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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

No idea how I'm going to do this

169 replies

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 21/09/2017 19:00

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

OP posts:
doubleshotespresso · 21/09/2017 20:18

OP whereabouts are you located?

There are lots of organisations who will assist folks who find themselves in a position like yours up and down the uk, if you like I'll find you some links for some local to you....

Expemsiveuniform · 21/09/2017 20:19

What coconutty said.

VeryCunningStunt · 21/09/2017 20:19

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

All of which (bar one, which was deleted at the OP's request) were deleted by MNHQ as 'unfortunately it looks like the OP is not all that they seemed'

Doesn't take a genius to work out why those threads were started Hmm

SusanTheGentle · 21/09/2017 20:20

The selling-the-car advice is not much good either: I could sell my car if skint because I get the train to work and could walk to the supermarket. It really is a luxury to me.

But it's not for a huge number of people - selling a car, then not being able to get to work or having to buy one back again at an inflated price - it's not sensible when e.g. you could get a log book loan instead.

OP, there's a whole list of things here that will make your points go further e.g. the times that the reduced items tend to come out: it's number 16 on the list.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-supermarket-shopping

Miserylovescompany2 · 21/09/2017 20:21

Also look through the "today's date" stuff in supermarkets - they tend to do the biggest reduction in price mid evening - you can freeze loads.

Neverknowing · 21/09/2017 20:22

Hi op. I manage to do food shops for very low cost. I'd recommend buying a big bag of carrots and potatoes (with the nectar points), they're cheap and very filling ! I chop the potatoes fairly small and cook them on a high heat with the carrots too. They taste really yummy.
Also tomato purée is quite cheap, Maybe buy wraps or pittas from the cheap section and put puree on it with literally whatever vegetables you have in the fridge and call it pizza? It's actually nicer than you'd think. If you can afford it get pasta instead and put the tomato purée on pasta?
I hope you're okay op, it's so shit being poor isn't it 😓

thatcoldfeeling · 21/09/2017 20:22

Definitely Cooking on a Bootstrap for recipe ideas and get a Foodbank referral.

With the £3 and nectar points I would suggest:

KTC Gram flour (they sell at Sainsburys 1.40) to make gram cakes which can pass as a meal with spices (see Cooking on a Bootstrap website). Bag of gram flour lasts ages.

Oats (80p) for porridge, if it comes to making it with water adding cinammon or ginger if you have any will make it taste of something.

Basics bread (40p) and beans (25p). If you are able to, freeze the bread and only defrost what you need so it will keep longer.

Basics pasta (40p and basics chopped tomatoes (30p) - add herbs if you have any available to make into a pasta sauce.

That would be £3.15 so if you have nectar points to spend add on with more beans and chopped tomatoes, also maybe some some cheap veg depending on your points.

Forage for blackberries and also wild apples if any are local to you.

Ignore the sanctimonious crap about planning better. And as if you can just find another job just like that! But please get a food bank referral.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 21/09/2017 20:23

I know. I was sticking up for you. 😀

getrunningirl · 21/09/2017 20:23

Can you ask someone - Citizens Advice, your housing officer if you are in social housing, even the bank, to look at your finances to see in the long term if you can get help you budget eg better tariffs for your utility, etc everything adds up, make sure you are claiming all the benefits or tax credits you are entitled to. Or if you have debts can help you to manage this. Like others I think a food bank referral in the short term is a good place to start.

W00t · 21/09/2017 20:24

There have been loads of threads like this recently.

Yes- because it's a really expensive time of year for many! My eldest just changed schools, so needed about a billion "essential" items Hmm. Both have outgrown shoes, so needed shoes, trainers. House insurance was this month. Car service was this month. Have to pay deposit for school residential, pay for various sports clubs up front, music lessons for the term, etc, etc etc.
Our income is higher than most families, but you know what? A week before payday, an I'm really feeling the squeeze.
I'm fortunate- I have credit cards I can use, I have a very healthy credit rating- I could get an overdraft, or even a personal loan at the drop of a hat. I could ask a relative to loan me some.

Lots of people don't have those options.

