Broke for a month

[Temporarilyskint]

i know the way these threads can go - I am not asking for money and while I think it is incredibly sweet when people offer I won't accept

Sorry for above disclaimer.

Have namechanged as I'm a bit embarrassed and my ex stalks me on here.

We've no money. Well, £40. That's to get through to the end of the month.

We have no oven, or microwave. We do have a toaster.

No access to credit.

Fuel costs are high due to having to take my son to school. Not sure if there's a way around this. (He will hopefully be starting at a new school which is local in 2016 but for now it's tough.)

Fussy cats need food.

Argh. I am partly posting for advice, and also partly for emotional sounding off as I'm fed up of thinking about money.

Op, if you rent, your landlord is responsible for repairs.

Thanks. I'm not working just now but will be soon.

I don't rent but thanks

If you don't rent, you own? Odd

Oh is it? Sorry, I didn't realise owning a house was odd. My friends and neighbours are all odd then.

Where i am there are FB groups that are for giving away stuff for free and there are also ones who ask for free donations on behalf of a member in need. So you contact the admin and tell them what you need and they ask on the page. It is anonymous so nobody would know it was for you.

Ok, I really think you need to access statutory services for help. First stop would be the job centre and ask for an advance on your benefits/hardship loan. Then Citizens Advice- they can apply to the Welfare Fund and various others for cooker/ microwave etc, and anything else you might need. Is your child getting free school meals ok?

Oh and sell whatever you can in the house. Any coats that dont fit? Children's clothes tend to sell quickly. Even if you got a tenner for a bundle.

Could you arrange a lift share with other parents for you son's school run?

Thanks surly, I don't really use Facebook to be honest - have got a page but that's only recent due to missing out on stuff that was going on because it was all on Facebook!

I wouldn't really feel great about asking for stuff, even anonymously, I am aware this situation is temporary and so I'd feel bad asking for something for free as someone in a worse way than me might genuinely need it. Plus collecting it would be fuel money and this is where a lot of money is going just now so trying hard to minimise this.

We aren't entitled to benefits or free school meals or anything like that, and I can't life share as we've just moved and I couldn't arrange DS's new school in time. So he's going to his old school still until he gets put in his new school (if that made sense!)

Selling stuff is a good idea thank you.

I'd rather not say Luxy, if you don't mind - trying to stay anonymous! :)

You could ask for a microwave temporarily, explain your situation and agree to donate it back to the group when your circumstances improve. Would that make you feel better about accepting help? Or do you know anyone personally who could lend you one?

No not yet but on waiting list

Is it just the oven that trips, or the hob as well? I could manage without an oven for a month, without a hob more difficult. But do ask on Freecycle for a microwave, that could help.

Not odd that you own, but odd to have just moved as a homeowner and be so skint, and not to be working - unusual circumstances is all, most people would assume you rented, I think.

Ebay some stuff if you can - Christmas is coming, so could be worthwhile.

List all your essential outgoings and income, and allocate money in order of priority.

Op- you need to get help. How are you heating the house? the welfare state is there to support crisis situations and right now you do not have enough money to meet your or your child's basic needs. While it is hard asking for help, by not you are actually raising child protection concerns for your child, so please approach those that can help.

I don't know surly - I know it sounds silly but I'd just feel upset at the thought that someone else might have really genuinely needed it (not just temporarily stuck) and so I just wouldn't feel right.

The hobs trip - the electrics generally are quite unreliable and often switch themselves off () so they definitely need looking at. But if I ever try to use the oven there's a BANG and all electrics go off.

Squirrels I won't go into all my circumstances if you don't mind, but moving in itself is very expensive, you know?

Help how though flossie? The welfare state domestic just fling money at those who have procreated though it might feel like that. The children are clothed, fed and warm, so how precisely is that a Cp concern?

Don't just not domestic!

If you ask on Freecycle, you are not taking something from anyone who needs it - people will offer if they have it and are happy to give, and won't if they don't. Similarly, if you asked around at the school gate for a microwave, for example, you might find someone has one in their garage they haven't got rid of yet, type of thing - thus minimising petrol costs.

Talk to school, and find out about food bank and crisis loans. You can't not eat for most of a month, and you haven't said if you've got any food in at all. You may find a member of staff is coming from your area, for instance, or know of other parents who do, and would give your son a lift for a share of petrol costs, which would be cheaper as a temporary measure.

You don't need to apologise but it's sometimes best not to make assumptions.

Yes I'm on it re schools but none with places yet. This should be rectified by the new school term at the latest.

Depending where you're based, have a look on here: therealjunkfoodproject.org

Pay-as-you-feel cafes around the country - if there's one near you then that's a few meals sorted.