Ideas to get through lockdown for those living in poverty

[JovialNickname]

I don't think I live in poverty as I can afford my rent and always have food on the table. However, I do live in one small single room, with no cooking or kitchen facilities other than a microwave, and no living room or outdoor space.

So, for other people living similarly, how are you getting through lockdown (or whatever restrictions apply in your area)? I find on most threads like these the advice is cook Jamie Oliver style meals in your massive kitchen with ingredients from your pantry, do yoga in the garden or watch Netflix in your living room. Or have a bubble bath (hard when you don't have a bath)! What is everyone else doing to keep themselves occupied?

I am enjoying

• Watching DVDs from Amazon
• Reading
• Shopping for different food than I would normally eat, for something new
• Wordsearches
• Computer games that can be played offline
• Running (if I can make myself do it in winter!)
• ASMR clips, I am loving Josh Shadle at the moment.
• Trying to focus on keeping my surroundings nice, so regular cleaning and dusting
• Meditation and nature programmes.

I would love some more ideas no matter how simple sounding and hello to others out there!

Not me but a friend does a lot of volunteering with the local Wildlife Trust as it gets him out and meeting people rather than being stuck in a small flat he cant afford to heat all day. They pay an allowance that covers his lunch. He also reads a lot.

Have you joined your local free gifting groups on FB? I'd keep an eye out for a slow cooker on there or look for a cheap second hand one - so much you can do with one.

There are lots of free courses on Future Learn if you like that sort of thing - not sure how easy they are to access offline.

Check out your local library - mine has lots of services that can be accessed electronically (books, magazines, audio books) if you're a member.

How about learning crochet or knitting? There's often donated wool in charity shops (when they're open!) or you could ask on Facebook etc. Lots of crafters accumulate huge stashes of wool and would be thrilled to donate some to someone starting off. Hooks are cheap and again you could even get one donated with the wool!

YouTube has tonnes of tutorials and patterns plus lots of FB groups to join and chat.

Online training course in something new you’d like to learn. Some language audio books. Volunteer. I’ve just ordered some litter pickers and going to start going out walking with my DCs to pick up litter.

Would you be able to afford a hotplate or a slow cooker if you like cooking?

You could start experimenting with dishes that aren’t limited to a microwave.

Also yoga can be done in a pretty small space (basically as long as you can lay out a towel you’re good) - yoga with Adrienne is great and all on YouTube.

I'm bumping this, though I'm neither in poverty not the UK.

Could MN sticky this?

I'm enjoying poetry - both reading and writing it. Also I'm listening to the radio loads. I don't have a telly.
I'm grateful to live by the coast, so I can go for lovely long walks.
I don't know if I'm in poverty or not. But, like you OP I rent a small space, and my income is massively reduced due to the pandemic.
The other problem I have is a fairly disastrous landlord, who isn't careful at all with the rules, who I feel puts me at risk. I'm following the rules religiously, but feel compromised by things outside my control. It's so anxiety-inducing. It gives me a feeling of not having enough agency, as my landlord is the one with the power. It's really hard, when it's so important to me, both body & soul, to follow the rules, and keep everyone safe. I long for a home of my own

This thread is such a great idea. Like someone else said I hope it could become a sticky. I'm enjoying writing (with a pen) keeping a paper diary,
doing some spirograph art I found a cheap set in a charity shop and bought a roll of cheap lining paper from Wilko, generally drawing a lot more, reading blogs I have about 4 or 5 favourite blogs bookmarked, listening to some of the BBC sounds podcasts on my phone.

I find I'm enjoying returning to quite simple activities.

For families and people on low incomes, Fareshare are doing 'food pantries' where you pay a small amount weekly and can pick up food in date which is given by supermarkets - you can find the local one here

fareshare.org.uk

Some libraries do an online free service where you can download books

Thanks OP for this thread, great idea. I get a bit fed up of a lot of threads on mn being aimed at people who are very comfortable. I don't consider myself to be in poverty either as I have a rented home and can put food on the table, but there it's no money left over for non essentials.

Currently I'm reading a lot, I download free kindle books or sometimes buy one for 99p. I'm knitting with wool I bought ages ago for a blanket and never finished, just unpicked what I'd done and I'm now knitting gloves and hats etc. I used to draw a bit, but can't get back into it. My mum gave me a crossword book for Christmas, I'm enjoying that. I've also got a jigsaw to start, but I've no dining table to put it in, so still pondering how to do it.

I too miss bubble baths! I've only a shower.

