Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you were about to be poor, what would you spend your money on now?

373 replies

TargetPractice11 · 03/08/2024 08:47

To make life easier when your income drops?

We have some savings that can be spent on things that will save money in the long run get term.

I've just bought a slow cooker, for example. And I'm thinking about getting our windows upgraded to save on bills.

OP posts:
Mrsdyna · 03/08/2024 13:26

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 13:25

I think that’s a great idea. But, forgive me - yuk !! Think that’s a job for DH !!

Edited

Saves me some money and it's good for them and I hate flies 😂

NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/08/2024 13:26

TargetPractice11 · 03/08/2024 13:17

Are chickens a lot of work?

We have a large garden, could definitely fit them.

Could you trust him to bother to put them to bed before the fox comes along for tea? To listen to the noises they're making to recognise when there's a daytime fox visiting? To seal their feed up so that rodents don't get into it? To spot a sign of digging and immediately make sure that the security is upgraded?

I wouldn't be making somebody who can't be arsed to ask for the money he's owed (as if he doesn't ask for it, they're not going to hunt him down to force money into his hands) responsible for livestock.

Howmanycatsistoomany · 03/08/2024 13:34

Are chickens a lot of work? No. But they need predator-proof coops and runs (but that doesn't have to cost the earth) and you need to keep the coops clean/free of spilled food etc - because that attracts vermin and predators. 5 mins a day.
Honestly though, chest freezers and chickens are not going to solve your problems. The only job your DH "wants" just happens to be part time while his wife is taking a second job? You're in financial dire straits - he doesn't get to be choosy or only work part time. What a twat.

PermanentlyFullLaundryBasket · 03/08/2024 13:36

You need to simplify, not add complexity. If you are taking on a second job and he will still be part time, income will be a bit tighter, but time will be extremely tight. Recognizing that budgeting is not his strength, you will need to keep some of the important mental load stuff, but he can definitely do the lions share of the day to day household management. Although, if you think big spending to save is a good plan, I do question whether your financial skills are that hot, but it may be that you are in panic mode.

Whether he likes it or not, your husband needs to engage with his previous employer and maximise his chance of recouping his losses. As much as no one wants to parent a partner, if he is mentally unwell at the moment, you might have to. Write the letter for him, he signs, you send.

Look at every single regular spend - do you need it, can you reduce it? E.g. streaming services, Sky, broadband, gym membership, mobile phones, cheaper supermarket, own brands etc. Everyone has different things that are nice to have but really aren't essential. No big spending, keep the savings for emergency/urgent need, because nothing will return on the investment in time.

I never had a tumble dryer, or a heated dryer, when I had kids in nappies. All clothes were line/airer dried. Both of us had full time, high pressure jobs. My H pulled his weight on running the house though. And that is where your H can really make a difference, picking up tasks that don't need mental effort while he recovers, they are just the repeat drudgery of life tasks. Engaging more with life and his children may actually help to recover more quickly.

The main goal has to be to make this as temporary a situation as possible so he can move back to a better position and allow you to go back to one job again.

Normallynumb · 03/08/2024 13:40

Don't spend out on anything you don't need to
Chest freezer a good idea for storing yellow sticker bargains and batch cooking
Don't consider solar panels.. it takes years to recoup the costs
Weatherproof house, do any maintenance necessary so you won't have big costs if say the roof leaks etc etc
Buy any kitchen gadgets which would save money eg airfryer, slow cooker
Consider a dehumidifier over a tumble dryer.. will also prevent damp
Extra airers to dry washing making most of available space eg ceiling airer over stairs
Get central heating serviced, bleed radiators etc
Join Vinted, FB marketplace etc for clothing furniture etc etc if you need anything
Put money aside and start to buy things for Christmas when you see a bargain( again FB marketplace)
Go through outgoings to see if you can make savings.. mobile phones, gym subscriptions etc
The thing that jumps at me most though is you will be working 2 jobs whilst DH wants to go part time?!
Is he unwell? Stressed because he's lost the money?
You say he's useless buying stuff and gets it wrong
Simply put.. He needs to pull his weight and realise you're in this together.

DodoTired · 03/08/2024 13:42

Get your teeth done
and if you wear contacts/glasses, stock up on these/get new glasses

TargetPractice11 · 03/08/2024 13:44

@NeverDropYourMooncup

Exactly, it's driving me mad. As if people with so little decency as to not pay someone what they owe, continue trading while effectively insolvent, are going to hunt down former employees in order to give them money.

I'm sure they are all busy hiding assets and protecting themselves from being forced to pay anyone.

DH and I had a big argument about it and I've just given up for now rather than keep fighting.

I think he's been a complete idiot, but I don't need marital difficulties in addition to the financial ones.

OP posts:
TargetPractice11 · 03/08/2024 13:45

DH isn't mentally unwell.

He feels bad I guess that the last job was such a clusterfuck. But he's not depressed or anything.

OP posts:
BettyBardMacDonald · 03/08/2024 13:46

ItsAlrightDarling · 03/08/2024 13:19

The OP is going to be working 2 jobs, looking after her kids and running a household with what sounds like a fairly useless husband. The last thing she needs is chickens.

Exactly.

Insufficient income is the problem.

Playing at The Good Life preserving food and keeping chickens is not going to solve the underlying issues.

