Valentine’s Day on a Budget

Jen always insists that I don't waste money on crazy Valentine gifts anymore. She's always strict with money because I find spending money on her and chocolate far too easy.

There is no doubt we should show the ones we love how much we love them but Valentine's Day puts pressure on men and women to buy something special. When we first met my spending on her was crazy, expensive jewellery, surprise trips abroad, costly dinners/wine, designer clothes and bags.

Bipolar and money don’t always go well together. In the end Jen told me to stop spending all this money on her. She knows I love her so why keep wasting money to prove something so already knows. Why have all the guilt and stress of Valentine Shopping when our love can be shown all year round.

Of course she is right because we show our love for each other every day so why should we waste money in honour of a yearly mass marketing event. If you've ever bought rose for Valentine's day the prices are expensive and more inflated.

Every month we have a stay in date night where one of us cooks the other a nice meal, most months I buy her fresh flowers for the kitchen display and she buys me things for the allotment and a four pack of beer for Friday nights.

For many loving couples Valentine’s Day is just another day and they find that spending the day together is all that's needed. However the marketing media see it as an opportunity to brand it as a holiday of love and romance. We already celebrate our wedding anniversaries so there's no need for a wild spending feast on the 14th of February.

Every Valentine’s Day men and women spend a great deal of money on surprise gifts for their loved ones. I don't have a problem with Valentine's Day but it has turned into selling event which places pressures on people to overspend and even get into debt.

Even if Valentine's Day feels special to you both it doesn’t have to break the bank or your budget. You can show your partner how much you love them without spending a fortune. I hope these money saving Valentines tips help you and give you some cost cutting ideas:

Create a Handmade Valentine Card

Making your own handmade Valentine means so much more than buying one or giving her a box of chocolates. If you are the arty or artist type creating a handmade Valentines card makes the event close and personal. Buy some card, felt tips and paint from your stationary shop and go wild.

Write a Love Letter or Poem

Writing a love letter or a poem to your partner is a romantic and loving gesture, far best than a bought gift. Write how you feel about your spouse in your own words and how much you love and care for them. What are the special memories that you have shared together to bond your love forever?

Create a Romantic Music Playlist

A great valentine gift is to create a playlist that your own half will love you more for. Creating a CD or playlist of her favourite songs is certainly cheaper than paying for live music or gig tickets. Creating a music playlist alongside a homemade romantic dinner will hit the spot and set the mood.

If you play an instrument or have a half decent singing voice you may also consider writing a valentine's day love song for your partner to help melt her heart.

Start a Love Journal Together

Another inexpensive gift idea for a Valentine’s Day is to start a journal or photo album together. With an empty journal you can fill it up together with heartfelt memoires, writing as a couple and pictures of your kids.

Make a Romantic Home Dinner

You don’t have to go on an expensive restaurant date to have a romantic Valentines meal, you can cook your partners favourite food at home for a fraction of the cost. All you require is some advance planning by purchasing the ingredients ahead of time and learning how to cook it if it's a tricky meal to prepare.

Cooking dinner on Valentine's Day and enjoying it as a couple is cheaper and more relaxing than eating out at a restaurant that will charge you a fortune. Going out and making reservations in advance at highly sought food places saves on stress and money. Many popular restaurants are too crowded for a relaxing romantic meal and dirty talk.

To make it special the meal you prepare must last longer than your usually mealtime so you plan for two or three courses with a nice dessert. If you are a terrible cook then you might want to consider making the meal together as a team or ordering a takeout.

To make it a special night set the mood and romantic atmosphere by lighting some candles, aromatic sticks, some fresh flowers and buying a bottle of wine if you enjoy alcohol together.

You can also put on the playlist you made, enjoy a movie with popcorn and the two of you can spend quality time together and have a wonderful evening enjoying each other's company.

I'm sure your loved one and you will have a great time and enjoy a double dessert, wink, wink. If you have children you might want to get them out of the way for the evening or put them to bed early so the night is just for you two.

Special Gestures

One example of a low cost Valentine’s Day surprise and a very simple and romantic idea is to do the chores around the house or finish that piece of DIY you've being promising to finish for months.

Free and special gestures are the most inexpensive gift idea for Valentine’s Day. When you're in a deep meaningful relationship I believe Valentine gifts and material possession tend not to matter as much as in the early years of dating and relationships.

