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Original poster

Help

32 replies

Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 16:23

I or rather we live on £76 a week and i'm struggling we've got hardly anything for the next 3 days obviously their is nothing i can do about that we have to starve but i need to make plans to make my money stretch for the following weeks as i can't work as i'm a carer and look after my elderly parent.

OP posts:
Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 16:27

I need some ideas on how the hell i make that stretch all week on food bills,etc...

OP posts:
thesandwich · 10/05/2018 16:31

Could you contact a food bank via social services/ your gp? Is your elderly parent getting all they are entitled to ie attendance allowance etc? Cab or Age UK can help you. What about carers allowance?

wontbedoingthat · 10/05/2018 16:34

Do you mean £76 to cover everything including rent, council tax, gas etc?
That's not possible I don't think. You may need to provide more details so people can advise. Stretching £76 to cover food and general costs is possible but stretching £76 to cover that and bills and rent is not possible. Unless you share living costs..? Are you claiming benefits? Do you have paid work? Carers allowance? Sorry you're struggling.

Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 16:41

No work i can't work i look after my mom so it's child tax credit that we are trying to survive on so i can't buy clothes no days out no money for anything, just struggling with making food last, my mom pays rent, council tax etc... i have to buy food. She doesnt get attendance allowance as she's not been ill for 6 months so i can't carers allowance.
I have a brother but he's miles away no help off him apart from when she first went into hospital but shes been out nearly 4 months now and it's all on me ! he can work live comfortably ME i'm struggling to hold it together.

OP posts:
feral · 10/05/2018 17:47

How long has she actually been ill? If less than 6 months is that since diagnosis rather than symptoms?

feral · 10/05/2018 17:48

And what county are you in?

Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 18:54

UK and she had her op's end of Jan

OP posts:
Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 18:55

apologises just noticed i put ill instead of ops

OP posts:
InDubiousBattle · 10/05/2018 19:00

What exactly does the £76 have to cover? Food? Anything else? How many people?

InDubiousBattle · 10/05/2018 19:02

Sorry, more questions! Is it permanent? What facilities do you have, freezer etc?

WickedLazy · 10/05/2018 19:07

What benefits are you getting? Full housing benefit? Is that paid direct to your landlord? Child tax credits and benefit, do you get the single parent rate? Check you're getting everything you qualify for, income support, carers allowance, etc. Apply for everything!

How much do you use in electric a week? How much gas? Try to cut right down on both, close curtains in the early evening, wear more layers, invest in cheap spare duvets or blankets and double up. Are you near any cheap shops like iceland? Are you near a bus stop? Does your local bus company do anything like an all day ticket?

WickedLazy · 10/05/2018 19:10

Is your mother getting a state pension, or any benefits?

feral · 10/05/2018 19:16

Did she need care before the ops? And is it likely to be ongoing?

Also where are you as might be able to point you at people who can help. Only need a county Smile

WickedLazy · 10/05/2018 19:21

"my mom pays rent, council tax etc... i have to buy food"

What about other bills, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc? Does your mum cover all that too?

MNHQ
ClaraMumsnet · 10/05/2018 21:07

Hello, we've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

We always ask everyone to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

NerrSnerr · 10/05/2018 21:19

What bills are you needing to pay. How much are they?

Does your mum usually work, is that why things are tight at the moment?

How old is your child?

feral · 10/05/2018 21:51

I'm confused why this would be reported?

If it's because I'm asking where OP is based it is only so I can point them at their local carers centre for relevant support. I work in the sector. Hence other questions so can advise on grants and benefits OP might qualify for. If MN has concerns about me they only need to google my real name and the word carer.

If it isn't it that I'm even more perplexed!

NerrSnerr · 10/05/2018 21:55

Ferel for a couple of reasons. Firstly periodically scammers come on here, start a thread similar to this and they get sent money/ stuff and disappear. Usually follows a pattern, asks for help as poor, can’t do anything people suggest etc etc.

There have also been times when mumsnetters have physically gone to rescue people, and then it turned out they were trolls.

It’s not the responses, it’s the type of thread. Even if the OP is genuine it’s good to remind people to only give what they can.

feral · 10/05/2018 22:00

Ah. Now that makes sense, thank you.

Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 22:06

Wow really i'm struggling and people have reported me thanks guys. Never mind. Sorry i asked for advice.

OP posts:
feral · 10/05/2018 22:09

@Joshsmom15 still here to offer advice, was waiting for you to reply.

Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 22:10

Sorry i was going to reply to everyone but i'm already down as it is i don't need people thinking i'm a troll.
Thanks to the people that have replied but i'm bowing out now.
Mumsnet - you can delete if you want.

OP posts:
crackerjackered · 10/05/2018 22:33

@Joshsmom15 there isn't a single thread about money where MNHQ dont put that warning up. It comes with every thread. Think of it as an arse covering exercise from MNHQ, don't be offended!

Please give some info and we can offer suggestions Smile

Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 23:06

I only get child tax credit and child benefit NO ofther Benefits i can't get job seekers because i can't work and i don't get carers allowance because my mom doesnt get attendance allowance.
No my mom doesnt work she gets pension i don't work because i care for her.
Me i have to pay food which is between all of us which i have a budget of £50 out of that it's toiletries cleaning washing powder etc... My moms money has basically gone by the time she gets its on bills and to make matters worse she has got a bill a couple of days ago to pay for her water ! which is a stupid amount so now we have that too worry about (her water used to be included in her housing benefit)

What i'm actually asking is how do i budget £50 on food shopping is their any websites,menus etc...

OP posts:
Original poster
Joshsmom15 · 10/05/2018 23:25

Feral - i don't qualify for anything no grants no benefits i don't even get prescriptions free because i'm only on child tax credit but yet if i got jb seekers i'd be getting more money but get prescriptions free.

The only time this situation changes is when my mom can claim attendence allowance or she doesn't need caring for and i can go to work but for the foreseeable future i'm stuck and i hate it !!! my brother gets his life and this is the life i get ! my life has always been crap one thing after another but this has got to top the lot i can get out for an hour to shop but that's it and i don't get any thanks for it at all.

OP posts:
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