You know you're truly skint when...

[ratflavouredjelly]

I've decided to humour myself and start this thread laughs hysterically. Anyone care to join me with their stories. Maybe we can out skint each other...

So, you know you're truly skint when:
Shopping in charity shops are no longer ironic.
The middle of the month arrives and you panic about feeding the family.
You can not afford the petrol to work.
You're growing your own veg but cannot stretch to compost to enrich the soil.
DS and DD's shoes are too tight (something you never thought you would allow to happen)
Your bra is too tight, buying a new one is out of the question, so you just 'get used' to the pain.
Yadda harumph harumph

What horrid, horrid people.

Pen engraved with his name and the words 'From your loving daughter' in a nice box?

Approved Food gifts but you have to do a reasonable sized order for it to be worthwhile as shipping is about a fiver.

Zukie, I used our Photoshop package to make a calendar for my folks one year with pictures of the children. Perhaps you could try something like that if you already have photo paper in the house.

Your folks sound like really horrible people, I think that I would probably try my best to ignore them to be honest, never mind try to find gifts for them.

Seeing as it's the summer then, Zukie what about a packet of lawn feed or a couple of tomato plants? Functional and seasonal.

Zukie - what sort of books does you 'lovely' Dad like? I have more than I know what to do with, lots of recent hardbacks. If I had something on his list, I could send it to you.

Maybe if you posted what book he would like, we could all have a root around? I know that mine usually look like new even after I've read them, so he'd never guess and you'd have scored a satisfying silent point!

Oh this thread makes me sad.

I cannot help with anything practical but I have lots of high end make up and if anyone fancies a little treat for themselves then just PM me. Happy to pop some bits in the post. Hope this doesn't make me sound like a twat!

Zukie That is awful! What would happen if you explained that you have no money and that the gift will have to be a small surprise?
I know relationships are difficult but I would be tempted to explain that he will only get a card this year as you have absolutely no money to give

Revolution we sound similar in circumstances this next few weeks. I had two housemates move out and three weeks on hb still hasn't been sorted so I am down the housemates rent but still got the same amount of hb to pay. After I get the rent paid next week I will have £48 left over to last five days for myself and 4dc. Then tax credits but I need to pay my Internet/phone bill and have my brother and bf up. The following week I lose working tax creds but I doubt my IS will be in place and will have bank fees of £80 to pay (interest on a huge overdraft and one returned item fee from start of month)

Will be around end of July things should lighten up a bit as stbxh will start paying maintanence (went through CSA after nearly a year of him not paying and then he only threatened to try claim half the benefits I am paid!) IS should be in place and hb/ct should be sorted.

I am trying really hard to remember I am going to college to get better career prospects in the future but a big part of me just wants to get a wage coming in again. The struggling each week is incredibly stressful.

It's my dd2's birthday in June too but I have things tucked away for her from wealthier times. Thank god. I also have a big family so she won't be short on anything.

Fwiw, I think a cupcake birthday cake sounds fantastic!

Zukie - will PM, but sire I'll have something!

Oooh, I have just the thing Zukie!

Not sure what that 'sire' was doing in the last post though . . .

Thanks for the suggestions I am going to bake him a cake later! I did quite well in town today I got him a t.shirt in debenhams that was 50% off and a hard backed book in poundland!!! They have some really good books in there at the minute. Zukie your parents sound toxic fathers day my dad will get a home made card from dd and possibly another book from poundland he will never know

How old is your DD revolution? Am happy to contribute to the stash of pressies if I can, and can probably look out some decorations, paper plates & cups etc if you were wanting to make things look a bit festive.

How the f*ck do they even begin to make such demands of you Zukie, and then "reciprocate" with basic household items which aren't a treat or a gift in any sense of the word.

Quite honestly, I'd go to Poundland and get him one of their books/DVDs/hideous garden ornaments/socks/whatever and spend that £9 on something for yourself. And if you do, don't feel guilty - look on it as payback which is long overdue.

well I think that "interview" was a total waste of my time, albeit not much of it, was barely sat down for 5 minutes!! And it's not what they advertised either, just casual

Day wasn't a total loss though as I went to buy a new bra from Asda, really pretty reduced to £3 :) and bought a mini sewing kit to enable me to fix 2 other bras again wooooohooooo! simple things please simple minds :)

Hit Asda at the right time too, got some of their indian takeaway meals, rogan josh, sag aloo and pilau rices for 10p each!

revolution I have some rice paper butterflies to top cupcakes that I could post to you for DD's birthday? There on a sheet and you cut them out - think there's 10 or 12 of them left, PM me if you would like them :)

I was hoping Xenia was a journalist - i think this thread could do with being written up in the Times!

StressedHEmum - i read your cheap 'oaty' main meals and noticed in a magazine (in the doctors today so couldn't cut out) for a 'felafel'-type meal. It was - 1 onion, fried off with a bit of garlic, and add 1 drained tin chickpeas. Add curry powder/chilli, some coriander leaves, tomato puree (i think) and 3oz oats. Blitz in food processor and roll into balls, fry to get a crispy coating and serve with pitta, salad, and sour cream/mayo/yoghurt.

i love felafel so i noticed this, it sounds lovely.

Zukie - i'd be tempted to say 'sod off' to your parents, they don't sound like the sort of people I'd want to spend time (or money) with, so wouldn't be perturbed if i never saw them or spoke to them again. I know it's hard for members of your own family, I've done it too.

Zukie, my advice would be to cut contact, they are obviously hideously toxic from what you've told us and doing you no good at all, so get them out of your life and save yourself pain (and cash!)