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Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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Original poster

Dwpaeeate for money fast. Please help

23 replies

Morello339 · 30/09/2025 02:53

So, this month my car managed to break 3 times, and on extra payment came out I had forgotten about.

I was just awoken by a notification to tell me I am now having payments rejected because I have maxed out my overdraft.

I was only paid 2 weeks ago. I have nothing ! I have some money due on 10 days, not much. My car needs diesel and my son needs dinner money.

All of my bills are paid, but other than that I am terrified and embarrassed.

I applied to extend my overdraft, but it was declined. I dont know what to do.

I'm so embarrassed. I'm in my 40's. This shouldn't be happening now.

I know payday loans are awful, but I don't see what else I can do.

I have clothes and things I could sell, but that will take time and there is no guarantee.

Is there anything out there im not thinking ok?

OP posts:

fourelementary · 30/09/2025 06:54

Contact the charity stepwise as they can help reduce your outgoings I believe.

JollyGreenSleeves · 30/09/2025 07:10

Are you on universal credit?

Can you use a foodbank and your son take a packed lunch?

InMyHealthyEra · 30/09/2025 07:10

Apart from the obvious monitoring your outgoings, cutting back and/or earning more, search charities in your local area, food banks, check if you’re eligible for help with school dinner costs and other benefits, Stepwise as suggested above are good.

JollyGreenSleeves · 30/09/2025 07:11

Also, can you speak to the school about the predicament you’re in and see if they can help temporarily?

ComfortFoodCafe · 30/09/2025 07:34

Speak to the school they may allow you to pay for tbe dinners when you get paid, if not packed lunch? Speak to your local food bank. You cant help the car breaking please dont be embarrassed it happens to all of us at one point or another. I had to beg my parents for help last year as one month I got caught out!

coronafiona · 30/09/2025 07:34

Nationwide are offering £175 to open an account with them at the moment.

Upsetbetty · 30/09/2025 07:40

Is it just you or do you have dc? What else do you need for the next two weeks?
have a look at all food you have in the house and make as many meals from them as you can in a meal plan.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 30/09/2025 07:42

coronafiona · 30/09/2025 07:34

Nationwide are offering £175 to open an account with them at the moment.

And you have to pay in at least £1,000 - I think if the OP could do that, she wouldn’t need to worry about the school dinner money!

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 30/09/2025 07:43

Upsetbetty · 30/09/2025 07:40

Is it just you or do you have dc? What else do you need for the next two weeks?
have a look at all food you have in the house and make as many meals from them as you can in a meal plan.

DS mentioned in OP

3luckystars · 30/09/2025 07:43

Do you have any family you can borrow money from or your son’s dad? Could he pay for the lunches.

you had a really bad month, the car bills were unexpected. People will help you x x

dontcomeatme · 30/09/2025 07:45

If all else fails apply for a credit card with low interest and see if you get accepted? That way you can use it for emergency situations. I loathe to encourage more debt but if there is no other option its worth a try. If this was us we wouldn't have friends or family for help. We would speak to the school about paying dinners after I'm paid and apply for a small loan or credit card x

Lemonflavouredcaterpillars · 30/09/2025 07:49

If you put some stuff up for sale on FB marketplace at a good price then you may be able to sell it for cash today or tomorrow

Lemonflavouredcaterpillars · 30/09/2025 07:50

But yes school dinners are more expensive than packed lunches so your son will probably need to take packed lunches for a couple of weeks rather than you giving him £3+ a day. You could try food bank, Olio or similar to get some cheap food.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 30/09/2025 08:16

Have you applied for universal credit? You can apply and then you can get an interim payment whilst they make their decision, up to around £750 which you pay back weekly. I got this payment but turned out I was not entitled to universal credit because I earn just over the threshold even though a single parent, so I pay it back weekly, it took 2 days to go into my account

Bjorkdidit · 30/09/2025 18:46

dontcomeatme · 30/09/2025 07:45

Credit card is a much better option than an overdraft for managing cash flow. It's cheaper, can even be interest free rather than 40% Apr and its seen as responsible rather than irresponsible borrowing.

OP you have nothing to lose by applying
for a credit card, you might even be able to use it to pay off the overdraft interest free.