I have the luxury of a garden, but it's muddy and cold at the moment, however, soon I'm going to plant some seeds I picked up free last year, I'll plant them in yoghurt pots on my window sill. Innocent offered free vegetable seeds last year, not sure if they're still available. Also I've seen somewhere how to make pots for seedlings from empty toilet rolls I think.

Fareshare looks great, but there isn't one near me if I should ever need it.

I have a slow cooker but I'm never sure what to cook apart from stew, so any suggestions of recipes would be good.

Following this thread because there are already some fantastic suggestions.

These ideas are all fairly inexpensive AND should keep you occupied/help with your mental health:

Reading: I aim to read at least three books this January. I usually read kids books only as I'm a TA.

Make a plant corner: Research plants and see which ones grow from slip - you can divide the plant. Terracotta pots from Wilko are quite inexpensive.

Homemade artwork: Works sells fairly inexpensive paint sets and blank canvases. Look on Pinterest for simple ideas to create for your living space.

Declutter your living space: is there anything you no longer need or is taking up an unnecessary amount of space? Donate or sell.

Hope this all helps, OP x

If shops are open a cheap investment for health could be some hand weights and a yoga mat (around £5-£10) to use at home

Duolingo is quite good and a free way to learn languages.

I go on walks in the local area and just explore all the random little paths and roads I would never normally walk down.

Free OU courses here www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

If you have access to the Internet and a private computor/laptop you can learn to code for free from videos on YouTube, free courses on places like Udemy, or the free version of codacademy. The barrier to entry is way lower than you'd think and if you take to it it can be a really good way of earning money in the future. Download a code editor like VSCode, search YouTube for HTML/CSS tutorials, and you're good to go.

all DrDolittlesParrot You could make a jig mat. I was given one years ago. All you need is a bit of fabric and a cardboard tube, put fabric on the floor or on a table, do it....then when you get fed up or need the space carefully roll it round the tube and secure it with elastic bands. The tube needs to be as bid a diameter as you can, and the fabric should be something like felt.

It does work, honest! The secret is finding the right tube..carpet shop maybe?

@KeyboardWorriers yes I've discovered Duolingo on my phone. It's great. I'm learning Italian, completely for free. I love it!

@antidisestablishmentarianism

all DrDolittlesParrot You could make a jig mat. I was given one years ago. All you need is a bit of fabric and a cardboard tube, put fabric on the floor or on a table, do it....then when you get fed up or need the space carefully roll it round the tube and secure it with elastic bands. The tube needs to be as bid a diameter as you can, and the fabric should be something like felt.

It does work, honest! The secret is finding the right tube..carpet shop maybe?

Thanks, I actually have a mat, but nothing to put it on. If I sit on the floor my (ancient) feet and legs hurt. I have a desk, but it's too small. I think I'll have to reposition it somewhere else and see if I can use it.

how about a bit of hardboard? ask on facebook someone will have a bit in their garage. You can slide it under something when youare not using it- like under the bed.

i love jigsaws...

I live in a council house so my rent is reasonable. My rent and bills are paid for which I feel very lucky for. (I’m a TA). After that there isn’t much left so I’m cooking meals but using a lot of refined carbs to fill the kids up. So much pasta and rice with our evening meals, no treats at all.

That and I invested in some cheap wellies for us all from eBay to get out come wind, rain or shine.

Crochet is lovely, and much easier than knitting (in my opinion). You can pick up some cheap acrylic yarn to learn with, and there are tonnes of videos on YouTube to teach you. And takes up very little space when you aren’t doing it, too.

And as far as running goes, if you have a smartphone the Nike Run Club app is free and Coach Bennett is very good at motivating you to get out and run regardless of the weather. I wouldn’t leave the house if it weren’t for him (it’s cold and wet where I live most of the time).

We aren't in the position now of struggling to buy food (although I would have been in quite a similar position to the OP if this had happened when I was in my early 20s).

There is a lot of local support in our village including food supplies for people in the village hall and a food distribution network associated with the local church.

Recently a lot of fresh food was donated by hospitality, when local restaurants and pubs had to close, and they were offering bags of free fresh vegetables etc.

If you are online, look at the local facebook pages. You also don't have to post directly (which might be embarrassing), you could message people.

Also, people sometimes can help get in food if there's a food delivery, some people share orders, that might help if there is only access to local shops which can be more expensive?

I have been learning languages on Duo Lingo, which is free and quite good for my well being as I feel I am acquiring new skills.

Cycling is great exercise, very low cost and a really good mode of transport (when the weather allows).

The exercise app Strava is free in its most basic form.

I have noticed there are many brains to be had in e.g. M&S / Sainsbury's with yellow labels as more shop online, if you have them close by. Especially later in the day. I sometimes freeze these.