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AIBU?

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Original poster

Should I use a food bank in my situation?

519 replies

Lionking1981 · 19/08/2017 01:38

I am 200 pounds down on my normal wages this month due to taking unpaid parental leave when my Dd was ill. Overspent the first week of the month trying to occupy the kids. Then my oven broke and had to replace it. Been living out the freezer and store cupboard since. To cut the story short, I now have 30 pounds to survive 10 days til payday. I have 3 small joints of lamb in the freezer, a box
of waffles and some fish fingers. A few tins of baked beans, tomatoes and soup in cupboard.

My friend says to go to the foodbank but I am super uncomfortable about it. We earn over 40k between us and i don't think food banks are there for people like us but it is going to be really hard to feed a family of 4 on this. However, we will be fine next month. Would you just make do for the 10 days?

OP posts:
BarbaraofSevillle · 19/08/2017 10:23

I don't own any jewellry either, apart from stainless steel earrings to the value of about £20 and unpawnable obviously.

I would assume that the children do eat lamb (why wouldn't they?) as the OP wouldn't have it if the family didn't eat it.

BabsGanoush · 19/08/2017 10:23

This is absolutely why some people do not donate to food banks. They should be for people who need them, not those with a good income who choose to spend their money elsewhere.

Where did you entertain your children - DisneyLand Paris ffs?

PantPlot · 19/08/2017 10:24

I find it really unlikely that the OP doesn't have a ring/chain or other random piece of jewellery, that she can't pawn for £30 to double her money for the next 10 days

I've been pondering this. I thankfully have no need, but if it came to it I don't think we have any jewellery that could be pawned.

We don't wear chains etc, and even our wedding rings etc were only cheap- by choice, jewellery just isn't something that I prioritise ugly fingers

noeffingidea · 19/08/2017 10:26

vivienne nothing in my experience. You do risk losing your gold if you can't meet the interest repayments of course, but that is made clear at the start. It doesn't affect your credit rating or snowball into a bigger debt.
Chequecashers and similar are not so good though because they charge much higher interest rates.

2014newme · 19/08/2017 10:26

Turn up at a church? Churches are often locked when services aren't on. When services are on they aren't giving out food at them, they may be collecting for the food bank but they wouldn't hand their food bank donations over to anybody asking for it. Bad advice.
Op should get a food bank referral and then donate the equivalent to what the receives in future.
But overspending on kids school holidays entertainment unfortunately will have to be curtailed.

JustAnotherPoster00 · 19/08/2017 10:26

This is absolutely why some people do not donate to food banks.

They dont donate because people like the OP wondered if she could go to a foodbank, or because theyre selfish, uncaring cunts that think they themselves or people they love may never need to use 1? Hmm

ButtHoleinOne · 19/08/2017 10:26

I wouldn't have any jewellery to pawn either!

ButtHoleinOne · 19/08/2017 10:27

I think the latter myself, justanotherposter.

Mammyloveswine · 19/08/2017 10:28

I was just thinking how "skint" I am and have about 20 quid to buy food for this week until hubs gets paid on Friday... using up just what I have in, lo and I have had toast for breakfast with fruit (did pop to aldi yesterday and stocked up on the super 6), he also had a yoghurt as I still have some in. We're having jacket potatoes with beans for lunch and vegetable stir-fried rice for tea (frozen veg added to rice with herbs and soy sauce/chilli sauce) from the pantry. Tomorrow we'll have toast again, then pasta with tinned tomatoes and frozen veg (maybe with tuna too if I've got a can lurking in the cupboard) with egg, chips and beans for tea.ill make a chilli for Monday using pork mince (2.50 a packet) and that'll do for mon/tues. Gammon joint is about 3 quid in aldi, with carrots, onions, stock and pease pudding (or a tin of mushy peas) that'll do weds/Thursday with pasta or beans on toast lunches and I'll do a crustless quiche also so we're covered until Friday with money for milk/bread/loo roll. We have a season ticket for a science museum which has a soft play plus we are close to the beach and parks and there are loads of other museums nearby. We also have national trust membership although not sure how much fuel we have to get anywhere this week!
Our car has just cost 450 pound as the brakes had gone so I understand how you feel somewhat but these things crop up! I find we eat better when we meal plan and don't have as much to spend, 30 quid and lamb in the freezer is easily doable for 10 days and it really doesn't have to be boring!

happy2bhomely · 19/08/2017 10:28

I don't think it would be right for someone with a temporary cash flow problem to use a food bank. You just have to make do with what you have, and you have enough.

We are on a good income now but I have been a single mum on benefits and we both grew up properly poor. What I have taken from that is how important it is to have reserves.

We live on about 75% of what we earn. We have savings but we also have a stock cupboard that I add to each week. This is more for slightly crazy 'prepping' reasons, but it means I can feed us basic meals in an emergency. We also over pay our rent account by a few pounds each week and it means if DH lost his job then we have a months rent already paid to buy us time without touching our savings.

