No matter how broke I am, I will not compromise on

[NorthEndGal]

Butter
If I only had a few dollars left, I'd still buy butter.
Not margarine, not 20-80 spread, just real pure butter.

Anything else, I'll do without, or by a substitute, etc

What is your "I'm not going without" thing?

I think that it may be difficult to be "light hearted" for some on this thread.

My dh was forced to take a 60% pay cut 6 months after we bought "up."

We had always had a normal up and down life but nothing major. This time it was demoralizing. I don't think that either of us will ever be able to joke about this.

We didn't eat so our children could. The list is ridiculous and would seem selfpitying if I described it. We were in our late 40s/early 50s. We had no idea that at that age, we should be in that position.

So, while it's supposed to be lighthearted, true poverty/loss of income is similar to serious illness; difficult to find humor.

Don't be too harsh on us please.

So if it's so difficult to read for some why don't they just....not read it

Baking paper. Tougher than tin foil and usually saves on washing up. It's great just to throw it away and not worry about soaking and scrubbing.

@CherryPavlova I am usuallly broke but I don't buy the cheapest of the cheapest. I rarely buy meat so I can buy decent veggies, milk and the occasional bag of chips for the dc.

Oh and dettol surface spray- it doesn't stink and you do not need to wipe surfaces with water afterwards.

Cats hope things have improved for your family 💐

We are getting closed to the bone, it’s more terrifying for DH than me. He was admitted to hospital with malnutrition as a toddler. He remembers rationing being withdrawn. I was luckier, born 12 years later and despite money being tight for my parents there was more food available.

@Catsinthecupboard

So, while it's supposed to be lighthearted, true poverty/loss of income is similar to serious illness; difficult to find humor.

Don't be too harsh on us please.

Well then leave the thread if it’s too hard for you instead of crapping all over it.

Obviously the word "please" is crap to you.

I was responding to the people who were unhappy with those not joining in the fun.

And i DID leave. Upon posting. I read a few, realized that I didn't find the fun. (Although, perhaps on a different day I may have).
But i felt badly for those, like me, who were having difficulty so I thought that I would reign down with the real life crap horror of being in financial difficulty through no fault of our actions. To defend them.

I know the crap of being cold and hungry without warning bc a contract was lost. Worse, bc I can live on beans and rice, was seeing our dc suffer. Trying to make games out of wearing sweaters to bed to stay warm. Hiding from schoolmates that we have no money.

Unfortunately, i have been notified that you responded.

EVERYONE will be visited by some disaster or another. I wish you more understanding than you have shown to me and others when you're in the "crap."

Yes, we are recovering. But, the fragility of safety when it comes to finances it much more frightening when you're older. My dh and I are now simply older. Our resiliency is not as great, our children are young adults and our parents are all gone.

Which means that EVERY DAY we work and worry bc they only have us and they are not yet independent.

EVERY DAY we think about how to make sure that they are safe, if the only two adults in their life are hurt or disabled.

So, if my crap has made your day crap, your life must be a unicorn.

My son is right. Never try to be kind bc it always backfires.

Lurpak butter and Chocolate

We were very poor for a good many years and went without food as children,so we appreciate things now.I have gone without for so many years that now I can afford Lurpak butter instead of cheap spread,it's my treat.Being able to eat a chocolate bar when I want is another luxury that I really appreciate.

@Catsinthecupboard

I was responding to the people who were unhappy with those not joining in the fun.

There’s not joining in the fun.
And then there’s being scathing when people come on a clearly lighthearted thread, as set in tone by the OP, and going on (at length) about people who lost organic this / nice coffee / butter as never having known what’s it like to be truly broke etc

@Catsinthecupboard do lighten up. It's just a bit of fun. Most people have tough times but they get through it better if they see the lighter side of life.

Eggs for sure
Balsamic vinegar

@Catsinthecupboard I've gone to bed with a hot water bottle, dressing gown and extra wool blanket all at once because we could not afford to heat the large house We lived in at the time. I remember telling the dcs to breathe into their blankets so it doesn't seem so cold .
My kids have skipped parties because we couldn't afford a gift and have had tins of spag Bol for dinner in the past. Yeah I have had tough times too dues to contract issues etc but honestly just forget them because stress and anger over the situation will make you very ill eventually.

Good quality kids shoes. Free range eggs. L'Oréal face cream. Everything else is as cheap as possible 😊

Democracy
Freedom of speech

Good mascara
Free range eggs
Quality bread

Upthread a PP mentioned a few things she appreciates at a food bank. I would love a list of these sorts of things to put into our local bank so that some of the people who use them can get a few 'luxuries' alongside the necessaries.

Coffee.
I've recently had a turn events and am now struggling. I do not buy coffee because I would rather be without than have cheap substitutes.

When I was broke (and working all the hours at 2 full time jobs) nice coffee but that was when we were newly married and had no dc. I think now nothing is off limits giving up or going without for them. Think I would prefer to have no coffee than cheap coffee. I have developed a habit for those times of always having at least one jar full jar in reserve.

I'm definitely going to add a nice brand of instant coffee to my basket for the food bank next time I go shopping.

Family of four here , no money in my bank account , no money in my purse , no change in a jar , no savings or money stashes

Absolutely broke till next Friday when we get paid .

Currently working out what we are going to eat for the next week !

I'm happy to substitute anything really , I suppose the only things if I had to say something was Heinz tomato sauce . And I try to buy branded washing powder and fabric softener because I think it washes clothes better and smells nicer

Everything else I'm happy to buy supermarket own brand .

@circleofwillis Instant coffee is a good one (tea bags are cheaper so more tend to be donated). Interesting biscuits (don’t have to be expensive just eg bourbons instead of rich tea). Long life milk. Nice cereals (things like cheerios or coco pops that still taste nice dry if you run out of milk, rather than “worthier” cereal like weetabix or porridge). Meals in a tin like ravioli, macaroni cheese, or meatballs. Pot noodles. Toiletries, men’s as well as women’s, something like Nivea or Lynx can be a real treat for someone who has been going without.
I’ve been on both sides, as a volunteer, and as someone who needed help.

Has no-one yet mentioned caviar? Personally I won't touch Russian, has to be Iranian. It's only $75 an ounce and let's face it, everyone can afford $75.

That should give the worthies something to froth about

(PS I don't eat caviar.)

Thanks coldtatty!