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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

You know your really skint when......

311 replies

boilingpoint · 24/05/2011 14:28

You go to tescos to get a few bits to last the week before payday but you have to put some of it back as you don't have enough money....

You have pasta every single day for dinner...

You cash in the change pot....

Am i alone?

OP posts:
Abra1d · 25/05/2011 21:54

Add message | Report | Message poster dolldaggabuzzbuzz Wed 25-May-11 17:38:33
...when it's time to make an insurance claim again....

... Which means the premiums go up and some people can't afford it. And lose everything if there is a fire or flood.

Magrathea · 25/05/2011 22:00

Wombling Tesco and Asda receipts to put them in the price guarantee and !!hopefully!! get the vouchers. Easier to do at the self serve machines because people leave theri receipts behind Blush

NettoSuperstar · 25/05/2011 22:15

DD's current school shoes were mine when I was 17.
We are the same size now and I've never been so glad that I'm a horder.
They are far better quality than the usual Shoezone ones she has too.

I do colour in scuffs with Shapoe markers, and though she has got glue on her school trousers, there'll be no more until next (school) year.

She doesn't have a summer coat, she won't be getting one, she'll wear a jumper and an Asda cheapo waterproof if it rains.

Although, she'll not wear the waterproof, or any coat that I'd buy anyway, she'd stuff it in her bag with the jumper on the way to schoolHmm

Mapley · 25/05/2011 23:02

When I was little the house was so damp that every autumn mum would cover my bedroom Walls with tin foil then lining paper to try and insulate. It would be black and peeling off by spring.

neverforgethowmuchiloveyou · 25/05/2011 23:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kelly2525 · 25/05/2011 23:31

I mentioned my baby clothes (boy under 4m) yesterday, if any of you want them, then do please send me a message, again free to good home, and free postage

dexifehatz · 25/05/2011 23:36

I remember me and my mom making up a left over packet of bread sauce we found in our Mother Hubbard designer kitchen.In April.Sad

JeremyKylesPetProject · 25/05/2011 23:37

How lovely and very generous. :)

Thingumy · 25/05/2011 23:46

Lots of fighters on this thread.

All power to you.

I have a friend who often says 'oh we are skint' (aka we can't afford a 5 * hol this month) she and her dp pull in at least £130k a year.

I found myself wanting to scream 'We've got £10 to last the week to feed 4 of us.THIS IS FUCKING SKINT'.

I just swallow it down and think,we are resourceful and we'll get through it.

If the shoe was on the other foot,my friend wouldn't be able to cope with poorness.We bloody can and even though I hate our situation,we cope and plough on.

I'm proud of that.

I'm proud that we plough on.

neverforgethowmuchiloveyou · 26/05/2011 00:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mentile · 26/05/2011 00:58

Since being utterly skint, though, I have seen a different side to people. Obviously there are those who judge and look down on my family and me as a lone parent as if it were through some fault of my own. Which if they dug a little deeper they would discover is not the case. But I have also seen the utmost kindness. Food parcels from the local church, offers of help with practical issues from neighbours who I have never spoken to before but who have heard my story, the friend who occasionally treats me to a decent coffee in a cafe, the charity that bought a bed for my DS and the public who support that charity... it blows my mind. Often small gestures that mean so much when you feel like you are in the gutter. One day, when things are easier for me, I will make sure I can pay it all forward somehow. The perspective I have gained in these circumstances is invaluable.

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 26/05/2011 01:09

Totally agree with the sentiments of this thread. Due to unexpected Vets bills this year we are skint. But we are not skint skint. Another MNer tried to give me money earlier today but I cannot justify it when I have food in the cupboard, the bills are mostly paid and I have £40 in my purse to last the next fortnight. I practically feel like a millionaire Blush

Especially when DH and I are still in the fortunate position to work for a company that still has (limited) overtime Smile

I guess I feel fortunate that the smallest of things seem Like a huge treat to my DC, therefore they are easily pleased Smile

lesley33 · 26/05/2011 06:40

My nephews and niece are like that - really happy with small treats. My family buy a lot of their clothes and nearly all of their Xmas presents. My mum showed me the wish list the 7 year old had written on request for Xmas. He had given it to my mum saying - I know its a lot of things and I'm not expecting you to get them all.

