Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

When it's freezing and you can't put the heating on and breakfast is porridge made with water...

443 replies

UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 08:00

AIBU to wish so hard the uplift was never taken away? We were doing so well with that extra amount! But now that has gone and utilities have gone up we are left with little for food and heat.

Sorry, this is just a vent! Nothing anyone can do but I'm just feeling a bit upset this morning.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:40

@BeautifulBirds

Grandad used to go round all the doors and windows with a candle, looking for draughts. Once located said draught was plugged up with newspaper and/or tape.
Oh that's a good idea! Thank you.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:42

@Twilight7777

Another thing I thought of, if you have a dog or cat let them sleep on the bed, guaranteed warmth
I have a cat and he definitely earns his keep keeping someone warm very often!
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:43

@mangowithasqueezeoflime

Window shrink wrap in Amazon
Ah, brilliant, thank you @mangowithasqueezeoflime - I never knew this existed!
OP posts:
ChaseTheSun · 04/11/2021 20:46

I don’t know whether you have Getir in your area but if you download the app, you get £10 free to spend on items that are then delivered to you for free.
The items are obviously marked up in price but my DD did it last week and got a fair amount of things and all she spent was 10p as you have to cover the amount over the £10. There were no catches with this.
This is not a long term money saver but £10 could buy a lot of essentials, or even quite a few treats that you wouldn’t normally have. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:47

@Spudlet

I’m really sorry you’re having a crappy time op. It isn’t right and it isn’t fair.

If you’re going to soak oats overnight, and you can afford to get some frozen fruit (Tesco does a bag of frozen raspberries for £2, and I’m sure I’ve had them from Aldi too), you can put two or three berries in too, then when you cook it the next day you get the flavour through the porridge. They keep in the freezer for ages. So if you have the space and budget for those, it might be worth getting some. Flowers

Yes, I've used this before - I'll definitely get more frozen fruit when I get my money.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:48

@MareofBeasttown

I don't have any tips- except to second the tip about Asian grocers and groceries being v cheap- but your courage and cheer is so inspiring. ( I know you would prefer not to inspire anyone, mind).
That is such a sweet thing to say, thank you.
OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 04/11/2021 20:48

For a really cheap but filling meal if there are several of you I recommend pan haggerty , got it from hairy bikers and it's a firm favourite, basically potatoes, carrots, onion and bacon (can be cheap streaky too) all cooked in chicken stock cubes , delicious, filling and good for you.also pancakes, kids always see as a treat , even just with sugar on and a squeeze of lemon or orange or jam , toast with a mashed ripe banana on it

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:52

@Greentassles

Another thought OP, have you ever worked in hospitality at all? I got help from a charity a few years ago because I'd worked in hospitality and I think there's a similar charity for care workers. I don't think you have to currently be employed but there are some criteria to be eligible, so if you've worked in a certain sector before it may be worth googling the sector + charity to see if one exists for your sector and if they offer help. I got help with a cooker and a bed and they sent me cinema tickets a couple of times that included a voucher for some sweets, all we needed was the bus fare and it was so long since we'd been able to do something like that, lifts the spirits and makes the shit easier to cope with. The charity I dealt with didn't give money, but paid for the items and had them delivered, and someone to fit the cooker and paid them, so something like that if you qualify might help with the repairs or the boiler.
I've not worked in hospitality - I used to work as a nurse.
OP posts:
oldandscunnered · 04/11/2021 20:56

Honestly with all the waste supermarkets throw away why is there not a shop in every high street where people can pick up out of date cans, pasta, things that are just on date and won't be sold but are still good. Same with clothes. Places could have racks of clothes for free. If you have seen Maid on Netflix you will know what I mean. I feel so mad that people are having to live like this with no treats whatsoever. Where is the fund in life>

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:56

@liveforsummer

My uplift was taken in April - the same time tax credits decided they'd been over paying me despite having all my income info both from me and direct from HMRC and decided to cut that a further £80 pw so £100 down in total. I also got a small pay rise which was removed twice over from my small amount of housing benefit as a result. Now the increase in energy and food costs, fuel is sky rocketing and I now need to fill up once a week instead of once every 2.5 - 3 since the new e10 petrol came in as the only car I could afford is 13 years old and it doesn't agree with the old engine. I need to drive to be able to work. It's sickening and I don't know where to go from here, I'm losing sleep. I've also been declined for the winter fuel payment that I have got in previous years. I suffer from raynauds so a cold house is utterly miserable. Thankfully school meals are free in Scotland now for all primary kids but dd1 is now at secondary. OP I really understand where you're coming from and I know we are far from alone.
Oh @liveforsummer - that all sounds dreadful, you poor thing. I really hope some replies on this thread will be useful for you. I really hope things are on the up for you soon.
OP posts:
Missdread · 04/11/2021 20:58

OP I'm so sorry you and your children are having to live like this. It's shocking and that £20 uplift is a drop in the ocean to this government when you compare to other things they seem to find money for. I was wondering if you have been working at all in the last couple of years and if so, did you do any work from home? There is a tax rebate, even if you only worked one day from home during the pandemic and it's about £360.. Martin Lewis has talked about it.. Let me find the link xx

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 20:58

@Bunnyfuller - yes, the nose does get particularly frozen!

