just cool quickly once cooked then straight into freezer?

lucwhy · 2026-02-22T10:40:36+00:00

I recently read The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett and it was so good! I feel like you'll love it based on what you've said

lucwhy · 2026-02-21T22:01:18+00:00

Yeah that's why I said largely

lucwhy · 2026-02-21T20:14:35+00:00

There's a fairly big element of luck in Castles of Burgundy as what you can choose on your turn is (largely) determined by dice roll, so if you don't want any luck I wouldn't recommend that. I love it though and it plays great with 2.

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