Does anyone else have stashes of 'not cash but spendable' for just in case?

[NorthernGirlie]

We're not skint now but we have been and those days stuck in my mind!

I was talking to a pal yesterday about weird stashes of 'just in case'

Me and ds play games on my phone on MistPlay. I've got enough points for a £25 Amazon voucher there that nobody knew about.

My bank does a rewards thing and I've got £30 stashed. Not sure how to redeem it and won't look unless I need to

I won a High Street gift voucher at work on a training day. I let ds spend £15 of it but kept the other tenner on there.

I'm also fairly sure I have £16 or so on my Boots card.

I told DH about these stashes last night and he thought it was hilarious - and that I should treat myself with them all as we're OK these days.

If you genuinely have nothing left after bills, you need to increase your income or reduce your bills. Plus also see if you are entitled to any extra help.

Whether it is possible to reduce your bills by anything meaningful depends on where you are now.

You could be at the minimum now, or there could be scope to cut back. Many people say they have no spare money then go on to say their groceries are £200 pw, their Sky bill £100 pm and their mobile bill £40 pm.

If you are borrowing to pay for essentials or are skimping on essentials to pay debts that's a trigger for seeking formal help, Moneysavingexpert.com is a good place to start.

This happened to me during lockdown. Wiped off - so I looked more closely at other T&C's. The coffee shops - cards never expired, the online points AND rewards do.

But I used to keep my cash stash on paypal. I would sell a few bits on ebay/marketplace and just keep the cash there during my divorce. It wouldn't have paid for 2 hours of legal fees, but allowed me to treat DC occasionally.

I also have points on survey sites - most not worth it. So I have worked out which loyalty scheme is the best for me and I use that only (Nectar as I like the Esso petrol deal)

All of those little stashes together wouldn’t make enough to reach the threshold of a high interest account.

op yes I know just what you mean. I have also been skint. I love having a little nectar point stash. Or boots points. I also do that round up thing on my bank account and keep An eye on it till it gets to £100 and then Treat myself.

I have a secret hiding place in my car, where I put any cash I get given (hardly ever use cash but occasionally get paid for items in cash). I do this mostly because I live very rurally with a very bad internet signal, which means the number of times I've rocked up to a car park that is refusing to take card payments is incredible - so I always have enough change in the car to pay to park!

I'm often astonished when I do a count up as to how much cash there actually is in there, but it was brilliant once when I filled the car up with fuel only to find that the card payment machine was out of order and I could pay in cash! I also shove any vouchers that I get given in there so I know where they are. But it's mostly cash.

Yes can’t cut back at all on the minimum essentials and needing to borrow to meet all bills as paying some debts off from abusive ex partner will take a look at this thanks for advice

I do round up with my bank account that goes into another account. I spend boots points as soon as I've got another to buy hair dye, panty liners, shampoo etc any item that I would normally buy.

I have around £5k in savings accounts that my exh knew nothing about. You can never be too careful. Now actually our split was amicable but I think we all need to take precautions.

Before anyone asks, it was saved over time and before I had children mostly

I use TopCashBack through the year and by Xmas each year I've got between £200-£350. I've also got €500 Euros in cash I don't think anyone realises we've got left over from a holiday before Covid. I think I have £20 note just in case cash in a couple of handbags. I've got some money in a money box too. Just change and a few £5 notes.

I have regular no touch savings and a 5k party fund that is separate for use in more expensive months.