Stories of being absolutely skint!

wanchai_2

sulkisu wrote: »

These stories really bring back memories.

When I was in my mid 20's and between jobs my giro (remember those?) went missing in the post and took almost a week to be replaced. I remember taking toilet roll from the local library's toilet because I had run out and couldn't afford to buy any, using my friends deodorant (I was desperate) while visiting the bathroom, using a free shampoo sample to wash a few clothes and surviving on those cheap nasty noodles (10 packets for £1). I now operate in survival mode - I keep a stock of dried and tinned foods and toiletries (just in case) and a jar full of change - despite earning a healthy salary. I hate the thought of being in that position again.

I think that my family's experience made me a bit like this. Even though I am in a good job and have over £50,000 in savings, I always keep a stash of food, toiletries etc - my OH calls me a terrible hoarder, and I really do think that it harks back to my childhood - that subconscious fear of not having 'enough' or that the 'good times' may suddenly end. You see, my dad had a fairly well-paid job before quitting to start his business, I was about 8/9 when the business went under and just old enough to be aware of money, I suppose.

I knew that we were short of money even though they tried not to worry us. We didn't have much, but they always scrimped and saved to get us birthday presents and Christmas presents - they loved Christmas and would have put a few quid aside every month to make sure that we had all the trimmings. Mind you, I'm not talking X-boxes and designer gear here!!! We got pretty modest presents (just normal by the standards of the day - clothes, CDs etc).

I am constantly amazed these days by how much money kids seem to have. They're walking around with Jack Wills bags :eek: and spending £10 a go in Starbucks or wherever - if I had £5 when I was a teenager, I thought I was rich!! I would have saved it towards something I really wanted - a CD perhaps. I certainly wouldn't have blown it on a coffee and a muffin!!

I really appreciated every penny, and admire my parents for getting through that tough time. They never fully recovered financially, but they got the debts paid and lived a comfortable enough existence. I just wish that my dad had had a longer retirement after working so hard all his life. Thankfully my mum is still with us, and in good health (touch wood).

bromleymum

After being a student years ago, I was unemployed for a while and lived in jeans and flip flops.

I found a job and had to loan work trousers and shoes from a friend. The trousers were ripped along a seam and I had to sellotape the rip together as I had absolutely no money for needle and thread.

I wore those trousers every day for nearly a month, changing the sellotape every night. It was quite a trendy office and I was deeply ashamed of how I looked.

But, a few months ago I came across a photo of me at work, in those trousers and I looked blooming lovely!!! 5 foot 8 inches, about 9 stone, flawless complexion, glossy hair. Just goes to show that it never looks as bad as you think.

PollyOnAMission

I remember being totally skint as a student just before a loan payment. I had NO money what so ever to buy food for a couple of days, so I used all my Boots Advantage Card points and lived off their meal deals

GreenSaints

When I was a student, I had a lot of financial commitments as I left my job to go to university full time, so I had a mortgage, car etc as well as paying for rent at uni. Plus I didn't know I could get a loan for the first 6 months either (hence I have been in debt, but that's os another story)

Because of this, I was constantly poor but the worst time was a when my mum sent £20 in the post as it was quicker than a bank transfer!

She marked it private and confidential - just in case! :rotfl:

antonia1

For anyone who is interested, there is an old thread from the debt free wannabe forum all about how people have been helped through their most skint times by random acts of kindness from strangers:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3434643

Be warned - it can make you cry!

newcook

antonia1 wrote: »

For anyone who is interested, there is an old thread from the debt free wannabe forum all about how people have been helped through their most skint times by random acts of kindness from strangers:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3434643

Be warned - it can make you cry!

damn you antonia1!! some of those stories are really touching

BitterAndTwisted

When my sister and I were tiny and we lived in Edinburgh (in about 1956 or so) my mother once fainted in the street from hunger. A policeman found her and took her to the station and give her a cup of tea and a sandwich.

It doesn't matter that I've had to choose between decent food or central-heating the last couple of winters as I know there's absolutely no chance of me fainting from hunger.

kate1976

I am forever skint at the moment and if it wasn't for family and friends I really don't know where I'd be, it's at times like this I am grateful for having so much support, they really don't seem to understand how much I'm thankful!! I really think I'd be in the street without them! It always makes me think what my gran would say: 'I'd rather be poor with good people around than rich and lonely'

trolleyrun

Quite a few years ago, my flatmate left without any notice and it turned out he'd not paid some of the bills, so I had to pay the bills and double rent before I found somebody else to move in. I worked as much as I could, but on minimum wage. I didn't eat and slept very little. It was a very depressing time, and I was permanently exhausted. I found it nigh on impossible to ask anyone for help, damn that pride Eventually, some of my colleagues cottoned on and gave me food they'd "borrowed" from the chillers/freezers (I worked in the restaurant in a hotel). They made me something to eat and more or less force-fed me. Bless them, they got me through.

I then started another job and moved, but that job didn't turn out to be very good either, and due to my depressed state, I stopped eating again (it's what I do at difficult times). I had to get some stuff for the flat (basic essentials), so once again, I had no money. I did help myself to some food at work (another catering job) and I did a few other things that I'd rather not mention (not selling myself - for the record!), just to try to survive.

Eventually, I'd had enough and decided what job I really wanted. I promised myself to get sorted if I got the job, and over a decade later, I've not been overdrawn since. I learned the hard way, and I know I'll never go back to the way it was then. I'm healthy, happy and very lucky.

determined_new_ms

so many times - lived in poverty as a child, often ate bread sandwiches

ived in poverty as a young parent for many years. Lots of situations that were esteem destroying, going without food so the kids could eat (I too was 7 stone, miss those times in some ways!), not being able to afford new shoes for my toddler dd so bought some jelly shoes and just went out on days that it didn't rain. The worst was not being able to afford sanitary towels and having to go to my ex-mi's and ask her for a pack. So glad that my life is no longer like that