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Original poster

TIPS FOR HAVING NO MONEY

128 replies

BellaElla99 · 04/12/2021 00:00

Hi,

I need help with money as everything is getting so expensive, as a single parent, I am extremely overwhelmed. I can’t afford to top up my pre-payment meter and I can’t afford any new clothes to keep my children warm in the house this winter.

I am struggling so please be kind. If you’ve been poor/are poor or just extremely frugal, please give me your best tips to cope with this winter? Anything from tips to keep warm, tips to keep the kids warm, cheap meal options (have £10 per week left for shopping for December). We will be going to the local church for Christmas dinner and we can watch Christmas films with Christmas shaped toast for breakfast. Kids are young so they won’t know the difference but I need advice for leading up to this!

Thanks so much :)

OP posts:

WonderfulYou · 04/12/2021 12:48

Potatoes are very cheap, versatile and nutritious so base your meals heavily on potatoes and frozen veg.

Also if you need to put the heating on then do it in one room and stay in that room for the majority of the time.

When it’s really cold, go for a long walk and then when you get back in cosy up under some blankets in front of the TV and it will feel warmer inside compared to outside.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 04/12/2021 12:56

I was just about to say that an oil filled radiator of a decent size (between £80-120) are amazing, or even a smaller one for £40, these are amazing, I can heat my whole downstairs on one. They use up much less electricity than storage heaters, if there's any way for you to get one, appeal on Freecycle, save up and get one then it may be worth it as you would probably save within a month the difference in terms of electricity.

I am on an electricity meter and it seems it is eating money this year...

Comedycook · 04/12/2021 13:02

When I use my oven, once it's off and food is out, I leave the door open so the heat can pour out into the room...be careful obviously if your DC are small obviously!

Interested in this thread?

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Cost of living General food General money

Comedycook · 04/12/2021 13:03

Oh and a bit random but I find a hairdryer can heat a room that's small very quickly...hottest setting and just hold and aim round the room...make sure the door is shut.

RubyFakeLips · 04/12/2021 13:11

Most things I would suggest have already been said, but a really cheap meal, is carrot soup.

My kids love it, as do I and made all the time as a single, hard up parent. Costs definitely under £1 total and will probably do 6 portions.

Fry until translucent and soft 1 onion, shallot or leek. Add in kilo of carrots chopped, cover with water. Ideally use a stock cube but not essential. Also if you have any spices or a lime to juice thats nice. I like mine with a bit of chilli powder, lime and either coconut milk or a bit of cream but salt and pepper will do just fine. Boil until carrots are mashable and then blend/blitz/mash to a full soup.

I also make porridge with water, and a bit of sugar. I used to buy hundreds and thousands, to put on porridge as a pudding for kids.

RubyFakeLips · 04/12/2021 13:13

And completely agree about the oven, if you have to use it, leave the door open, obviously keep kids away but any little bit of heat.

Same with candles, depends on your kids. But I used to but some cheap candles, have them up on the mantle in the room we spent time in. Massivly added heat which I didn't expect.

Kittykat93 · 04/12/2021 13:18

Why are you scared of social services? Christ they don't even remove kids who are being beaten / neglected half the time. They wouldn't bat their eyelids at someone having to use a foodbank.

LillyWithTwoLs · 04/12/2021 13:20

Just google your borough plus food bank and you should have options. Also try to contact your health visitor, they can link you with support. GP as well. Little Village do clothing and gift parcels, they require a GP referral. Also have a look on Facebook for your local mutual aid society, often lots of things on offer there for free. And if you’re not on the NextDoor site, try there as well, loads of people sharing second hand Children’s clothes and toys, often free. Some also post asking for donations and receive things from neighbours. Good luck OP, what a struggle for you.

Peeeas · 04/12/2021 13:25

Would recommend the Young Planet app for free kids' clothes and toys for Christmas. It's like Freecycle for kids' stuff.

TommyShelby · 04/12/2021 13:25

If you can do it, raid the yellow stickers and freeze things.

Also double sock layers - normal socks under neath and then big fluffy socks on top. Actually, layers in general - leggings under jeans, vest top, long sleeve and a t shirt on top really help keep the warm in without having to wear your coat indoors which always feels a bit miserable I think.

Keep your chin up OP. I’ve been where you are and you can do this.

Gigia · 04/12/2021 13:32

I know you said you didn't want help but I would love to be able to help if I can. I've been in your position years ago when my son was small and I know how hard it is. Now I'm in a position to be able to help I would love to. Please message me your address and I would love to send you some things to make your life easier

Kittykat93 · 04/12/2021 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Gigia · 04/12/2021 13:35

Thanks for the heads up, I know it's difficult to verify anyone's situation online but I would rather be able to help someone if I can even if I risk being scammed. I know alot of people will think I'm mad and maybe I am but I struggled so much for so long that I just can't bear to think of others going through it.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/12/2021 13:35

Check you are using your storage heaters the most efficiently (they are still not very economical unless you are on economy 7 or other dual tariffs though). It's such a bloody faff and you need to check what the weather is gong to be like the next day and fiddle with the settings accordingly.

There should be two settings on the heater, an 'input' and an 'output'.

