Am 1 paycheque away from food bank. WTF do I make with 500grams of soft and plump’ apricots?

[Foofloofah]

Ideas on a postcard please. Kids want dessert and I just don’t know what to do! Yes have googled etc just need ideas, links and recipes. Kids eat well but can’t go MasterChef on them x

[whatnametouse]

Apricot scones -normal scone recipe (Scottish one so no egg). Chop apricots in and mix through.

[noeffingidea]

If you still want suggestions for puddings, my Mum used to make rice pudding for us (7 in our family with hardly any money), I've heard that the basic rice works well for this instead of using the more expensive pudding rice. Also evaporated milk works well in rice pudding and other pudding recipes.
Also my Mum used to make her own pastry, out of flour and fat (lard, butter, margarin, trex, or even vegetable oil all work) and make a pie out of a small amount of meat, or pasties with things like cheese and onion and a bit of potato.
Good luck with finding a job. Also moneysavingexpert.com is very helpful with financial advice and budgeting.

[Foofloofah]

Thanks everyone. I will speak to my GP but am seriously embarrassed. But the links to the eating on a string budget websites are something I can do ASAP. I think flapjacks (making them with the kids help) would be easy as I have the ingredients and it will be fun for them as is the idea of Apricot Jam. The kids will love doing that and eating it. Thanks everyone I am not lazy just totally lost in a sense of panic.
Yes I have gotten in touch with my mum and explained that things are really, really bad right now and she doesn’t like my OH at all (long story, not all bad just no one is good enough for me and so on), and she is sending me some money to get us to the next pay cheque. She didn’t quibble or lecture me but I know she was mad. What can you do? Next month I will ask his mum for some money for bills and I know she would just send it in a heartbeat as she is embarrassed for her sons lack of economic stringency. This really sucks. I am so freaking ashamed. I owe my kids school £20 for a club. Just want to get back on my feet. I am applying for jobs to fit around the kids hours. Fingers crossed. I know things will eventually get better but a lot has to be done to get there.

[KTheGrey]

GP or Citizens Advice will refer to the Trussell Trust - or you get your local one's Tel no. from the website & ring them & they'll talk you through it. Cookingonabootstrap.com has loads of recipes & everything costed as well. Chin up stay strong eat those apricots xx

[PartAnd]

Can your parents or in-laws help you out. Perhaps in lieu of Christmas presents.

[Foofloofah]

No thanks it’s ok. I think people are reading my previous thread where my partner is a shopaholic and went through a phase of buying extremely expensive sports gear with the intent to start said sports but never did hence I am selling them. But this was in the past not the present. I am sorry if I consfused anyone. He still over spends now but it’s less than what it was but still a major problem, as with anything it’s an addiction and needs professional help not me dumping him or shouting at him ect. That’s not helpful nor realistic. If the shoe was on the other foot he wouldn’t do this to me. He is blind to his addiction and the effects (affects?) it has. Like any other addict. They just don’t want to and/or can see it.

[LilyMumsnet]

Hi all

We're just popping by to 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.

[noeffingidea]

No money for food. Three weeks before we get paid
Ok, well, there's plenty of other things you can do before you need a foodbank, and in any case you usually only get a couple of days supply from a foodbank.
Go through your food cupboards and freezer and write everything you have. See what meals you can come up with, there are plenty of blogs that can help you there. Jack Monroe's blog (cookingonabootstrap.com) is a pretty good one. There are quite a few threads on here with low budget meals if you do a search.
See if you have any nectar points, or similar, (Tesco comes to mind).
See if you can raise any cash quickly. Perhaps selling things you don't need. (expensive unused sports equipment comes to mind).

[Broken11Girl]

Apricot jam, mmmmmm I want some on toast now! You'd need 100g sugar for that amount of fruit, just peel and chop apricots, add sugar, add a dash of lemon juice if you have it or want to buy a lemon but not essential, and simmer until it looks like jam - 10 mins ish depending.
You could always make apricot Victoria sponge with said jam, if you can borrow eggs and have or can borrow butter as well, and ideally vanilla essence but again not essential.

[TailEndCharlie]

Second an apricot flapjack type thing or apricot upside down cake? can use marg instead of butter to make it cheaper and the cake part will still taste good....

[Ollivander84]

Download the "too good to go" app too
Various restaurants/bakeries etc that give away food for a small charge

[GerdaLovesLili]

Apricot bread pudding. Tear up ends of loaf/buns/cake. Make up instant custard using powdered milk if necessary (stir in an egg if you have one) add bread, apricots and custard to baking dish. Weight down for an hour overnight to compress and then bake.

Nicer if you add a glug of brandy and some cinamon or mixed spice.

[MTBMummy]

^^ sorry that should say add flour and oats

[MTBMummy]

My kids love these apricot bars

3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup water
150 g butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups self raising flour
1 cup Oats

Boil the apricots in the water until all the liquid is dissolved
Add sugar and butter
let is cool slightly then add the flour
Bake for about 30 minutes at 180C
Cool then slice into bars

Sorry to hear things are so tight x

[PikaPikaTink]

Also check this out olioex.com/ you might be able to pick some free food up with it.

[PikaPikaTink]

Some of the independent bakeries near me put fresh bread that hasn't sold that day outside. It's packaged so not dirty. It's officially to throw away but they make it very visible so people in need can pick it up. If you're desperate I think it's worth a look.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Foof no, you do NOT have to be in receipt of benefits. You DO need to be referred. Have a chat to your doctor, health visitor about a referral.

If you have a local non Trussel food bank have a look on their website to see who does their referrals.

I volunteer in our local community foodbank, so I know you would be considered as being in urgent need! Don't be ashamed, that's what we are here for!

[Sparklyfee]

There are food clubs as well in our area that anyone can go to and it's around 2 to 3 pounds for a bag full of food worth much more.

Try shopping at whoopsie time at the supermarkets too, sometimes can fill the freezer on a couple of pounds.

Good luck

[RayRayBidet]

No, you can be working and go to a food bank.
If your situation is as bad as you say you would be helped.

[SuchAToDo]

Op why has your husband been buying "quality sports gear" and not using it, while meanwhile you are down to the reality of needing to use food banks after the bills are paid.

He is being selfish spending on himself without considering the family as a whole...you need to.work your finances as a team so that bills get paid, food can be afforded

[Foofloofah]

RayRatBidet don’t you have to be in receipt of benefits? We don’t qualify for any benefits. I am looking for jobs as I am panicking now and fingers crossed something will come out of all the applications.
My OH is a shopaholic. I am selling all his quality sports gear he never used to tie us over but September has been the most expensive month ever. So many bills. My kids extra curricular activities are either free or very inexpensive. Which is a blessing for now.

[RayRayBidet]

If you have no money for food for three weeks you need to go to the food bank now.

[MumW]

Here is a recipe for an egg free cake.
www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/egg-free-birthday-cake-recipes/ which I have made a couple of times. I haven't experimented with the recipe yet, but I think you could stew the apricots and replace the syrup.

[notacooldad]

No my kids don’t have dessert every day. Mostly it’s fruit & yoghurt, but they need carbs. They are busy kids
You really don't have to justify yourself to a stranger on the internet!

[Foofloofah]

No money for food. Three weeks before we get paid.