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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

I can't afford to get to work

193 replies

FiscallyChallenged · 16/09/2015 21:46

I was laid off my last job in July, and received my last set of wages (3 weeks worth) at the end of that month. I live in London, and I didn't get a travelcard last month because I didn't see the point if I wasn't going to be travelling every day, and I needed to make my money last as long as possible.
I started my new job last week, and have to pay pay-as-you-go fares to get there and back, which costs £7.60 per day. It would be cheaper to get the bus, but there's never any telling how long it would take- I took one home on my first day and it took almost three hours! I now have £15 left, I'm not paid til the end of next week and I have no idea what to do. It's way too far to walk, I have a bike but it's a bit of a wreck and doesn't have any lights. I'm already surviving on an apple and cup-a-soup for breakfast and lunch. I can't get a season ticket loan as you have to buy the ticket first before you're reimbursed. There's nobody I can borrow money from.

Help! Any ideas?

OP posts:
Bluewombler2k · 17/09/2015 12:33

Imperial really wasn't a dig at you honestly. Hope OP gets through this stressful time

lardyscouse · 17/09/2015 12:46

I had this [oddly, when working for the DWP] I was transferred to a different office for 2 weeks training. 3 and a half hours walk each day there and back, and a cup a soup. so... 8 hours work 8 hours walk. It was doable for 2 weeks but knackering.

Iwanttobeadog · 17/09/2015 13:13

Why don't you pawn whatever device it is you're using to post on here?

Original poster
FiscallyChallenged · 17/09/2015 13:14

Hi folks

Sorry for disappearing on you last night, I fell asleep Blush today I went for the bike/bus option this morning as I wasn't feeling quite brave enough to cycle all the way in. It did take a bloody long time!
To clarify, payday is a week tomorrow.
A few people have got in touch and offered to help out themselves, which is so very kind but I couldn't possibly accept... please don't think that I started this thread in order to beg! I just thought maybe some people could suggest ideas I hadn't thought of.
The payday loan thing may be a possibility; my credit score is fairly poor though- hence CC/overdraft etc not being an option.
My DP has a monthly travelcard so has no problems getting to work. We've got enough random food in the freezer to knock together evening meals, but I can't really cook frozen chicken kievs and chips at work!

OP posts:
Stormtreader · 17/09/2015 13:41

Ive put leftover kiev and rice in tupperware before and reheated it in the work microwave, could you do that just for a few days?

Artandco · 17/09/2015 14:08

Can you share your partners travel card? So he uses it today and you cycle/ walk. And tomorrow you use the travel card and he cycles/ walks? Means both of you only doing long walk/ cycle 4/5 days each rather than you doing all of it.

Take cold cooked frozen food Into work or Can you make a basic pasta/ rice and take. Or simply eat hot frozen stuff as a breakfast before you go and again at night so the cup a soup is just lunch

Fromparistoberlin73 · 17/09/2015 14:14

OP, this is your only post here. Are you a regular under a new name?

erm, I would like to question this. what gives people the right to question people that post for advice like this? sheesh

OP, loads of good advice here- good luck - between the many solutions here will you find something

re face book selling YESS if you have OK stuff and you price competitively you can offload fast and get some cash

also rather than a payday loan cant you call bank and ask for a temporary overdraft?? mine charge £6 for me to go overdrawn

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 17/09/2015 14:26

I would call your bank and ask for a temporary overdraft of £100? You presumably have a contract of employment confirming start date and your salary which you could scan and send them a copy of; and if they are still a bit ?? you could ask your line manager to provide a letter confirming you have commenced employment with a land line number to call for further confirmation if required.

It's really not at all unusual to have funds advanced in your first month in a new job though a bit mortifying to ask. After that people get a bit Hmm If you speak to your HR team/line manager and their immediate response is "it could take a week to come through" then it's very easy to ask if they would be prepared to confirm your employment to your bank instead.

5.30am is grim but you can at least sleep on the bus if you get on the right seat

PressTheAButton · 17/09/2015 14:36

Even if it was the OPs first post ever why does that make a difference. If you think you can trust someone more if they are a regular poster rather than a new poster then I think its a bit naive. I'm wary of any poster who is subtly or not so subtly asking for handouts even though I suppose some of them are genuine.

I think the OP has been sensible to make it clear that she is genuinely just after advice and doesn't want people to give her money.

I hope the bus/bike trip home goes well. Smile How long did it take you door to door this morning?

