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.

I haven't checked on here since Tuesday evening (wasn't sure if the thread had turned) I'm so glad to see it hasn't, and it so lovely to come on & have all the friendly support. It really does help, especially if I'm stressed / flustered.

kormachameleon I'm very sorry that you are also in this position I'm really didn't mean to offend anyone, and I apologise if I did. I hope that you have had a read of the thread & can see that I just wanted advice. If you haven't read the thread, please do. MNetters have put a lot of great advice on here, for a whole range of topics (cheap recipes, extra income, benefits advice, budgeting tips, useful links, ideas & tips) I hope it helps you in some way.

To answer some of the questions and to update; My cooker is a bit dodgy right now, although I have an air fryer, slow cooker & microwave, so am more than able to get by.

We do have a freebie FB page, it rules that you cannot post asking for items though, so have to wait until something is offered to the group.

I'm sure that we do have soup kitchens here, although I think they are mostly for homeless only.

I've been online with StepChange & spoken to Payplan in regards to the debt. Payplan went through all debt with me, and advised me to talk to DH about our options and get back to the. We are researching all of them, although its difficult to know what's best, as we rent and I don't know how each option will affect us if we moved in the future (credit checks etc)

I've had a look at the food bank, and am aware now how to apply to our local one. I'm not sure we qualify for this yet, as we do now have food in the cupboard & nappies.

skyeskyeskye Thank you, for your offer of book keeping advice, when I've made an extra income plan I'll pm you

Marg

I suspect your credit is all ready bearing the scars of your late payments( I am assuming you've being late from what you've said). You can pull your credit reports to look at whats on file.

Most people with impaired credit usually have to pay extra upfront to rent.

I wouldn't worry about renting in the future with time you can work on your credit and saving a deposit too move.

This comes down to your income versus your debt load.......

whatsforsupper I suspect your right. How can I find my credit files? We have no plans to move at the moment, although we know we will in the future. My worry is with an IVA / bankruptcy, if it will stop me from being able to move.

I do some work in the leggings department of an estate agent. They run credit checks on everybody.

If it comes back with a bad report it then comes down to how bad it is, then they and the landlord decide how to proceed. If the previous landlord/agent can vouch that they never defaulted on the rent that goes a long way in their favour.

Obviously every agent is different. Maybe you could add it to your To Do list to ring some agents and ask how it would affect future rentals if you were bankrupt or in IVA.

Sometimes wiping the slate clean is the only way to move forward but it is a big decision to make.

Oh my god... LETTINGS department.....

And obviously ask hypothetically, don't give your name and address etc...

You can check your credit report for FREE here:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report

The Minor Ailment Scheme is great if you usually buy Calpol for example over the counter. You may be given a generic Paracetamol Suspension which does the same as Calpol, but that still saves you about £3.00 you would have spent.

See here (scroll down for Minor Ailment Scheme and then click on link for your nearest pharmacy) :

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pharmacy/Pages/Yourpharmacy.aspx

at the idea of a leggings department in an estate agent

Waves at skyeskye - we've landed another on-going support thread together I see! We'll break out the and when needed.

Car boots had been suggested earlier on, but at the time the OP didn't have £5 for the entrance fee. That was when someone suggested she and DH looked down sofas and chairs for stray money, raided the children's piggy banks etc. They located £13 or so, which meant DH could go out and buy an inexpensive pack of 20 nappies for DC3.

But, I'll put car boots back on the 'additional income list' when I update it this evening. Did you take Mini-Skye to the carboots with you? OP's DC1 could probably be a great help, just wondering about the practicalities of DC2 and (particularly) DC3 having to tag along with her.

I'll also note your name as offering to help with HMRC registration, record keeping etc. If I don't note the names as I do the updates, then I or OP are faced with trawling back through pages and pages of threads. Not that I don't want people to stop advising and suggesting - far from it - I am just explaining why I note names in the lists so that we don't overlook an offer of help/support.

Now, a shout-out to anyone who knows someone who does ironing. Can you find out how much they charge per shirt, t-shirt, trousers, bedding etc. or what they charge per kilo/bag of ironing. I am trying to get a bit in front so that OP can weigh it up or reject as a realistic/worthwhile option when she is juggling 3 children and a home.

We know OP is not a crafter so sewing repairs aren't an option.

Suggestions for additional income v2

With thanks to confusedofEngland, codandchipstwice, emms1981, LotusLight, r2fedup, somewheresomehow, ZombiePiglet, Goringbit and Girlwhowearsglasses

• Apply online for a Nectar card if you are anywhere near a Sainsbury's. You may get points just for joining up (not sure) & you can do surveys online through Nectar Canvass & amass up to 250-500 points on a good week (worth £1.25-£2.50 at Sainsbury's, although you have to spend them in increments of £2.50). These appear pretty much straight away & can also be used on fuel, so are very useful.

