Arghhhh soooo broke!! Pity party

[ThighthighOfthigh]

I've never been this broke! Well I have but so long ago.

I used to have lunch out and takeaway coffees and buy fresh flowers.

Now I'm scrabbling for discount codes. Anyone else who would like to come to my pity party?

Broke here too it's miserable

@Cherryup

Yep same here, DH made redundant with 1 weeks pay back in June and can't find anything, I've been on 80% since March. Outgoings haven't changed much though! Not entitled to UC, so things very tight and I just can't see it getting any better for a long time.

We're managing by selling a few things every month, but this will run out v soon and a mortgage holiday which ends next month.

@Cherryup has he applied for new style jobseekers? It’s contribution based and isn’t affected by your earnings. It’s only for six months but that’s better than nothing.

@CoronaIsWatching you know you have to pay credit cards back, right? If you are able to get a 0% interest card, can make the minimum repayments and reckon the job circumstances will have improved by the time the deal runs out then maybe, but otherwise there is a major risk of ending up in a debt spiral - better to reduce spending as much as possible before resorting to debt...

@WrongKindOfFace thanks yes he is getting that, I'm a bit worried what will happen if he hasn't found anything after 6 months though. He's not even getting interviews and applying for anything and everything. He's mid fifties and age could be a factor, I can't think of any other reason, we've had his cv looked at etc.

I could up my cc limit or get a new one but what kind of mess would I eventually be in. I'm managing to keep up my pension payments but may need to take a break on that. Milk rounds are recruiting! I quite fancy being a milkman.

@Cherryup

Yep same here, DH made redundant with 1 weeks pay back in June and can't find anything, I've been on 80% since March. Outgoings haven't changed much though! Not entitled to UC, so things very tight and I just can't see it getting any better for a long time.

We're managing by selling a few things every month, but this will run out v soon and a mortgage holiday which ends next month.

I know it's not much money but can't he claim Job Seekers Allowance? It's not means tested, it's based on NI contributions.

Sorry, I see you've answered about JSA, but OP - why can't you claim JSA? (I know it's not the answer because it's so little but it's something).

I did claim JSA during full lockdown but I'm working again now. Just not making very much at all. I have to be realistic and say we're not starving, we do have fuel and will keep the roof over our heads. So I know we're luckier than some.

But it's tough, there's nothing extra at all and I'm trying to remember every trick in the book to keep the budget down.

I’m in. Made redundant in June. Currently busy preparing every for DDs going to Uni.

Woe is me 🤦‍♀️

Oh God, sending kids to uni is expensive! You have my sympathies!

Trying to think of bits to help
Quidco
Boots points
Nectar points
Check supermarket deliveries, sainsburys or Morrison's were doing free delivery 10-11pm
Yellow stickers of course - for you or the dog, my cat adores turkey mince and he often gets some when it's heavily reduced!
Sacks of potatoes if you have anywhere that does them cheap
The old bulking meals up with veg, Lidl had a veg box of reduced stuff the other day so might be worth a look and Morrison's wonky veg is good value. Stews with extra onions and carrots, celery etc
Ethnic shops often cheaper for spices and large amounts of rice etc
Value biscuits are actually really decent and often less weird ingredients
Soup for using up bits of veg and meat
Strong cheese to use less
Bar soap is often v cheap instead of shower gel
Pet food - check places like zooplus, fetch etc and remember to use cash back sites

Thanks.

Someone said - just get a credit card. That isn’t helpful. If you can’t pay the credit bill in full then compound interest kicks in and that starts a downwards spiral. No one needs that in addition to being broke.

Ages ago I posted a 'feed a family of four for £30 a week' thread.

It will cost more now, but I will dig up the recipes and shopping list in the morning and post it tomorrow if it will help?

We've just got Monzo accounts so when payday strikes we can keep groceries separate from bills.
I'm a firm believer in leaving enough to cover bills in bill account then whatever is left for spending

Is Monzo the account that rounds up pennies in odd amounts ie £67.67 and it takes the 23p and you end up painlessly saving up for Christmas or something?

Have I just imagined it?

Bitter that thread sounds very useful, thank you. I used to have a book called 100 £1 meals or something like that, it was fantastic.

I've found that Tesco washing powder is actually nicer than branded and stretching out the powder with soda crystals. Also vinegar instead of fabric conditioner.

Tesco has a 50 toothpaste.

50p toothpaste.

Well obviously none of us are springing for cookbooks atm but Miguel Barclay has recipes online for £1 meals.

I think I'll do veggie sausage and bean casserole tomorrow. I've also got tinned peaches and instant custard

I just wanted to say sorry you guys are doing it so tough.

I can't add anything helpful (sorry ) but it was a good reminder for me to donate to our local food bank which I've just done.

I'm in the process of moving and will use your reference once I'm in for octopus OP

Unemployed here, thankfully dp is fine, he's the boss in the right industry, but we have separate finances and I'm surviving on occasional freelance accounts, I arrange concerts normally so no chance

If anyone wants recipes check out jack monroes website. Lots of fully costed cheap recipes.

Generally porridge and beans are excellent buys. One packet of dried beans (500g) soaked overnight and boiled can then be turned into 5 nutritious filling meals for 4

If you have a Lidl near you, you can download the Lidl Plus app. You get £5 off your first £25 shop. There are other offers for % off certain items etc ...

You probably already know but if you do hit a point where you can't pay a bill just call the company up and be honest, they're very understanding and don't mind if you can only pay towards the bill, they just hate when people blank them and refuse to pay anything, obviously you'll have to stop any direct debit parents first, also you would be billed the overdue amount if you chose to switch but can always set up a payment plan with them.

I'm gonna have to start juggling bills like this in a couple months as both me and my partner have lost our jobs.

Thanks chillies re the code