Do You have a wasteful wife/family

[John Arton]

Anyone who has spent anytime at sea understands the need to ration everything and squeeze the last drop out of any item.
For example
Paint, decant large drums into smaller pots so you only use what you need, ensure that the lid is put back on properly so the remaining paint does not start to dry out
Paint brushes, clean after use
Tools and equipment, clean and return to store after use
Food. In the old days B.O.T. had scales for provisions on board, nowadays legislation states there should be sufficient and varied food to provide a proper diet to all on board. The latest legislation (MLC) has toughened this up and makes it mandatory for ship owners to budget food costs at certain levels in their overall budget.
Toiletries. Although maybe available on board to buy we always squeezed the last drop out of such things as toothpaste etc.
Food (Again) the cook only prepared sufficient to feed all with minimum waste.
I guess you can figure out all the rest but does this happen in your house.
When we were first married my wife accompanied me on most trips and when on leave she was great at following the seafarers code of waste not, want not.
Then along came the children and she stayed at home looking after and bringing them up and gradually things started to change.
Nowadays we have half used toothpaste tubes in the cabinet where they have been opened and squeezed from the top, not the bottom as it says on the tube, with caps left off so it dries out.
When out shopping for food she will pick up a,say, chicken. I will say that's a bit big for just 4 of us, she scoffs and buys the bird that will feed 5000. Net result, one meal, the odd sandwich and a very fat dog due to excessive left overs.
I could go on for ever, have not started on make-up, shampoos, water (we are metered, taps left running), clothes (why do they need 5-6 coats, I only can wear one at a time and that's all I have).
And do you know the worst thing about all this.
When I gently suggest that they use the toothpaste/shampoo etc. correctly, we don't buy enough food to feed the whole street on the off chance that either a.) all the neighbours/relations will suddenly turn up unannounced demanding to be fed or b.) all supermarkets/stores etc will run out of food or close overnight and not re-open for weeks, I AM CALLED A BORING OLD FART AND SHOULD GET A LIFE.
rgds
JA
p.s. just me and the fat dog at home at present, the rest out Christmas shopping so I've got a few hours to myself without interruption or having Herr Flick of the Gestapo looking over my shoulder at what I'm posting

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi Shipmates Hi John , what you are talking about is prudence its one of the virtues, now outdated due the throw away society? the make do and mend way of life will make a big come back very soon? we live that way at sea on many ships? But I Dont think people {Young} are into that way of life not main stream...

[Neil Morton]

My wife is very prudent when it comes to housekeeping and even objects when I take to much peel off a potato. However any savings made are spent on renovations to what I think are perfectly adequate services and appliances. As I write an electrician is putting in a ceiling fan out in the sun room, I enquired as to why we cant come inside when it gets too hot. After all we have air con. The reply was, " our guests can stay outside longer. What guests I ask ? " Just goes to show the old adage " swings and roundabouts " is true plus of course you will never win.

[Lou Barron]

Both me and my late wife were both prudent and always tell my family to be the same but do they

[gray_marian]

I can be prudent and have taught my children how to be also, but my husband could not save two shillings even if his life depended on it. He's an all or nothing type of chap! His Mother was and one sister is exactly the same. May be a faulty gene.......

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Goods and sevices' are pay for by credit cards, or wonga so its live now pay someday? thrift, make do and mend, and only buy what you can afford have gone into the history books? money in the bank makes you a target for the taxman, and stops you getting a penny off the state, and if you have property no free care in old age. The prudent shall pay for the spendthrift " New Law "... Overseas' people dont pay for anything !!! Captain Kong will educate you on this ...

[happy daze john in oz]

We do not buy more than we need but do keep a well stocked pantry, and Bar of course. You never know when you may need another drink.

[Captain Kong]

I am saying Nothing, in enough trouble as it is.
Brian

[cappy]

I can be prudent and have taught my children how to be also, but my husband could not save two shillings even if his life depended on it. He's an all or nothing type of chap! His Mother was and one sister is exactly the same. May be a faulty gene.......

giving your age away with shillings marion

[John Gill]

giving your age away with shillings marion

Two Shillings? what's that? Does the lady mean a Florin?