to wonder what the fuck to do now? (Immediate financial problem)

[Margaritte]

We are on a very tight budget for the next couple of months. We know this, and have got advice from StepChange & I posted a thread on here for recipe /shopping advice.

However, today our card declined trying to pay for £22 or so worth of shopping. We were not expecting that, and now I am very worried and starting to panic

We have some food in for dinners. No packed lunch food though, for ds1 & 2 and dh. We have no milk (well, enough for a bottle tonight for dd) and are down to 3 nappies.

Payday isn't until end of next week, so have to do something until then.

ditherydora - thank you for that suggestion about bank charges. I have added it to today's list of jobs.

Land0r and Jumpingovaries1 - Margaritte is usually good at responding to PMs. But have noted here again in case your PMs didn't go through via phone. (You two should have had a return PM after 6pm on Sunday when Margaritte was doing her in-box). Shout if you didn't get a reply please!

Girlwhowearsglasses - great advice! I will go through this entire thread and set up a list of 'additional income' options once Margaritte has tackled and completed the immediate jobs head-on.

Haven't RTFT, so apologies for S&Y duplication, but a couple of thoughts;

• Check credit card accounts for any charges that can be queried/refund requested. Most lenders will agree to an occasional goodwill refund for minor excesses.
• Tesco website has a tool for checking clubcard vouchers. Worth a try in case any have been mislaid or forgotten. Can't seem to link from my phone, but www.moneysavingexpert.com has a recent article about it.

ZombiePiglet I wish I had a crafting skill. Sadly I'm lacking in that part. I'll rack my brains for that! I find planning fun (like events etc) although I hardly get to do it and is probably useless for this!

Thank you for all the advice Girlwhowearsglasses. That part would completely baffle me, although at least your post helps me to know what's what with that

sadwidow Thanks for updated list - is a great help

GoringBit I will check the Clubcard link - I'm sure we have a forgotten and mislaid card, once upon a time.

I think this is the clubcard voucher link... m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/clubcard/unspent-vouchers/

Let me know what you have done on the list and I will update for Tuesday.

Yesterday I finished the final FB listings for what I have sorted out so far (limited to how many items I can post each day) I still have more things I could dig out from loft/shed, so will do that.

I'm going to aim to do as many s the links as possible today, and start a plan for extra income. The finances are still not working out, and as many of you are saying, an extra income is probably the only way to change this, while we are struggling so much.

I am going to call up one of the debt charities I have been speaking to, and find out what my options are for something a bit more drastic. I have to ask though, does anyone know how these will affect things in future, for example, if we wanted to rent somewhere else, or start up one the 'at home' businesses, that have been suggested on here (Avon, for example)

images2.moneysavingexpert.com/attachment/ivaGuide.pdf

This might help you think about an IVA and what questions to ask OP

OP, if you are limited on FB as to how many items you can post, have a look for other selling groups. I am a member of about 10 different selling groups for my area (4 baby, 3 general & 3 specialist selling groups) & I find it does mean I sell more/quicker than when I was just on 1 group.

Revised List of jobs (Tuesday)

1. Call Payplan (open until 3pm Saturday, closed Sunday) DONE
2. Call priority arrears companies and pay DONE
3. Take DCs out for a walk/play DONE
4. Plan meals (with MN help) DONE
5. Cook evening meal for 5 of you DONE
6. Whilst in kitchen, cook and freeze 2 meals with the mince (see cottage pie ^^ for one) DONE
7. Finish listing on Facebook (catch the weekend browsers) DONE
8. Blitz the housework DONE
9. Go in loft and shed to seek more items to sell on FB, Gumtree, eBay. DONE

10. Photograph and list the additional items for sale DONE 11. Google your local foodbank: www.trusselltrust.org/map and check your referral system (SureStart, GP etc) DONE --------------- 12. Send PMs to SteelyPip and CatherineOfAbdomen re: ordering on-line food/household deliveries (e.g. DCs lunch boxes) 13. Finish listing DVDs on musicmagpie 14. Complete the PPI claim using FREE site: www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance (ask GoringBit for help/advice - s/he was PPI adjudicator) 15. Look into possibility of refund on bank charges using template letter here: www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges 16. Make arrangements to get a referral for local Surestart Food Bank (phone or email the HV) 17. Phone one of the debt charities and explore more 'drastic options' e.g. IVA - use this link for ideas, information: images2.moneysavingexpert.com/attachment/ivaGuide.pdf 18. Go in loft and shed to seek even more items to sell on Facebook. 19. Look for other selling groups on Facebook to increase listing capacity: e.g. baby, general & specialist selling groups. 20. Browse DebtFreeWanabbee for more ideas and support forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76

