To just be really fucking fucked off with being so broke all the time!

[SharkiraSharkira]

I will admit, this is really just a rant as there isn't much anyone can do about it.

But I am SO SICK of being SO fucking poor! It's SO humiliating having to admit to my boss and co workers that I am so broke I can't afford to pay my rent, that I am so broke I have to raid my penny jar for money for the fucking bus to work, just generally playing catch up ALL THE FUCKING TIME and never being able to actually get there.

Aibu to just be fucking fed up? To make matters worse I had to get an advance last month because otherwise I would have only had 2 weeks worth of money to live on for a month, so now I am going to get about £500 for this month. A whole month of working so hard, virtually full time hours and that is all I've got to show for it? Feel like just fucking giving up. So I know it's not going to get better any time soon.

Also doesn't help that a member of staff turned up today showing off their shiny new car that they just bought on a credit card. Makes me want to scream!

I know that isn't fair as my finances are not their problem but everyone was rushing out to look at the lovely new car and I just wanted them to fuck off because I'm stuck relying on free lifts and the bus because I can't even afford to fix my fucked bike. Just want to cry

Sorry, not sure why that posted twice!

purplesheep I skimmed through the rest of the thread. I feel sorry for op. But I'm so worried about you. What are you going to do?

No one is well off as a student...You deal with it because your degree will get you a better job in the future. At least you're working towards your ticket out.

Do you houseshare or rent a whole place? If you rent a whole place maybe look at moving into a room, which is what most students do.

We rent a place but it's like a studio so not a whole house for the 2 of us. It's the same price as a room in a shared house would be but more space.

Confused as to why people think I'm a scam artist?! Am I not allowed to post about being annoyed about having no money? Am I not allowed to rant and ask for (emotional) support? Have I missed something in the MN rules?

I also have no money, my bills , rent and council tax come to 325 more than I have coming in before thinking about food shopping. It's shit but you won't be in this situation for much longer its final year. I to am training so just hang on to the fact this is short term and is worth it for the long term. I'm used to it before training my salary was gone on day 1 just on rent and council tax and I had so little money I didn't pay bills 😬 Which I'm repaying now as ironically working full time I was even worse off than I am now as a student. How the government think you can live on 128 1 adult 1 child's ridiculous my bills alone are more.

If your dc are in care op then presumably your costs are mainly birthday and Christmas presents. Do you have regular contact?

TitaniasCloset Thank you for your concern, but we will manage as we have done for years. My usual budget for food is only £30-40 pw so this week isn't so much less. On Friday I get the child benefit payment (£134.60) so will be able to use that to buy food for the rest of the month and fill the car with petrol so I can get to work until next pay day. Then the cycle starts over again.

That is the part that is so horribly depressing really- the never ending cycle of trying to make ends meet. And the dread that something may break when you have no money to fix or replace it. Our fridge door is held on with tape and the seals are rotten, but I can't justify even buying a second hand replacement while it still keeps food chilled. None of the bedrooms have lightbulbs as I've swapped them out to replace others in rooms where lighting is essential (e.g. kitchen). The option of lights in a room mainly used for sleeping IS a luxury for us at the moment and lightbulbs are so damned expensive that they will have to wait until a week where I have some spare cash.

Still, I try not to dwell on any of the above. There are plenty of people in far worse situations. My DC do NOT go hungry. I've bought enough food this week for them to have packed lunches. They don't comply to the MN lunchbox police standards (no pots of olives or hummus) but it will be enough to keep them going for the day.

I may have no chance of increasing my income- I work in a dead end minimum wage job BUT I have fixed hours that fit around childcare and its not a zero-hour contract, so I'm luckier than many other people. I always tell my DC to be thankful for what they DO have. Not having something doesn't necessarily make you unhappy, but spending hours wishing you had it, or envying others who do, certainly will. That's the only advice I really have for the OP and any others in a similar situation.

If your bike is broken cancel the insurance on it, that will save you money to start.

Also as for your payday loan, the interest on those are extortionate. Do you have a student bank account? the overdrafts are very generous and 0 % usually but you have to apply each year for the increase. If you have one of these can you use that to pay off the payday loan then you don't have to worry about the interest on it. If not consider a 0% credit card as a short term solution to save you the interest cost.

Try MSE too have a browse, they have some amazing ideas.

Other places someone people can save money.

• reducing your mobile phone contract if you can, a lot of people are still paying for the cost of the phone included in their contract, most places do a cheaper rolling contract option.

• if your out of contract on tv/internet/phone consider changing supplier/cancelling.
• Check your gas/electricity accounts, are you in credit and could you ask the supplier to return the bank account / reduce payments, see if another supplier is cheaper if you can.

I know these won't be a fix all but maybe something will be of use.

lightbulbs are so damned expensive

I expect you know this already but keep an eye out in poundshop. I once managed three longlife bulbs for 50p.

Dcs are not in care seven.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to try my best to manage every penny for the next month and hopefully I'll be able to get back on track soon.

Oh sorry must have you confused with another poster. Where do they sleep in you only have a studio with your dp?

Hi OK, I too thought your DC were in care, bit confused but it's probably just me reading something wrong. You will get through this and come out on the other side, just think of the prospects your degree will open up for you. It is hard but please don't get a payday loan, it will stuff you up for such a long time. Probably a bit obvious and a hassle but is there anything you can sell on Schpock or eBay to help ride you over?

tide you over

Have a raid through your things see what you can sell on eBay.

You're not the only one, and yes it's crap. I sometimes think people with money don't realise how fortunate they are. I watched that Rich/Poor programme the other day - and then laughed when I realised the 'poor' people were on £40 a week more than we had! I would love another £40!! Be life changing.