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.

Today I have again gone through the budget a couple of times. I think I'm actually getting somewhere with it now. I've gone over and had a read of MSE's Debt free section, I liked some of the challenges on there too.

I have already (previously) found out about Christians against Poverty. They have a CAP money course nearby, although not near enough (13miles) All DVD's are listed on MusicMagpie, although have just seen confusedofengland's post about the other sites, and checking prices against each other. I've only hit about £20 though, for almost double the DVD's you listed skyeskyeskye, so maybe mine are older films?

sadwidow & ditherydora The weekend plan sounds great . Although I must make sure I can get the budget sorted, it's a bit of a mess still

As for selling, I've had a couple of items collected from posting on the FB pages, although I just cant seem to get the bigger bits sold. They are in great condition, and some nice bits, so much so that I didn't want to sell really, although needs must and all that. Any tips on this please?

Margaritte you are doing so well. It seems that facing up to it has given you some steam, but also that there's no one place to get all this info (apart from this thread now).

I really do hope you come and update down the line when you get into a better financial place, it would be refreshing to hear a story like that.

I'm no journo but I think you might even find you could get paid for an interview on debt somewhere down the line

swagbucks!!! Made £190 in just over three months. If you have the patience for it it can be amazing.

You are doing well, remember mist of this will become second nature as you start to save a little here and there. So dont be too hard on yourself its like starting a new job,

I just cant seem to get the bigger bits sold. They are in great condition, and some nice bits, so much so that I didn't want to sell really, although needs must and all that. Any tips on this please?

Sometimes it isn't possible to sell heavy items locally.

Now, I can tell you that myHermes allow you to send 15kg for £9.99 - collection from your door. That is the courier I used to send my parcel to you this week ... so your local courier has already found you! (That's trick we use in my charity forum)

How big are the 'bigger bits'. I am usually pretty good on how to post ... I am the eBay Queen!

If anyone else is selling on eBay/facebook and hasn't found myHermes yet - look them up!

They collect from your door and attempt up to 3 times to get it your recipient. Once you hit 2kg they are cheaper than Royal Mail. It's fully trackable on line.

www.myhermes.co.uk/

If YOU expect a delivery, tell your sender where your safe space is - a neighbour, the shed in the back of the garden, your garage etc. (Or say: I don't have safe space - I am happy to re-organise my own re-delivery)

Beth2511 I will note Swagbucks for the next update. www.swagbucks.com/p/register?cmp=357&cxid=10017655-56061193237&aff_sid=swagbucks%20paid%20surveys&gclid=Cj0KEQjwhuqrBRCFuPz4ipOx5JIBEiQAZJ7F-j5w347A8au5Gw7Q9ubkILKXd3FRjLjOegCs9MfdWD8aAj-Q8P8HAQ

Thank you

Margaritte - have you tried gumtree for the larger pieces? you can list on here for nothing and FB page . Depending on what they are would you have an antiques/second hand dealer that would be interested. Or is there a local post office/shop notice board where you could put up a postcard/note (also good for advertising for work)

Girlwhowearsglasses I will be on this thread updating regularly

Beth2511 I've followed the link that sadwidow put up for Swagbucks. It looks interesting, and I will have a read tonight. What is the general idea of it though?

momofthree I hope so! It seems to consume most of my time at the moment, especially trying to work around 3 dc (as I'm sure you know ) I think that's mostly because, as you say, its all new.

sadwidow bigger bits are toy unit, bookcase, drawers

ditherydora Crossed posts with you... I will try Gumtree.. I joined and so should just be able to post it up.

I found that when I could suggest a 'man with a van' in my area, I could buy and sell larger items.

I sold dining room furniture and bought lounge furniture. (One of my sellers even managed to get my 'man with the van' to shift extra furniture to her new house for FREE on my contract!)

Have spoken via PM with Margaritte this morning.

We are chatting about having to provide generous donators with a REAL name for posting - obviously she is cautious about how much she discloses to anyone. Having said that, my parcel got to her as Margaritte MN (via MyHermes) and others have posted to Margaritte (via Royal Mail) and they are getting through. She has had to organise a re-delivery with RM for a parcel that arrived during the school run yesterday. So if anyone is waiting for confirmation that a RM parcel has arrived, please don't panic yet.

She is going to do a few tasks towards balancing the budget but agrees that she needs some down time herself but, more importantly, she needs to spend time with her family. At the end of the day, her stamina and fortitude is all about keeping her family together and fed. She needs to re-focus her mind and actually enjoy being with them to give her the boost to face another week of juggling the budget and learning new things. She has simply relegated her PND into the background - don't ask me how!

Do you know, it is only 2 weeks since Margaritte opened this thread in total despair. Nappies were sent, on-line food shops were ordered and delivered but - more importantly - the advice started to roll in. This thread is now becoming a source of information for others in a similar situation.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED AND SUGGESTED IDEAS

It has taken the very best of Mumsnet teamwork to make this thread into what it is. Everyone has had something to give, not least of all the kind words of encouragement; the sharing of stories about being in a similar place but finding the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, I hope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy your own family time.

We'll be back in the fray from Sunday night when I'll be updating the job-list and summarising the additional income posts.

Take everyone

SW

Beth2511 I've followed the link that sadwidow put up for Swagbucks. It looks interesting, and I will have a read tonight. What is the general idea of it though

Now, I have a link on my computer that means everytime I shop on Amazon and other sites, my named Charity gets the extra points (money) into their PayPal account.