Butterymuffin · 21/09/2017 20:24

Check all pockets of coats, all bags, old wallets for any cash. Look for any gift vouchers you have and see if you can spend them anywhere you'll get food. Or buy something for less than total value - eg buy some crisps in WHS with a £5 gift voucher and you'll end up with £3 odd actual cash. Do you have any old bank accounts you've not used in years but that have small amounts still in? Dig out some ID and go and reactivate them.

thatcoldfeeling · 21/09/2017 20:24

My maths is terrible what I wrote adds up t £3.75 not 3.15 but hopefully you have enough on nectar to go somewhat beyond this anyway.

LavenderDoll · 21/09/2017 20:25

Food bank - try and get a referral
Where are you? Someone local might know a charity
Family friends?
What's in the cupboards

Original poster
Sugarhunnyicedtea · 21/09/2017 20:25

Sorry Evildoctor, I wasn't sure. Thank you xx

OP posts:
thequeenoftarts · 21/09/2017 20:28

You know folks all it takes for us to be in this exact situation is a unexpected bill, so a little kindness is not really too much to expect and to the lovely people who offered it, your all amazing. The OP wasn't asking for money, just advice and I hope we aren't as cynical that we can't provide that. It is a dreadful feeling looking in your purse and knowing there just isn't enough money to stretch, been there many times and no doubt will be again :)

I wish schools gave budgeting advice and how to stretch loaves and fishes and a few eggs into a miracle meal.

OP glad you have your Nectar points, spuds, eggs, veg, beans, bread,butter,sausages,cereal and milk

Eggs and chips and veg
Beans on toast
Omelette and roasties
Boiled eggs and dippy bread
Mashed spuds, sausages and veg or beans

Hope next month is a much better one for you :)

LavenderDoll · 21/09/2017 20:28

OP please don't feel bad. Everyone has tough times. And ignore the negative replies. I have been there and it's bloody hard Flowers

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 21/09/2017 20:28

Coconutty I only click on Active and I haven't seen any begging threads recently. I joined in 2014.

catgirl1976 · 21/09/2017 20:28

Nectar points / clubcard points or even Advantage card to get some sandwiches

Food bank

Ask friends or family

Sell anything you don't need at Cash Converters or similar or if you are sure you can afford to buy it back, pawn some electrical etc you can live without

Ask your bank for a small overdraft

You can use contactless on your card up to 4 times under £15 a transaction even if there's nothing in the bank (but beware racking up overdraft fees - you've got 2 days before these payments hit but could be a lifeline for the last 2 days before you get paid)

Sell stuff you don't need on facebook - bundles of outgrown children's clothes, kitchen equipment that's gathering dust etc

Sell DVDs, old games etc at CEX or similar

See if any local churches have a community fridge (some do near me)

VeryCunningStunt · 21/09/2017 20:29

Yes- because it's a really expensive time of year for many!

So why were most of those threads deleted because 'the OP is not all that they seemed'?

Expemsiveuniform · 21/09/2017 20:29

I only click on active and I've seen 2 today. And I'm only in here early am lunch and tea break and after work.

Gingernut81 · 21/09/2017 20:30

One of our cheap favourites is gnocchi and this pasta sauce https://www.thespruce.com/simple-fresh-tomato-sauce-recipe-996173

  • it's cheap & makes a few batches. You can get a pack of gnocchi from Aldi for about 70p.
Also enjoy chickpea chilli - chickpeas, tinned beans, tinned toms & bulked up with frozen veg. I can send you the recipe if you want. Good luck getting through this week Flowers
VeryCunningStunt · 21/09/2017 20:31

I only click on Active and I haven't seen begging threads recently. I joined in 2014

How are people missing all of them? My TIO are holier than Swiss cheese with all the deleted threads!

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 21/09/2017 20:32

That's okay. 😃

Shadow666 · 21/09/2017 20:32

Just wanted to send some empathy to the OP. This is always my toughest time of year too.

Butterymuffin · 21/09/2017 20:32

There have been a fair few of these threads lately, unfortunately. The microwave one was the most egregious but it has been a bit of a wave, and I have seen people offering to send money. Vigilance needed from MNHQ I'm afraid.