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AIBU?

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Original poster

To use a Food Bank if I also had a holiday last month?

392 replies

NoseAboveWater · 09/12/2016 17:20

Checked my account this week and it's not good. I've had a few job options not work out. I now have an offer for February for part time so I'm obviously very happy, however it is minimun wage and freelance so I feel cautious about taking on a payday loan just in case. Not eligible for proper loan from bank as no income right now.

I went on holiday with a new bf last month before things got so serious with my money situation. Part of me thinks I need to prioritize rent and bills I can just about pay until new job starts, if I don't really buy food for the second half of December - I have plenty of food for about a week. However, I should not have gone away so it's my own stupid fault and so really don't deserve any help from the Food Bank. I've been hanging around supermarkets late for a few days trying to get reduced items but not having much luck. Been looking online for information about getting thrown away food from restaurants at night, not found anything yet, but if anyone knows where I could get that that would be great?

I cannot ask family or friends and certainly not bf. Wwyd? No children btw it's only myself so no worry there.

OP posts:
HoopsandEverything · 10/12/2016 10:54

MissJsays Think I might be missing the point you are making, but I don't think people should have to resort to going through bins to get perfectly good food.

We have a scheme where we live where we can get fruit that is not sold in supermarkets for cheap - it's around 40 pieces of fruit for a fiver. I guess it's stuff that would normally end in the bins, for us it has been a godsend, and we haven't had to go bin diving.

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 10:54

Do you have any gold jewellery? If so, worth asking a pawnbroker - your loan is given to you in cash, and you pay that plus the interest when you redeem it, up to six months later. The interest on 100 quid is usually around £20 per month

Wow, what an awesome suggestion. So she could borrow £100 and pay £120 in interest over 6 months? Sounds like the deal of the century. Where can I sign up?

On a serious note, you need to give your head a massive great big shake (let alone a wobble). How can you be that fucking dumb to advise someone to get into hideous, hideous debt (at interest rates of 240%) rather than seeking charitable help? Do you have any idea what pawbroker/payday loans do to people? Do you really? Because if not, I suggest you research it seriously before suggesting anything so half-witted ever again.

HoopsandEverything · 10/12/2016 10:55

YelloDraw They are unlikely to pay on the day though. It could be at least a month before the OP receives any money.

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 10:59

Fwiw, I volunteer at a food bank. You'd be welcome, as unlike MN, we don't judge

This is even worse hezfi. So you actually witness first hand people who have ended up there through payday loans, yet you advise the OP to go and get one? PLEASE ask your supervisor at the food bank if there are any training courses or information sessions that you can attend. I just can't comprehend how someone who works with people in desperate poverty (which is very often caused by getting trapped in the payday loan cycle) can give advice to someone which will get them into crippling debt.

GlitterGlue · 10/12/2016 11:01

A lot of the agencies pay weekly for instant start type of work. So not an instant solution, but will help in the next few weeks.

Get a food bank referral or try a church etc to tide you over then look to pick up a few shifts.

GlitterGlue · 10/12/2016 11:03

And if you do need to borrow money try a credit union rather than a payday loan company.

HoopsandEverything · 10/12/2016 11:06

Me neither creaky

ilovesooty · 10/12/2016 11:06

These agencies who offer instant payment - I'd be interested to find out their position on tax and insurance. I suspect if you had a workplace accident you might be fucked.

Garnelian · 10/12/2016 11:16

All the supermarkets near me are advertising for Xmas staff? Apologies if that's already been suggested.

Fairenuff · 10/12/2016 11:59

It doesn't have to be either food bank or get a temporary job. You can actually do both OP. And you say you have enough food for the next two weeks anyway.

There are waitressing jobs being advertised by signs in windows near me. My dd just walked in and got offered some hours. They are good for tips which are shared out on the night so possibly enough to buy yourself dinner the next day.

My ds works in a kitchen and gets a free meal during his break so that's another option that would provide you with food even if you have to wait for wages.

GlitterGlue · 10/12/2016 12:14

I've never know any offer instant payment, but I've picked up shifts from reputable national agencies with weekly pay and it was all above board.

HeCantBeSerious · 10/12/2016 12:24

however it is minimun wage and freelance

Can't be. Legally only employees are entitled to minimum wage and freelancers aren't employees. So your offer sounds dodgy. What is it?

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 12:28

Can't be. Legally only employees are entitled to minimum wage and freelancers aren't employees. So your offer sounds dodgy. What is it?

Presumably she means that the money she will be paid amounts to the minimum wage, not that she is legally an employee (or worker, as it's workers who are entitled to NMW rather than just employees, legally). Why does it matter what her job offer is?

HeCantBeSerious · 10/12/2016 12:57

Because she's going to be even further up shit creek if it's dodgy, isn't she?

