Benefits for family - child off to uni

7roland8

Thanks for all your advice.

Yes will be cutting back again - although already quite frugal.

Hubby now has lots of health probs and I often spend days in bed - have ME so can't even do much of my own household stuff - let alone other peoples. Used to get rid of my stuff on ebay etc but I've not been out for a yr and no-one wants to be lumbered with parcels - hubby often not up to driving himself either and no P.O. near.

We're lucky to own our house outright - even if a bit shabby! So suppose I'm lucky - have some owed on four credit cards but not so bad as people lumbered with mortgages.

We would both like to be out earning but as that is not an option its just cutback time.

Not sure if its different here in Wales but what son has is the £3thous whatever going straight to uni for tuition - and £5000 maintenance grant from Welsh Assembly. Was nightmare doing forms as it was changeover from one system to another regarding tuition fees.

Anyhow went through everything in detail - cancelled my DVD rental (£$ a month) plus got in touch with AA to downgrade our package - as I've not been behind wheel for over a yr might as well be taken off for mow anyway. Will also see if I can get house+contents combined in a cheaper package - as they are separate now.

Anyhow what do people say - its not a problem but an opportunity and challenge? And when you see how people are suffering on TV makes this look insignificant.

calleyw

I am so glad that you have not been offended by what I said.

Have you checked here it will help you with benefits.

Check with your local council about any charities to help with grants for replacement of house items such as washing machines etc.

All the best.

Yours


Calley

7roland8

No not taken offence at all Calley - nice of people to respond.

I think we all get these little 'dips' and we've always got through in the past.

Will check out the site you mentioned. Have been lucky enough to have a large mobility scooter on loan from Civil Service Benevolent Fund - so I go for 'spins' round our village when on a good day which is a nice escape from the house.

Will look into other stuff too as we have two rings working on cooker at present but its a question of making do till we get sorted properly - and I think it makes you more inventive.

I recall my mum just cooking on a coal range and for a treat we had chips cooked on a primus stove (not very health and safety!).

Hubby worked all his life till the accident in his late 40s - I was in civil service till had my family - then a stay-at-home mum but never claimed anything - we just made do with one wage - and regarded being here with the children more important than holidays and new furniture.

Cheers

Penny-Pincher!!

calleyw wrote: »

I am so glad that you have not been offended by what I said.

Me too! When I re-read my post I thought I was a little harsh but didnt mean in to be like that.

OP, I spend the majority of my time having to rest and in constant pain as my consultant has now said I am counted as being "terminally" ill:eek::eek::eek::eek:

If you have a little energy to spare every so often, even just 5 minutes here and there, you could do surveys or clicks on line and you can earn vouchers.

There are also competitions to do which literally take a few seconds and you never know.

Mealplan, so you dont waste money there. Do an online shop where you can use a voucher code. All supermarkets do specials on ready meals if you find it difficult to prepare things. Stews are easy to prepare (use frozen veg) and you can leave in the SC to cook all day and its nutricious too.

Extra blankets so you can turn the heating down a little. I cant cope with being cold, so would rather stop eating than the lack of heat:o

Are you entitled to any help from SS with regards to care etc? They can come out and do an assessment of needs.

Maybe your son could help with practical things like preparing food, housework etc etc. Or just buy a couple of joints of meat a week to contribute etc.

HTH

PP
xx

Indie_Kid

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Mealplan, so you dont waste money there. Do an online shop where you can use a voucher code. All supermarkets do specials on ready meals if you find it difficult to prepare things. Stews are easy to prepare (use frozen veg) and you can leave in the SC to cook all day and its nutricious too.

I would also cook enough for a few meals and freeze it. I did this as a student and it was so much easier than cooking every night.

MrsManda

sh1305 wrote: »

I would also cook enough for a few meals and freeze it. I did this as a student and it was so much easier than cooking every night.

It's also cheaper as you can buy in bulk

Penny-Pincher!!

Thanks Guys! I did mean to put that but forgot....brain fart! x

7roland8

Thanks guys. A long while ago hubby started cooking for himself (he eats meat - we don't). Then as son is older now and often has girlfriend round they cook their own stuff - so I just do myonw. Probably sounds a bit wasteful but I only have basic stuff for myself - so not a lot of cooking energy wasted - plus it means I don't have to worry about anyone else! And if having a bad few days I can live on soup and cereals! I usually get the washing up - but don't mind too much. They enjoy experimenting, which is fine - so long as I'm not buying the fancy ingredients!

Do all the basic shopping online with Tesco every two weeks (so no impulse buys) - try to stretch it out - and if the youngsters want anything 'special' or 'exotic' they go and buy it for themselves!

We have the table-top little ovens so we only use the large one for Christmas - quick to heat up and great of only doing something small - plus I intend to get a cheap/small slow cooker for myself this winter - usually use a steamer.

Sorry to hear of your consultant's comments P.P. - don't Drs realise the effect their words can have? Try not to take to heart - if hear anything like that I just say we're all dying from the minute we're born, and the Drs can never forecast very well - look at Stephen Hawkins who wasn't given very lone - about 20yrs ago.

Perhaps I ought to follow up your advice on surveys etc P.P. I do try and do constructive stuff - but its not money-making!
I do village website and Newsletter, and have helped compile eleven village history books - doing most research from home recently. Also do lots of family tree stuff on Ancestry. But its not something I could make money out of, as people who pay for research expect you to be able to get to Record Offices etc. But I enjoy it and find it engrossing when I can do a bit here and there.
Cheers

7roland8

Just been scanning the site for interesting tips etc.
My money saver this year was when my immersion heater broke - and we've not had it repaired!

We have a log burner type stove which heats the water - but we would use the immersion as well. Now we can't - and although you sometimes have a wait a bit for a bath my monthly electric has dropped by about a fifth!

calleyw

7roland8,

I have nothing else to add to help. But wish you all the best.

I know to get what you are entitled to can take a lot of time and effort, And if you don't have the energy in the first place makes it million times harder.

If you have time pop over to oldstyle money saving forum there are loads hints and tips.

Have fun on your scooter

Yours

Calley