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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be totally fed up with no money

42 replies

Superleo837 · 16/08/2018 12:10

So we came back from holiday 10 days ago. We knew it’d be tight when we came back as we’d spent more on fuel travelling back. OH also stupidly used a French pay at pump machine twice which didn’t work but they ‘ring fenced’ £280 which Natwest we’ll get back in the next few days- should be Monday. I also had a huge bill to pay when we got back for my sons school next term which I’ve paid as it was a week overdue but it’s left us with zero in the bank. We don’t have credit cards and savings are locked away. I did a very cheap shop but it’s starting to run out. AIBU to be ridiculously fed up? I’m 32 weeks pregnant and my 8 year old is fed up too. Luckily my mum has been taking him out but I’ve not told her. I have no motivation to do anything. I’ve got no diesel in the car. So I’m trapped - live in a tiny village. My OH is wondering why I’m so fed up when I’ve been staring at 4 walls. He’s at work all day. Said I should groom the dog or sort a cupboard. It does make sense to do those things but I feel very fed up. I was sorting through our finances (lesson learnt re current situation) thought I’d make a new budget folder but then the printer ink ran out, obviously can’t replace. Thought I’d go through nursery items but got upset that I couldn’t finish any of it - curtain rail needs bits etc. Thought I’d do a big batch of cooking for freezer but we’ve got no freezer bags or Tupperware. Etc etc I’m normally really good at the whole pulling my socks up and making the best of a bad situation but this has drained the life out of me!

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 16/08/2018 12:31

That does sound miserable

Do you have any lotalty cards with points you could use for a small shop? Can you use carrier bags in lieu of freezer bags?

Could you get 8 year old involved in some kind of garden project... weeding and planting of some sort? Get him to do pictures for nursery wall and get cheap frames later? Start learning a langauge together?

At least you only have to hold out until Monday then youll get a bit of respite

Original poster
Superleo837 · 16/08/2018 13:04

Thank you - yes I’ve just checked and I have £10 rewards on my current account and £15 Tesco vouchers. Life savers!!! But still definitely in a funk mood! I’ve spruced up the kitchen and I’m going to watch one born every minute which I’ve never watched whilst my son is out for the day....

OP posts:
Theresnodisneyending · 16/08/2018 13:16

So, you've got no money for a few days and you're fed up of getting to eat but not eat exactly what you'd like and you can't go out because you've got no fuel? It's a few days, it's not weeks.

MyDcAreMarvel · 16/08/2018 13:18

Why are you paying a school bill is it private?

ElinorOliphantIsCompletelyFine · 16/08/2018 13:25

To be honest, it sounds like a non issue cos it sounds like it's only a few days of being penniless

I, on the other hand, have no spare money two days after I get paid EVERY MONTH, and have not been on a holiday in over 3 years. In fact, I can't even afford to renew my passport.

Maybe you should get a credit card for emergencies.

Neshoma · 16/08/2018 13:26

Is the uniform essential?

I can't understand why everyone buys new uniforms at the beginning of term, unless they're going into a new school. But even so, would you not save up in the months running up? My DD is in the same uniform she wore last term.

TheAntiBoop · 16/08/2018 13:29

I don't understand why being at home is such a problem. Over the hols we spend at least half the week at home - kids play (mainly fight to be fair), we play board games etc etc, I read and mooch about.

I can see you are frustrated but it does seem q bit of a non problem!!

Trialsmum · 16/08/2018 13:30

Is this a stealth boast? Yeah things are a little tight for a few days but you’re an awful lot better off than most people. You’ve paid for your ds’s private education, had a lovely holiday, prepared most of a new nursery, have savings in the bank, your son is having days out and you have enough food to do some batch cooking... spend some of your free time counting your blessings.

Shoxfordian · 16/08/2018 13:31

If you've got savings then why don't you use some of them to alleviate the situation?

PurpleTigerLove · 16/08/2018 13:33

Clean out some cupboards,clean the windows , hoover the car , spot of gardening, read a book , go for a walk . There are so many ways to have a productive day without spending money . We spend a lot of time at home and I’m never bored .

abbsisspartacus · 16/08/2018 13:34

I get this with my depression I get into a funk and can't drag my arse out of it take today I've been running about like a headless chicken all morning finally stopped I have five hours I'm exhausted I can nap then housework but my brain is stuck on but I only have five hours ! But I'm sat on my sofa worrying about what needs to be done while not doing anything it's exhausting

TooQuietSaidRoobarb · 16/08/2018 13:35

Have you got anything you could sell on local FB groups to bring in a bit of cash to tide you over?

greenlavender · 16/08/2018 13:37

And you had a lovely holiday.

LeftRightCentre · 16/08/2018 13:41

It's only a few days.

SirHubzALot · 16/08/2018 13:52

Are you paying private school fees?

LagunaBubbles · 16/08/2018 13:59

You will have nearly £300 in a few days.

Starlings27 · 16/08/2018 14:00

It is awful having hardly any money, but I think you should count your blessings a little - you say your savings are locked away? Well, lots of people HAVE no savings. You're broke coming back from your foreign holiday? Well, lots of people don't get to go on any holiday, let alone abroad. You've no diesel? Well, lots of people can't afford a car. Obviously when you have less money than you're used to, it sucks, but when you're at the end of this brief period of being so broke, think a little of people who have to live like this every day.

Aozora13 · 16/08/2018 14:02

A few years back I was in a badly paid job living in a room in tiny shared flat with no communal space. Also grew up with not much money. Spend-free days have been a regular feature in my life! There’s tons of free stuff you can do - go for a walk/waddle, which you can turn into a scavenger hunt w DS, do pregnancy yoga/Pilates/whatever exercise videos on YouTube, clear out wardrobes etc for stuff to sell on eBay, make stuff out of recycling w DS, read a book, raid the storecupboard and get creative with recipes... But mainly, try to stop feeling sorry for yourself as it’s only til Monday and worse things happen at sea

LighthouseSouth · 16/08/2018 14:03

you have savings

you just came back from holiday

hmm....

btw printer ink is more expensive than champagne! Have a budget folder by all means but if you want to save money, don't print it out!

YorkieDorkie · 16/08/2018 14:35

It's not unreasonable for you to be fed up if you're used to being better off but do bear in mind that others face worse than this all year round.

On the other hand, if £280 is all that stands between you and destitution then I'd seriously rethink the holiday in future.

ambereeree · 16/08/2018 14:43

These threads always turn into a competition over who has the worst situation.
Tbh OP sounds like you're fed up with everything regardless of cash flow.

Pinkgeorge · 16/08/2018 14:47

Many people live like this every day with no holidays to show for it

GoatWithACoat · 16/08/2018 14:50

This isn’t a race to the bottom. Would you tell someone who lost a leg not to moan because there are people with no legs? Fgs there is always someone worse off, that doesn’t mean you can’t show a little empathy.

Mercurial123 · 16/08/2018 14:51

These things aren't a competition it's giving the OP a reality check. She has nothing to complain about other than feeling sorry for herself.

TheAntiBoop · 16/08/2018 14:58

Op doesn't really have anything to complain about though - being stuck at home for a few days isn't really a problem. Running out of ink isn't a problem - can use pen and paper. There is enough food but she's run out of bags to freeze - doesn't matter - find something else to do.

I understand op is having a moan but that's all it is - there not actually any hardship!!