This is my soa , what do u think? all advice help wanted

FROSTYFRECKLE

Hi All,

Just been reading your posts and was shocked, nae aghast nobody mentioned Stardrops:j for cleaning. Approx 75p a bottle and it cleans everything - u can also use it in the washing machine if you run out of washing powder. Stardrops last me approx 4 months and I must admit I am a bit of a clean freak. There is a thread dedicated to Stardrops just type in Stardrops in the search box. To reducing your monthly food bills - have you heard of "rubber chicken" - again just do a search on rubber chicken. Baked pots, soups, etc. Loads of yummy receipes on the Money Saving Board - cheap too. Lastly for cutting back on washing powder - use one nice box of smelly soap powder (only buy when it is on special!) add four bags of washing soda (approx 30p a bag). Mix all together (I use an old but very large water jug or an old clean, dry bucket?) This mixture does me over 6 months and I have at least one wash every day, 7 days a week. I still use fabric conditioner but if you want to cut back on that use white vinegar instead.

Trust me you will get addicted to the Oldstyle Money Saving forum. I am fortunate the few debts I had are gone but like everyone else need to keep on saving the pennies cause the gas and electricity keep going up, won't even mention Council Tax:eek: I grew up in the 70's to a single parent, there were 5 of us, so you have my sympathies. I grew up eating soups, stovies, stews, everything that was cheap. Still love my soups, stovies, and stews:D

Sorry I forgot to mention what about doing surveys, I do a few - GFK TV, Consumer panel, Pinecone, and about to join the TNS. Okay, I get vouchers - amazon and luncheon vouchers. Amazon vouchers I save up - perhaps you could do the same and use to help with Christmas Pressies. Luncheon vouchers I use as a wee treat of coffee and bun when out shopping, but I believe you can use them against your shopping bills

MurrayMint

scjs2008 wrote: »

On shoes alone i spend 30 per month in clarks its like a 3 month cycle the child who had them 1st needs new again the month after the 3rd child had her turn!--- how cud i reduce this.i did try the sale but they didnt have my childrens size so this is 360 per year alone on just shoes!!! and thats not inc me!!!!! how do u guys do it

Hi scjs2008,

Have you tried Brantano? They stock Clarks kids shoes and I think they're a bit cheaper. But if you time it right, you can pick them up on special offers i.e. 3 for 2 pairs. Also, if you sign up for their e-mail newsletter, I think you get a discount from that. I wouldn't go there unless it was a sale time though... too much temptation!
Clarks on eBay sell so well, they may as well be full price. I do buy a lot of clothes from charity shops though. Yesterday I got 2 H&M skirts, pair of next jeans and pair of GAP shoes for my 5 year old from Oxfam for £4 in total :j. It's just pot luck though, almost have to visit as part of a routine, in order to pick up the decent bits when they appear!

MM

GhostHunter_3

Sadly I dont have kids but a couple of observations I have made so hope you dont mind me pointing them out?

I think you mentioned the smartprice kids jeans had adjustable waistbands but they still keep falling off your children? Why not get a belt? That way you could also save money on thiking foward (I know how fast kids grow) and get a pair of jeans thats the next one or two sizes up and use the belt to keep them up! I always had to do this when I was a kid. I had hand me downs from my cousin and brother for school clothes (luckily though we were roughly same ages so went to same school). Have you tried Freecycle for clothes and shoes? Nobody need know where they came from but my local group theres always a few ads on there for bags of clothes and shoes for kids and adults as well and theres often maternity stuff and stuff for kids and babies, toys, safety gear etc, as well as freecycle and other similar sites theres bootsales.

My sister in law is one of these people who dresses her kids to impress, its sad really as she uses them as a social ladder I think and wont let them play and get dirty Anyway the way I see it is its only thr kids missing out on the money they could be having fun with or better spent.

To be honest its your
Im not judging you or anyone honest, its just a subject thats made me speak out so I appologise if ive offended, not my intentions, I meant to helpfull coments but as I said what do I know I dont have kids (fertility issues here).