You can show someone you love them without purchasing gifts and they will love you for it. It's the thought that counts and that can include doing jobs around the house that your partner might normally do, like cleaning up, doing the dishes, letting them have a lie in bed or cooking and serving them breakfast in bed.

Usually it's the little things in life and small gestures we appreciate are what glues a relationship together and they don't cost a bean. Being there and helping each other is the most precious gift of all.

Show Them You Love Them

You can express yourself freely on Valentine’s Day. It is possible to do Valentine on a budget. Let your imagination go wild.

A great Valentine’s Day gift doesn't have to be expensive and can be more affordable than the traditional clichés . There are many inexpensive Valentine’s Day gifts you can buy that will have meaning for your partner. Instead of buying a bunch of roses can you buy cheaper flowers or a single red rose. Also for the green finger among you how about buying a seeds or plants you can watch grow and flourish in the garden.

Valentine’s Day isn’t all about giving lavish presents and gifts, it's about appreciating each other and those personal touches that make it special. I hope I've given you some inspiration. By being creative there are many affordable ways to show you love someone. By creating experiences, happy memories and something unique that your loved one will cherish forever.

Happy Valentine’s Day, love ya.

The Wealthy Need To Pay Their Taxes

The system we live in favours the rich and powerful. Many wealthy people don't pay the correct level of tax and big companies can pay less tax as a percentage then solo traders and small businesses do. In some company cases tax bills have been written-off.

It's easy to understand why people are angry. While the working and middle classes are expected to pay their taxes and benefit cheats are vilified for conning the welfare system the wealthy can cheat and are permitted to break the rules.

Aren't we all in this together? If the UK government are promoting "levelling up" and "one nation" then where is the fairness and transparency? If the 99% have to pay the correct amount of tax then shouldn't everybody.

Tax avoiders cost the country billions, money which could be used to improve our public services. The tax affairs of companies and personal finances of politicians, the rich and famous need to be disclosed and examined in more detail.

Wealthy friends and supporters of the Tory party seem to do very well avoiding paying their taxes. Some tax dodgers who have avoided paying tax have even been on the Queens honours list receiving OBE's.

Why don't they have to pay their share to support our public services and the vulnerable who need better services? While Sir Not Paid Tax-Alot has a brilliant lifestyle the rest of the country has suffered under 10 years of austerity.

How the fairness of the tax system operates it morally questionable. The wealth get wealthier and the poor pay the price. With the budget coming up I expect to "level up" too with a massive tax cut and a knighthood.

Screw Buzz

I'm not well-rounded or level headed. With mania that one place, one job, one women, one goal, one million is never enough. Mania always wants more. It wants to push you without any insight to the consequences until you land with a splat.



An episode of mania lacks a plan, it only has a grand vision, it offers no insight into tragedy or misfortune. It ranges from the successful to the spectacular failure.

Mania doesn't want treatment because it thinks it's magic and doing the right thing.

There comes a time when you realise that the world is sick, not quite right. No wonder you're always feeling down. How can you cheer up surrounded by all this misery? How can you block it all out?

The world and it's people fascinate me for that reason. I wonder why our own minds and actions trap us like caged animals.

Mania is a delusion, only depression and our true feelings can open your eyes to our dreams and innermost demons. Sharing your feelings and thoughts with others is good therapy. I believe writing and blogging can have a huge positive impact on your health.

While this grouchy blog isn't for everyone. This is personal expression. I blog more for me than you. The downside is I might turn most people off. I don't apologise for expressing myself. I don’t force anyone to come here. When you have a mental illness you may not want to broadcast to the public. It can cause issues and impact on relationships and your career.

I have built up an audience and online community for been miserable. Reading my blog would suggest I'm unhappy and sad all the time. Despite my illness I've actually had a great life and created something that's useful for sufferers.

I think you should pay attention to the doomsayers, you'll usually find that what they say has a valid point. They don't get caught up in the buzz and rush of the crowd.

You can't please everyone. This content is for the weird ones. If I was cheerful and happy all the time you'd think I was ill.

The COVID 19 Coronavirus

It is so crushing to see so many dead from Covid 19 across the world. Many countries have a hidden coronavirus pandemic where the official numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. Every day the figures are released and behind the numbers family and friends are left suffering unable to say their goodbyes.

