Struggling with money

[Firstimpressionsofearth]

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.

Swagbucks sorry

If you can sew, how about doing alterations? I paid £30 recently for something to be shortened, the only cost to her was thread and the machine of course (I presume you have a sewing machine though an overlocker would be useful too). Simple alterations like school uniforms would take no time at at and lots of parents struggle to find uniform that fits. Curtains is another item that people like custom made

Ps I have done mystery shopping and product testing, to be honest they aren't really worth it, as you are financially savvy, how about offering to do payroll and accounts for small business from home - we used to pay £30 a month for the carers payroll to be done (nhs insists on this rather than me doing it) if you had just a few clients it's flexible

@burblife cool I'll definitely do that. Every little helps.

@Alb1 cool thanks.

@stucknoue

Its a good idea but I don't have a computer.

I second matched betting.

A minor thing in the circumstances, but when are your phone contracts up? If the £15 for phone contracts is each, you can easily reduce that.

Plenty of providers do Sim Only with unlimited minutes and texts and a decent amount of data (probably not enough to stream on data but that's a luxury you can't afford) for about £6 a month, so you could easily free up a few quid a month and every little helps.

I would also explore help with parking costs from the hospitals/Trust and double and triple check DLA and tax credits. A relative of mine gets quite a bit even though their household income is nearly £50k due to DLA entitlement for one of their DCs.

Is your DH taking packed lunches to work? Or claiming all the expenses he's entitled to if he's away a lot? Food and drink bought while at work can really add up and it sounds like it's just not affordable right now.

How long before you're entitled to the mobility component? Will things be better then?

Dh is just about to change onto a SIM only plan but I've got like 18 months on my contract.

Dh takes pack lunch or doesn't eat. He has all expenses paid while he's away.

We've got nearly a year before he qualifies for mobility. He'll get top rate though, unless by some magic he starts walking before then. But at the rate we're going now the mobility money will just go towards paying debts we've accrued over the coming year.