The input defines how much heat is being stored over night, the higher the setting the more energy will be used ie more cost. So if its going to be really cold the next day turn this up, if its going to be milder drop it down.

The output is how much heat is being emitted from the heater, so at night time you need to have this set right down to the lowest level, so while its charging and you are tucked up in bed they are holding the heat they are generating, again this will reduce your running cost. Then when you get up you can turn this up to release the heat over the day. If you go out, turn them down again.

Like I said its a real faff, there is no central controller and it takes time to figure out the optimum controls so you generate just enough heat to get through the next day before the next charge cycle. Making sure you set the output down to minimum while its charging over night is an easy win though.

TheRigatonini · 04/12/2021 13:43

Oodies keep you incredibly warm.

Food / recipe tip - buy a big bag (5kg+) of lentils and invest in some spices from a supermarket or international shop and find a good online Dahl recipe. This was my go to recipe when I was truly skint a few years back – tasty, warming, nutritious, and super cheap. You can also make chapatis to go with very easily – you just need flour and water and some oil to fry them in.

It sounds like you have a lovely special Christmas planned despite the low funds, and it will be the cosy vibe and time spent together that the kids will remember and draw on. I honestly can’t remember a single present I got when I was a kid, it was more about the excitement and the little things.

Have a lovely Christmas

LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/12/2021 13:58

Sorry I see you have already discussed the storage heater operation OP, as its so cold at the moment maybe just start by making sure you put your output down to minimum over night and then up again during the day, keep the input on max. If you are having to use the boost then that's going to be hugely expensive on economy 7, if you end up having to do this maybe stick to one room for the rest of the day if possible.

ScouseQueen · 04/12/2021 14:02

Drink hot squash. Keeps you warm and feeling a bit more full and as you don't need milk, it's the cheapest hot drink you can make.

Blankets or throws really help. If you can stretch to it or anyone will be buying for you at Christmas, the teddy bear throws at Dunhelm are really warm. But as pp said any throws or layers help.

elbea · 04/12/2021 14:06

My local area (Wiltshire) has a clothes and toy exchange. We get hundreds of donations every months and anyone is welcome to come and take clothes. We have everything from clothes, coats, shoes, bedding etc… There are lots of things like this around the country.

Also have a look at the Warm Home Discount Scheme, your supplier will add £140 credit to a prepayment meter if you qualify. www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Animood · 04/12/2021 14:07

@TheRigatonini

Oodies keep you incredibly warm.

Have a lovely Christmas

Oodies cost £60 branded. The knock offs on Amazon cost £20. OP has £10 left per week.

Not a great suggestion.

NotJustACigar · 04/12/2021 14:13

There are some second hand knockoff oodies for kids listed on Vinted right now for around £5 but you also have to pay the buyer protection fee plus postage. OP if you have anything you can sell on Vinted to earn enough to buy a knockoff oodie it would be worth it, and more will probably be available after Christmas. If you don't have anything you can sell then check Olio, freecycle etc for clothes or shoes to sell.

TheRigatonini · 04/12/2021 14:14

@Animood

I found one in a charity shop so have no idea how much they cost new. If it’s not helpful OP can just ignore. I also took the time to write two further paragraphs having been a similar position myself in the past. I don’t think your comment was necessary really.

livinthedreamnot · 04/12/2021 14:16

@BellaElla99

Ok thank you, I think maybe I will try a food bank. Does anyone know how I can contact them? Do I have to go through social services or can I go through another route? How does it work? Thank you x

Google local food banks then contact them direct. They will explain their referral process. They will also be able to help with budgeting and can check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Sounds like you have a great plan in place going forward to turn things around financially, good luck.

Ragwort · 04/12/2021 18:01

As others have said, just google Food Banks in your area, or ask your local council office. Food bank procedures vary, the one I volunteer at would never turn anyone away, just turn up.

Are you getting FSM for your DC? Don't be embarrassed to ask the school for support as well, we get quite a few FB referrals from local schools.

Helpstopthepain · 04/12/2021 19:05

@fakereview

Sorry if anyone thinks this isn’t genuine. I saw the post from the head team. It is genuine and I wasn’t looking for hand outs, just tips from people who have lived through it and come out of the other side

It really annoys me that somebody always reports these threads.

I make soup with an onion, potato and sweet potato - if you have a stock cube it's a bit more flavoursome but will work without.

I am sure that there is a solution to the Economy 7 thing - a relative of mine has storage heaters and her house is always warm.

People report because so many of us have been bitten by these types of posts. It’s shit to think that someone is having a hard time but it’s even worse when you find out that someone is taking advantage of peoples kindness and taking away from people that really do need help.

I’m not saying that the op isn’t genuine this time but over the years many of us have been pulled in to something that turns out to be fake.

Advice is free.

SnekkinOnDown · 04/12/2021 19:35

Op, a really good tip for being warm at night is to sleep in a tent indoors. Sounds silly but you and your kids in a Little tent with your mattresses would be super fun for them and help keep you all warm. You could ask on Facebook for a cheap/free 3-4 man tent. Use £1-2 on a bag of malllows and chocolate digestives and make s'mores over a candle for the full experience.

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