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Money matters

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Original poster

Money worries

25 replies

Katherine0077 · 14/09/2021 12:50

Hi, hoping to get some advice.
I left my partner one year ago and have been staying with family in another part of the country. After our house sold I used my share of the sales proceeds to buy a small place for me and my 5 year old.

Before I left, I had just started my first job after being a sahm for a few years. I had to quit as I was moving too far away. Now I'm back in the area, I am looking for work, and am recieving the standard UC allowance and child benefit. Up until I left I was not entitled to child benefit or anything so I am very unfamiliar with the system, but I believe I am claiming all that I can.

The cost of moving was much greater than I anticipated and after being hit with a completely unexpected extra fee yesterday, I now have no money left for the next two weeks. My overdraft is £100 but that's all gone. I should manage to feed us both with what I have in, but I am panicking about bills that might come in the meantime.

Even if I start a job tomorrow (which won't happen), I wouldnt get paid for a month. Is there anything I can do online to earn money quickly? I have been doing surveys and obviously they don't pay much. I just am scared about what I'll do until the next payment comes through. I keep thinking the whole internet is right here, there must be a way to earn some money from it. But I have no idea where to start. Is there anything out there? I am so worried. Even when I get the money in two weeks, the majority of it will be end up going straight back out again so I'm very very scared.

OP posts:

HollowTalk · 14/09/2021 12:53

Could you apply for a credit card?

rageagainstbing · 14/09/2021 12:54

If you're on UC it might be worth seeing if you can get an advance. I had to use one once for large bill and paid it back from my UC monthly.

It's definitely worth a call to see. I hope you get sorted soon

JSL52 · 14/09/2021 12:59

UC advance. Don't get a credit card that's a terrible idea.
Just get enough to feed you both. Or could family lend you some ?

TakeYourFinalPosition · 14/09/2021 13:00

Can you extend your overdraft?

You might also be able to get a UC advance?

Making money online is possible; but you’re competing with the whole world… so unless you’ve got things to sell, or a strong skill set and a reputation, you’re unlikely to make much, especially straight off.

idontlikealdi · 14/09/2021 13:05

Honestly no, if it was that easy everyone would do it.

Do you know what bills you have coming in? Are you looking for work?

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 14/09/2021 13:21

Yes I am looking for work. I've applied for a lot of jobs and I'm hoping I'll start to hear back from some. Bills will be my service charge, council tax, utilities, water and internet. I've applied for help with council tax, I'm not sure how long this will take to sort out. The unexpected fee was related to the purchase of my home, my solicitor messed up which is why it did not come to light sooner, and it was a big shock.

I didn't know about the advance, thank you. If I were to get an advance for one month, would I be able to repay it in small installments until I get a job?

I suspect given my lack of income I would not be able to increase my overdraft or get a credit card, I'm not sure, but I can try.

OP posts:

jendifer · 14/09/2021 13:29

Selling on Facebook although it’s not always immediate.
Credit union?
I used task rabbit when skint a while ago and got some last minute shifts in a restaurant who paid each week.
Online tutoring- it’s hard to get in to if you don’t have a degree but I did it for a summer teaching English technical language to Ethiopian business people! It’s not my area but it wasn’t tricky

stevalnamechanger · 14/09/2021 13:56

It is possible but might take a while online .

Have a read of the earn £10 a day threads ! https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal moneyy_matters/4312334-earn-10-a-day-august-edition

Worth going back and read them lots of different options

saleorbouy · 14/09/2021 14:03

Can you sell anything you don't use?
Get some assistance from a food bank.
Join a work agency for temp jobs.
Could you speak to your solicitor and defer the payment for a month?

Doggiedementia · 14/09/2021 14:05

Ask the family you were staying with for help?

