Page 8 | To be so sick of being broke?

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 2025-08-09T19:12:46+00:00

This is pretty much just a moan really. I'm already doing everything I can to try and improve our situation financially. Although nothing's working atm. 😑 Both DH and I work full-time, on minimum wage. Me 45 hours per week, him between 40-50 depending on the week. And we still can't make ends meet. I'm talking having about £50 left in the bank 2 days after payday because all the bills have come out. Not entitled to any benefits as earn too much for UC (on MW? 😐). Kids are grown up (22 and 18) but still living at home. DD1 is in college and on UC and waiting to see if she's entitled to PIP for her autism. DD2 is starting uni next month and works part-time herself. I'm just so fucking sick of the cost of everything. To the point I'm questioning whether I can afford to buy a £6 pack of Benadryl for my fucking hayfever! 😡 Applying for multiple better-paying jobs every week and getting bloody nowhere! Urgh.

Bologneselove · 10/08/2025 21:51

HiddenRiver · 10/08/2025 17:17

I feel sorry for you OP. I had friends in similar circumstances- can you reduce hours at PAYe work which would enable you to get some UC and use the extra time for a cash in hand job? (That’s what my friends did and they now have less stress and more cash). Good luck x

Great idea, promote benefit fraud. I’m sure hard working people love this suggestion 😡

CaptainSevenofNine · 10/08/2025 21:51

I have friends on MJ and they have lost so much of their appetite that they are saving far more of the cost of the injections on their food bill. It takes a few weeks to get to that stage, perhaps it will happen for you?

another idea is to upload your shopping receipts to ChatGPT and ask it to identify savings and make a meal plan for you based on what you already buy.

You are actually doing really well OP. Paying for everything and paying down debt. Once the debt is gone you’ll be quids in! Keep at it.

if you do manage to get a GP appointment consider if a prescription pre payment certificate will save you money.

and/or trial the cheaper brand alternatives from shops. If you find one that suits you can buy it in bulk from Amazon. I do that with my cetirizine. It’s safe to take 2 of those a day, so perhaps you could even trial that? It has to be better than suffering from all your symptoms for the want of a Benadryl?

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:50

Pregnancyquestion · 10/08/2025 21:45

I don’t really see how this is helpful? Telling someone you have it better than me so don’t moan. It’s all relative isn’t it, you’re making a choice to give up work to care for your parents. Which is very noble and kind, and unpaid carers save the country millions. But if you wanted to you could ask for social care to take over and go back to working full time so that you can have those luxuries again. It’s not really fair to come on here and suggest that OP is being unreasonable for moaning just because you’ve made the choice not to work.

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I made a choice?! HAHA!! Believe me, I had no choice.

Tell the other unpaid carers in the UK that they "made a choice" to not stay in paid work and see how far you get!

Wow, actually properly laughing hard at that!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/08/2025 21:48

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:47

Accepting a situation that one finds oneself in is not martyrdom, its pragmatism.

What on earth good would moaning do?

What good has it done you? None. None whatsoever.

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Having a good moan can make you feel better about something you don’t feel you can change. That’s just human. What are you getting out of trying to put OP down?

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:47

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:42

Ok, does that mean I can be envious of people with more than me? Can I berate them for moaning when they pop up on here? I don't believe you that you have never once moaned about your situation. If you haven't, stop being a bloody martyr! A good moan does you good once in a while.

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Accepting a situation that one finds oneself in is not martyrdom, its pragmatism.

What on earth good would moaning do?

What good has it done you? None. None whatsoever.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 10/08/2025 21:47

Anyway OP, hopefully some of the (unwanted) good advice you’ve had has been helpful and you’ve had an evenings diversion from the norm by arguing with strangers on the internet! At least that’s free eh? 😂

Pregnancyquestion · 10/08/2025 21:45

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:40

Well no because what would be the point?

It gets me down at times sure, but moaning doesnt change a thing. I am in the situation I am in and due to circumstances I cannot control, I will be for some time soon. So its simply a case of getting on with it.

And you know what? You have more than me. A lot more than me.