Original poster

Morello339 · 01/10/2025 07:01

Hello, thank you everyone. yes I have applied for universal credit a couple of months ago. I get a little a bit but in a couple of weeks.

I did ask my parents, and I started to feel better...and last night I had a car crash. It's starting to feel like I'm not supposed to get on top of it all.

Thank you again. He will grab packed lunch for himself, but he I didnt want to have to tell him/show him I was struggling. Which I know is silly.

I don't know if I would be able to get a credit card as I recently opened one for a balance transfer. As I like to keep my credit at 0%.

Oh well, another day. I've done a lot of over time this week, and have more booked in for the next 3 weeks. So once my car is fixed, I probably just need to wait it out.

When I wrote that at 3am, in my manic state, I forgot I had stocked up the freezer the previous week, so at least dinners are sorted.

Thank you all for all your suggestions, things do feel better in the light of day.

OP posts:

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 01/10/2025 07:27

Morello339 · 01/10/2025 07:01

Hello, thank you everyone. yes I have applied for universal credit a couple of months ago. I get a little a bit but in a couple of weeks.

I did ask my parents, and I started to feel better...and last night I had a car crash. It's starting to feel like I'm not supposed to get on top of it all.

Thank you again. He will grab packed lunch for himself, but he I didnt want to have to tell him/show him I was struggling. Which I know is silly.

I don't know if I would be able to get a credit card as I recently opened one for a balance transfer. As I like to keep my credit at 0%.

Oh well, another day. I've done a lot of over time this week, and have more booked in for the next 3 weeks. So once my car is fixed, I probably just need to wait it out.

When I wrote that at 3am, in my manic state, I forgot I had stocked up the freezer the previous week, so at least dinners are sorted.

Thank you all for all your suggestions, things do feel better in the light of day.

Please do check with universal credits about the loans they offer, you pay it back weekly through your payments and it's not a lot and you can choose how long you pay it back over. I got £750 when I was really really stuck.

Also, apply for free school meals if you are claiming benefits.

Burningbud1981 · 01/10/2025 07:51

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 01/10/2025 07:27

Also, apply for free school meals if you are claiming benefits.

Edited

Show quote history

They are not loans but advances. Op may have been entitled to a new claim advance but if she’s getting her payment in a couple of weeks then she could be out of time to apply for one. They have budgeting advances but UC will not give one of these to pay day to day bills. They are for one off emergencies such as needing white goods. For FSM you need to earn the less then the ridiculous amount of £7400 if on UC to be eligible. But FSM for all on UC comes in next year 2026.

TheWiseAmethyst · 01/10/2025 19:07

If you're in the SE you could try Boom Credit Union. In fact they may cover other areas. I've had a few loans from them. When they work out your repayments they include a saving amount too. I found them very helpful. Or look up credit unions in your area. Good luck.

AdoraBell · 02/10/2025 13:23

Glad you have food in your freezer OP, as others have said, contact food bank/credit union etc. Some areas also have community shops (sorry if that’s not correct) similar to supermarkets but they only charge about £5 for two bags of groceries.

Sorry you had a crash, I hope you are okay.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 02/10/2025 15:49

We're so sorry that you're having a difficult time at the moment, OP.

We've compiled some useful links posted by Mumsnetters into financial webguide here: www.mumsnet.com/articles/financial-issues-guide, so that people experiencing difficulties can find all the relevant information in one place - we hope that it's useful for you.

We'd just like to advise other Mumsnet users to never offer more emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

JDM625 · 02/10/2025 15:58

I read that you already have food, but is there a community larder near you? We have one and you don't need a referral to visit.
-I'm on the olio app. Originally designed to share free food locally, but they also have other non-food items now
-Are you on nextdoor.com? People with allotments here are often giving away free fruit/veg, or you could ask. MIL has an orchard and is always giving away free bags of apples, pears and plums.

Wishiwasonabeachinmaldives · 08/10/2025 12:22

I’ve got 3 weeks to go till I get paid. Money goes in and flies out. We have a local website where you can sell your second hand stuff. Clothes and electronics usually sell as well as gardening items and stuff like that. I also do eBay and Vinted and helps to keep wolves from the door. Not easy right now but no pay day loans!!!

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