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 have filled up with petrol at the pay at the pump stations before when I only had £1.30 in my account(unknowingly). It was authorised before I drew the petrol as my account was in credit (just) and I put £25 petrol in and it took me overdrawn by £23.70 . It could get you through until you next get paid.

I think calling your bank and asking for a small overdraft until you get paid is your best bet. The interest will be minimal and will usually be actioned in 24 hours

The OP's card has already been declined. Putting petrol in your car knowing the payment will be declined is asking for trouble and a bill for removing the petrol from your tank Do not do this.

The school could also give the DC school meals if you explain the circumstances. Also if you are with a housing association they sometimes offer low interest loans to its tenants. If you contact your HV they can make a referral to your local food bank. Your local church may also offer assistance to people in the parish.

Bus Fare: is there any way your DS1 could get a lift, walk, go at a cheaper time? If commuting to school are there hardship grants to help with travel cost? Have you rung the CAB?

I saw your previous post. Am I remembering right that you have PND?
Have you managed to get anything sort and ticked off your list?
I'm assuming nappies and milk are a priority, then packed lunches and then petrol/travel money.
Do you have a friend that would lend you £20/30 for a couple of months. I know one or two friends I would ask and I would do the same for them.

Where do you live?
If you're near me if be happy to give you some food

The petrol would be paid for as it is authorised by the bank before it is taken, when you use 'pay at the pump' machines. It just makes you overdrawn with the bank.

Worth speaking to your bank to find out the reason for the card being declined. Happened to me a few weeks ago when I knew there was money in the account, turned out the bank had stopped my card as they'd suspected fraudulent activity.

The problem with car boots is you have to be an entry fee. And she has no money.

prepper I think they meant go to a pay at pump and the card is authorised sometimes even without cleared funds. My sister does it all the time. Depends on the charges from the bank - I would be charged £5 which would be ok but some banks may charge £25.

I'd put m & s voucher on buy it now on eBay & go to Aldi

I agree with previous posters about school meals. School will be able to help, they don't really publicise it but there are funds for emergencies. They will not allow a child to be hungry.

Some lovely people on this thread. I would love to help you too op, if you're local to me.

'I'd put m & s voucher on buy it now on eBay & go to Aldi

This, but on a local FB selling page as it's free and you could have the cash in hours.

Id spend the m&s voucher on clothes, then get DH to take it back and get a refund. yoUr money will go a lot further in aldi or lidl.

M&S refund vouchers with vouchers to stop people doing that.

Op I'm sorry but im sure you had a 'stock of nappies' the other day on your skint meals thread? I'm not pointing this out to be snarky, by the way, just checking that you haven't stored them somewhere and forgotten? I know i've done shit like that when panicking!

Where abouts do you live OP? Happy to bring some essentials and bits and bobs if near me.

Tell us where you are OP. I have nappies and food aplenty, I will sort you with both xx

If nothing else, this has prodded me into donating to my local food bank what I would give to you, if you don't live near me.

The really cheap £1.50 supermarket nappies are fine! You may have a little leakage at night but they would definitely do for a week. I used to use them all the time.

If you have any large things you could sell gumtree is good. And free to list

If your internet is hooked up, Google 'free nappies' and fill out the forms for every single one and get the free samples? They usually give two or three nappies in a sample pack in a size of your choice. They would probably arrive around tue/wed and buy you the last few days until payday? Until then, buy the smallest, cheapest pack you can.

Don't buy food from M&S if you have no cash to ride the bus or for petrol. Sell it for £19 and keep the cash for that and nappies and go to the foodbank.

Use your FB to ask mates for lifts, too.