Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

MERFE

I used to ebay a lot and with the moves (2 in 2 years) we really downsized everything, it certainly helped pay the moving fees. I really am scraping the bottom of the barrel of things that are left unless I destash some of my work things. I do some crafts that I sell (registered and insured for) but I don't count the income as its so variable. I'm really unsure about if I will bother with fairs this summer and if I don't and just stick to online I can get rid of my displays, but the fairs do bring in a more.

Did this weeks shop and it came to £43 and I really didn't get loads for that just what we needed. Cereals, bread, milk, fruit and veg. I got some chicken breasts as well. We have mince in the freezer and loads of fish. I think I will have to do a meal plan otherwise I'll forget what we have. Counting up all my change there is just over £50 left in my purse to last till 26th February. But I only took a £300 budget this month for food to try and keep us out the overdraft, if we have to I guess we can drop into the overdraft. I don't think I have failed the food budget as it supposed to be £350 I was just trying to keep out the overdraft. If its only a tiny bit though hopefully it'll come right when the council tax gets sorted and is a lower payment.

MERFE

In the interest of not going overdrawn I have requested my cashback from topcashabck, its only £12 and I have £10 to spend in nectar points so can get some bits from sainsburys on Saturday when we are nearby. Hopefully it'll be just enough to keep us out the overdraft.

MERFE

Ebay is going well with some bids in for items and lots of watchers, made a sale on etsy last night for 5 of my items so that money can go in the food pot, no need to be overdrawn this month.

Husband mentioned returning to the south east, I think he misses the job he had there. When we moved here there was promises of help with childcare which hasn't happened. Whilst we have debts though there is no way we could afford the rent in the South East.

Feeling very down about job hunting, have applied to so many without even a sniff and I am very capable, just that gap I think holding me back. I have applied for voluntary roles too but not hearing anything from them either. Now the kids are all in school full time its ideal for going back to work but if no one gives me a chance what can I do.

MERFE

argh South West Water have taken 2 dd amounts, one for £85 and one for £67, that means there isn't enough left to cover the car payment without going overdrawn. Hope I can get this back from them. I'm sure the £67 one was to pay off our last house and we finished last month.

MERFE

They asked if I wanted the credit put onto our new account - erm no a refund please. We have £181 credit for the new house already so should more than cover the bill. DD cancelled now, mini panic over.

Kitten868

Urgh! I hate unexpected direct debits! Poor you. Glad you're getting a refund and yay to staying in the black. Job hunting is painful. I'm too scared to do it so I stick at my horrible job you can do it. Just keep trying. Are you on local Facebook and selling Facebook groups? They sometimes advertise jobs x

Spendless

Hi MERFE, I'm having similar issues to you finding a job, since my 'ad-hoc' one sort of ending at New Year and my kids are a lot older- at Secondary school! Don't think there's a lot out there at minute, hopefully things will pick up!

I wondered if you'd been on the Old style board for some grocery challenges or eating out of the store-cupboard threads etc? Where do you do most of your grocery shopping?

MERFE

Morning all. I am very rural Kitten, I am on the sites for the nearest town but I don't think I would get a look in at the jobs that go up on there with so many more local people after them too. We are really restricted for childcare too, I have to be finished by 6pm for hubby to go to work so it rules out a lot of the evening jobs. Even the Call centre stuff I have done before all want people that are flexible and can do evenings. Spendless it is good to know I am not alone, I was feeling like I was the only person who cant get a job.

I used to do the grocery challenge years ago and I guess I still do in my head which is why I am so strict with the food budget, its so easy to let that slip and end up spending far too much. We are really limited here to a tiny Tesco or Co-op. So I tend to get an Asda home delivery the beginning of the month then just top up at Tesco. There are some local stalls with veg and eggs and flowers on the streets if you just need something, like I needed carrots the other day, no need to drive into town for them, they just have little honesty boxes and the prices are good. I've never found lidl or aldi to be any cheaper personally for what we buy. There are a few brands I don't compromise on, kenco for instant coffee etc and I really wanted to pick up the Tesco mayo the other day but I just couldn't it has to be hellmans but most things are own brands.

kittycashcake

When I split from my ex husband and had bailiffs after me for his debt I started working from home on the chatlines , it paid very well and you paid your own tax ;-) plus you could work hours to suit you.

Not nice work but it got me away from the debt collectors.

MERFE

well that certainly is something to keep in mind, I'm not sure I could do it though.

I've thought about going to college for some new skills but it all costs money we don't have.