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

Badvoc why does your dh think you need to keep your car it's a no brainer, they cost a fortune before you go anywhere in them!

random He thinks its an asset

Am really starting to panic wrt the fact we have no savings.

Its really the only "luxury" we have...

But they're not an asset as such as they depreciate so quickly. If it is your car in your name then you can sell it without his "permission"

How would your life be impacted without it?

If you really needed it for the day could you drive and drop your dh off work?

have you got bikes to get around?

Yes, we have got bikes random and both dc have scooters too

It is in my name but would like dh's support/blessing to sell it

Yes, I could use dh's car if I needed to.

I also feel its a liability sciencelover

We wouldnt get loads for it as its 5 years old but £2-3k atm would be fantastic!

I would miss it he is right...the school run in the rain/snow etc is not fun but I can do it.

I also worry that - as the car is getting older - its going to start costing money at MOT time (had to have 2 new tyres last year!)

sigh....

Well I agree that it's going to start costing money that you don't have, not to mention the cash would relieve some of your debt that is costing you money at the moment.

How much debt do you have? Work out how much the interest is costing you per month that you would save by selling off the car and reducing the debt then add the monthly costs of insurance/tax/mot/petrol/repairs contribution and then tell your dh the total that it will save you - I'm sure he will be shocked.

Even if you spend half of what you saved on mini cabs/public transport monthly that's still a huge saving. YOu get used to so the school run in all weathers tbh.

Our debt is on a 0% cc (0% til dec 2013) Its over £4k now

My main worry is the no savings though.

At our old house (even with the car) I always did the school run in all weathers, albeit it was closer.

Also, with the car I think you go out more and therefore spend more IYSWIM? (cinema, McDs etc...)

Okay so how much will you have paid off by Dec 2013? Because what's not paid off you will have to pay at least a 3% transfer fee onto another 0% CC?

Under what circumstances would you need your own car and is yours the best choice to sell of DH's?

Dh's is a company car so I guess he is worried in case he loses his job we will be without a car

Can he ditch the company car and have the salary instead? You get heavily taxed on have a company car I believe.

Not sure its something his company offer? (small crappy company)

You can but ask!

Arrghhhh had an offer of £2900 for my car!

Dh is being a pain about selling!

AIBU?

No YANBU

Sell it, if you have an ok credit rating if he loses his job and you need to get another car then you could do that?

Our credit rating is good

Totally sell it!!! You might end with a better one in the future when you need it more!

Have read this thread with tears in my eyes. It is so unfair that people are being forced to live like this.
I have lots of clothes in perfect condition in ladies size 12/14 and new shoes in UK 8. I have brand new bras in size 34C, if they'd be any use to someone. PM me if you would like any of these things. I'm very happy to send them anywhere and can pay for postage :)
Ruby

You know you are skint when you have just over a fiver to your name, you live in a rented house and have nothing of any worth you could sell and if you had an emergency you'd be buggered.

It's all crap, could go on and on :-(
and the worst is you know it's not going to get any better for many years to come :-(

Just dropping in to say that to the posters I am sending dc clothes out to, posting this week - delays due to household going down with the lurgy, one by one so everything will be posted off to you on my day off this week

Haven't had time to read the whole thread but with me, I knew I was really skint when I found myself armed with tweezers pulling the dust, hair, spiders and grot out of the vacuum cleaner bag because it was full and I couldn't afford to buy a box of new ones. (Glad to report it's got a bit better since then!)

Haven't read the whole thread either but you know your skint when your 'smart' top has several holes in

you know you are skint when shopping in a charity shop feels like a luxury and you feel guilty about it.

When you cash in your pennies at the supermarket to buy food and put petrol in the van for DP to go to work.

You have to stop someone in the street and scrounge £2.50 from them so you can put the minimum £5 in the leccie when your wife and baby are stuck in your flat in the dark (I haven't done this but someone actually asked my DP just this - it was genuine too, a few years back, my DP was mortified and offered the guy a tenner. He was working in the area, so the guy looked for him a few days later and gave the money back :( )

Have done the first two though

I have a girls' school blue and white checked summer dress in age 6-7 if anyone can make any use of it? It's been worn by DD last year but is still in very wearable condition. PM me if interested and I'll pop it in the post.

Ou know you're truly skint when you have read 1000 posts on the subject and can still think of more...

Sieving milk off the DC's cornflakes to top up coffee anyone?
Looking at EVERYTHING in the house as it's monetary value... Wondering if anyone would buy said item
Dreading Xmas in June because you'll have to hang out with your rich siblings who's DCs are awash with gifts...