It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

BigMummaF

Oh Rummer, I feel for you particularly the "finding out more info" & still trying to get straight from last time bits. We've a thing at the moment with No2 offspring having ESA stopped which will cause no end of money upset yet again.
It really is amazing how various official 'agencies' can screw the situation to fit their own rulings. No2 can't apply for a Crisis Loan for anything other than £20 towards food & heating because of living with me & being "Family", yet when I looked for housing benefit the kids are classed as my "Lodgers" & are supposed to pay me rent!
I fear that the internet is going to have to go but I suppose it will save on the lekkie

charlies-aunt

Rummer wrote: »

Finding out more information should help. We should be able to survive but we really need to get our "house" in order so that we are reducing our outgoings. Been tightening our belts for a long time though and we are running out of things to cut back on. Going to scour the boards to see what else we can save on. Just cleared my wardrobe out to see what can be e-bayed!

Really sorry to hear your news Rummer - you oh and family are lucky in one important respect - they have you at the helm to steer them through the troubled seas ahead.

You are lucky too - you have an amazing head start over many others in the same situation because you reacted immediately to this devastating change of circumstances with realistic and resourceful strategies and a really positive attiude.

I try and focus onthe things that I have that I get for free and money can't buy - family, love, reasonable health., liberty and the countryside... I have a roof over my head, food and a bed to sleep in...everything is a bit shabby and threadbare now but we're hanging on in there

Times are tough and things are set to get worse before they get better, but if anyone can get your family through this - its you ...they really need you to be strong - so go girl! You can do it ! :rolleyes:


I join with all my MSE friends in sending you <<<HUGS>>>
x x x

Peartree

The best Xmas work do I had was some years ago - I think drinking on company premises (in the public sector) would be very much frowned upon now (this was in the days when it was the norm to go to the pub on a Friday lunchtime and actually, dare I admit it, have a half of shandy!!!) We all chipped in a few quid and it bought buffet food and loads of nibbles, beer, soft drinks, etc. We then had a late lunch and played silly games in a big meeting room for a couple of hours. The big boss of the organisation at the time had just grown a very funny moustache and we had a blindfolded 'Pin the Moustache on the (insert Director's name)' game involving his photo! He turned up and joined in, bless him!

There was so much (non-perishable) stuff left over, particularly those little bottles of Belgian beer (because most people drove to work) that it lasted months and months. Every birthday and major event of the next year (it was the World Cup and the Senior Manager on site brought in a portable) the remaining nibbles and drinks were pulled out. I think that is the least money I ever put in to a Xmas do and got the most pleasure from it. We all dispersed at the end of that year, when our funding ended, and I have a suspicion there's an unopened cupboard still on that site full of out of date beer, pop and crisps!

Rummer

charlies-aunt wrote: »

Really sorry to hear your news Rummer - you oh and family are lucky in one important respect - they have you at the helm to steer them through the troubled seas ahead.

You are lucky too - you have an amazing head start over many others in the same situation because you reacted immediately to this devastating change of circumstances with realistic and resourceful strategies and a really positive attiude.

I try and focus onthe things that I have that I get for free and money can't buy - family, love, reasonable health., liberty and the countryside... I have a roof over my head, food and a bed to sleep in...everything is a bit shabby and threadbare now but we're hanging on in there

Times are tough and things are set to get worse before they get better, but if anyone can get your family through this - its you ...they really need you to be strong - so go girl! You can do it ! :rolleyes:


I join with all my MSE friends in sending you <<<HUGS>>>
x x x

Thank you so much! After my brave words yesterday I was starting to falter but you have made me realise there is no space or time for self pity, I need to be realistically positive and do what I can to keep my family organised. Thank you again, people like you help me get through each day!

elizabunny

Rummer (My second attempt at a post today....senior moment I think) I am so sorry that you are having such a tough time at the moment. I think, sometimes, that it feels as if you are always drawing the short straw, which is exactly what I was thinking this morning. I've come to the conclusion that we were just not meant to be well off and that I'll just have to settle for scraping by (hopefully). However, with the support of friends and family, we always seem to muddle through and I am so lucky to have a really good marriage and I am very thankful for that. I'm sure with determination and your positive approach you will get through this. Fingers crossed something will come along really soon. x

taplady

Rummer - so sorry to hear your news (((hugs))) but at least you're in the right place for help and advice!

pagangirl

Sorry about your news Rummer - Bigs hugs to you & yours :grouphug:

Anytime you need to rant or let off steam, your friends will be here for you.

kingshir

How are things with everyone? Thread seems to have dropped out of existence:(

ginnyknit

We are really struggling at the moment and can't seem to find a way out, but I have made Christmas presents for everyone and am being kept going by the posts on MSE. I have got the family coming here and we have all chipped in for food etc and my DD says we will have a real Christmas. I still feel a little sad because we cannot afford to go out of the house much - Hubby is disabled and we cannot afford petrol. I have plenty to do though and have continued making stuff for several charities only because over the years I have stocked up on craft bargains. Trying to stay positive but some days its hard. have lost a few friends recently who just don't understand why we do not have any money - hope to god they never end up in this position but then again we didnt forsee it ourselves. The good friends we do have are in the same boat so we all support each other. I recommend MSE to everyone because the support on here is great and the ideas have helped so much.

mama67

ginnyknit wrote: »

We are really struggling at the moment and can't seem to find a way out, but I have made Christmas presents for everyone and am being kept going by the posts on MSE. I have got the family coming here and we have all chipped in for food etc and my DD says we will have a real Christmas. I still feel a little sad because we cannot afford to go out of the house much - Hubby is disabled and we cannot afford petrol. I have plenty to do though and have continued making stuff for several charities only because over the years I have stocked up on craft bargains. Trying to stay positive but some days its hard. have lost a few friends recently who just don't understand why we do not have any money - hope to god they never end up in this position but then again we didnt forsee it ourselves. The good friends we do have are in the same boat so we all support each other. I recommend MSE to everyone because the support on here is great and the ideas have helped so much.

(((Hugs))), look at it this way though, those people weren't really good friends if they have dropped you as soon as you "have no money".

At the end of the day material things do not matter it is the love and support of family and good friends