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Original poster

Struggling with cost of living

38 replies

AIU · 08/02/2023 22:28

I am really struggling with the cost of living at the moment - single mum of 4, I work part time round preschool upwards age children,
no financial help from father at the moment waiting for a deduction of earnings that's been a year coming from csa...

I've hit a blip this month and am £200 down. I am trying to cut back where I can but I've just had one childs birthday then it's another's in a couple of weeks so money is really tight and I'm panicking how I'm going to pull it all off. I can't work any extra hours at my current job as I already owe hours where I've taken time off to care for the kids which I've still been paid for.

Trying to think of ways that I can make some money quickly or borrow (I have bad/ non existent credit)

OP posts:

Missmarplesknittingbuddy · 11/02/2023 10:28

I was also going to say you are entitled to DLA for both your children who have diabetes. Get your diabetes nurse to check your claim form, if you havent applied, and ensure you are getting the correct rate . Doesnt help in the short term but will increase your income significantly longer term .

Original poster

AIU · 11/02/2023 10:46

Thanks everyone it was actually my sons DLA renewal that has caused all this as he has dropped down a band which has had a knock on effect with everything! My carers allowance was stopped for 3 months etc. this is why I'm in this pickle! Unfortunately I am relying on these at the moment, my youngest will start school in September so I can increase my hours at my current job and will be looking for something else full time its just school holidays I'm not sure how I would manage to cover on my own.

Thanks @GachaBread I'll have a look at those and see if I can get signed up as I have time in the evenings to get things like that done!

@MumOf2workOptions no you haven't offended me at all I'm sorry I didn't mean to come across that way (I sometimes don't word things very well) I just for my own pride couldn't possibly ask for help like that! Also I think it would be against Mumsnet rules! It is a very kind gesture.

Thanks everyone for replying! I feel a bit brighter today! Just talking helps x

OP posts:

rumred · 11/02/2023 10:51

Hiya @AIU I sell stuff on gumtree and Shpock. They're free to list on and people collect.
Definitely go to a food bank, that's what they're there for. Lots of people are struggling currently.

Orangesare · 11/02/2023 11:04

Are there any community fridges or food surplus schemes in your area?
I think water companies are supposed to offer cheaper rates to some people. I have heard of a social tariff for broadband.
Vinted is good but not instant
I think councils have some funding available. It probably is worth going to the food bank as they should be able to inform you of help available

caringcarer · 11/02/2023 11:10

Change bank accounts. Some banks pay you £175 to switch. They sort out all DD and SO.

Have you got any Top Cashback?

Have you got any supermarket points you could spend?

Can you sell anything you no longer need?

Can you borrow money from family?

Mrs1010 · 11/02/2023 11:17

Have you got community fridges in your area? They don’t need a referral, you can turn up and get things that are about to go out of date that have been donated, usually by supermarkets. That might help keep the shopping bill down. Also, I haven’t used them but I know we have places that you pay a small fee to ‘shop’, like £5, in them and you can get a certain amount of food items and it’s much cheaper than usual. I can’t remember what they’re called but I saw them on the news the other day as well so they must be in quite a few towns. It’s awful how difficult it is to manage at the moment for so many people, and when you rely on benefits to top up salaries and they come up with unexpected ‘overpayments’ it really does knock you sideways and mess with your budgets, I’ve been there too. I’ve also had trouble with getting maintenance and found CMS pretty useless but then all of a sudden they seemed to up their game and the parent avoiding payment is backed into a corner so I hope that’s what’s happen now for you too. I hope your daughter has a lovely birthday, and you too. They’re very lucky to have a mum juggling so much to give them what they need, I hope you get a break soon.

NoSquirrels · 11/02/2023 14:37

I owe my landlord £500 which I promised to pay at the end of this month - it's due from October last year. This is why I am short this month but with no real way to catch up as I've also now lost £200 out of my budget

Does this mean you’re just £200 short this month because you’re repaying the LL? Or you’re £200 down and still owe the LL?

Because I think I’d tell the LL you can pay £300 this month and £200 next month. If I was your LL I would be fine with this, if you’re otherwise up to date and have been a good tenant overall.

Original poster

AIU · 11/02/2023 19:09

@NoSquirrels no I am now permanently down £200 a month and owe the landlord as the back payment was a lot less due to the DLA rate being dropped. I did owe quite a bit more but have managed to pay it down. He was asking about it which is why I promised it. Perhaps I should speak to him again. I am normally a good tenant and pay, I haven't been in this situation before and he knows the house is well looked after etc but rents have gone up a lot in our area and if he was to hand me notice now me I honestly don't think we would be able to find anything in budget and habitable.

OP posts:

Blueberry40 · 11/02/2023 19:14

OP sorry you’re struggling, it sounds so hard. Sorry if this is not much help but I just wanted to say that public libraries have printers- it’s usually about 10 pence per sheet so you could print a Vinted label there. It’s free to join as well if you need to do this to use the printer.

Sparkleshine21 · 11/02/2023 19:52

Also with regards energy companies and creditors - call step change and they will go through a budget summary with you, you then need to send this to your creditors and legally they have to look at it and give you a monthly amount you can afford according to the budget.

Diablocircus · 12/02/2023 20:53

Have you heard of the AttaPoll app for online surveys?

alwayscheery · 13/02/2023 12:51

Check for Community Fridge in your area.
Register for Olio a community initiative to reduce food waste , look for items already given away and you should be able to work out the volunteer FWH s closest to you .
Ask at the food bank for help to tide you over.
Too good to go is a great app.

Original poster

AIU · 14/02/2023 09:52

Thanks everyone, I've managed to sell £70 worth of stuff on Vinted so far (just the kids old clothes and the dolls house I said about earlier) and joined the market research apps which have quite a few bits on my area. Once the kids are back at school next week I'll try and do some of those on my day off I think I could probably earn another £15 in a day doing that so almost halfway there!

I'm going to speak to the landlord and see if he would be okay me doing 3/4 this month and then 1/4 end of March. Then I'll have a bit of breathing room also and just pray the CSA comes in mid March as it's supposed to!

OP posts:

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