No idea how I'm going to do this

[Sugarhunnyicedtea]

So, it's a week to payday and I have nothing in the house at all. Just cooking a dinner of chips and beans for my son - that's it. I have 62p in my purse and no petrol in the car.
We struggle every month but this month is particularly bad, zero hours contract and no childcare in the holidays so pay last month was short, uniform and shoes to buy after a growth spurt, it's never ending.
I know you're not miracle workers but any ideas anyone?? I can't believe I let it get to this, I think I've been in denial

Thanks for the helpful responses. To clarify, I don't want anything from anyone. I've found £3 in my son's school bag so it's not as bad as I thought. I've reported the thread myself to get it removed. I feel bad enough already. I've never seen a begging thread, who the hell asks strangers for money?? I know not to post in future, I was just feeling helpless. Looking into food bank tomorrow, googling brought up nothing local

See if there is an Acts 435 advocate near you and contact them: acts435.org.uk/join/advocates

Payday loan is terrible advice.

No, it's realistic, presuming OP is really not after money from this thread.

ExpemsiveUniform you really are the milk of human kindness aren't you? Imagine how you'd feel if it happened to you.

Sugar I have nothing to add I'm afraid except that I hope you get sorted out and that I'm ashamed to live in a country where people are forced to live as you do

Do you have any points on a Tesco clubcard, nectar card, boots card, superdrug card etc? You could pick up some food bits for free with them.

I've never seen a begging thread, who the hell asks strangers for money??

Really? There's been a slew of them recently.

If you genuinely have no food to feed your child from tomorrow then you need to contact the HV or social services as a matter of urgency for a food bank referral or any other assistance they can give.

If you've never seen a begging thread you must be very new to mm! Did you join just to post this?

Apply for an overdraft of £150, your bank should offer you that and then you can reduce it gradually each month so your not short again next month.

Happened to me? How would I feel?

I'll tell you shall I. Pawning my mothers engagement ring that she left me when she died last weekend so I could put food on the table. Selling my car. Walking in shoes that cut the feet clean off me and only cost £10 because I can't ford to replace them.

I have £3.98 to do me til pay day. I have gone from weekly to monthly paid and I'm ground down. I have gone down a lot tax credits and child and housing benefit due to DD not being at school any longer

I get being skint. Put I still didn't start a thread in here.

Oh my goodness Chopin- that is genius, thank you. I do have nectar points and tesco but I don't think you can use tesco ones unless they send a voucher. Why didn't I think of that??

Are you saying every cupboard in your house is totally bare? As in, you only have enough potatoes to make chips for tonight, some oil to fry them in and a can of beans in your whole house? Or do you mean you have other food but are not sure what to do with it?

Anyway, you do have options, so keep positive.

1. sell/pawn belongings
2. downgrade or sell your car
3. go to the job centre, look at the available job listings, and offer yourself as available for work immediately by the day which may mean you are paid at the end of a day. Or search online. You could start immediately.
4. walk round shops and offer yourself as available to work or help out.
5. once you have done the above, consider charity, handouts, food banks etc.
6. if you do actually have some food, cook everything from scratch

Sorry - I will get £36 on Monday of tax credit and that will see me through to Thursday pay day. I have £3.98 right Now.

Of that £36 £10 will go on electric (key meter, no gas) £10 will pay back my dad for money he lent me and the rest will do a basic shop of value pastas and rice stuff.

Erm, why would you want this thread to be deleted, if you just want some advice on how to manage until next week?

I've seen a few folks round here offering services, ironing, cleaning etc for some cash-perhaps you could do that around where you live??

You have no food but have a car? Did I read it right?

Chequered- because other posters are being assholes.

OP - you can spend Nectar points in store (unlike Tesco where they issue a voucher) so that might help with your next shop.

All sympathy from me. I've been so poor recently, last night I dreamed of KFC.

How far do you need to commute? Is it walkable? Have you got rainproof coats, umbrellas, and waterproof shoes. Although the weather is a bit stinky, it's still relatively warm once you get a pace up.

I'm using cheap frozens to try and maximise my calories because I can't eat more than once a day.

Log book loan on the car.

Loads of ideas without starting a begging thread here.

I feel for you, I've been there myself. It's shit. But there is a way through, there always is, there has to be. Think outside the box. You'll be alright, and ignore the nae sayer posters.

Best wishes.

If you get the Tesco Clubcard app, you can use the codes on your phone to scan at the till.

Since you asked for this to be deleted I'll be quick and say read the Frugalers, Credit Crunch and Money Matters sections for lots of ideas. Contact a foodbank to find out what you need for a referral first thing.

I have 2 eggs, some butter and bread. A bit of milk and the other half of a tin of beans. Other than that I've got oil, spices etc. We don't stock up on food because I'm not able to. My son has money on his dinner card at school so he'll have lunch tomorrow and somebody further up the thread reminded me about nectar points so I'll do a basics shop tomorrow. I know I need to budget better but at least we'll be ok until payday now then I am start afresh next month. I've worked a lot of hours since school went back so next month will be much better. Again, thank you

Is your son getting school meals? Who else is at home to feed?

God people are mean sometimes. I look at MN almost everyday and this is the first thread I've seen in months about serious financial hardship !
Sometimes when things are so dire, people bury there heads until there is nothing left. It's the only way they can cope with worrying for days.. eternally optimistic that something will come up.

As for 'sell your car' - sorry but sometimes if there is no public transport or you are rural, then buses cost a fortune and a car is the only and cheapest way to get around and to school.

I am lucky that we have never been in your position OP but I have helped out at our local food bank. Contact your CAB or HV, they will give you a food bank voucher. Do NOT get a log-book or payday loan. Or next months money will end even earlier when you have to pay it back ! Terrible irresponsible advice from people who do not understand being poor !