BettyBardMacDonald · 03/08/2024 13:48

Normallynumb · 03/08/2024 13:40

Don't spend out on anything you don't need to
Chest freezer a good idea for storing yellow sticker bargains and batch cooking
Don't consider solar panels.. it takes years to recoup the costs
Weatherproof house, do any maintenance necessary so you won't have big costs if say the roof leaks etc etc
Buy any kitchen gadgets which would save money eg airfryer, slow cooker
Consider a dehumidifier over a tumble dryer.. will also prevent damp
Extra airers to dry washing making most of available space eg ceiling airer over stairs
Get central heating serviced, bleed radiators etc
Join Vinted, FB marketplace etc for clothing furniture etc etc if you need anything
Put money aside and start to buy things for Christmas when you see a bargain( again FB marketplace)
Go through outgoings to see if you can make savings.. mobile phones, gym subscriptions etc
The thing that jumps at me most though is you will be working 2 jobs whilst DH wants to go part time?!
Is he unwell? Stressed because he's lost the money?
You say he's useless buying stuff and gets it wrong
Simply put.. He needs to pull his weight and realise you're in this together.

If they've managed without all this claptrap up until now, this level of spending on reduced income would be insane.

Spend less, not more. Make do.

Normallynumb · 03/08/2024 13:50

Is it worthwhile DH paying for a solicitor to see if anything can be done employment wise if he can't/ won't push for money owed?

Normallynumb · 03/08/2024 13:52

My PP was a list of suggestions not essentials!
I'm on lifelong disability benefits and above is a mix of what I do/ would consider!

BlackForestCake · 03/08/2024 13:56

Home brew equipment, so you can make your own wine

LikeWeUsedToBe · 03/08/2024 13:57

As someone who is long term poor due to caring responsibility I would keep savings for emergencies.

I've not had the money to get a decent car so I'm constantly paying for repairs and each time it's such a stress finding the money. I could get a reliable car on lease for what I've been paying out but as I have no income I can't do that.

Same thing when the washing machine breaks or the garden door falls on its hinges and won't shut. Etc. I'd love savings to be able to sort this stuff

ImikSiMik · 03/08/2024 13:57

Overpay on tour mortgage monthly or a chunk that's allowed as part of your mortgage deal. Reducing your mortgage saves you money on interest payments & remortgaging costs later on.

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 14:02

BettyBardMacDonald · 03/08/2024 13:48

If they've managed without all this claptrap up until now, this level of spending on reduced income would be insane.

Spend less, not more. Make do.

I suspect this post is from someone who knows what they’re talking about through experience - possibly changed circumstances meaning they have to live on benefits. Possibly disabled maybe, in which priorities would be different.

SmartyFace · 03/08/2024 14:02

Lots of good suggestions on this thread.

I found myself in this position and decided to keep my savings in the best account I could find, in case I needed to fall back on them. That was a mistake, as it meant I wasn't eligible for any means tested benefits. I wish I'd splashed out when I could. By the time I realised, it would have been seen as deliberate deprivation of assets if I'd shelled out on something sensible like new windows and then applied for benefits.

So my only advice is to spend it!

BlackForestCake · 03/08/2024 14:04

VividQuoter · 03/08/2024 12:15

you are hilarious. You are buying more stuff when you are getting poor. Slow cooker eats up energy. Sandwiches and cold meat, dear.

This is terrible advice. If you are cold, eating a hot meal is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to warm up. Slow cookers cost almost nothing to run.

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 14:08

Mrsdyna · 03/08/2024 13:26

Saves me some money and it's good for them and I hate flies 😂

Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely on the ‘to do’ list !! Sounds like a good, cheap source of protein, but definitely a DH job 🤮 !!

PermanentlyFullLaundryBasket · 03/08/2024 14:09

TargetPractice11 · 03/08/2024 13:45

DH isn't mentally unwell.

He feels bad I guess that the last job was such a clusterfuck. But he's not depressed or anything.

In that case, he needs to get himself back to full time asap. He needs to view this job as a temporary stepping stone and not put it all on you. He is taking the piss out of you otherwise.

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 14:10

BlackForestCake · 03/08/2024 14:04

This is terrible advice. If you are cold, eating a hot meal is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to warm up. Slow cookers cost almost nothing to run.

Not to mention sandwiches and cold meat not being very good sources of nutrition, as well as expensive. A slow cooker will pay for itself in no time with good hot meals from cheaper cuts of meat as well as great veggie dishes.

Redburnett · 03/08/2024 14:11

Nothing, I would raid the freezer, use tinned or packet food already in stock, and look at my stuff for anything i could sell on ebay or Marketplace etc.

Mrsdyna · 03/08/2024 14:11

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 14:08

Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely on the ‘to do’ list !! Sounds like a good, cheap source of protein, but definitely a DH job 🤮 !!

Good, you won't regret it. I can't blame you for getting your DH to do it, but I promise you that it's not so bad.

Rosscameasdoody · 03/08/2024 14:12

SmartyFace · 03/08/2024 14:02

Lots of good suggestions on this thread.

I found myself in this position and decided to keep my savings in the best account I could find, in case I needed to fall back on them. That was a mistake, as it meant I wasn't eligible for any means tested benefits. I wish I'd splashed out when I could. By the time I realised, it would have been seen as deliberate deprivation of assets if I'd shelled out on something sensible like new windows and then applied for benefits.

So my only advice is to spend it!

Edited

I think a lot of people fall into this trap. DWP are under pressure to produce savings so now more than ever, they’re going to be scrutinising for any reason to reduce claims.

TonyeKnausgaard · 03/08/2024 14:14

I know you weren't keen on the idea, but I would bulk buy some things. You can buy stuff like washing up liquid and fabric softener by the litre from Amazon. I bought five litres of Fairy liquid a few years back and it's only just running out now.

My place isn't huge, but I've not had issues with storing them.