Finally, here is my S.O.A...

*zippy*

Summer I'm sorry posting here made you so upset you didn't sleep ((hugs)) Forget the troll thing, other than that one poster who stupidly posted it, no one else thinks that, if you click the report button on their post you can report the post to the mse team.

As to the washing machine have you checked freecycle or could it be worth putting a notice in your newsagents windows saying you need an old one if someone is giving one away. Sometimes people are glad of not having the hassle of getting the council to collect or whatever. We have British Heart Foundation shops springing up here too that sell second hand furniture and appliances, they are cheap, but I don't know how much a WM would be, but they do deliver so maybe worth a look.

I have a teenager and she was saying the other day that teasing still goes on about free school meals so I can understand your Son not wanting to have them. My DD is now taking a packed lunch, which is working out ok.

Other than those few posts, people are trying to help and do understand how difficult it can be so don't feel got at or people are judging you huni. People throw advice out and if its not quite right for you that's fine, take the good bits and leave what's not quite right for your circumstances. Hope you feel less upset this morning x

mrsb83_2

Don't forget that a suggestion isn't a criticism. You don't need to adopt every idea, or justify why it wouldn't work for you. Just take from the suggestions here what you think could work for you.

McKneff

Hi SSA,
Just to let everyone know that SSA and I have exchanged PMs and had a little chat, I have apologised to her unreservedly and
wish her and hers well.

Annie

CH27

McKneff wrote: »

Hi SSA,
Just to let everyone know that SSA and I have exchanged PMs and had a little chat, I have apologised to her unreservedly and
wish her and hers well.

Annie

That's nice:)

Doubtful_Guest

I can't offer any other financial advice other than what's been said already but I just wanted to say that you're very brave to be tackling it rather than avoiding this whole debt situation. Well done.

Have you looked into getting a carer's assessment for your son ? Most councils have Young Carers' groups that offer support and advice, as well as a break for kids who help care for their parents. It sounds like he's having a hard time with bullying from school etc so maybe it would be a way of helping him out a bit. They do free activities sometimes and even take them away on camp occasionally to give them time away from caring responsibilities. It might do him some good at no cost to you ?

elaine12022

Summer street allotments, just want to say that your health is the most important thing. I hope you get a decent psychiatrist, it can make a lot of difference, my OH is a bit peeved - the one he's had recently is moving onto research,so he'll have to see a new one :mad: I don't know about where you live, but my OH has had a support worker for the last few months too, this was via the Council, he was referred by the Psychiatrist. (kind of!).

Are there any local support groups around you?

:A baby steps...hope your OH can get stronger too.

Indout96

also only entitled to one free eye test every two years..so, have to pay for the other one(35.00 at Boots)..

Not sure if this will help but the eye test is only £5 at boots with the voucher on their site.
http://www.boots.com/en/GBP5-Eye-Test_1116799/
Both myself and wife used it last month - it does cost extra if you want the eye health picture, not 100% but I think that was £10 each but you dont need to have it.


(Voucher valid until end July)

neil324

The country is really fooked ain't it.

Totally fubar.

gingertips

I work incredibly hard & have done for past 25 yrs. I simply cant afford to shop at waitrose so I dont - so I shop at Asda & tescos and buy cheaper foods. we also buy produce & make our own meals instead of pre-packet rubbish.

Go onto the supermaket comparison website & put in your weekly shop & see how much cheaper it is in other stores...in fact with all the time on your hands you should be able to buy some stuff from tescos & other stuff from Asda - the supermarket comparison will tell you whats cheaper at each store. The fresh air and exercise will I have no doubt improve your depression...

Surely there is some work your partner can do - when I was a lad, my mum used to stick labels onto envelopes for a mailing company because she could do it from home & meant a little more income for our home. We all chipped in & helped her do it too during evenings and weekends.

gingertips

also £40 for telephone and mobile appears excessive - do you need a mobile phone? Could you switch your landline to a cheap rate company like talk talk who give you free calls too?

Water - a lot of water companies will provide support for people in hardship - particularly with medical conditions which require water. You should contact them - explain your medical condition & the need for water etc they will give you a significant discount to the amounts being paid.

Help with water bills Some people may be able to get help with the costs of their water supply, for example, people with water meters who use a high volume of water because of certain medical conditions, or because they have 3 or more children under 16, and are receiving a qualifying benefit. In England this is called the WaterSure scheme. They may benefit from a bill calculated as an average charge for domestic customers of that company rather than on their actual measured use of water.
All companies have provisions in place to help people who have difficulty paying their bills, for example, budget schemes. You should contact your water company direct for further information about the schemes available.
More information about the different schemes is also available on the Water UK website at: www.water.org.uk.
If you want more information about the different forms of assistance that may be available you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.


Challenge yourself about whether you really need medical insurance - also laundry - could you not buy a 2nd hand washing machine for the equivalent of 2 months cost? that will save you big time.


Aside from groceries, your most significant spend is on your treatment - only you can decide if you feel you get value for money from this. Perhaps consider cheaper alternatives such as self help groups? I have no concept of how hard depression can be, so please excuse my lack of sympathy.