Looking at Swagbucks, it is the same idea, but you declare your own PayPal account as the recipient. It does look like an American company because everything is expressed in $

It's worth watching the 1 minute introductory video to get the idea:

www.swagbucks.com/p/register?cmp=357&cxid=10017655-56061059197&aff_sid=swagbucks%20paid%20surveys&gclid=Cj0KEQjwzPSrBRC_oOXfxPWP6t0BEiQARqav2BLj-_lj_cLtsh66N4JLjN8QcAMj8pb0_PM8feXli5EaArvm8P8HAQ

ditherydora Crossed posts with you... I will try Gumtree.. I joined and so should just be able to post it up.

Now, I'll try to explain this clearly so everyone can follow the reasoning.

1. Gumtree is owned by eBay
2. At one time, services were given a FREE LISTING on eBay, but they were removed from eBay about 4 years ago (only paid-for listings allowed)
3. eBay told all service providers to start listing on Gumtree (which is FREE)
4. So all 'man with a van' services had to go to Gumtree - still FREE but less traffic than eBay
5. So, if you want to sell larger items, list on Gumtree because those who don't have a vehicle large enough to collect will be able to find local 'man with a van' adverts on Gumtree also.

HTH

Gosh Sadwidow, do you know the OP in RL? You're really involved in this if not. for you.

I think Korma needs help not to be sneered at and called jealous. Surely there are enough kind people on here who can help her too? Can't we spread it around a bit?

Another thought, more of a long-term one. Could you look at producing some of your own food? Anything from tomatoes in pots on the patio to an allotment to a couple of chickens for eggs? An allotment here costs £25 pa & I'm pretty sure you could be producing crops within a couple of months. You can grow lots of things & maybe swap with other allotment owners. We have 2 hens & they are great, we get 3 meals (scrambled egg, omelette, egg & chips) from them & they don't cost much after the initial outlay - feed last ages as they love scraps & weeds.

MyPelvicFloorTrainsItself No, I don't know the OP in real life. I have followed OP's threads as a lurker since last December when she asked for ideas about cooking meals (she has PND and couldn't think straight) then she asked for budget meals (I am good at those) and then the shit hit the fan 2 weeks ago.

Posters offered fresh eggs from their hens, nappies no longer needed, an on-line food shop etc. I only got involved when Margaritte said "I can't think straight". I said, post the jobs and I'll re-order them into priorities...... and there I began

When OP was accused of not REAL, we took the unusual decision to speak by phone so that I could verify (as far as possible) that she is totally genuine.

I doubt that I will ever meet Margaritte in RL - I live in the NW and she is in Kent. I just use my skills to help her to keep focussed, and make sure that any lurkers can use the excellent advice, suggestions and information posted on this thread.

I hope that explains things.

I think Korma needs help not to be sneered at and called jealous. Surely there are enough kind people on here who can help her too? Can't we spread it around a bit?

I am always happy to help others (within my budget and time). However, I will tell you my point of view.

The post from kormachameleon on Tue 09-Jun-15 19:39:32 nearly de-railed this thread, and certainly made the OP feel awful for accepting nappies [not needed any more] and some emergency on-line food orders from some kind people. I wasn't posting on the thread at that time because, sadly, I remained childless throughout my married life so I didn't have nappies to offer.

Margaritte has asked for nothing other than advice and information - but some MNetters felt they could help and volunteer practical support in an emergency situation.

As I understand the post, kormachameleon does NOT believe that Mumsnet members should offer emergency nappies and food, therefore, I would not want to contact her to 'spread the support'.

However, if kormachameleon wants to re-post with a different view, I would indeed be happy to help in any way I can.

Just wanted to say - Marg, you are an inspiration...your 3 kids are lucky to have you as their mummy. Over the last two weeks, you've continually been working and focusing on the solution rather than remaining stuck in the problem. This nightmare will end, things will improve.
I also think it's amazing the love and support that people are showing on this thread..

I hope that Margaritte will be able to post again tomorrow.

The last I heard was that 3 DCs built a den in the lounge on Saturday and were about to kidnap their Daddy. I don't know if Margaritte managed to escape or whether she had to sleep in the kidnappers' den as well.

This could be very troublesome because I don't remember the kidnappers reading the Mumsnet recipe book "QUICK MEALS TO FEED CAPTIVES"

I may have to contact MNHQ to see if they can look in the back of the 'pooter and check if the kidnappers have definitely downloaded healthy recipes. We may even need MNHQ to act as negotiators to secure the release of Margaritte and her DH.

Today I intend to try and actually get a plan in place now with one of the debt charities. They've been so helpful, I just need to decide with them the best action.

I need to try to meal plan for this week again, as the stuff I have in to last as long as it can, without going off. (can I freeze mushrooms or cheese by the way?)

I also need to feel as many of these online forms & links in that I can, as well as get these items I have on sale to actually sell!

MyPelvicFloorTrainsItself I did put a post up, replying to korma. I haven't had a reply yet, although I hope she managed to read it.

confusedofengland I don't have a garden, although we have just been asked about the allotment via letter(been on for list for 1.5yrs)

restie Thank you Yes, the advice and support on this thread has been an amazing help. Its so lovely to have the moral support, I really hopes it helps other people too, Mnetters have covered everything to help you live on a budget.

Yes you can freeze cheese. Mushrooms need to be slightly boiled first. (Blanched?)

Margaritte so pleased to see things moving onwards and upwards for you This is the one:
fyf20quid.co.uk and there's a link to their FB page too

Depending on what the cheese will be used for, and what type it is, I find it defrosts better if it is grated. Cheddar etc can go a bit crumbly.

momtothree Do I freeze the block as it is, or grate /slice it etc? Sorry, I haven't a clue.

chandelierswinger Thank you - I will see if I had the right one