OP posts:
SuperbFoolish · 04/11/2021 21:00

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I've been there too and remember the cold so vividly..
You've probably been given all the advice possible, but thought I'd add what I used to do when my boiler broke mid-winter and I couldn't afford to replace it..

I used to heat 1 room only, and that was the room we all huddled in.

Hot water bottles wrapped in a towel and wrapped on my body with a belt. Feels amazing.

Soups for dinner. All you need is water, stock, onion, root veg and some protein (sausage, frankfurters, bacon, chicken left overs etc) if I have no potatoes, I throw in some pasta or spaghetti.

Cinnamon and sugar on watery porridge. Splash of milk on top if you have it.

Woolly socks. Always

Bed sharing with DC. But they must bring their own blanket so that everyone stays warm.

Wearing a hat to bed. Yes really!

Hot hot baths, but only deep enough to cover your body if you lie flat on the bottom of the tub. Saves water but warms you up.

Hope things improve for you soon. It's so hard and you feel the cold in your bones. I'm sure you're doing amazingly though.

oldandscunnered · 04/11/2021 21:04

When I think to when I was a child we had no central heating and a coal fire. Every room in the house was freezing and we all sat in the one room round the fire. The bathroom had one of those ceiling light things that heated up (my god what a fire hazard). There was ice on the inside of the windows in the morning. I suppose we took it for granted then but I certainly don't think it is acceptable for anyone to live like that any more. Was going to say try Farmfoods if you have a freezer - you can buy loads in there for your money.

REDHERO · 04/11/2021 21:10

I'm sorry you are having a tough time. I hope some of the tips help a bit. Check with citizens advice you are receiving all help you can.

Sadly there are many in this country who earn huge sums and consider hardship being six figure income with a couple of ponies and public school fees to pay. Until people realise that there are millions who struggle on little money to eat and heat then little will change. It's very much an 'I'm alright Jack' society we live in. Not enough people campaign or vote for choices that help more in society.

Kitkat151 · 04/11/2021 21:11

Not read all the thread OP but where I live if your children are on a CIN plan they ( and parent) qualify for a leisure pass....so free swimming...sports etc

Wauden · 04/11/2021 21:22

Suggestion for window warmth: put an extra pair of curtains up on the hooks, to double the material. Get the curtains from the charity shop. Best wishes.

Crikeyalmighty · 04/11/2021 21:24

What is your housing situation OP? You say you aren't renting, are you actually attempting to pay a mortgage or something? If so I can see why you have so little money . I'm really not trying to be nosey, I'm just wondering if you are sat there suffering, when it might make more sense to sell if there is equity and put 6 months down on somewhere more in order as a rental, ( you can still get that back in benefits if you have less than 6k after that ) and get yourselves on the housing list.just a thought? I'm not judging , it just occurred to me , lots of us have been in shitty situations at points and can maybe offer suggestions if we have a full picture

ThinWomansBrain · 04/11/2021 21:27

put your oats in cold water before you go to bed, then zap in the microwave. Overnight oats develop a creamy sweetness of their own done like this - effectively any liquid is oatmilk.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 21:32

@SuperbFoolish

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I've been there too and remember the cold so vividly.. You've probably been given all the advice possible, but thought I'd add what I used to do when my boiler broke mid-winter and I couldn't afford to replace it..

I used to heat 1 room only, and that was the room we all huddled in.

Hot water bottles wrapped in a towel and wrapped on my body with a belt. Feels amazing.

Soups for dinner. All you need is water, stock, onion, root veg and some protein (sausage, frankfurters, bacon, chicken left overs etc) if I have no potatoes, I throw in some pasta or spaghetti.

Cinnamon and sugar on watery porridge. Splash of milk on top if you have it.

Woolly socks. Always

Bed sharing with DC. But they must bring their own blanket so that everyone stays warm.

Wearing a hat to bed. Yes really!

Hot hot baths, but only deep enough to cover your body if you lie flat on the bottom of the tub. Saves water but warms you up.

Hope things improve for you soon. It's so hard and you feel the cold in your bones. I'm sure you're doing amazingly though.

Great ideas - thank you.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 21:33

@oldandscunnered

When I think to when I was a child we had no central heating and a coal fire. Every room in the house was freezing and we all sat in the one room round the fire. The bathroom had one of those ceiling light things that heated up (my god what a fire hazard). There was ice on the inside of the windows in the morning. I suppose we took it for granted then but I certainly don't think it is acceptable for anyone to live like that any more. Was going to say try Farmfoods if you have a freezer - you can buy loads in there for your money.
We had one of those strange heaters in the bathroom too! I'll have a look at Farmfoods - thank you.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 21:35

@Kitkat151

Not read all the thread OP but where I live if your children are on a CIN plan they ( and parent) qualify for a leisure pass....so free swimming...sports etc
Wow, how lovely. I wonder if they do that around here?
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 21:40

@Crikeyalmighty - I am paying the interest on my mortgage. There is a loan available to help with this which I am in the process of claiming. Unfortunately it has been going on for a very long time. My house is my only security and mentally I'm really not in a place to be able to organise selling a house anyway. There's no social housing available round here either so no point going on the list. So I'd have to private rent and as housing benefit doesn't cover rent I'd be worse off I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/11/2021 21:41

@ThinWomansBrain

put your oats in cold water before you go to bed, then zap in the microwave. Overnight oats develop a creamy sweetness of their own done like this - effectively any liquid is oatmilk.
I will try this!
OP posts: