What can't you afford?

[Marleymerm]

Last week at work my colleague told me her recent eye test showed she needed glasses, but she couldn't afford them, she's known she's needed them for a couple of years but said she doesn't have the money. We both work full time in office jobs and neither of us have expensive hobbies or social lives, we're both pretty boring.
I realised this morning I haven't bought new shoes for months despite the ones I have coming apart, because I can't afford them. I've picked up pairs but put them back down when I've thought of what else I need instead.
When I asked this question to my friend about what she couldn't afford she told me her monthly prescription! She hasn't got it for 3 months.
It's a weird time we're living in so everyone's doing without something. But do you have any necessary things you need but can't afford?

For those that need coats, shoes, bits for the house etc, take a look for Buy Nothing groups on FB or Free stuff on FB Marketplace.

My local groups are pretty good so you may find what you need. It's also worth putting a request out as people will often realise that they have that item to give.

Thank you @TheHouseElf but I’m in Northern Ireland. Sadly, no such thing here!

There’s a well regarded dentistry degree at Queens University in Belfast. I’d definitely contact them if you are local they will need people to practice on under supervision.

Starsinyoureyes13 · Today 19:53
yes I know how you feel. I desperately need my teeth fixed, but it’s not happening soon. Trying to find an NHS is non existent. Luckily my two kids are getting treatment now. That’s the main thing I suppose. They both need braces so hoping they are free. I work for a large footwear company in the warehouse, so get a good discount for all our shoes and some clothes, socks.

DS's school have just started a weekly "Savvy Savers" Newsletter providing cost of living tips etc, along with signposts for help.

The best part of it is that they have also started a "Swap Shop" which has a much broader remit than just the usual uniform bank and they are desperate for warm clothing such as coats, night wear, blankets, bedding, shoes etc, even toys.

This is in a fantastic SEN school where all of the pupils have severe challenges as well a serious health issues, such a vulnerable demographic.

For those who want to and are in a position to help out locally schemes such as this make a real, immediate difference.

Contact local schools and see if they have such a scheme and if not, if you have the time (and I know that so many don't) maybe consider starting one. Even if you offer to wash and sort items (again, for those who are in a position to do so) it would be a massive help.

Thanks@Kendodd
I didn't realise how far down that list we are. This thread is still shocking given that this is 2022 and people cannot afford the bare necessities.

The dentist. I am now pregnant and excited about getting my maternity exception so I can go for a check up. I was always so strict about my teeth and have never needed treatment thankfully, but the dentist has become a luxury.

Also a new coat. I've been searching eBay for a maternity coat as I can't afford a new one.

(I am aware our finances are less than ideal to have another baby I don't need a lecture on that. - It wasn't planned but will be loved and cared for none the less).

On paper our income is good but cost of living and supporting 4 kids means doesn't stretch far.

Kids school bus fares wemt up this month now around £150 for 3 of them .

I have a dental phobia so not seen dentist in years.
The kids regularly go.
Haven't been to opticians in years overtimes use cheap reading glasses from primary.

I buy 95% everyone's clothes 2nd hand from jumble sales and charity shops .
Can't afford pass car test or buy my own car husband has car so we get by.
Now clean air zone being brought in we just can't afford city centre as 9 quid can't afford new car unfortunately sons school, city centre hospital including a & e are within the zone other option is drive to hospital in a different nearby city.

I'm lucky health wise but been skint soke weeks and £9.50 prescription costs been painful my family don't understand as they Wales all free there .

We can afford food but definitely buying less luxurious. Less meat.
Shopping around more

Things that have really helped us personally is prepping some pantry food and medicines.
So every time I go cheap shop aldi/ lilds/ b&m , home bargains and poundland I buy cheaper medicines as limited on how many painkillers cam buy and generic brand way cheaper than branded.

So I ensure we have generic
Calpol and neufrren liquid for the kids
Plasters and antiseptic cream
Lozenges
Cold and flu tablets
Anti histamine
Solvable asprin as husband can't take tablets.
Lots ibuprofen and paracetamol as tame both same time if had bad tooth ache.
Dioralite sachet for kids
Vice vapour rub and almost oil
Honey and lemon
Some sort cough medicines.
Nit stuff just in case

With non foods we buy the cheapest toiliet roll now.
I bulk buy cheap pad as myself and 2 teens often the generic 49p pack aldi/ lilds out of stock and only expensive always so I buy 10 at a time £5 and keep us well stocked.
I buy deodrant/ perfume/ shower gel / shampoo conditioner from lilds or aldi as they are the cheapest even cheaper than pound shops.

As you can get mens deodorant ,shower gel and shampoo/ conditioner for 55p a bottle in lidls.
I keep plenty back up bars of soap too just in case.

Food we buying more pasta and eating more pasta.
We eating cheaper meals morrisions cheapest eggs 55p 6 small free range.
Typical cheap meals usually a lunch in school holidays

Jacket potato cheese and beans
Cheese toasties with aldi crisps and fruit.
Soup and part baked value roll or reduced roll/ bread
Noodles.
Tuna/ sweetcorn pasta my kids like
Pasta bake and value garlic bread

So penne 35p aldi. Value garlic vread 32p aldi and pasta bake jar think was 59p now 69p.
Value tomato pasta sauce 39p some places and value spagetti 23p aldi gone upto 30p morrisions.
Have brought extra rice, value pasta, beans, spagetti tins , lentils and tinned tomatoes plus stock/ herbs and spices so can make very basic veggie meals .