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 13:01

Yes, if it is. But you can't assume it's dodgy simply because the OP says it's NMW. It's not illegal for a company to pay freelancers what amounts to NMW, it's just that they don't have any legal obligation to ensure that freelancers get NMW.

YelloDraw · 10/12/2016 13:06

I've never know any offer instant payment, but I've picked up shifts from reputable national agencies with weekly pay and it was all above board

Well, I am talking like 4+ years ago so maybe things have changed - but I was always paid for my trial shift in cash and then weekly pay for casual work.

And one job paid cash at the end of the shift (the event only ran 1x every week). Doesn't mean it wasn't above board, had payslips and stuff but it was a cash business so easier to pay out all the staff there and then.

OP is only short by 2 weeks of food, in two weeks time. So one trial shift paid in cash and then weekly pay would help her massively.

HeCantBeSerious · 10/12/2016 13:15

It's not illegal for a company to pay freelancers what amounts to NMW

Yes, but if an unsuspecting person doesn't know that and that's how the pay has been described, they may not realise that being freelance is not the same as being an employee.

HoopsandEverything · 10/12/2016 13:18

So one trial shift paid in cash and then weekly pay would help her massively.

It would also help massively if she knew she could access a voucher for a food bank as well - relieve a lot of stress and possibly get her out of an anxiety loop so she's able to go and look for cash in hand jobs through Task Rabbit, or offering babysitting jobs on Facebook, or even some of the jobs suggested above (though I think a lot are just pointless as she is unlikely to get paid quickly with some of the suggestions).

purplefizz26 · 10/12/2016 13:20

Buy as much smart price/Tesco value type stuff as you can afford. Long life and frozen stuff to last longer. And stretch meals as far as you can.

Packet noodles/pasta 20p

Spaghetti/pasta 40p big packs

Bolognese sauce jar 40p

Big cans of beans 25p

Toilet roll £1

Washing powder £2-3 big box

15 eggs £1.19

UHT MILK 50p

Biscuits 20p

Frozen chips fish sausages veg all less than £1

You get the picture...

I think you need to be referred to use a food bank, but I'm not sure how it works. But either way of you are eligible of course you should use it. Going on holiday isn't a crime and circumstance change.

To the genius who reckons you should have there months wages saved. Good for you. Not everyone can manage that, holidays or not.

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 13:25

Yes, but if an unsuspecting person doesn't know that and that's how the pay has been described, they may not realise that being freelance is not the same as being an employee

I think the OP realises the difference, given that she herself described it as freelance. Usually, companies are very clear if they are describing something as freelance rather than employment. If there is even the hint of confusion, there is a strong risk that the contract will be interpreted in the worker's favour. Therefore, it would be very unusual (and stupid) of a company to suggest that someone is an employee when they are really a freelancer.

HeCantBeSerious · 10/12/2016 13:56

Plenty of companies try to use "freelance" as a way to avoid employer responsibilities. Many get away with it.

The OP hasn't given details but I'd bet a modest amount that the employer will call the shots and she'll take all the risks.

creakyknees13 · 10/12/2016 14:00

Plenty of companies try to use "freelance" as a way to avoid employer responsibilities. Many get away with it

Yes, they do. But isn't that the opposite of what you are saying? That by offering to pay NMW, they are suggesting she is an employee? Surely if they were trying to hoodwink her into thinking she is freelance when she is not, they would make no mention of the NMW?

Maybe the OP can look into it, but I would take her use of the term 'freelance' to mean that she understands that she is a freelancer. She used it in the context of explaining that her work situation isn't the best.

hazell42 · 10/12/2016 16:01

Contrary to popular belief you can't just turn up to a food bank for a handout, you need to be referred - by a church, support worker etc. If you really are hungry, ask for help. But if you have 'plenty' of food for week one, can't you eek that out for week 2 as well? Only you know whether you really need it, or whether you are taking food unnecessarily from someone who needs it more

EmeliaHerveyHenryFitzroy · 10/12/2016 16:34

Contrary to popular belief you can't just turn up to a food bank for a handout, you need to be referred - by a church, support worker etc

Which has been what a lot of the thread has been about - who to get a voucher or referral letter from.

HeCantBeSerious · 10/12/2016 17:51

Yes, they do. But isn't that the opposite of what you are saying? That by offering to pay NMW, they are suggesting she is an employee? Surely if they were trying to hoodwink her into thinking she is freelance when she is not, they would make no mention of the NMW?

I think you're missing the point.

There's a job advertised at NMW. Someone applies and is offered the job. "But we want you to be freelance". Many people working at NMW (and even far over it) wouldn't know what the implications of that are. "You just need to pay your own tax," they say. But it's much more than that. Cheap labour for them, but exploitation for the worker.

OP hasn't indicated that they understand it, so I thought the gentle warning was a good idea.