TIPS FOR HAVING NO MONEY

[BellaElla99]

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, depending on how young your DC are, you could try little pickle markets to pick up some winter clothes x

I buy lots of Dried pulses like red lentils, chickpeas etc
You can buy them in tin also that don't need soaking overnight or "boiling for ages"

Then I add these to tins (or cuppa soup packets) of soup

Add some buttered break and voila- the soup for dinner is filling as it has protein in it. I often add a splash of pinch of herbs as well when stirring it in my saucepan.

£10 a day on electric is crazy. There's something wrong with heating - is that something you can discuss with LL? Or your provider as there must be a cap on reasonable costs and I can't see how potentially £280 a month is anything but extortionate!!! Or that it's a reasonable heating system

Did you see post from CAB officer who said they can do Basic banks referral for you (no need for GP or for CSD) AND can see if they have any one off charity funds they can access and a benefit check

Also - tuna curry is cheap
Fry some onions and garlic, add tin of tomatoes, tin of tuna tin of sweetcorn (or some frozen sweetcorn) - cumin powder and coriander or whatever other curry type dried spices you have. Don't forget if you have chick peas or borlotti beans in a tin then rinse and add - as these bulk out the amount of protein and volume. Cook with lid on stirring occasionally to reduce slightly, takes about 15 mins. Cook your rice at same time

(You can add whole cooked boiled eggs into tuna curry mix) as curried egg in middle if our curry is treat in our house 🤣

@SnekkinOnDown

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.

I'd forgotten that we did a version of this when living in a huge unheated squat years ago, using the hooks in the ceiling that once supported a heavy chandelier. We used fishing line to make a teepee with Indian bed spreads and made a sort of nest inside with mattresses and pillows. It was so cosy.