I dont even own a TV much less a netflix sub. I cancelled my gym membership when I had to start caring for my parents as I could no longer afford it. Mine and Dd's phones were both second hand and we are on £6.50 a month sim only deals.

I skid from week to week, disaster to disaster, just about scraping by.

So looking at your figures I am actually envious. Maybe go and think about that.

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I don’t really see how this is helpful? Telling someone you have it better than me so don’t moan. It’s all relative isn’t it, you’re making a choice to give up work to care for your parents. Which is very noble and kind, and unpaid carers save the country millions. But if you wanted to you could ask for social care to take over and go back to working full time so that you can have those luxuries again. It’s not really fair to come on here and suggest that OP is being unreasonable for moaning just because you’ve made the choice not to work.

Singlehouseholdjoy · 10/08/2025 21:44

whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:41

Take your sarcasm somewhere else. You're not skint. It's absurd to think you are with your budget.

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Yeah OP
You're skint, you can't afford sarcasm you feckless wench

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:44

whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:43

Exactly.

Anyway, I'm out.

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Byeeeeeee

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Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:44

whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:41

Take your sarcasm somewhere else. You're not skint. It's absurd to think you are with your budget.

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Er, I started the thread, so if I wanna be sarcastic I will be. Don't like it? No one is forcing you to read and reply!

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whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:43

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:40

Well no because what would be the point?

It gets me down at times sure, but moaning doesnt change a thing. I am in the situation I am in and due to circumstances I cannot control, I will be for some time soon. So its simply a case of getting on with it.

And you know what? You have more than me. A lot more than me.

I dont even own a TV much less a netflix sub. I cancelled my gym membership when I had to start caring for my parents as I could no longer afford it. Mine and Dd's phones were both second hand and we are on £6.50 a month sim only deals.

I skid from week to week, disaster to disaster, just about scraping by.

So looking at your figures I am actually envious. Maybe go and think about that.

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Exactly.

Anyway, I'm out.

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:42

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:40

Well no because what would be the point?

It gets me down at times sure, but moaning doesnt change a thing. I am in the situation I am in and due to circumstances I cannot control, I will be for some time soon. So its simply a case of getting on with it.

And you know what? You have more than me. A lot more than me.

I dont even own a TV much less a netflix sub. I cancelled my gym membership when I had to start caring for my parents as I could no longer afford it. Mine and Dd's phones were both second hand and we are on £6.50 a month sim only deals.

I skid from week to week, disaster to disaster, just about scraping by.

So looking at your figures I am actually envious. Maybe go and think about that.

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Ok, does that mean I can be envious of people with more than me? Can I berate them for moaning when they pop up on here? I don't believe you that you have never once moaned about your situation. If you haven't, stop being a bloody martyr! A good moan does you good once in a while.

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whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:41

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:34

You're right, my grocery budget is only that much because I'm buying caviar and champagne every month.

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Take your sarcasm somewhere else. You're not skint. It's absurd to think you are with your budget.

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:40

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:29

Living on London she wouldnt be paying £600 a month on rent.

I am in the Midlands and that is the cheaper end of social housing rent for a 3 bed, so I would say that it is more likely she is closer to my neck of the woods or further north rather than London.

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I'm in the NW.

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PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:40

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:31

I take it you've never once moaned about being skint then, obviously!

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Well no because what would be the point?

It gets me down at times sure, but moaning doesnt change a thing. I am in the situation I am in and due to circumstances I cannot control, I will be for some time soon. So its simply a case of getting on with it.

And you know what? You have more than me. A lot more than me.

I dont even own a TV much less a netflix sub. I cancelled my gym membership when I had to start caring for my parents as I could no longer afford it. Mine and Dd's phones were both second hand and we are on £6.50 a month sim only deals.

I skid from week to week, disaster to disaster, just about scraping by.

So looking at your figures I am actually envious. Maybe go and think about that.

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:39

Pregnancyquestion · 10/08/2025 21:30

Honestly this thread! The fixation on those Bendryl! This must be the champagne lifestyle they were referring to!

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😂exactly! Can't have us paupers having access to medication now.