We are told about flatting the curve and at the same time the graphs sky rocket at an alarming rate and countries are overwhelmed by body bags. Funeral parlours and morgues across the world are overflowing. What is the true number? I never believe a single word government says.

These are some of the toughest times we’ve faced The Covid 19 virus has triggered a devastating attack on peoples' lives and livelihoods. The economic crisis has been felt across the world, the worst in our lifetimes. The UK economy has haemorrhaged around 7 million jobs in April with people furloughed and the biggest drop in GDP in 300 years.

The front lines haven't been funded correctly for years. In the UK it's nothing new that since the banks went bust and the Tories took over that our NHS and public service aren't funded correctly. Over the last ten years we've seen so many cuts to health and social care services. Especially mental health services as I point out in my post: NHS cuts to mental health services.

In the UK we are told to pull together for a life and death public crisis. And yet who will take care of seniors, people with disabilities, domestic violence victims and the  most vulnerable people in society? We have to make sure kids get to school safely and have a clean, safe learning environment to return back home.

Only a few months ago world leaders and the certain media were calling Covid 19 a hoax or a mild flu. Later they would tell us to drink bleach and inject disinfectant to kill it.

Life hangs in the balance right now and governments across the world need to be held account for taking care of our communities and public safety. We need public service workers now more than ever. I thank the NHS staff, our carers and keyworkers for the courage they show every single day. I offer high praise to our NHS.

In the mist of the pandemic our government ignored the crisis in care homes and failed to test and manage the risk. The Nightingale hospitals that were built were just cosmetic with a lack of staff and equipment otherwise they could have used them instead of shipping the virus into care homes.

We could have stopped the pandemic in its tracks if governments used joined up thinking and took steps to perform testing, tracing, provided PPE and locked down the country and borders quicker. These are the things that could have suppressed Covid 19 and prevented so many deaths.

In all this Boris Johnson was always going to ousted and exposed. The lazy buffoon can't even be bothered to do the press conferences each day to face journalists questions and is hiding behind his Tory monkeys.

Now the agenda is just a scramble to get kids back to school and the economy back up and running. The dangers of reopening the schools and economy too soon could spark a second wave of infection and shutdown - sending us back to square one and even higher death tolls. Saving lives should always take priority over the economy or you kill the economy.

The bad news is more job losses and the deep economic downturn is still to come. As we head into recession us Brits have Brexit to face where we are burning trade agreements with our closest neighbours.

Over the next few years the recession will turn into a depression. I doubt capitalism will delivery for the poor and the peasants who eat from food banks. Which means more people dying and the death rates raising. Across the world our leadership is failing society and the planet.

Do the working class Boris lovers and Trump supporters really think they care about them and we are "IN IT TOGETHER?", if they do then they are brainwashed fools believing in political marketing slogans and fake news branded as real news.

Parliament and Congress that have a right wing agenda never deliver for the people that they are meant to protect and look after. They just want to remain in power and earn a fortune while the workers die.

Wake up and Stay Alert! Be on your guard. Don't let the virus sneak up on you during the bank holiday and be aware of sound bites and meaningless slogans.

In solidarity and harmony I hope God spares the rest of us.

Before Computers

You might find this shocking but there was a life and time before computers. In all honesty I'm baffled by how new tech works. As long as it works I'm fine with that.

I like the outdoors, barbecues, camping in the wilderness and fresh air. Unlike the youth of today I'm just not a natural with computers. My son impresses me when he's trying to explaining tech stuff but I can't help thinking "so what?" will it make my life better and easier?

Computers are too powerful and have taken over our lives. We use Skype at work for communication. I find it strange that someone who wants to talk to me uses it when they sit about 12 feet away. It's annoying because the whole team us it and I hate it. Why can't we just talk to each other like the good old days?

I don't trust online banking or the security of companies. Robots and artificial intelligence may not be a good thing, I've seen what happens when Skynet takes over. Yet I'm still waiting for jet packs and hover boards so AI may not be ready to enslave the world right now.

Bearing in mind I run this blog I'm trying to "get more with it" and updated with tech so maybe I need to buy a new laptop. I've had a look online and my technology department man was very helpful and advised on something that my son says is fine for me.

What with virtual reality and fake reality I don't fancy humans merging with machines and having a microchip shoved up my butt. I don't want to undergo this painful transformation of evolution. It also turns out that Mark Zuckerberg isn't computer generated he's a real bloke.