The overall list had quite a few things on it, but most things would cost a couple of pounds. It had things like pens for school and some paper. The whole list would have cost no more than say £30 - £40 to buy everything.

Although it is slightly sad, its much better than kids you read about on here who are really spoilt and don't value their possessions.

davidtennantsmistress · 26/05/2011 08:00

'One day, when things are easier for me, I will make sure I can pay it all forward somehow. The perspective I have gained in these circumstances is invaluable.'

totally agree, and as others have said until we're right brassic on your bare butt you don't appreciate being skint. We're not wealthy by a long chalk, and it will all reduce again soon when on maternity leave, however we have enough and what we have we're happy to share. this xmas, DS was asked to choose a couple of toys he didn't play with any more, (along with others i'd sorted out) and a food parcel of dry bits & clothes we gave it to a local lady who had jsut split from her OH and had literally nothing. it was nothing mega, but having had to start over again it was things we wouldn't use and if it gave someone else a little hope then the job was achieved. Likewise for his part DS did very well (was 4.5) I was eager for him to know that not everyone's as lucky as him with a nice bed & food/toys etc so from this pov it was almost as if the lady was helping us more than we were her.

(not convinced it's still good that DS knows rent day = next to no money until the next week - but likewise we have all we need so it's ok - I think teaching him the value of money? - he did say the other day when he's older he's going to go to work to pay his bills. Blush hopefully as he's older he'll have a good work ethic/respect money & not be spoilt)

lesley33 · 26/05/2011 08:09

I think it is good that your DS knows the value of money and doesn't take things for granted. Also good for him to know that some people really struggle and that we should help each other out.

Mibby · 26/05/2011 10:44

If there's anyone in the Nottingham or Leicester area who could use some baby girls things, mostly six month size clothes, get in touch please. We're overflowing with things DD will never wear

neverforgethowmuchiloveyou · 26/05/2011 11:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LeQueen · 26/05/2011 14:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thebestisyettocome · 26/05/2011 14:41

I've pondered on the idea of setting up a very simple charity that collects then redistributes children's coats. I hate seeing children looking cold Sad

Having read this thread, I may just have the incentive to do it...

naughtymummy · 26/05/2011 14:55

I have a mate, we were chatting in september/october time and I said next pay day Im buying winter boots, I realy need some. She said me too, I have watched her wear canvas shoes all winter :( reading this thread makes me think I should have found a way of getting her some decent footwear ( her birthdays in june btw) thats skint :(

gapants · 26/05/2011 14:56

I have just emailed Womens aid to ask them how I go about dropping off some of my unwanted almost as good as new clothes and some old baby stuff too. Will post again later when I get some more information.

I remember when i was younger and my dad gave me a £10 note to go and get an ice-cream from the van outside our house. I had NEVER seen a £10, I was about 8, and I got an ice cream and a packet of chewits. My dad was livid because that was £10 from his wage packet and he just want me to break the note, not spend loads of it.

drivinmecrazy · 26/05/2011 15:02

OMG neverforgethowmuchiloveyou, you have made me cry. How lucky we are.
My DDs school do the present thing and they love to buy me something without Daddy (although usually crap shower gel), I love that they have done it them selves ( although a bit sad they don't buy Daddy anything)

kazmus · 26/05/2011 15:21

going to a car boot and making less money than the cost of the entry fee:(

Laquitar · 26/05/2011 15:37

Can i just share a very small tip?

Some posters here have mentioned pride. What i do sometimes is i ask for a favour before i give. For example i know a lovely lady who had a very bad luck, some terible things happened one after the other, so she is really skint. But i also know that she is very proud. So when i had a big party i asked her if she could help me with pastry and with puddings as i'm useless with that and she is fab cook. I 'accidentely' bought much more food, so it had to go. And i had to thank her with some stuff. That way it is not charity. Other people have good knowledge of flowers for example or they can teach you sewing, their native language or another skill.

lisad123 · 26/05/2011 16:37

DH works for a food company and sometimes when things are near useby date they give them to staff, but its always bulk stuff, so we take it to church and leave it on the chair, and people can take as they like.

I have a friend who told me she was broke, and i gave her £3 of my last £5 to buy bread and milk, then found out her husband had brought them a take away that night!!