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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:
NestaFiesta · 24/05/2011 21:25

When you take your 4 yr old DS with you to the Coinstar machine so people don't think it's you cashing in all your 2ps and 1ps.

Thingumy · 24/05/2011 21:28

when you book a weekend away (when you a bit better off) and then at the time of said weekend away you have no money to spend so you gorge yourself on the hotel breakfast,go without lunch and then use wetherspoon vouchers for dinner and cheapo wine Blush.

Still was a great weekend though.

LeQueen · 24/05/2011 21:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Snuppeline · 24/05/2011 21:35

I grew up poor, had three jobs while doing A levels and had to retake a year because I was too tired for school. I had been thrown out from home and had to cover rent and food myself. I told everyone I had a gap year when starting uni. Rice with fish fingers was my treat. Right now we're in a tough place again because my dp's business isn't doing too to well. Keeping my fingers crossed...

smokinaces · 24/05/2011 21:38

Rice and baked beans. mega cheap but filling, and 1 of your 5 a day.

Going to the Co-op at 7pm on a Sunday and getting huge bags of carrots for 18p so you can at least make soup.

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 24/05/2011 21:46

My god, I am spoilt rotten. I hope things improve for you all

Suncottage · 24/05/2011 21:53

I was a very talented flute player and played first flute in an orchestra.

I 'pretended' I wanted to give it up because I 'didn't like it'.

The truth was, my parents couldn't afford the lessons. I saw my Mum crying one night because they had no money for the bills. I sold my flute.

I hate the bloody film 'Billy Elliot'.

kw1986 · 24/05/2011 21:59

Plebshire That was really lovely of your brother... I bet that women was so thankful, and relieved!

I agree with whoever said once you've been skint you recognize the subtle signs in others. I am still quite often skint. But when I am a wee bit flush because its been a good month (no birthdays, car stuff etc) and my best friend is a bit skint I'll treat her to coffee or a cafe lunch. And she returns the favour when I'm skint.

I can remember a few years ago before DD came along and I was in my old flat... It used to regularly drop to 5/6 degrees INSIDE as there was no central heating and I only had a little halogen heater which I kept in the living room. But they are so expensive to run so couldnt have it on for long. I can remember going to bed with 2 pairs of socks on, a pair of jogger tucked into the top pair, a vest top, a tshirt, a hoody, scarf and a hat on and a 13tog duvet!! It was so cold I never knew if my bed was wet/damp or just icy cold.

I've also had to eat very little so I could make sure DD would have enough food to last.

Oh, those trolley tokens - I have a PDSA one I've had for years and it works everywhere.

Suncottage · 24/05/2011 22:08

Though I can echo an experience that Plebshire had.

My darling Dad knew an elderly couple who were on the breadline and many times he followed them round the supermarket.

They would pick items up and shake their heads and put it back. He followed them and put each item in his basket.

Then he paid and and had the items delivered by taxi to their house.

They never knew where the items came from and used to tell the neighbours about 'the kind supermarket who helped them through each week'.

I miss my Dad.

TastesLikePanda · 24/05/2011 22:08

When you take your leftover coinage holiday money from better times to the self service machines, in the hopes that you can fool them into thinking that it is british money... and hope that nobody sees you doing it...

ronx · 24/05/2011 22:10

upahill When the taxman hand delivers a brown envelope.

Been there. Never, ever again.

Thingumy · 24/05/2011 22:10

suncottage-your dad sounded like a wonderful soul.

meltedchocolate · 24/05/2011 22:15

That's what I have to do in winters now kw :( I hate it. The memory of last winter literally feels like slow torture. Used the heater to heat DS's room and warm his clothes up for him so he didn't feel he was putting on damp clothes. It's gonna be the same this winter too.

Also when you are trying desperately to get DS potty trained quickly so you don't have the cost of nappies any more.

Suncottage · 24/05/2011 22:17

thingumy

He was. He died a few weeks ago. Thanks for that you made me Smile

MummyTo2MonkeysAnd1Bug · 24/05/2011 22:18

You know you are skint when you walk around the house in an arse all day becuase there was not enough milk for a coffee this morning after 3 darling children wanted weetabix for breakfast!!

MarioandLuigi · 24/05/2011 22:19

Suncottage - it sounds like your Dad was lovely :)

MummyTo2MonkeysAnd1Bug · 24/05/2011 22:20

Suncottage

What a wonderful gesture :) that just put a lump in my throat.

Thingumy · 24/05/2011 22:20

Oh I'm sorry Suncottage

Raises a glass to suncottage's dear dad Smile

PumpkinBones · 24/05/2011 22:22

suncottage that post bought tears to my eyes. How kind your dad was.

I think of myself as being skint, but reading this thread has made me realise that, comparatively speaking, we're much better off that we used to be. Low point was probably when I was on mat leave with DS1. Tiny private rent flat we couldn't afford to pay then rent on. Fiendishly expensive storage heaters, on a key meter, having to use electric to heat water, DH and I had a tiny shared bath in the morning :) We ate smart price instant mash, 19p a pack with everything - if you have mash, ketchup and onions, you can make a meal out of anything! The last few months we had nothing but rent money, and my mum fed us for weeks. Thank god we were offered a HA flat. SOmetimes I get fed up as our flat now is so small, and the neighbours are mental, but I should count my blessings really.

Kitsilano · 24/05/2011 22:23

...you can't afford to type the apostrophe and 'e' in "you're"

(sorry)

ZXEightyMum · 24/05/2011 22:24

"My Dbrother was behind a woman in the supermarket on christmas eve when her card was declined. She didn't have anything fancy, some sherry, a turkey crown, a christmas pud. He bought her shopping for her. Makes me want to cry even now!"

Wish I could do something like that. What a lovely story Smile

kelly2525 · 24/05/2011 22:29

Awww fuck suncottage Sorry about your dad, mine died 5yrs ago this Thursday, he was the type to give anyone anything too.

I was wondering if any of you that are struggling at the moment have any baby boys under 4 months?

Ive got baby clothes here that my little smelly chap has grown out of, I would really like to pass them on to anyone who needs them

Suncottage · 24/05/2011 22:30

MummyTo

Same with me Smile

StuckInTheMiddleWithYou · 24/05/2011 22:30

When you read threads like this looking for tips...

thenightsky · 24/05/2011 22:32

Eating beans on toast for Xmas dinner two years running.

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