I don't really understand your reasoning. You were £200 down. Then you overspent on entertaining the kids. Then you bought a new oven. Did you not think to prioritise your spending? Surely you budget for the roof over your head and the food in your children's bellies before anything else?

Get through this month then have a look at Money Saving Expert and try to plan your finances better so that you don't get yourself into this situation again. It was totally avoidable.

SoftSheen · 19/08/2017 10:29

YABU I'm afraid. You do have sufficient resources to feed your family for the next 10 days (some food, including 3 joints of lamb (!) and some money). Obviously you will need to budget carefully. Food banks are for people who are in desperate circumstances with no-where else to turn, not for people on a reasonable income who are having a bit of a tight month.

MyheartbelongstoG · 19/08/2017 10:30

Pick blackberries.... Wtaf.

Speak to your go or anyone else in a position to refer you if needed.

No way will 30 quid feed a family of four for ten days.

PurpleDaisies · 19/08/2017 10:31

No way will 30 quid feed a family of four for ten days.

It's £30 plus three joints of lamb and some other bits in the freezer. It's doable.

LouHotel · 19/08/2017 10:32

£30 will buy you some basics that you can batch make meals for 10 days. Go to the supermarket and get the home brand basic options.

I also think you would struggle to get a referral, as others have pointed out its not as simple as turning up.

Im surprised your friend suggested a foodbank rather than offer to lend you 20 quid for two weeks.

pilates · 19/08/2017 10:35

No I wouldn't use food bank, try and make do with what you have. Have you got friends or family that could help out if need be?

WhamBarsArentAsFizzyAsTheyWere · 19/08/2017 10:40

No way will 30 quid feed a family of four for ten days.

It absolutely would, I have a large family and could do it on £30 with the food the op already has in as well. It just takes careful budgeting. It isn't luxurious, but it's perfectly doable.

noeffingidea · 19/08/2017 10:40

no way will 30 quid feed a family of 4 for ten days
Of course it will, and could even without the food that the OP already has.

Afreshstartplease · 19/08/2017 10:49

I think I could feed my family of 6 on £30 for a week if I had to and if it was in two months time so my baby was off formula

userofthiswebsite · 19/08/2017 10:51

I don't think they'd give you a foodbank pass if you've an income of 40k. Many manage on an awful lot less.

wildbhoysmama · 19/08/2017 10:55

OP I do think you didn't have any foresight and should have planned better, but you're now in this situation and need to try to cope. You've had some fantastic suggestions for making your money stretch for meals, well done MNetters, which all sound doable and nutritious. However, you have had some harsh comments, lots of people find themselves in tough situations sometimes. I clearly remember my lovely sister going through divorce, coping with the debt he'd left them in, working part time and feeding and clothing 3 kids, sometimes she was desperate and didn't tell us through shame. Our family are all comfortable and it came as a shock.to her and us.
Saying all that, if ur in or around Glasgow ( unlikely but a punt) PM me and ill fill.some bags at Aldi for you, I'm going today anyway, and I can bring it to you. I hate to see children having it tough. If you're elsewhere knock on the door of the Salvation Army they are wonderful people and help out many with food/ small amounts of cash which you could always gift back later.
I do.hope things look up soon.

Loneranger14 · 19/08/2017 10:57

I carn't work due to illness and I had to make a new claim for income support, my DP had just been layed off work we had £5 and nothing in the cupboards etc pasta few tin stuff etc. We both have no family but I managed for 3weeks although I did put my bedroom in the cash generator which gave me £60 but that lasted us 3weeks.
We only had a meal a day but we certainly didn't starve, so it is double. I'm not judging OP but at least try and use the £30 and little bit off food u do have before going to the food bank.

Loneranger14 · 19/08/2017 10:58

I carn't work due to illness and I had to make a new claim for income support, my DP had just been layed off work we had £5 and nothing in the cupboards etc pasta few tin stuff etc. We both have no family but I managed for 3weeks although I did put my bedroom in the cash generator which gave me £60 but that lasted us 3weeks.
We only had a meal a day but we certainly didn't starve, so it is double. I'm not judging OP but at least try and use the £30 and little bit off food u do have before going to the food bank.

Slimthistime · 19/08/2017 10:59

OP you're being silly
Also don't get this "entertaining kids" business. Most people don't have money for that. You're in a good position, don't take the piss.

DancingLedge · 19/08/2017 10:59

As a contributor to food banks, I would not be happy with someone with many multiples of my income using them. If you couldn't afford to replace your oven, you could have waited. Like many of us would have to.
With your income, just get a credit card. And then learn to budget and prioritise. It's hard when unexpected costs crop up, but that's life. It happens. On your income, you can plan for these events.
If you've got three joints of meat and a new oven, can't see what your problem is.

Loneranger14 · 19/08/2017 11:06

Sorry I ment to put I put my bedroom TV in the cash generator (typo)