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 14/09/2021 14:26

Thank you for the ideas. Task rabbit isn't something I'd heard of so I'll look into that, I'm not sure what the credit union is so I'll look at that too. It sounds like there are some options at least. I'm sure I have things I could sell too, clothes definitely if nothing else. There's been so much going on, I didn't think. My family can't help more than they have already but I appreciate all the advice. I was feeling very low when I posted but I feel a bit better now.

I've made the payment already saleorbuy. It sounded like the sale wasn't legal until it happened and I was scared we'd get kicked out

OP posts:

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 14/09/2021 14:26

I'll search for the £10 a day threads too. Thank you.

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 14/09/2021 14:30

Bills will be my service charge, council tax, utilities, water and internet.

You can speak to the council and companies about your situation and often get extensions on bill due dates or set up a payment plan where you pay off past due balance in increments on future bills.

BeeLady15 · 14/09/2021 17:17

Can you ask the father of your child for next months maintenance this month?

bonbondelights · 15/09/2021 10:18

www.financielle.co.uk/12-ways-to-make-more-money-in-2021/

I felt like this was a really helpful article to make more money.

MNHQ

HopeMumsnet · 15/09/2021 11:54

Hello everyone,

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

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users 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. Though, we strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon, and congratulations on your new job!

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 15/09/2021 22:19

Sorry I've not been back to the thread until now, I've not been well. I'm a bit shocked to see it's been reported but I know that people do lie online. I was trying to be a bit vague on a couple of details for my own privacy, sorry if i came across as insincere. I genuinely am not looking for anything other than advice, and that is what I have received and I am grateful for it all. Once I'm better I plan to fully explore all the suggestions.

I will have a look at the article thank you bonbon. BeeLady15I he doesn't pay maintenance.

I really do appreciate all the advice. Thank you.

OP posts:

NoSquirrels · 16/09/2021 07:13

If your DS’s father doesn’t yet pay maintenance, you need to sort that ASAP. Apply through the CMS to have it collected direct if you think there will be problems getting him to pay up.

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 16/09/2021 17:36

CMS is out the question I think. I asked about it once and he threatened to take me to court for 50-50 residency. I believe if he were to get that he wouldn't have to pay anything anyway. I don't want to risk my child having to spend half the time with an aggressive bully.

I've started getting things together I can sell. I've just got to get through the next month or so until I get a job. I'm sure it will be ok.

OP posts:

NoSquirrels · 16/09/2021 19:15

@Katherine0077

I've started getting things together I can sell. I've just got to get through the next month or so until I get a job. I'm sure it will be ok.

Up to you, obviously- but this is what deadbeat dads do. They threaten to ‘go for custody’ if you dare to even think about claiming money towards the upbringing of their own child fully having no intention of ever doing any childcare whatsoever. It’s just a threat. Going to court costs time, money and effort.

It’s what the CMS is there for.

SpeakingFranglais · 16/09/2021 20:31

Agreed, he won’t go for 50/50, not a chance.

AdoraBell · 16/09/2021 22:17

Fingers crossed you get enough money from the things you are selling.

As others have said you could go through CMS, but if you don’t want the stress/aggravation of dealing with him then leave it for now. I know you should pursue the child’s father to support the child, and the father should want to support their child, but some of them use it as control.

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 17/09/2021 15:09

Thanks Adora. It is form of control. I think I'll pursue it in future once we are more settled. Thanks a lot for the crossed fingers.

OP posts:

Original poster

Katherine0077 · 17/09/2021 15:11

Up to you, obviously- but this is what deadbeat dads do. They threaten to ‘go for custody’ if you dare to even think about claiming money towards the upbringing of their own child fully having no intention of ever doing any childcare whatsoever.
It’s just a threat. Going to court costs time, money and effort.

I know you're right but he does have a lot of money and he can be quite scary when he's angry. I will go to CMS eventually I'm sure. For now I just want to focus on setting up a nice home and getting a job and moving on with my life.

OP posts:

8dayweek · 18/09/2021 19:00

If you're on UC you may be able to apply for a Budgeting Advance?

www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances

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