We managing OK now xmas worries me.
As does jan as tax bill
April everything going up
Next dec fixed mortgage comes to an end can only see us being poorer in 2023 so buying extra long life grocery and non foods toiletries and cleaning now as with inflation only way is up.

I have had to rethink a meal or go without due to recent price rises.

I completely agree. I never thought our country would get to this state. That people can’t afford basic health care, that our public services are run into the ground, that everyone who can afford to opt out of the nhs is. Absolute disgrace.

I agree with this. My family was poor, but we could afford one weeks holiday in a caravan a year, had presents at Christmas and birthdays.

NHS worked! I really hope not to fall ill as the NHS is in such a state! My friend is an oncologist and says the same. She is appalled at the slow service they provide now, huge delays for everyone in everything. There is no doubt people are dying as a result.

The problems in our public services have been predictable and building for decades. I am furious that our politicians have not prevented this shambles that is causing so much emotional and physical suffering.

Someone mentioned Christmas and the kids- just to let you know a few years ago we were at our lowest and found some pre loved websites where people were letting things go for free (I think someone mentioned this earlier). We got a few boxes of Lego from different people, scrubbed them (scrubbed- be under no illusions- the box had brown grime on it), 2 unopened packets of charcoal, a play dough set and some other bits. We topped it up with yo-yos and slinkies and annuals and magic markers (best thing ever, they sell them here for one euro fifty) and sketch pads from the pound shop. Plus a selection box. We had no different reaction to any other year, tons of excitement and it all looked impressive. Just telling you all this because threads like this can be depressing so I feel I have to remind people it’s autumn out there and beautiful and there’s places to walk and play chasing for free, there’s still movie and board game nights (card games- again pound shop!), hot chocolate to be have (I know cost can be a thing here), cosy books from the library or on YouTube people read their books/tell stories for free. Sorry if anyone hates me because of this post but just a reminder. My one must have cost back in our lowest days was cheap fluffy socks. With a hot chocolate it does something for everyone. Hope everyone’s okay

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs

That will help some people who get lots of prescription but not on benefits.

If you have evidence stating you can't drive due to your vision, you might be able to get a free travel pass from your local council.

You might already now this but a lot of ambulance stations will do an MOT and simple repairs.

You can sometimes get things from FE colleges, if they run an automotive course they need cars to wor on.

The same goes for hairdressing and beauty therapy. You usually have to pay for the materials but when they are getting to the end of the term they might have free offers.

Obviously this is often in the work day so not always convenient.

And brace yourselves. Austerity round two is coming. I wonder how many people the Tories will kill this time.

www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/05/over-330000-excess-deaths-in-great-britain-linked-to-austerity-finds-study

For all those complaining about the lack of NHS dentistry DO something about it. The British Dental Association have secured a debate in the House of Commons tomorrow so email your MPs, insist they attend, and tell your stories.

You're more than welcome! DP also says if you're in/near Manchester, he knows some lovely guys that can help you out. If not, you can ask nicely at any scrapyard if they'll fit the tyres onto the rims for you - most are happy to help.

a few ambulance trusts use their vehicle repair garages to also function as commercial MOT centres, charging commercial rates. You can’t turn up at ambulance stations and get free/discount MOTs. Don’t do that.

Thanks, I’ll look into this as I tend to stick to going to places within walking distance due to the cost of public transport.

The dentist is another issue here. Our dentist didn’t do any routine checks during covid and I still haven’t managed to see one for a routine check even though things have been back to normal for a while - I have an appt booked for next year along with my DC and that’s the earliest they will see us. We already haven’t had checks for 3 years now, when we normally all go every 6 months. I had to have emergency treatment recently because a filling had chipped and I’d been unaware of this due to lack of check ups, and I now need a root canal. I still have to wait for the check up next year before they’ll book me in to have it done - and they wouldn’t check any other teeth while I was there. The surgery is both NHS and private and they told me if I do it on the NHS it has a high rate of failure and I will have to wait longer but if I go private and use their ‘expert’ in root canals it will be successful and I can have it done straight away 🙄It really felt like I was speaking to a sales person, not a dentist. I’m having to hope the DC’s teeth are ok after 3 years without routine checks.

I’m way past school involvement but I’d love to see this at our local ones.god it would make such a impact.
I also saw a program with a community fridge in the village and thought this is the type of thing we need to start seeing more of.

So true

And people could buy or rent a home on a normal wage

I'm 62, still working full-time because I have to. I'm 5 years away from state retirement age. My defined contribution pension pot has totally tanked, all growth wiped out and then some. So ideally am worried about my financial security as and when I do get to retire (after 40 plus years of working).

Currently, even though I am working, I cannot afford:

New glasses

Dentistry (no NHS provision where I live)

Chiropody ( no NHS provision where I live)

House repairs

Car repairs

Holiday

Haircut

I've worked all my life, paid taxes and NI, brought up single-handedly 2 hard-working, productive kids, and feel like I can barely meet my essential expenses and, as I say, I fear for my future.

• I (not "ideally" obvs)