insolvency help - after being made bankrupt

auburnmama

hi,
I was declared as bankrupt in October. my landlady and I were in a dispute over the deposit of my former home (now in council rented), she knew of my insolvency and told the insolvency guys that I was due a deposit and did they want it direct (she later told me she did this to spite me, if she couldnt have the deposit, neither could i. nice huh?).
thing is, i am in this new place and dont have a cooker or hob (I did, 2nd hand, it broke) - just a steamer, toaster and microwave. I have an 18 month old daughter and NEED to be able to cook for her. I cant get a community care grant as I am not 'high priority', I cant have a loan as had one to help with moving, carpetting and original cooker buying costs (theamount they gave me meant I couldnt buy new)
The insolvency have said they have an interest in the money. I have told them that it is due early next week and requested it for kitchen and household goods (its less than £200 coming back to me, not full deposit, so not exactly going wild with it). They said they may not make a decision until the end of next week. my child needs food NOW.

my question is, if I just go and buy a cooker what can they do? how much trouble will i get in? willI have to then find the money to give them if they say I cant have it? i dont want to get in trouble, but i do need an oven.

thanks!

RAS

Hi

You do not need to buy a cooker. Start by signing up for the local group of www.freecycle.org - like e-bay but the goods are free to you. You need to look for anything which enables you to cook - sandwich maker, mini-oven, slow cooker, mini grill, single hob as well as a full blown cooker. take what you can get and upgrade over time.

You could have used this to get carpets etc when you moved in as well. it is great for kid's clothes and toys and you will find adult clothes, kitchen kit and furniture as well. Even been known for cars to be posted.

I will also fin and post up the link for recycled furniture organistations.

RAS

here we go

Check out your local suppliers

http://www.frn.org.uk/

auburnmama

thanks very much for your help, i didnt even know this existed.

RAS

Welcome

You will find a whle host of ways of making money go further on here.

When you have played with freecycle and FRN, have a look at the boost your income thread. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/make-money

If you are on benefits, you need to be careful of things like mystery shopping as that is taxable and has to be declared, but freebies, surveys and comps are all legitimate. Some people raise £30-50 a month in goods and vouchers.

auburnmama

thanks again. I have thought about how I can get back into work (I resigned to care for my husband who was sick, now not here), but many of things are parties, sales, door to doors etc. I dont have a car and have no family to care for my LO, and nursery costs are too high to justify putting her in there. I actually got told by the benefit woman (once I'd applied for a job - although subsequently couldnt do the hours) that I would be worse off going back for that wage. seems strange that they would advise that?!
but surveys are good! thanks again!

RAS

re the working situation, I am araid that is the case and you are not the only poster here to have bene advised that way. it may be that when you can get free childcare when she is three you can do a bit of work, but you need to check your entitlement then.

Also have a look at www.quidco.com. If you do buy anything (like contents insurance) check it out as there are some interesting cashback deals.

auburnmama

fantastic - you are a wealth of information! thank youso much!

RAS

Not really, just when you get a huge number of people together like DFWers, the accumulated knowledge of thousands is pretty impressive.

Stick around and come back other times to talk to people and you will learn a lot more.