In financial pickle while on maternity, advice and tips needed!

[AcaciaRoad]

I could really do with some help with sorting out my finances (even writing it down I expect will help).

I'd really appreciate any advice, or tips on how to make a bit of quick cash!

DP has recently graduated, been signing on for about 10 weeks now. He's been looking for the work he's qualified to do but very few jobs going at the moment. He's applied for everything he can find in his industry, including jobs with 3 hour commute each way. He's now widening his search to include any old job. Problem is the job he did before uni involved lifting (as well as highly skilled aspects). He has injured his back and so can't fall back on his old job anymore. Not sure what kind of work he can get really.

I get only child tax credit and child benefit, I am not entitled to any benefits. (I am an intermitting student atm, I get no grant nor benefits. I don't get any maternity pay: no SMP or maternity allowance.)

We have 2 DCs including a baby. I just realised I forgot to renew bloody CTC. I had a small baby at the time of renewal, I called to say she'd been born but totally forgot I needed to renew. CTC has just been stopped this week, I have reinstated but may not get anything till Sept 3rd. CTC had been covering credit card interest & some bills. Totally my fault but not sure what we're going to do without it!

These are my plans for dealing with it, so far:

• This week: start ebaying stuff. I can think of: stretchy sling, carrycot from buggy, evening dress.

• Send off old savings book (have about £150 in it).

• Help DP job hunt

• Longer term, I'll get a job too when DD is old enough. We'll be fine then, I'm very employable. Then pay off debts.

I should state categorically I'm not after offers of actual money, just advice please!

Also I am a regular but have NCed as plenty of people here know me in RL and I don't want them to worry about us.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Our friend does have money for her own food, and she has a special diet anyway else pooling resources could help..

Thanks Pootles :) I was worried people might say tell her to leave! It's not an option for us.

How much are your bills? Ring the companies, tell them you're in short term trouble, they may well let you delay by 2 weeks.

Don't go to co op till you've done proper audit of cupboards, freezer, etc, and try this website for ideas agirlcalledjack.com/, she has dirt cheap recipe ideas. If you're really careful, depending on whats in your cupboards, you could scrape by on a few pounds and use most of your £60 for your bills. Its only for a couple of weeks.

Ehric, he was being fussy about jobs at first to give himself a go at getting into the industry he wants. But is now looking for anything. It's such a shame he's hurt his back as it's really easy for him to get work in his old industry and fairly well paid too. That was always our backup before. I'm trying to think outside the box for jobs which he has transferable skills for. But he will take shelf stacking if needs be.

(I hate that term "outside the box"! I am cringing! Apologies!)

Look for inspiration on her blog :)
agirlcalledjack.com/

she will give few ideas how to prepare meals inexpensively

so make shopping list and stick with it :)

Bills? I have a water one (on a playment plan for that) on the 22nd, think that's about £30 but need to check.

Have bills on Monday: credit card, think it's about £200 (need to check). Also phone plan for me and DP (about £80). Also probably others but can't think what they are right now.

Later in the month will have internet bill, two more credit cards (smaller bills). Gas and electric are paid for now. And others I can't think of right now, will do budget tonight.

Thanks antimatter, will have a look :)

also - write down every penny either of you are spending

"They should be getting £130 a week for both of them."

DP gets the payment. This sounds about right. After paying bills with the payment he will get on Weds,

I wouldn't be entitled to get benefits if I was on my own as I an intermitting student (I've done 2 years of a degree, taking time out as I got pregnant, so although I am still officially a student I don't get any money).

DP did tell the dole that I am a student, they said the money was for both of us, so I am worried they are going to ask for it back at some point - or I will be refused a grant when I go back. DP say's he's mentioned it, but I am still worried (don't trust them to get it right!) That's a separate issue though really.

Oops sorry I was saying, after the payment he gets on Weds we wil have £60 left after an urgent bill goes out.

DP has just given up smoking. This means we are not spending anything other than essentials.

But yes, good idea to write down every penny to see where it's going!

Forget eBay for selling baby kit. It's just a massive pita and doesn't make much. Have a look for NCT Nearly New Sales www.nct.org.uk in your area. Much better for flogging baby kit.

eBay is good for selling maternity wear (except maternity jeans) so flog all of that on there.

Amazon is good for selling text books. They take a big cut but flogging the uni books there is best way. Only sell good condition and watch the postage because that can make it uneconomical.

Once your bathroom is fixed you could rent a room or do student lets?

Taking in ironing or doing a bit of cleaning can be done with baby.

Do check on entitledto.com how a small amount of earned income might affect your dp's claim.

Go through your direct debits and standing orders. Can you cut anything? Sky/gym or other subscriptions?

Use your savings if you have some to service the interest on the debt. Worry about paying it off later. Just keep your head above water and credit rating intact.

Can you move energy or telecoms to cheaper packages? If you can both change to Giff Gaff you get free calls and texts between the two of you and anyone else on Giff Gaff and you get good packages called Goody Bags for calling about jobs.

Oh just thought of something else short -term - any loyalty cards, raid your nectar, clubcard, boots cards etc for your shopping.

gumtree is better for selling stuff

any forgotten christmas vouchers in your drawer?

also give yourself challenge to use up every single drop of soap, cleaning materials and washing powder before buying anything else

what's in your freezer?
can you use it for planning meals&cooking

He's right about jsa, you have no income and it's a joint claim so don't worry about that.
Could you do a car boot sale?

I know JSA is for both of us, that's what worries me!

I'm not meant to get any out-of-work benefits while intermitting from my studies. I'm worried that DP receiving JSA on behalf of us as a couple could affect my entitlement to my university loans & grant when I return, which would scupper my studies.

Car boot sale a good idea, we've been meaning to do one. Not possible this weekend or next, perhaps the one after ... could start sorting now.

dont worry about jsa its fine.

Not extra money but expenditure related - shopping Aldi groceries are fine I've not noticed anything that I would go back to another supermarket for, and nappies and wipes are good too. Markets are obviously going to be cheaper for fruit and veg especially at the end of the day. And yes to using up cupboard stock too.

Money saving expert is a good website and there is a budget spreadsheet to work out your total yearly expenditure. There's also another one on one of the forums to go forward with monitoring your budget on a daily/ monthly basis. I've just started doing this myself and it is enlightening.

Have pm'd you I hope about carry cot

Oh and you can get free calopl& ibuprofen from the chemist so don't be buying it!!

I have good news! In a random way. We ran out of nighttime pants for DS (4). Every time we've tried without before he's not been ready. But money is so tight I thought we'd give it another go. Night 1 he woke up and went for a pee at 5am, then back to bed no accidents. Night 2, no accidents again!

We've never had that before! So a complete unintended consequence of being frugal but a good one :)

Thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone :)

Still no news on DP's most recent job app. They've said they'll let everyone know either way which is good to know. The waiting is nervewracking, as he really wants this one! (He's also looking for any old job too.)

About the suggestions, I'm not sure anyone would give me ironing! Certainly not a second time anyway! I've never ironed regularly and I'm no good at it. On the odd occasion I have to iron shirts (e.g. for interviews(, I never really get them actually properly finished. It takes me ages, I iron creases in and I just get to the point where it's taking me so long I think "that'll have to do" and I stop! DP's worse at it. My ironing board's rubbish too, I need a new one really! So thanks for the suggestion but I don't think anyone will pay for my rubbish ironing skills!

That did make me think though, about what I am good at, and I have great admin skills, and passable web & marketing skills; perhaps I can pick up some work on People Per Hour, I'll have a look. Has anyone else used it?