Could you live on £100 a month?

[UndertheCedartree]

That's how much I have left after paying my mortgage (interest only) and bills. I am currently undergoing treatment for my mental ill health so am unable to work. I have always worked up until my nervous breakdown. I also recieve Child benefit which I use for the children's clubs, clothes, presents and treats. I also get a food bag from the food bank weekly. It is tough going. Any suggestions of how to cope/how to save money or get more money appreciated

Is that amount to cover food too? Do you have a child under 5? If so you may qualify for healthy start vouchers. Would any school age children be eligible for free breakfast club?

Surely if you need to rely on a food bank CB would be better spent on food and things for the house?

Have you looked into PIP ?

If your currently off work do you receive sick pay or ssp? Depending on your income have you checked whether your eligible for any UC, or when you SSP ends you may be eligible for new style Esa, if your currently unwell due to mental health have you checked whether you could claim personal independence payment... it may be worth going to your local CAB or advice bureau ... if your behind with bills or have any debts they can assist you can access grants or trust fund to help with bills if your in arrears .. there's also loads of charities you can apply for ... ... I work for a charity called MIND and do this kind of stuff for a living ...

I was going to suggest PIP too 😍

I survive on that. Myself, a two year old and multiple pets. It’s doable for me

We are in a similar boat. Are you claiming everything you are entitled too, tax credits, pip, esa, free school meals etc?

I'm so sorry this is your life atm, it will get better.
How old are you children, could any have free breakfast?
Could you save money off their clubs. I do think the kids need to keep activities going though, if possible, it's important for their mh.
Obviously they need to eat first.

I have done.
Clothes and presents from cheap second hand shops or freebay fb groups etc.
I'm fairly good at not spending too much on food.

It's when there's no end in sight that it grinds you down.

I know some people don't like this but you can be issued foodbank vouchers also from any CAB and other organsations

In times like this, don't feel you need to ring fence your child benefit for the children. Spend it on your general household expenses. Buy their clothes second hand - you can get literally anything you'll ever need for children in charity shops or car boots or gumtree or jumble sales. Treats may need to be postponed for a few months.

Long shot, but can you make 1 bedroom into a space for a lodger?
Are you owed a tax rebate because you didn't work all year perhaps?
Children don't need paid clubs to be happy. The park is free and they probably like to have downtime playing with their friends anyway.
Presumably the children's father is contributing the correct amount?

I hope things pick up for you OP.I think money worries cause more stress than anything else and I doubt you'll feel better until you can see some light on the finance front. So I hope that you won't go back to your old job if that work contributed to your breakdown. Now is the time to find a lower stress job just to get earning again.

I can. I have £105 for the month after bills.

So sorry you’re struggling op. Can you call Mind for advice on what you’re entitled to? They should be able to point you in the right direction.

Use pulses for protein, pasta and rice are cheap carb options.

Second hand shops or free cycle for clothes.

Are your children getting free school meals if at school? Is there a breakfast club?

Definitely doable. I live on very slightly more.

@helpmehelpmygirl @RuthWn @TickTockClocks Could you let the OP know how you do it?

I don't know what you could claim. But in case you find it useful, go to the library. Its warm so you wouldn't need to put the heater on for however long it is open for. My local library is doing lot of activities for half term if you got one near you. If your one does it to, you could dress it up as an educational fun day out for the kids. Either way its a good opportunity to teach children to love books. (say that to the children).

Local parks are also free, tell kids you want to lose weight and then they themselves might end up pushing you out of the house.
Only buy food when its necessary unless it risks you going to the corner shop or from other expensive shops.

Thats all the advice I could offer now, except take packed lunch everywhere. Although very limited you can save money this way.

It might be worth while trying to see CAB and make sure you are in receipt of the correct benefits you may be entitled to to, ESA and PIP spring to mind if you are off sick.

What do yoy need to pay for out of that? If all bills were paid then ye i could.

For the Easter Holidays check council website and see what they are doing for kids. Ours has free play activities for kids and egg hunts etc.
Library does too, and our local shopping centre.
If you are close to a Waterstones they have characters from books dressed up and do things like face painting and balloon modelling.

I have seen some paid online survey money making opportunities.
it's not a job but if you could manage one or two it would bring in a bit extra.
I too have mh issues and am considering this, but as I say it's not much. Will see if I can find one. x

Have a read of this OP, if you could manage when the dc were in bed, or school.
www.thewaystowealth.com/make-money/surveys-that-pay-cash/

This may explain better .
www.savethestudent.org/make-money/best-paid-online-survey-sites.html

Cut back on kids clubs, clothes and presents. Those are great for kids to have, but at the end of the day are luxuries and food is more important.

Facebook marketplace is great for kids toys, we have found loads of toys much cheaper than buying new and usually in really good condition. We got all of DDs birthday presents at half price or less this way (although this would be harder with older kids).
Ebay, Facebook, Gumtree, secondhand sales for clothes bundles. Could they drop one club or switch to something cheaper (like Brownies or a church youth group)?

Conversely do you have clothes or toys your kids have grown out of which you could sell to make some money?

How do you get a food bag weekly? Where I am the limit is 3 vouchers per year

I was going to say just what @ivykaty44 said .

Nobody gets weekly food vouchers to my knowledge . I may be wrong but its the first I have heard of it.