Is it ok living in bare minimum?

peachyprice

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I was worried about health visitors etc as I'd be embarassed for people to see it?

Sweetheart, health visitors aren't going to worry about sparse furnishings, they'll worry if there's no food in the cupboard though. I'm sure they would rather see you looking after yourself and your son than struggling to get the 'perfect home'

mountainofdebt

when we first got married the only rooms that had carpet was out bedroom and the bathroom - the rest of the house was left as we bought it it had those plastic floor tiles on it iyswim

We didn't have any settees - had 3 old deck chairs.

Didn't have a cooker either - cooked with a microwave (and that was in the days before those oven/microwave ovens)

We lasted a year like that.

tw1nklestar

i am not sure if you would be eligible for this but it might be worth a look, my daughter is being considered for one at the moment and will hear within 5 days after fleeing a violent relationship, she is now getting housed shortly and the womens refuge urged her to complete the forms to help with essential items. My daughter is also being helped by a charity who will supply her with some white goods as and when they become available once she has moved. There are lots of good people around.


http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/community-care-grants/#whocan

moneysavingmumofone

I wouldnt worry about carpet for now. Carpet/flooring is so expensive, we didnt have flooring (it was just cement floor)except the cheapest carpet (about £20, thin ridged stuff!) in my sons room for about 2 years. Have you thought about vinyl tiles? They look like laminate and you can get them from Poundland and 99p store. 4 tiles for £1. We have these in our front room and it cost us £40. (would be more now as it used to be 6 for £1) Lasted over 3 years without starting to look tatty and that was just where furniture had been on it and dented/cracked it a bit! Very easy to lay too, we are actually about to lay more in the hallway and front room.

Its taken us over 6 years to get our flat fully furnished with flooring in every room and thats through ebay/freecycle/facebook and bargains so nobody would ever think bad of you for not having a fully furnished/decorated flat. I think it takes everyone a while to 'do up' their first homes. x

ecgirl07

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I was worried about health visitors etc as I'd be embarassed for people to see it?

WW9 the first thing you move in the new flat is your self esteem and self confidence. Be positive and stop worrying about what others think. Your other threads suggest that your family have drained you of self confidence and self esteem but this new move shows you have battled through the storm and have come out the other side a winner. Shut out that nagging voice you have that says "this isn't good enough" IT IS and from the sounds of your posts you ARE going to make a lovely home for you and child.

YOU have secured your families future and YOU will continue to do so. Be confident about this and be confident when having health visitors etc round.

Good luck in your new home!

sweetilemon

A lot of good advice. Have you got a local library? Def worth registering and making use if you have. Ours has free internet access and a childrens area with coulouring books, pens/pencils, a few cuddly toys and obviously loads of books. Some librarys do classes for kids...it may give you a nice environment to study and watch your little one all for free.

silverchair

Try freecycle , bootsales & gumtree

You dont need some of the big purchases straight away
Try a Halogen oven rather than a big oven. We were without a big oven for almost a year, but the halogen oven was fine to get by on. You could get one of those electric hob tops (I think Argos sell them)

You dont need a washing machine either. If youve got a laundrette near you then take it there, otherwise hand- wash things & dry it on the washing line or clothes horse dryer.

You can get off cut carpets which would be cheaper or get look out for a rug on freecycle.

You can get offcuts of material & make your own curtains or look out for them on freecycle or ebay.

Again you dont need a sofa straight away either, you can get by with camper chairs. We did for a year

Not sure how old your kid is but try the toy lending library & buy clothes on ebay or bootsales. The money you save can go towards those larger purchase items.

Most people cant buy everything all at once & just furnish their rooms bit by bit so dont feel too bad. just make sure you dont get yourself into huge amounts of debt trying to furnish it all at once.

LaineyR

Hi wiggywoo9
Really don't worry about your HV's reaction, that's my line of work and we visit all kinds of homes. It sounds like your priority is keeping you and your son safe and well and that's the main thing. In fact we've lived in our house for 7 years and still have no carpet on the floor, so I'm not one to judge...
Your HV can be a great resource and will know local schemes and charities who can help you. They might also be able to put your son's name down for pilot 2 year funding for nursery which would help with the costs.
Wishing you all the best!

xoxo_2

Would something like this do for cooking food until you can afford a proper cooker? As there's only you and your son you don't really need a big cooker yet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Andrew-James-18-Litre-Small-Black-Mini-Oven-and-Grill-/370695341450?pt=UK_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL&hash=item564f2a058a&_uhb=1

Fridge, bed, something to sit on etc should be easy enough to get from freecycle or similar.

Sambucus_Nigra

I lasted years with a fridge freezer that had been gifted; a one ring electric hob which had been borrowed from work and a microwave. You learn alot about one pot meals!