Starting again but lost.

Nargleblast

If the college course is a step towards getting a job and financial independence, then if at all possible you need to find a way to get to class and back - but safely, of course! Maybe your support worker can advise on that? Or is there a similar establishment nearer to where you live? Hex2 mentions splitting the journey, walking part of the way to save money - this could be worth a try. Or, what about looking on Freecycle or similar sites - someone might have a bicycle in good working order to give away? Yes, 7.5 miles on a bike would be tiring if you're not used to it, but it would cut down the journey time and keep you fit!
Do you have friends or family nearby? Or perhaps near the college - a possible source of a lift home?

Nargleblast

As Hex2 says, ask, ask and ask again! If you don't ask, you don't get. Once you start receiving a regular income, things will get easier and you can fine tune some frugal living skills. In the meantime you have to make a start somewhere, so get networking - call in favours, ask for favours, get to know others in the same situation and help each other out. You made a start by leaving your old life - from hereon the only way is up.

ISeeBeforeMe

the college teaches poetry- so well on my way to being a starving artist!
Actually, it was this course that gave me the confidence to walk out of an extremely abusive relationship. I don't know if it will ever get me a job, but it sort of marks the beginning of my Life, if you see what I mean. <blushes>

ISeeBeforeMe

Thanks so much for the advice- i am going to lose my wifi now but will come back tomorrow. I will see what I can magic out of nothing! x

rising_from_the_ashes

Just wanted to wish you all the best for your new life - you've done a really, really hard and brave thing ..... it will be hard for a while but so worth it in the long run.

A suggestion from me - Rice, you can get this at nearly all the SM for 40p/kg for their basics range. If you're really stuck, add a stock cube to the water you're boiling it in (as Hex said, you can get these really cheap too) and if you can get the odd bit of reduced veg at SM closing time the chop and add as well (you could put a bit of the chilli powder in too) .... not that exciting but filling and it would keep you going for the odd very cheap meal.

babyshoes

Firstly, well done for getting out! It isn't easy, and plenty of people aren't so brave. Don't let this bumpy patch get you too down, you can and will get past it. You've had lots of good advice already about stretching your money.

I want to second the freegle / freecycle suggestion - ask nicely with a brief, unemotional explaination of why you need a bicycle, and you may just be offered one. You could also ask on there for food if you ran out completely, I'm sure plenty of people would be willing to pass on some tins / packets which they aren't using or bought lots of because it was cheap and found they didn't like it / got bored with it, or it is about to go out of date etc. You may end up with some wierd combos, but at least you wouldn't starve!

Secondly, I have a feeling that travelling that distance by bus might be cheaper than the tube - though I don't regularly travel in London so I'm not 100% sure if that's true. Might be worth exploring though. It will take much longer, but perhaps you could get a couple of busses to take you most of the way and walk the last / first couple of miles if necessary. It might let you get to your class this week at least.

Finally, I assume you are in a new area. If there is a tourist information service that covers the area, they would be a good source of information about travel, shops in the vicinity, cheap things to do nearby (parks, free museums etc) when you need to get out of the house for a bit, etc.

Good luck, you've taken the first step, now just keep going!

rosiepup2000

Have you got any storage containers to keep cooked food in the fridge? If so I would go to Lid! and get a cheap bag of rice and a tin of chopped tomatoes and make a big batch of dhal with the lentils and onions, you could make enough to last a couple of days for a main meal with the rice. And a loaf of bread and maybe some cheese for cheese on toast for lunches with the cupasoups. You've got oats so that is your breakfasts sorted! Keep a lookout for any reduced fruit. It would get a bit boring after a while but it would keep you going until your benefits are sorted out.

Just really wanted to say well done for getting yourself out of a bad situation, and best of luck.

coolcats

Those tins are most likely what people have donated for people just like you that have very little and need a help. Also the food back is there for the same reason, take what you need now and give back when you can.

I have been where you are I got given so much at the time, and now I'm able to give back, not to the people that helped me but to people that need it now. The people that make these donations do it to help when they can. In a few years you will be back on your feet, having started your new life and be in a position to help others.

You have done well to get where you arwe and can build on that. Ask and you will be surprised at what help that you are given.

Willowpop

Iseebeforeme, firstly well done for getting out of the relationship..that took some courage, so I know you'll get through this next bit just fine.
The first thing I thought was could you get to college and back just on the bus(or several buses) as that would work out cheaper.
The daily cap for bus journeys/ bus 7day travelcard is miles less than the tube cap so you would save some money there..yep it might take a little longer to get there, but if you had to borrow some money then you'd need to borrow less.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14415.aspx

Also, as I think has already been mentioned, the college might have a crisis fund where you can get a small loan to help you make ends meet right now.
Definitely get on your local freecycle group as well, you'll be amazed at what people give away for free.
Good luck with it all.

ISeeBeforeMe

hiya!

What a busy day- well all my post came at once (we have a PO box address) after weeks of nothing. I have my Job seekers allowance!! They sent me a 'simple payments' card, as I don't have a bank account and finding a paypoint shop that also does simple payments was a nightmare! I must have walked miles.

I withdrew one weeks worth and put it in an envelope.
I used a bit of the original £7 I had to buy a tin of chopped tomatoes, some veg oil and a couple of chilis and corriander. I am now going to make a big batch of tarka daal. That should last me a few days.

I am a bit scared to spend my money in a way.:o

Thanks for the tip about buses. Of course! it takes 2 buses to get to college and actually takes less time so I will be doing that. It is weird, it never occurred to me NOT to take the tube, as it is what I have always done.

I need to make a master shopping list to make my money last. That will be my next task. Thanks everyone so much!

I am also going to get some things for the nearest foodbank. a few tins at first, it is scary not having any money for food.