Totally broke :(

[3plus2]

I'm literally £5 overdrawn and that's all I have to my name! I pay out £400 a month to run and pay for car, £300 rent that's all my maternity pay gone then I'm literally living off child benefit :( how do ppl do it ???

[Aspiemum2]

How on earth do you have a car that costs more than your home?!

It does sound like you're in a tough situation but also that you have options - what cuts can you make on your car costs?

[PostBellumBugsy]

Have you sold everything you can on ebay? I've been really ruthless and am selling everything we don't need or use on ebay. Apart from a few items, nothing has gone for that much money, but it is amazing how it all adds up.

Do you do alot of mileage 3plus2? I have a old banger & am not paying anything like that to keep my car on the road.

Could you do any babysitting to get some cash?

[higgle]

I have a brand new car and it doesn't cost much more than 1/2 that much!

[3plus2]

It's on finance as I needed it for work after some idiot smashed mine up ! It's £153 a month then £50 a month insurance and costs me about £50 petrol :( I walk as much as I can but we are about 2 miles from school and try and shop in asda which is 6/7 miles away the only local shops we have is either Sainsburys or Iceland

[3plus2]

£50 a week petrol

[3plus2]

Tried to cancel wifi but it's on contract and will cost £300 to cancel early! Then it's jus gas water tv licence and elec and food shopping and my phone only have a mobile no house phone ....

[Scrazy]

Sorry to hear that. Me too, everything is out of overdraft. Food, petrol and Christmas presents. Good job I am working and have a good credit rating or we would starve.

[PostBellumBugsy]

Blimey 3plus2, that is alot on the car. How long are you committed to it?

What about selling on ebay or babysitting? Could those be options?

Babysitting gives you cash in hand. You just put a notice up on Mumsnet local or, god forbid I should mention it on here, Netmums and you'd get takers - specially if you are a mum, because then other mums know you've got experience.

[3plus2]

I go back to work in march but tbh don't think I be much better off as its a driving job so petrol will still be more !

[3plus2]

That's a good idea I will give it a go thank you , thing is I'm still breastfeeding dd3 not sure if she would be ok if I left her? Lord this is hard :( I'm in bed at the mo keeping warm :(

[ariane5]

We are about 800 overdrawn and dh will not be getting paid for the 2 weeks over xmas
We have 4 dcs so it is going to be incredibly difficult.my lovely grandma sent us a 50 pound tesco voucher so we could do a food shop (and blass her she doesn't have much money herself).
Try to find things to sell on ebay/gumtree if you can I don't know what other advice I can offer I know its so hard we kept cutting back but now we can't cut back anymore !
Really hope things improve for everybody soon.

[ariane5]

Bless not blass!

[PostBellumBugsy]

Maybe not if you are breast feeding - but perhaps something to think about when DD3 is ready to stop.
have a think about ebay too.

[redlac]

To cut down your food bill try online shopping and do it via my supermarket.co.uk - you will find out the cheapest supermarket to use and you can save more money by dropping a brand and its really easy to use

[lisad123]

I'm over too, not much you can do.
What left haveyou got to pay, what can be left for awhile.

[ariane5]

Agree online shopping good as its easier to control what you spend we pay monthly for the delivery pass which makes it a bit cheaper we get a big shop once a week and used to spend approx 24pounds a mth on del charge now its just 10 a mth up to 1 del a day you are allowed if you want
We tried cutting down, first dh stopped having any beer then we stopped getting treaty things like biscuits/cakes etc and I never have coffee out anymore.dh takes a packed lunch every day and we have a lot of meals like jacket pots, pasta surprise(pasta and whatever we have to mix with it, usually mushrooms,bacon, peppers etc but on very bad weeks just mixed frozen veg).
Its so hard isn't it and I know my dcs will be disappointed xmas morning but they luckily I got their presents early this year-stocking bits and 2 presents each.

[mamaslatts]

After being snobby about iceland for years, went in the other day and it is CHEAP!! Havent shopped in Asda so can't tell you the difference but may be worth a try. So sorry, awful to be so short of money (have been on the bones of my butt before but pre-kids so only myself to worry about). xx

[PostBellumBugsy]

Also, I know this may sound harsh but if DD3 is still a little baby, don't buy her anything for Christmas. Get your older DCs to choose things for DD3 from their own stuff to give as presents and wrap those up for her. She will never, ever know and it doesn't mean you love her any the less.

Also, ask everyone who might get you a pressie (parents or grand-parents) to give you vouchers.

If your other DCs are not too old, get them gifts in the pound shop & off ebay. I got all my DD's "designer" clothes for Christmas off ebay. She knows I can't afford the new stuff.

If you need to give any gifts, make some cookies or cupcakes & get your DCs to decorate them. It costs very little and as a feel good factor, as it is very personal.

[ariane5]

Asda good for kids clothes although last few weeks they seem to have delivery issues and I havnt been able to order anything at all but their clothes very good price and quality.

[3plus2]

Thank you everyone for your help its been very useful hope we all have a better year next year!

[3plus2]

I have bought baby some pj's for Xmas and bibs as she really needs those that's it the outhers I got them 2 main pressies the rest in pound shop I'm very happy to say all Xmas shopping is done ! Apart from the food shop! We have 2 other ppl (they are single one is v loaded got isa's and lied knows what else) we take in for Xmas else they will b alone jus hope they bring something to contribute but feel cheeky asking as they don't eat much :(

[LadyMaryChristmas]

Have you checked to make sure that you're receiving all of the benefits that you are entitled to? What about WTC/CTC? Housing and council tax benefit?

[3plus2]

Meant lord know what else not lied