First charity shop experience

[Julie]

We pay £1 for dress down Friday, I think most of the 100 employees pay so its a good donation to the chosen charity.

I never know what to wear though...I don't do "dress down" very well [:I][:D]

[Shining]

I wear jeans if I can, but often stuck for things for work, I'd prefer a uniform x

[Skippy]

There's only 10 of us so we only raise £20 a month but every little helps!

It does annoy me though when people are happy to dress down, but moan about paying the money - one woman in particular does this and a few times I've had to ask in a loud voice in front of other people to get her to pay up. I don't like doing it and would only do it as a last resort, but no-one forces her to dress down.

I always wear jeans and t shirt - so much more comfortable!

[Julie]

I don't envy you having to collect the money Skippy.

[Skippy]

I got landed with it as a temporary measure when someone left 3 years ago! I wouldn't mind if I was asking for big money, but it's only 2 quid and I remind them all on payday!

[kallis3]

We rarely do anything like that. Did the breast cancer one a few months ago, but other than that we wear uniform all the time.

[Shining]

I'd love a uniform, would save me finding work clothes. x

[kallis3]

I buy my own trousers as the uniform ones are rubbish.

I tend to get the £5 ones from Asda or Tesco - they're great.

[Skippy]

I get the £5 trousers from Tesco.

The stupid thing is if there's anything that needs doing in the archive area at work (it can be a tad dusty!) they tell us to leave it to Friday so we don't have to do it in our work clothes. Don't they realise my home clothes are more expensive?!?!

[kallis3]

[:D][:D]

Get a cheap pair of trousers to do that!

[flow13]

I work for a housing association that provides housing to vulnerable people (homeless, domestic violence victims). Anyways, local to us (west bromwich) is like a - i dunno what they call it - a place where they make up food parcels for the homeless or people who are just moving into theor own place and have nothing. We each bring in tinned/long-life foods and donate.

At church though we suport something called Birmingham City Mission and they do food kitchens etc.

[Jan01]

Going to Tonbridge Wells tomorrow won't have a lot of time but should have a few minutes to look in the chaity shops.

Tesco £5.00 trousers are great for work and wash pretty well.

As this month is my 2nd not paying for my IVA I treated my self and spent £100 on new clothes and shoes for me. Although I have the money its mine I still felt guilty afterwards. I still looked for sale bargains can't seem to buy anything at full price now.

Jan

[kallis3]

Don't blame you Jan.

I love a bargain as well!

[kallis3]

When we've been shopping recently, hubby always asks if I need any tops or trousers. I've said I'd love some but we just can't afford any. Before the IVA I would have snatched his hand off!

[another_bump]

I love shopping too Jan but I other than work shirts and trousers for my OH I haven't bought anything new for us since we went into the IVA last November. I've been lucky enough to get all of my neice's hand-me-downs for my 8 month old daughter and have bought bundles from eBay for my 2 year old. Any new stuff tends to be gifts from the grandparents.

My weight has fluctuated between a 12 and 20 over the last few years and when I move out of a size I bag it up and put it in the attic. The thing is I forget what I've got and buy new stuff but last week I got it all down and then washed and ironed the stuff that fits or will fit soon. I've got a new wardrobe! woo hoo!!

Freecycle is good too I just managed to get a bike seat for our toddler and he loves it! It's amazing what people will give away. I'm about to put some garden lights on there as my 2 year old keeps pulling them up and then throwing them lie a spear. Eek!