• Other survey sites such as Valued Opinions are good & pay in vouchers: www.valuedopinions.co.uk/ Also Nectar Canvass: www.nectarcanvass.ssi-partner.com/ and One Poll: www.onepoll.com/ and Tesco Orchard: orchard.tesco.com/ Another site is: www.i-say.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-GB/Default.aspx?returnurl=%2fnosurveysSurveys%2ftabid%2f167%2flanguage%2fen-GB%2fDefault.aspx

• Sign up for product testing. Mumsnet product testers: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_product_tests If you email this address they will tell you how to sign up [email protected]

• BOTH of you sign up to do market research e.g. DC can be researcher (£15) and parent goes as chaperone (£25) - and gives quality 1-1 with a DC. www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=market%20research%20london links to lots of agencies - you are supposed to sign to only one but DH and you don't have to sign up to the same site.

• This is a good site for freebies: www.latestfreestuff.co.uk/todays-freebies/

• Avon Representative: www.avon.uk.com

• Sell your skills (leaflets through doors) - ironing, lawn mowing, dog walking, cat feeding, leaflet delivery, cleaning (DO NOT OFFER CHILD-MINDING IN YOUR OWN HOME - YOU MUST BE OFSTED REGISTERED FOR THAT.)

• Bar work, shop work (one parent available Saturday for additional work/other parent works on Sunday)

• carboot sales (usually require £5 to pay for the space and you need tables or tarpaulins to set items out). Have a money belt around your waist for taking money and giving change (not a tin left unattended - someone may try to distract you with questions whilst a partner lifts all your cash!). Try to price items beforehand - people will always try to haggle you down anyway.

• Sign up to Qmee which puts a linky thing on your computer and if you click on the Qmee link to the web page your searching for it gives you a few pence a time (around 5/6p) which can be sent to your paypal account: www.qmee.com/

• check if you have outstanding Tesco vouchers: m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/clubcard/unspent-vouchers/?sc_cmp=tp4_aff_1503186

Thanks to skyeskyeskye who has now offered FREE practical support regarding registering with HMRC, raising invoices and keeping records from day one of raising additional income.

Ironing is £10 per bin bagful of general items. Pressing trousers and shirts is a little bit more expensive. Hope this helps with your calculations.

Revised List of jobs (Friday) - we had a 'blip' on the thread!

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. Go in loft and shed to seek even more items to sell on Facebook. DONE 13. Look for other selling groups on Facebook to increase listing capacity: e.g. baby, general & specialist selling groups. DONE ----------- 14. Send PMs to SteelyPip and CatherineOfAbdomen and Royalsighness re: ordering on-line food/household deliveries (e.g. DCs lunch boxes) 15. Finish listing DVDs on musicmagpie 16. Complete the PPI claim using FREE site: www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance (ask GoringBit for help/advice - s/he was PPI adjudicator) 17. Look into possibility of refund on bank charges using template letter here: www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges 18. Make arrangements to get a referral for local Surestart Food Bank (phone or email the HV) 19. Check out www.turn2us.org.uk/ for any additional benefit support you may be entitled to 20. Ring local council to ask about food bank vouchers and any emergency grant/loan you may be entitled to. 21. Look up The Minor Ailment Scheme to locate your nearest pharmacy in the scheme. (The pharmacy will dispense Calpol for example without you having to buy over the counter/attend the GP) www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pharmacy/Pages/Yourpharmacy.aspx 22. Join Local Freecycle and place a wanted ad for size 5 nappies etc (You may have to OFFER to give away one item yourself before you are allowed to receive ) 23. Run a FREE credit check via this site: www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report 24. 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 25. If you are in debt to gas/electricy, check out the British Gas Energy Trust www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ - usually supports elderly, but focused on not having debt for energy. 26. Check if Christians Against Poverty can offer additional help: capuk.org/ 27. Browse DebtFreeWanabbee for more ideas and support forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76 28. Place a 'shout-out' on a local page for someone to fix your oven. (I haven't found one in Kent yet...)

Thanks for your response Pumpeedo

All information is pushing the learning curve and understanding for the OP.

Gosh... I have just phoned my former next door neighbour and she pays 50p per shirt (folded). If she wants them returning on hangers, she has to supply the hangers in the bin bag.

I can iron 9 shirts in 40 minutes to an excellent standard (I do a friend's ironing every couple of weeks as he has had a stroke). Mind you, I was brought up in a household of 5 boys so I have been able to iron shirts very well and speedily since I was 10 yrs old.