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Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:38

Bjorkdidit · 10/08/2025 21:23

Well to be fair, the OP has come back but her situation is pretty much how I said.

But if she thinks she's had a rough ride on here, its nothing compared with what MSE would tell her.

No-one on there gets away with paying that much for phone and broadband, twice as much as necessary for groceries, branded medication and letting her adult DC live for free. Or 'just having a moan'. Do something constructive or accept that you'll keep struggling.

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Like I said phone and broadband are on contract. Should I break the contracts? The 2 on PAYG are £10 each per month, and they're actually the kids' phones!

Someone posted a link up thread for the generic hay fever medication. At £5 plus delivery for 12 tablets. Yet I get it from Amazon for £6.26 for twice as many tablets and free delivery. But yeah, keep coming at me, cos it's fun innit?

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Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:34

whitewineandsun · 10/08/2025 21:18

How is she skint, though?! She's not. No one skint has her food budget and disposable income.

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You're right, my grocery budget is only that much because I'm buying caviar and champagne every month.

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Singlehouseholdjoy · 10/08/2025 21:34

DeafLeppard · 10/08/2025 20:20

They’re breaking the law. Observational healthcare research - which they say their “study” is - in the UK requires consent and REC approval, none of which is evident from their website.

I have a professional interest in good research, so will follow this up.

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Follow it up with who??? 🤣🤣🤣

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:31

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:02

I am a single parent who works PT, is a carer for her parents and relies on carers allowance and UC. I get what its like to have very little money.

But I dont spunk money on unneccessary things and then moan I cant afford the neccessities! I could cut your expenditure down by £300 straight away. Which chucked at your debt would make a big difference.

The simple fact is YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE THINGS YOU WANT. Neither can I! So you know what? I dont buy them! I do without. I dont like it and I wish things were different but they aint so I have to accept it.

I take it you've never once moaned about being skint then, obviously!

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ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/08/2025 21:31

To be fair OP you aren’t ‘broke’, I no you are paying off debt and that’s hard, but with the subscriptions, weight loss stuff, gym, massive food bill… you are just living to your means and spending all your cash. You are working hard and can afford some basic luxuries (more than ample food and several subscriptions etc), that’s not that bad. Once the debt is paid off you will be able to afford simple holidays. It’s not the life of luxury but it’s fine and it’s not on the breadline

Pregnancyquestion · 10/08/2025 21:30

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:28

Thanks for the link. But that's 12 tablets for a fiver (is delivery free?). I've just paid £6.26 for 24 tablets of Benadryl from Amazon, free delivery because I have Prime.

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Honestly this thread! The fixation on those Bendryl! This must be the champagne lifestyle they were referring to!

BrendaSmall · 10/08/2025 21:30

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 18:21

I mean £3.20 for gluten free bread is pretty steep I guess. Does Aldi do gluten free stuff? Not that I've seen. I guess I could just eat gluten and get the shits all the time. Although then I wouldn't be able to work if I can't get off the lav, so would lose my job. Hmmm, not exactly a fool proof plan.

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I’ve always bought GF stuff from Asda.
To be honest with you I haven’t found anything GF that I’ve actually enjoyed eating so I just don’t buy it anymore!
Its certainly isn’t cheap

PyongyangKipperbang · 10/08/2025 21:29

NewtoSE · 10/08/2025 21:04

you can’t say that with any certainty without knowing where OP lives. Good luck paying for rent, council tax, £9 daily TFL charge, and everything else in London with £3800 per month.

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Living on London she wouldnt be paying £600 a month on rent.

I am in the Midlands and that is the cheaper end of social housing rent for a 3 bed, so I would say that it is more likely she is closer to my neck of the woods or further north rather than London.

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 21:28

MontagueLeo · 10/08/2025 20:56

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/almus-allergy-relief-acrivastine-8mg-capsules-pack-of-12

Generic Acrivastine is available

Thanks for the link. But that's 12 tablets for a fiver (is delivery free?). I've just paid £6.26 for 24 tablets of Benadryl from Amazon, free delivery because I have Prime.

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