The awful feeling knowing there is not enough money in bank to pay direct debits due on the 1st

[chocolatespiders]

I am a single parent (have been for 15 years) and this is the first time I feel I wont have enough money for food in January.

I work 30 hours a week in the community- I have to put petrol in my car to do my job but how can i buy petrol when I cant feed my 2 children

I made sure I put enough money in electric meter from December wages.

I have cancelled rent direct debit -£450 but I will go into the office and pay £350 as I don't want to get to far behind. This will allow other direct debits to go out which include water and TV license.

I have not had any child support for the last 6 months which I realise I was stupid to relay on but it helps towards everyday living. CSA don't seem to bothered when I phone them and just tend to give me false hope which comes to nothing.

What can i feed my children age 15 and 9 so they are full up and not looking for extras.

Done

oh OP i've been there. it's fucking shit. i was lucky in that my exp was paying CS and i went cap in hand and asked him for an advance on the next months payment.

you've probably thought of everything already but just incase you haven't i have a few suggestions.

can you sell anything? even clothes for 99p on ebay or bundles of children's clothing on gumtree/free ads.

can you offer any services? dog walking, babysitting, cleaning, ironing, errands for neighbours, sewing/mending clothes. have a look on gumtree and see what services people are looking done.

can your eldest get an afterschool/saturday job?

is it possible to eat with family/friends for even one meal of the week?

could the dcs go to their dad's for 1/2 meals?

Thanks for the ebay idea.. I have sorted out a few of dd's old tops I do feel a bit bad selling them on as I was given them, they are Gap, Zara and Monsoon so I will put them on and hope for at least a pound.

I will also have a look to see if I am entitled to any Housing benefit.

Dinner was at my dads yesterday and we left with some leftovers and dinner is always at my mums on a Friday as she picks my girls up for me because I work later on a Friday and so she feeds us all.

OP, how is it going? Are you feeling OK?