DH works with homeless charity in a couple of locations in our county. One of the locations has a church that supply a cooked breakfast or lunch which is open to all who are struggling financially. Perhaps check out local charities/churches to see if you have one near you that provides meals for families in your situation.
I really hope your situation improves soon. When I was a lone parent in the 1990s I often couldn't afford to eat daily, although I made sure the kids were. It's bloody stressful . How crazy, we are one of the richest countries in the world. Cameron et al, take note!

Thank you for your suggestion BettyCatKitten. There is absolutely no shame in anyone arriving in these difficult circumstances when there is simply too much month at the end of a salary!

I have been doing soup runs for the homeless since 2007. I am used to the drug addicts, gamblers and runaways - but I have never known so many people on the street who have been evicted from their homes for getting into rent arrears.

We haven't needed so many local food banks since I was a child in the 50s.

Yes, I hope Cameron is taking notice.... and all the MPs who claim £1,000s in expenses!

Op, if you need any information about IVA's please do pm me, we are almost finished in ours and will be able to give you some honest first hand advice.

Sadwidow you are so proactive, organised and empathic. I wish you were running the Country!

SkyeSkyeSkye I like your suggestion of ringing around Estate Agents to find out the various different scenarios depending on the route I take (IVA etc) and see what they say. I get the feeling we would have to pay upfront anyway, as was pointed out up thread - our credit is already ruined (although I haven't checked yet, I'm pretty sure that is the case)

Thank you for all the links, and my list again sadwidow. You're right, BettyCatKitten when you say how fab she is

I'm still not in a position where I can spend money to earn money (bootfair etc) Although all other suggestions are great, especially ironing. What does a bag of ironing consist of though Pumpeedo? Bin bag / shopping bag?

BettyCatKitten I will find out about local charities/ churches that offer free or cheap meals.

ThatIsNachoCheese I will PM you, about the IVA. Thank you

Today hasn't been so productive for me . I felt myself flagging a bit this afternoon. I was ok this morning, though I think I just got overwhelmed, and didn't quite know what to do. So I did nothing It's not good, and I feel like I've wasted half a day in which I could have worked through some more of the list.
My DD had a good couple of hours sleep, so had the time. In fact, I'd made sure of it, by taking her to the park & for a short (long for her) nature walk this morning, as she refused her nap yesterday afternoon.
I just seemed to hit a wall

Anyway, I realise I am rambling, sorry

ThatIsNachoCheese Thank you for offering Margaritte first-hand advice. I will note your name against that job on the job list the next time I update it.

BettyCatKitten - the Government and LEAs knew that I had uncovered their weaknesses, foibles and inadequacies. I opted for early-retirement in 2005 rather than continue to fight and expose them after my DH died in 2001!

But I am a Mumsnet Ninja now!

You'll see me on other threads where I think I can make a difference to the OP and lurkers. After this thread, I have promised myself a sabbatical - about January 2016 I think at this rate!

Okay, this is the plan:

I have done your job list for Friday - all links included. So just keep up this pace tomorrow.

Weekend - take time off and reconnect with the family and DH. If you take your eye of the family, then you lose the target.

I, almighty God sadwidow give you dispensation from all duties and tasks relating to budget and debt management for the coming weekend.

Instead, you must spend time with the three DCs and do a picnic in the park.

Your DH should accompany you and seek opportunities to cuddle you because you have been formidable and wonderful in trying to meet this family crisis head-on.

I further suggest that you should have ONE bubble bath (child-free) over the weekend and when you soak, you must NOT think about the debts. Your DH will take on all child-care duties whilst you languish in your bath with candles.

Amen!

How many on this thread say "Aye"?

I made £38 off Music Magpie recently for 47 items. Some only 20p but keep plugging away at it and it soon mounts up and gets addictive too trying to reach a target! Some Computer games, DVDs and CDs gone and a big space on my shelf to help with de cluttering . So much easier than eBay too!

I sold a lot of things on Facebook just by putting them on my own page rather than a selling group.

Our local area also has a "wanted" page and a "free to good home " page, so worth a look to see if any in your area. People often give away things like half packs of nappies if they no longer need them.

Round here, a basket of ironing costs £10. They collect it and return it.

For selling books/games/CDs/DVDs try a couple of different sites - webuybooks, Ziffit, Music Magpie, Fatbrain, there may even be more. Prices vary hugely between the sites for different items (at least they do for books). Also, before you proceed to checkout on these sites, check cashback sites to see if you get cashback & have a look for any online voucher codes which mean that you get a little extra money.

Aye to Sadwidow's latest post

OP - you must be knackered. Remember, this is a marathon not a sprint. it will get easier.