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

[UndertheCedartree]

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.

@bothjetplanes

Apparently Tesco are doing free kids meals in their cafe, and adults don't need to buy a meal to get them.

It was in half term only and you needed a Clubcard.

If you’re in London PM me I have some food you can have.

I never got the extra £20 a week being on the old style benefits so was never entitled to it.

Definitely apply for the warm home discount, I just got awarded mine however my company have closed applications for this year so depends who you’re with

My local church has a informal food bank where they also do tea and coffee and food. They also give advice of what is available locally.

I might also suggested asking on one of your local Facebook pages if they can put an anonymous post asking what help/groups there are. There is a lot going on locally to me but i only know as I have friends involved, not only cheap/free food but there is an environmental charity doing a lot for improved insulation etc.

I would see what you can get free so you can free up your money to spend on more food/heat.

@greta4563

Are you cooking from scratch? Youtube has lots of cook for £2.00 recipes. I just made three loaves of bread. (I shop at Aldi) 1 bag of flour 45p 3 packets of yeast 21p (from a pack costing 59p) salt nominal Olive oil (20p) 86p in total so 29p a loaf.

I'm not sure the OP will be able to prove the dough without heat.

I've no words.

I was about to give you tips on how to make porridge with water more satisfying, I have been there at times, but that really isn't the point.

The neglect of our government is shameful and goes beyond problems individuals can solve. There is no reason for British citizens to live like this in 2021. We are one of the wealthiest/most developed countries in the world yet our poverty levels are shocking.

I can only offer you sympathy and hope your situation improves soon.

There are some excellent links for support here and I hope they prove to be of some use. Please be kind to yourself, this is not your fault and in no way your failure.

I appreciate that suggestions for more things to buy aren’t great in and of themselves 😔😔 but just in case you have it already, porridge is lovely with some cinnamon and sugar sprinkled over and a little bit of butter left to melt on the surface.

Agree that powdered milk is very handy.

Wishing you and your family well.💐

Oh I see the thread has moved on and people have made much more useful suggestions! I commented without reading the thread and I should have done so first, sorry about that.

@TheLastLonelyBakedBean

Are you on a pay as you go meter?

@UndertheCedartree

Are you ok?

Everyone is being lovely & helpful etc, but it can be a bit overwhelming!

Also the fairly standard MNHQ post, while understandable, (as we've had issues over the years) can be upsetting and make an OP feel utterly crap.

Hope you're alright x

Sorry it wasn't meant to have that quote attached!!

@greta4563

Are you cooking from scratch? Youtube has lots of cook for £2.00 recipes. I just made three loaves of bread. (I shop at Aldi) 1 bag of flour 45p 3 packets of yeast 21p (from a pack costing 59p) salt nominal Olive oil (20p) 86p in total so 29p a loaf.

Plus electricity to cook, plus time to spend preparing, plus heat to wash them up in, plus the fact homemade loaves will go off within a few days vs shop bought lasting a week or more.

Poverty is crippling and unfortunately budgeting like this goes little way in tackling the problem.

if there is a fault with the boiler and your shower is leaking then the landlord should be sorting these out for free, assuming you are in rental and dont own the property yourself?

@Giggorata

This helped with the huge heat loss from the windows in our old draughty house…bubble wrap can be applied directly to the glass, slightly dampened or spray misted. It makes a lot of difference retaining heat and the only disadvantage is reduced visibility.

We used to use cling film for this. Go across the window, overlap it slightly and go down until the window is covered. Masking tape or sellotape down the sides and across the top and bottom then use your hairdryer to gently seal the overlaps. Really does work and you can still see out clearly. We did that for many years, taking it down in spring and then back up in the autumn and it's really cheap to do

I sold old toys, books and clothes via fb Market place and made £80. Can you do this with any old kids stuff & household things? People are looking for Christmas gifts etc now so a good time to sell & make extra cash. Bundles of old kids clothes in age categories sell well.

I tend to spend a lot of time in my local library during winter as its warm. I wfh so drop dd off at school & then work from the library until lunch. My local library has saturday homework and reading clubs so we go if we're free. Another way to keep warm during winter.

There are lots of wfh admin jobs advertised in my area. Could you look for a p/t role while dd is at school? Just basic admin and it'll bring in some extra cash each week.

If you already have access to kindle Jack Monroe’s cooking on a bootstrap is 99p at the moment.

We're in the same boat, sorry that you are too It's so cold already its going to be a long winter and I'm really dreading it since the uplift finished.

Some great tips from other posters that I'm going to try too.

Hope life gets a bit better for you.

Thank you @sashh, @Mosky, @AdoraBell
and everyone else that has taken the time to reply
I'm overwhelmed with your kindness!

Please do contact a food bank. As well as food many can also give you toiletries and cleaning products. I know one food bank near me has just got a grant to be able to buy and give out hot water bottles.

Thank you @Cattitudes - I'll look into that.

I really appreciate all this help! I feel a bit ashamed to say, though I find it hard to put into practice. My brain is all over the place! I have ASD and a mental health disorder and I do struggle sorting myself out!

@Greentassles - I love that tip about the lights. I think we'll have to use my bedroom as our warm room and the kitchen. Even if we sit on a blanket on the floor in the kitchen to eat and then sit on my bed in the evening. I do have a slow cooker and I'll do the flask thing too, thank you!

If you have ASD & MH issues then you should qualify for PIP. Give the national autistic society a ring and they'll talk you through the process.more info on applying for PIP

I’m sorry OP to know that you are in this hideous position! It should never be happening in this century and in the U.K. !! My tips are not very original. But wear a bobble hat even in bed. Most heat is lost through our heads. Go to bed warm. I know from camping that this is important. Fluffy /teddy /blankets close to skin is warmer than cotton bedding. Porridge can be made into flapjacks with some golden syrup. I use an airfryer as it heats food a lot quicker than my oven. Make croutons for your soup as it feels more like a meal as it has some crunch. My dad brought me up saying if you have eggs in the house you’ll always have a nutritious meal. Buy a big bag of potatoes when you can and keep in a dark place. Put cardboard down on bare floors for insulation. Cling film at Windows and shut your curtains before dark. Cheap old fashioned candles give a bit of light and heat. If you have a spare room can you have a lodger? I stayed in one room with my three kids so I could take in a lodger and get extra money, this saved me to be honest as I was so skint. They had to be out all day so only get someone who works! Or you’ll feel guilty for not putting heating on. I didn’t provide them food. Strip washes are cheaper and quicker and warmer than a shower as you can stay partially dressed. I wish you well OP. This is not your fault and you are doing your best in a difficult situation! 💐

@FancyNan you are simply wrong. OP may qualify for PIP. But loads of people with mental health problems and ASD don't qualify.

Sorry if this has already been suggested, but look for a local food pantry.
They are like a mini-supermarket set up. Our local one is 10 items for £2.50 and anyone can use them, just like a regular shop.
They are fantastic as they give you complete choice which I think food banks don't always allow.

@Phyllis321 - interesting - thank you

@INeedNewShoes - I'll look into that, thank you.

@saleorbouy - thank you

@Isabellabasil - yes, that would be wonderful.

@EatSleepRantRepeat - their dad contributes what he can but it is not a lot.

@DeepaBeesKit - that sounds yummy