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Original poster

Struggling with money

59 replies

Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 12:59

Just been to the hospital for the 4th time in 2 weeks and spent another £7 in parking!

Money has been very tight since I had to give up work to be a full time carer to DS.

My only income is carers allowence and DS DLA. That just covers groceries and running my car. I used to have some left after buying the basics but since having DD and the cost of food going up I have nothing left at the end of each week.

After these recent trips to hospital I'm back spending on my credit card.

I don't know what I can do to keep in the black.

I need to save money and make money and I'm at a loss how too.

I already do all the shopping at aldi and buy the kids clothes from eBay. I paid off my credit card with a 0% card and am paying that off monthly but I'm creeping back into my other credit card again. I cancelled my son's swimming membership and we only go to free groups (which is limited due to DS disabilities).

I'm trying to sell stuff on eBay but not getting many takers or good prices. I'm thinking about starting some matched betting. I've been reading up on it.

What else can I do. I can't work out the house and my kids are such high maintenance I don't think I can manage to do much in the house. I never seem to sit down as it is.

I don't know how a carer is expected to survive on such a small amount. I wish I could work but my DS needs me. I'm so stressed about money it's all I can think about and I'm counting ever penny. I was so depressed after ds was born but I've finally started to come to terms with his condition and feel happy, but now I'm starting to feel weighed down again by my financial struggles.

OP posts:
Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 19:18

You can also get help with travel fees. They can be claimed back

I didn't know that. Do you know where I can find more info on that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 19:20

It's really disgraceful that you have to pay for parking to take a profoundly disabled toddler to hospital. Can you get the equivalent of the blue badge so that you can park in a disabled space?

I have a blue badge. We still have to pay to park at every hospital I go to.

OP posts:
Lwmommy · 10/06/2019 19:24

Etsy, folksy, Facebook and friends and family are probably the best starting points. Be really realistic though, you will not make big money, things will be very slow to start as there is competition and price appropriately, really think through how much you need to charge to make it worth doing.

If you're going to have a couple of hours to use when nursery starts, why not stick up some flyers offering dog walking nearby nursery. That way you can stay in close proximity to the nursery rather than going home and back again?

Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 19:29

I'm ok at sewing but only ever done as a hobby. I don't think I have the skills or the confidence to alter people's clothes.

No CSA don't take a disabled child into account. So dh payments stay the same. Obviously it's an expense we knew he had but we didn't expect for me to have to give up work when we decided to have a baby.

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Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 19:32

@mummyhaschangedhername

I was going to cut up some of my clothes and try making a skirt for DD. If it goes well then they could be an option. I think I'll trawl through etsy and see what's for sale and what I think I can manage. Then I'll just need to find some spare cash to get fabrics.

OP posts:
Lwmommy · 10/06/2019 19:37

If you're use anywhere near Leicester The Fabric Guild do outstanding offers on high quality cotton fabrics, lots of it named brands like Makower or Alexander Henry and reduces to £2 a yard

Lwmommy · 10/06/2019 19:38

Dammit, now I'm in shopping mode. How cute would this be as an Autumnal dress or shorts with tights

fabricguild.co.uk/product/summer-2019-poly-cottons-fluffy-fox-on-navy/

NCBabyBoy · 10/06/2019 19:49

You have my sympathy! I know it won't make a tremendous difference, but are you using receipt scanning apps? Try Shopprize, receipt hog and Shoppix. BeMyEye and Job Spotter are also good. I second all the advice given above! Would it be worth checking with CAB what rights your DS has wrt nursery? It sounds off that they can refuse to take him or impose restrictions. Are there any childminders or state nurseries that would take him?

WrongKindOfFace · 10/06/2019 19:49

Travel cost refunds are usually only for those on a low income, but you could find out if you’re eligible. However most hospitals offer monthly or weekly passes which work out a bit cheaper if you’re there quite often.

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 10/06/2019 19:54

But to sew you would need a machine and an over locker. Both quite expensive....

foreverblessedbee · 10/06/2019 19:57

Op - are you absolutely sure that you dont get child tax credits or could get child tax credits for a child with a disability? I know someone whose children receive dla high rate care and she is in receipt of a significant amount of child tax credits as a result. Her partner works full time, she does not work (outside the home) and is a full time carer and receives carers allowance also. I think the threshold for earnings is around 33k if I remember( helped her do the form).

Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 20:22

Just gone through the benefits calculator and we're not entitled to any more than what we get. We do already get child benefit but that just covers running my car which I need for DS. We don't get mobility allowance until he turns three.

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Lifeisabeach09 · 10/06/2019 20:23

Sorry if PP have already said but...

Look more into the higher rates of DLA.

Also look at: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

As for extra cash, online surveys and mystery shopping might be avenues for you.

Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 20:24

Wow £2.20 a meter that's amazing. Have you seen the fabric do you know what the quality is like.

OP posts:
Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 20:26

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

I have a sewing machine it's not the best but it's ok. I don't have an overlocker which is why I'm concerned with selling stuff as I'm not sure the quality would be high enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 20:28

As for extra cash, online surveys and mystery shopping might be avenues for you.

How do I access these?

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Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 20:35

Look more into the higher rates of DLA

We're on top rate but it's not really that much to support him and cover all the additional costs that come with a child with multiple and complex needs. We've been at hospital so much recently and the travel costs and parking are killing me. We have to travel all over the place as well, sometimes as far as an hour and a half drive away.

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NoSquirrels · 10/06/2019 21:26

Do you have a joint budget with your DH? Or are you trying to make it work on just the money you actually get into your bank account? I think you need an integrated approach if you don’t have one already.

WrongKindOfFace · 10/06/2019 21:32

It’s not going to help with your day to day costs, but if you need things like specialist equipment or toys, household goods, or even a holiday have you made an application to the family fund? They can provide a grant for something you might require because of your son’s needs. www.familyfund.org.uk

Original poster
Firstimpressionsofearth · 10/06/2019 21:49

I have heard of grants but there is nothing we need at the moment and he is still small enough to use baby stuff. As he gets bigger we probably will need to start accessing grants for stuff, depends on how much the local council will provide.

We keep our money separate but we worked out our finances together if that makes sense. Neither of us have anything left at the end of each month/week. He works really hard but he's been made redundant twice in two years and ended up taking a paycut and having to work a long train commute away so now has massive travel costs due to that. He's working on getting a new job but it's not great at the moment for jobs.

OP posts:
burblife · 10/06/2019 22:02

Try signing up to Populuslive for paid surveys. You won't earn mega bucks but it's easy money.

Mummoomoocow · 10/06/2019 22:03

Matched betting will be a quick route to a few hundred pounds but the £1k+ figures you really need to commit and work with it several hours a day. Highly recommend in this situation however so long as you really focus for a few hours a day (although you can split this time of course) you’ll bring in enough cash to start a sewing thing

Gingerkittykat · 10/06/2019 22:03

Have you talked to the family support people at the hospital? There might be money you can access, I got help with expenses during a long hospital stay which was completely separate to the benefits system.

Alb1 · 10/06/2019 22:11

I do online surveys to get vouchers, you can change them for PayPal credit or amazon vouchers too. It takes a fair while to build up but it helps me a little at Christmas or birthdays. I use isay and swagbooks at the minute but there are others, I just use those as it’s easy to do on my phone.