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

See if your council has a hardship fund which is usually £100 which you have to pay back in installments. Speak to your bank and see if they will increase your overdraft or give you one if you dont have one. Do you have a credit card? One of the easiest and cheapest things to make at home if you're low on funds is pasta. You can get a pack of value pasta for 29p, couple tins value tomatoes, 35p each, couple onions and if you can get a bulb of garlic, job done. Get a pack of frozen veg to throw in and maybe a can of tuna and you can make a tuna pasta bake for £2/£3. It may not be gourmet but at least it will fill you up and be nutritious. Find out what time your local supermarket marks everything down. My local starts around 6pm and they have stuff down to 10p at times. You can grab loads of bargains and get much cheaper meat which you can freeze. Go through all of your things at home and see if there's anything you could sell on eBay.

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 !

There have been at least five recently. They've all been deleted. That's why the ol has been met with a bit of scepticism.

For a food bank referral, you can go via your GP, via a HV or children's centre, or most churches can also refer or point you to someone who can.

Do try to get a referral- you might need that £3 before next week, and if you can get food in without it, all the better.

There have been loads of threads like this recently.
That and the recent foodback donations thread has inspired me to donate next payday to my local foodbank.
Perhaps everyone who is touched by these threads could do the same, instead of offering your spare Christmas tree/old children's toys/a spare 50 quid, to discourage none genuine posters?
I hate the thought of people suffering like this, but there is no way of knowing if the person posting is in a shit situation or is just fishing for money/stuff.

So OP, my advice is try and borrow 20 quid off someone. Raid your cupboards, you'd be amazed what meals you can make that are half palatable out of some old rice/spices/beans. And ring your GP tomorrow to ask for a referral to your local food bank as an emergency.

And on pay day, I'll donate to my local foodbank to try and help families in this situation.

I look at MN almost everyday and this is the first thread I've seen in months about serious financial hardship!

So you didn't see the one about the microwave last night, the one about rent arrrears earlier today, the one yesterday with a Paypal address in the OP for sending donations directly, the one about being a laughing stock in the school yard because she couldn't afford new clothes?

This isn't the first thread of this nature, ive seen 3 this week and they have gone!

I will help OP, if they have explained what they have done to try and help there situation, however just saying what the OP has put into there OP, means nothing.

I work in this area OP, if you PM me your local area, I will advise what help there is, its also easily found on the internet.

How about getting a part time self employed job?, if you are creative I heard that writing stuff on the internet can be rather lucrative.

And advising someone who is living hand to mouth to get payday loan is quite frankly idiotic!

if you are creative I heard that writing stuff on the internet can be rather lucrative

Ask a friend..I'd never let a friend of mine go hungry..there must be a good friend you can ask..salvation army will help.as will yr health visitor,local church.food bank

I won't be getting a payday loan. The nectar points was just the sort of advice I needed. I think I got so stressed I wouldn't have thought of it myself. Wish now I'd just messaged a friend for advice but pride got in the way

Oh, yy, Very and the Christmas in a homeless shelter - in September.

I've been in this situation, and never asked for a penny. I have asked for ideas though.

And advising someone who is living hand to mouth to get payday loan is quite frankly idiotic!

Only if you've got other options.

Before this gets deleted, ask the school if your son can get free school meals. If your income is low he may qualify.

To be fair , there's been a bumper crop of financial hardship threads recently

Well d'uh.

Its just been the summer holidays, where financial hardship hits low income families very hard.

New school uniforms/shoes/childcare issues.

It doesn't take a genius to work out why there are alot of these threads at this time of year.

Have some compassion (and I don't mean offer money).

You never know when you are going to be on the bones of your arse and need tips and ideas for stretching the bare minimum.

ILoveMillhousesDad. lots of those threads were deleted as suspect though.

Leaving aside whether this is genuine or not - I work in family support in a school and I issue food bank vouchers.

Also, unless the OP has a child under 5, she won't have a HV.

I'd also make yourself an appointment with citizens advice - see if you are entitled to claim any benefits?

I wouldn't advise a payday loan - you'll be forever chasing your tail...

Food bank referrals are via citizens advice, job centre, health visitor, GP and social services - you get food to last 3 days.

Look through all your bags and coat pockets, oh, and down the sofa...

No shame in asking for advice/help or pointed in the right direction

Hello everyone

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board - if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away - and we're aware that the OP is a regular and hasn't actually asked for or accepted any offers of help. It actually looks as though she's been quite clear earlier on this thread that that is not what she is asking for.

But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask everyone to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are - and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP - we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

Evildoctor I was just asking for ideas. I don't want anything else!

Could your son qualify for free school meals?
Have you anything you could sell on Gumtree?

Haven't read full thread but if you have points on your tesco card you can log into tesco website, go into my clubcard, sign up and you'll be able to view and print any vouchers to bring with you.

What about money under the seats of the car or down theback of the car seats. I found £4 yesterday there - was looking for my phone.