Im talking from experience I never had the best of clothes when I was a kid but it never bothered me and id rather my Mum say oh well never mind you got another pair than tell me off for getting dirty or rip my shirt again. Who cares - dont give into peer pressure just give your kids the best you can afford wisely.

I grew up in tracksuits as it put a better meal on the table, nutrition is more important than style, grubby playing is the best form of exercise Never harmed me :rotfl:

I need more top tips :T

As long as you do the best you can thats all you can do!
All the best and big hugz I pray one day youll be giving me advice on kids :A

scjs2008

thank you so much guys for your support im looking forwad to my appt with cccs xx

s xx

Merlot

moanymoany wrote: »

You sound depressed to me, have you been to see your doctor?

There's a lot of good advice on here that will not be difficult.

Also, one of the best ready meals is value egg and value baked beans on value bread toast followed by a value apple. Cheap and easy when you don't feel like cooking.

I have got to be honest MM, the depression state of mind had occurred to me also, I do think a visit to the GP would be an idea. Being a single parent is difficult and very hardwork especially as you are about to have your 4th child. You need to take all the help you can, and stop worrying about what others think of you.

I hope you are feeling refreshed this morning, I have every faith in you that you can deal with these debts without the need of a DMP.

Merlot.x.

badgerbread

I also have 3 kids two teenagers and a 7 year old while I appreciate you want them to look good etc primark is just fine to go shopping in the 7 year old's clothes are the cheapest but even the teenagers themselves go shopping in primark with their pocket money and come back with some lovely clothes. there is no way I spend £200 a month on these items. as long as the clothes are clean and well looked after no-one will ever notice where the clothes come from.

badgerbread

p.s I know what you mean about the slim waists because my two girls are unbelivably skinny but if you hunt round and get them to try on clothes you can find them. most of the time my girls were in skirts because trousers would either fit in the leg and not in the waist or would fit the waist and not the leg. it is very fustrating

catman-without_wings

Some excellent advice already. Another thought. Have you registered with your local freecycle? They often have childrens(and adults) clothing up for grabs. Also always loads of baby ,childrens toys, books, vids, dvds...You get the idea. It might help to take some pressure off you.

rugbymum

Hi SCJS2008
I hope you're feeling ok and you've got your feet up. Your story is frighteningly similar to mine (had baby number 4 on my own three years ago).
I contacted SKY and told them that I couldn't afford to pay the current package any longer and that I needed to cancel the contract. They were great and did it. I eventually went back to the basic package. Two of my kids are scarily skinny and I get their clothes in H&M sales as well as on ebay. Clothes are cut for slim kids and many wash at 60 if necessary! Mine are grubby too! Buy brown :rotfl: . My kids have one "best" outfit and everything else is playclothes.
Contact your utility company and tell them that you are on a low income, most have free energy saving bulbs that they will send you.
When you plan your meals make sure you cook things from scratch that are quick. Pasta, cous cous, bulgher wheat, a pot of rice. Peel your spuds and veg sitting down. I understand about the bad back, I'm a fellow sufferer (I had to give up working as a chef because of it)I know that convenience foods are easy but they are crippling your budget. Get the older ones involved in meal planning and helping out. Veg prep, chopping salad (have a blunt knife that they can use), putting "pudding" on the table, fruit bowl and a tub of natural yogurt!
Do you have a Salvation Army nearby? They often have a parent & toddler group and some have their own charity shops.
Speak to your Health Visitor about free playgroups/kids activities. Some NCT groups do coffee mornings.
I hope some of this helps.
Big Hugs.

gilligansyle

Just popped in to say hi.

Echoing what others have said, you can save more money by cooking from scratch, pasta is cheap and cheerful, supermarkets often have amazing offers on it, throw in a bit of tomato type sauce, I think its called Pasata, and some ham or bacon, even veg.

I have a limited selection of cleaning products, and even my seriously houseproud sister is impressed. Soda Crystals are about 50p for a big bag, Stardrops is amazing, and I use Zoflora to throw in washing to make the own brand soap powder smell nice.