The humanity needs to unplug or technology will kill us all, or turn us into robots. Let's pretend it's 1994. Imagine no mobile phones, no computers, no interruptions. What bliss. Just Ceefax going in circles trying to find page 128.

NHS Cuts to Mental Health Services

It took many years before I finally had a diagnose for my moods swings and how my bipolar brain worked, or didn't work. These days is can take many months to get a consultant appointment and see a mental health specialist.

The problem is you can't wait for help, therapy or treatment of the mind because in many cases it can be too late because you're already dead. I have my own worrying stories to tell about attempted suicide.

All the long waiting lists of people needing mental health help isn't acceptable. Mental illness is a pressing issue for our NHS and it's about time the government funded it fully to support people in crisis. Many people need to be hospitalised and cared for straightaway.

Life threatening mental health conditions need intervention and resources immediately. For the suffer it can feel like no one cares and you're a burden to everybody and everything. Waiting for a therapy session or counselling maybe too late and any medication can take a few weeks to have a full effect.

Please remember that people take medications for all sorts of illnesses, and there is no reason to feel ashamed in taking them to improve your mood. It's important you take your medication as prescribed without missing dosages and inform your GP about how they are making you feel. Different medications have different effect on people so they need to be changed until the right medication works for you.

Experiences with NHS mental health services vary greatly for region to region. Therapy and counselling combined with medication often provides the best long term results. However the service can be lacking as mental health services are underfund and appointment can be cancelled.

The waiting lists for therapy are only getting longer due to NHS cuts and the increased cases of mental health issue people are experiencing. A three month wait or longer is too long for a consultation, especially if you don't have a complete diagnosis and you are passed around from department to department.

Referrals and appointments are taking too long for patients to be seen. Many NHS doctors and nurses are saddened that they can't do more. People can't wait for help to come and can't afford private therapists or psychologist to receive faster treatment and support.

Even if you are admitted quickly the aftercare facilities and support can be lacking in response times for many disorders. To save a life time is critical and there is no doubt that experiences and the level of mental health resources vary across the UK but the main issue is long waiting times.

This is leaving thousands of people without the help they require when they need it. While they are techniques to try and cope, such as depression tips and mania tips self help and self care doesn't always work and people need to see specialists for other mental health issues such as eating disorders and addiction.

The same thing doesn't work for everyone so procedures and approaches need to be tailored to the individual and circumstances. Feeling left in limbo and just waiting and waiting never helps sufferers and meditation can turn you into a zombie where you just feel emotional empty.

Everyday thousands of people are suffering from mental illness without the aid and care they need . The bottom line is that there simply aren't enough treatment spaces available for all the mental health problems. When someone is feeling suicidal the appointment may come too late.

The government talk and sound bites need to end and real action taken by increasing NHS funding. The government needs to make provisions for a quality end to end mental health service.

The Homeless Are Human Too

As a former homeless person who used to roam the streets in the rain and cold it's time the government did more to protect the homeless. Many people living on the streets need sanctuary and support to get out of the rut and build a life for themselves.

Warm food and somewhere safe to sleep are a start, not placing down metal spikes in areas where the homeless could bed down for the night. Property owners have been placing down spikes, curved benches to prevent the homeless from getting any sleep off the ground.

In the past few years under the Tory government homelessness and food bank usage cross the country has soured. Every city and town has seen a crisis in of the number of people sleeping rough. The lack of shelter and cheap homes hasn't improved much as the masses of homeless people have nowhere to live.

Being homeless isn't always about junkies and alcoholics drinking in the park due to addiction and personal failure. Nowadays it isn't hard to become homeless and people can become homeless for many reasons, such as losing their home through unemployment, losing their job because of illness, mental health issues, breakdown of a relationship, bad landlords, missed housing benefit, heavy debt and people running away from abusive and violent relationships.

Society has a habit of disowning the homeless and the lack of empathy to understand their situation and struggles. As a result rough sleepers are neglected and the statistics for the numbers on the streets are on the rise.

Boris Johnson has promised to end rough sleeping and if that is to happen then the government and local councils should be protecting and helping the homeless get back on their feet.

Beds, night shelters, accommodation projects, addiction support and training to learn new skills will all help the homeless make a fresh start and reduce homelessness. These combined with decent affordable housing will help the homeless and give them the opportunities to build a new life.