To ask for advice/reassurance?

[ElfOnTheRun]

This isn’t a begging thread, I’ve been around for years just name change a lot.

I had £20 in my coat pocket, got to the till at the shops today and it wasn’t there. I think it must have fallen out of my pocket somewhere while I was walking to the shop. I left the shopping I’d got and walked out the shop because I was feeling so upset.

The money was some that I had borrowed off my mum so I don’t want to admit to her I’ve lost it and ask for more. She hasn’t got a lot to spare either.

I’ve got £6 odd in change, no money in the bank until Thursday. I need to get milk and bread so say £4 ish for meals. If I get pasta, tins of tomatoes and cheese. Will this be ok for a few days? Or anything else I can buy cheap that will be more nutritious.

There’s only me and one dc so don’t need much and I don’t mind eating toast or cheese sandwiches for a few days. Will dc be ok with limited diet for a couple of days. Below school age and doesn’t go to nursery to no meals provided elsewhere.

That will be fine.
Do you need a food bank referral?

Oh gosh, that’s bloody horrible :( I hope the money turns up at home. But in the meantime, yes, tinned tomatoes, pasta, bread and spaghetti loops (asda smart price are 13p and absolutely delicious). Maybe some frozen mixed vegetables or yogurt too? It’s literally a few days, your DC’s nutrition will bear that. Don’t worry too much. Xx

Could not read and run.... So sorry that you are in this situation.

Yes, pasta, tomatoes and cheese are fine for a couple of days.

Check what you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards. Do you have tuna for example?

Have you checked in your coat lining - just in case there is a hole in your pocket?

Yes, it’s doable. Pasta is a life-saver when you’re skint.

Do you have a freegan place near you, where you can get food that shops would otherwise throw out? The one in Leeds is called The Junk Food Project, and I know there are similar things nationwide.

Good luck x

Pasta, tin Tom's and cheese is fine one night

Pack of wraps maybe? Add a tin of tuna or fish fingers or ham and cheese.

I think I get 4 baking potatos for 50p so could have jacket potatoes and cheese?

P.s you can add anything to pasta come to think of it. Your children will be fine. Mine have cereal sometimes lol xx

I would see if you can get an emergency food bank referral but it’s definitely doable for a few days.

Have you got any leftover odds and ends of veg or frozen veg at home that you could throw into a pasta sauce? Big tub of full fat Greek yoghurt (supermarkets usually do them for less than £1) that you could mix a bit of jam or honey into for a filling snack/dessert and a bit of a protein boost? Cheap tins of beans or soup? Usually the budget own brand ones are only pennies.

You could try going to the supermarket near closing time and pick up some massively reduced items too!

Get a bag of porridge to as v cheap and comforting even of made with water.

I’d buy enough food for one big pot of pasta bake or similar and eat the same meals for a few days, it’s cheaper to cook a bigger dish padded out with cheap food.

Can you arrange an emergency overdraft for a few days?

ah that's awful sorry op. Beans, a mixed bag of veg could be added to pasta. Even rice with some of that mixed veg, eggs

Thanks everyone. I’ve got porridge in so once I’ve got the milk we’re fine for breakfasts.

I’ve got some frozen veg in but not much else in the freezer, have been using it up over the last week.

I’ll see if I get some beans/ spaghetti then I think we should be ok. I don’t really want to get a food bank referral when it’s only for a couple of days and other people might need it more. I’ll be able to get some shopping Thursday so it’s only really 3 teas if we have sandwiches or beans on toast for lunch.

Do pasta and tomato's

Pasta and mixed veg

Beans on toast then

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.

So we always ask users 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. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon. In the meantime, you might find some useful information on our guide for dealing with financial difficulty

I absolutely wasn’t expecting money from anyone. I just wanted a bit of reassurance that I could manage to feed us ok for a couple of days. I was feeling rubbish about losing the only money I had and didn’t want to let my son down further. Sorry if anyone thought this was a way to get money.

OP, your post didn't at all come across like you were begging, don't worry. I understand people need to be cautious on the Internet but it looks as if you're just after some reassurance.

My daughter loves plain pasta, or pasta with grated cheese. I give her tomatoes and cucumber on the side with that.

Baked potatoes can be quite cheap and nourishing.

I'm so sorry you're in this position, I hope the £20 turns up.

Didn't come across they way at all. You wanted meal inspiration on a budget. We've all been there so don't feel bad.

My shopping is coming tomorrow so my kids have got birds eye fish pieces for tea with peas and smiley faces. Your kids wilp be grand and your a fantastic mum who loves them. Don't feel bad because times are hard.

If I lived near you I'd happy give you another fiver or tenner and I think many would. It's very heartless of people to be concerned about someone reaching out for help or advice. This is why people suffer because they fear judgement. We know you didn't want money. Hope the people reporting feel better now xxx