If your credit history is a bit shite already then maybe it won't make too much difference if you get a payday loan. Iykwim There is lots of good advice on MoneySavingExpert about payday loans, although most of it says to steer clear perhaps you can have a read of it on the bus this evening.

sliceofsoup · 17/09/2015 14:40

erm, I would like to question this. what gives people the right to question people that post for advice like this? sheesh

I reported that post. MNHQ said they would look into it. They then posted the "don't give more than you can afford" post. They didn't address the blatant troll hunting at all. Hmm

IMO the advanced search is being used far too often. It used to be bad form to bring other thread onto a current one...that happens all the time now. And it is against talk guidelines to troll hunt on a thread, but apparently only sometimes. Confused

ImperialBlether · 17/09/2015 14:55

Hang on a minute.

Twice in the last two months I've sent gift cards to posters who were struggling. When I saw the position the OP was in I wanted to help her but - and this is where some of you might disagree - I wasn't going to offer to help unless I knew she was a regular.

You can all do as you like; that was my reason for asking.

sliceofsoup · 17/09/2015 15:09

Its not about you specifically Imperial. More that similar things are being said on loads of threads, and lets face it, they aren't all doing it so they can send a gift.

Its like people open a thread, don't recognise the OP and head straight for advanced search so they can be the first to say the OP is new.

RB68 · 17/09/2015 15:16

OK

When skint this is what I do

FB selling - find relevant groups join and post up half a doz things - frankly you can sell anything - how about that useless bike!!!

What is a bike service - check and clean bike, take of chain clean and reoil, check and maybe replace brake pads and or wires....oil and gear mechanism and check spokes for damage, check tires. Would bike guy be open to a trade - service (with no parts) for a days work in the shop?? Parts to be purchased from him later so you have another option.

Check house for loose change - all the coppers and 5ps. Check all handbags, bags and clothes for emergency fivers. Raid Bunny Bank (I have a bunny not a piggy!!).

Take own food and water everywhere.

I also check out for apple trees and or other wild food. Esp at this time of year - on the basis that if I don't have to buy it its a bonus.

Got any friends that need odd jobs doing or babysitting??

I am a big car boot fan and even 30 quid can help

I am a crafter and have in the past taken a small basket of cards into work on my desk - sold for a £1 (which is ridiculously cheap) just to generate cash. (Thank you and girl birthdays go best)

Do you have any other skills others might pay?

StarlingMurmuration · 17/09/2015 15:20

I actually reported it, too, then I read the rest of the thread and saw Imperial's clarification, which shows she wasn't troll hunting at all.

I guess there has been a lot of troll hunting recently and it's raising people's hackles. Sorry you got caught in the crossfire, Imperial.

usual · 17/09/2015 15:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fromparistoberlin73 · 17/09/2015 15:23

ImperialBlether

ah bless, well now I understand why. get it.

you are too good to be true!

and I can see that sending ££ to someone who needs it can generate more than paying to highly corporate charity

usual · 17/09/2015 15:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Catonthematwiththehat · 17/09/2015 15:41

Can you share your partners travel card? So he uses it today and you cycle/ walk.

This is generally against the terms and conditions of the train operating companies so be careful of doing this. I know of one company who do investigate with a view to prosecute for this if caught (they tend to agree not to prosecute eventually if you pay a hefty fine).

MyIronLung · 17/09/2015 15:51

I had a bit of a moany sad thread recently and a lovely poster offered to send me some DVDs for my ds. I wasn't posting for offers of help or to get anything and I didn't accept the lovely offer,but I was incredibly touched that a complete stranger on the internet cared enough to offer this.
I certainly understand that you have to be careful and there's always the risk that it could be a scammer but if I'm ever in the position of being able to help someone, even in just a small way, then I will. (While fully understanding the risks involved).

Op, I really hope you've managed to sort something out but if you haven't I think the payday loan is the the best option you have.
Good luck Flowers

MrsDeVere · 17/09/2015 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NuffSaidSam · 17/09/2015 16:19

I'm impressed that no-one has suggested just don't pay on the tube. That was my first thought and if I'm totally honest, what I would do in this situation! I'm obviously considerably more dishonest than everyone else Shock. I've never really thought of myself as dishonest before, but I would dodge the fare for the week.

Artandco · 17/09/2015 16:21

Nuff - but how will you get in and out the tube station barriers?

lorelei9 · 17/09/2015 16:25

I'm at one of the outlying stations with no staff and no barriers but even then, what if an inspector gets on?

NuffSaidSam · 17/09/2015 16:35

If you're travelling in rush hour, it's very easy to slip through. The barriers don't open and close between each person, everyone just shuffles through.

If an inspector gets on then you'll probably get a fine, but it's only £50 and by the time it's payable you'll have been paid. I travel on the tube a fair amount (not every single day) and have never, ever seen an inspector, so you'd be very unlucky to get caught in one week.

I'm not saying it's the correct or moral thing to do btw, but on a practical level it's easy enough.

lorelei9 · 17/09/2015 16:38

ah, but I always pause at the barrier to stop the person behind me going through IYSWIM.

been pushed through and shouted at too many times by some git trying it on.