I found your link very helpful Overtired [thankyou]

I have looked and joined more FB groups now, confusedofengland Not sure why I didn't think of that myself.

Seem to be struggling again today. I cant figure out how this takes up the majority of my time, and yet I feel as if I'm getting no where. I'm up until early hours most nights, and still haven't worked my way through acting on all the suggestions & advice on here.

I want to cook a chicken to split into meals. having problems with my oven, can I put it in the slow cooker?

margaritte chicken is gorgeous in the slow cooker. Put it in upside down, ideally on a bed of potatoes or something, so that the juices run clear. The meat comes off as tender as can be.

Just reading this thread (it's moved on since I first saw it). for you, and for everyone who is helping. I hope things look up for you soon.

So if I put it in now, will it be ready for dinner tonight? If I put it on potatoes, can I use them in a casserole for tomorrow with half the chicken? If so, what else could I add?

Yes you can definitely use the potatoes. Add carrots, swede, any root veg can go in. However, some people just use an upturned saucer to rest the carcass on so you needn't put veg with it if you'd rather save them for tomorrow.

Not sure it'll be ready by dinner tonight mind. I usually put mine on low for about 8-9 hours. If you put it on med it may take 5-6 hours and on high around 4 hours, so you may be ok. I guess it depends on the size of the chicken!

Yay for the slow cooker!!!! (I told you I was a slow cooker fan and not to sell it)

Yes - do what confusedandemployed suggested - upside down on potatoes, carrots and onion. Add the extra veg to that for tomorrow's casserole e.g. runner beans, can of baked beans*, sweetcorn, peas, pearl barley

*baked beans make gravy really thick and tasty

I have done chicken on HIGH in 4 hours. BUT DO NOT LIFT THE LID ONCE IT IS ON! It is cooking in the steam and juices so you must not let them escape.

If the lid starts to 'rattle' on HIGH, then simply spin it without lifting so that the steam seal is not broken.

Once you get the knack of cooking in the slow cooker, we'll have you doing cheaper cuts of meat e.g. brisket, lamb shoulder ..... oh I could find myself a new job on this thread now!

www.turn2us.org.uk/

any help?

In that case, I will put it in, and use it for tomorrow's dinner.

Very helpful, yes juliascurr

Keep the juices that congregate in the bottom of the pan. They will be basically a thick chicken stock which you can use for soups etc.

Sounds lovely slug
Do I use it the casserole / freeze it ? I eat the potatoes that have the juices on? I'm sorry by the way, I know these are probably basic cooking questions. I get stressed out around meal planning / cooking / recipes etc (different issue to finances) and any advice on this is so helpful I really really need to get back on my recipe thread

Errrrr.... so what are you doing for tonight's tea?

The oven is on the blink so you have to come up with something.

• Cheese on toast with baked beans
• Egg and chips
• Baked potato (baked beans/cheese/ham for filling)
• Pasta with tomato or cheese sauce (add some broccoli, cauliflower)

OR

Get some of that mince out of the freezer and make into a cottage pie.

I have the air fryer that I sorted out with the Tassimo (see upthread) Tassimo has been sold, air fryer hasn't and so I am sure I can find something to make in that

I have a Tassimo (gift at Christmas). They make lovely lattes ..... but hellishly expensive to buy the pods! I agree with selling the Tassimo ..... but never my slow cooker . I have THREE slow cookers (one at holiday home at 2 at the brick house!)

I thought someone on this thread was interested in the air fryer.

Tassino is sold already Yes, someone was interested upthread though I think they changed mind. It's a good thing really (for now) as I have something to use

Found the post for the air fryer:

breadstixandhommus Tue 02-Jun-15 16:36:14 - page 11