When things hit rock bottom the only answer is to fight the way back up...

Toni'sfriend

Absolutely agree with everything GC and Purple have said and glad to see that you're going to speak to OH. Getting wages paid into your bank account so you have control of the cash is a really good idea. He does have to stop spending on non essentials until you get everything sorted out.
Hope you like Aldi - it will save you lots. I'm very lucky in that we live within walking distance of all the major supermarkets (apart from Mr T but we can get there by bus with free travel) and also Aldi, Lidl and Home Bargains. Plus we are retired and have lots of time to shop around and buy daily.
You're doing really well. Hope your talk with OH works out.

Hiddenidenity

Revisiting old survey sites, at one point I did really well with surveys, earning £150-200 a month. Then when youngest came along and we lost the daily use of a computer I stopped

This weekend I'm going to find all my open accounts and see what's happening.

First off

Yougov 4275 points. 725 points needed for £50 cash out.
Valued opinions £0 .. £10.50 needed to cash out
PanelBase £6.50 .. £3.50 needed to cash out
Populus 5 points .. 45 needed to cash out

More later x

Hiddenidenity

GeorgianaCavendish wrote: »

I just had another thought, are you registered on any survey sites? They are a good way to make a little bit of extra money and occasionally I've been sent free products to test (washing up liquid and washing powder). I mainly use MySurvey and Ipsos I-Say and I've made £40 so far.

Focus Groups are also a good one for extra cash. I have done 4 this year on topics from personal loans to cinemas. The average payment has been around £50 (I did one last week that was £70 though) and they are usually very interesting. The groups I'm registered with are:
Focus Group 7
Focus For Research
Trend Market Research
People For Research

Wow you must have read my mind :rotfl:

I've never done focus groups. Is it the same as mystery shopping where you need to register as self employed?

Toni'sfriend wrote: »

Absolutely agree with everything GC and Purple have said and glad to see that you're going to speak to OH. Getting wages paid into your bank account so you have control of the cash is a really good idea. He does have to stop spending on non essentials until you get everything sorted out.
Hope you like Aldi - it will save you lots. I'm very lucky in that we live within walking distance of all the major supermarkets (apart from Mr T but we can get there by bus with free travel) and also Aldi, Lidl and Home Bargains. Plus we are retired and have lots of time to shop around and buy daily.
You're doing really well. Hope your talk with OH works out.

I think we'll walk to Aldi and get a taxi home (3.8 miles)

We have Mr T and Asda local but only small stores. It's very rare I actually go shopping and have nearly always done sainsbugs home delivery. Looking forward to actually getting out though.

Aldi is on a retail park over in town. There's a home bargains, morrisons, pound land, card factory and Iceland warehouse too. Although I've only been near twice while attending appointments.

Suffolk_lass

Hello HI, I've just read your diary straight through. Well done - there's quite a lot of juggling going on there.

I think you could get Citizens Advice to help you complete the DLA forms as you want to get what you are entitled to at the first attempt - and you do need to do that quickly. My Sis helps with these where she is based, but that is not in England - she helps people when they get the diagnosis at hospital, to take a bit of the money pressure off them. If you are successful it makes a big difference and would also ensure you get a National Insurance Credit for your pension while you are your child's full-time carer.

I've subscribed to follow your journey.

Don't forget to take a list if you are going to the shops - temptation is a terrible thing (I know, I've just bought three things not on my list!). Be strong!

Hiddenidenity

I'm still sat reading posts and emails and looking out old surveys.

I need to do my small ironing pile and sort the kids stuff for the night. I can't seek to move off mse now I've come back :rotfl:

Mother will be collecting youngest and want their stuff ready for 3pm best get moving :rotfl: :rotfl:

Toni'sfriend

Goodness, you do really well on survey sites - they don't seem to want to know me! Good idea to get CAB to help you fill out forms - they might also know if you are missing out on any other benefits. If there is an Iceland where you're going they often reduce fresh meat/chicken by 50% so might be worth looking first if there is anything like that you need. But DO take a list and don't buy anything you don't really need.
Good luck.

Hiddenidenity

Aldi shop done £27 spent including nappies etc. Even taking into account the taxi home still around £20 cheaper than sainsburys.

Meal plan done.

Need to pop and put gas and electric on when PayPal funds clear into bank and need £6.25 for DS school lunches.

Listed another item on eBay at 99p. I can only sell 10 items a month so will have to hold off now until the month restarts unless something doesn't sell. I really don't have much to eBay I'm struggling to find anything.

I think once next week is over I'm going to try and save the eBay funds and my nectar points towards DS a computer. Unless of course we need it elsewhere, but it's something he really needs and I will use it to survey too please don't shout at me

Hiddenidenity

Morning already how's that possible :rotfl:

PayPal funds cleared into bank so going to go and put the gas and electric on and post the 3 items.

Not sure what time the littles will be back from my mum's but youngest actually slept last night :T seems her pains under control! Well until the weather's nice and she wants to play all day.

I have plenty of cleaning and pottering around to do. Might bake some snacks so the kids can keep their fingers out the food that's for meals.

[Deleted User]

Morning HI,

You sound really positive and upbeat this morning.

Well done on the food shop and meal plan.

Yay to EBay sales, here's to many more

Glad kiddies had fun at your mums overnight, that must've been good for you too.

Hiddenidenity

I'm feeling better thank you. I think next week will be a struggle. But then OH should be back on full wages and no time off other than his annual leave which I'm tempted to convince him to cancel. We'll see.

The kids being away did help things and me and OH had a good chat (youngest was in bed from 6.30 it's a big think for me not to discuss the lack of money/debts around the kids. They will know about budgets etc but my childhood was tainted by parents arguing over debt/hiding from debt collectors etc)

OH isn't really on board however he understands he's been totally stupid. He's requesting wages to be paid into my account. I will cover the bills out of it and then send him 'spends' because I don't think he'll be as on board as me with cutting back to nothing but the priority bills being paid will at least be a huge step in the right direction.

6 items listed on ebay 4 will sell (only at 99p but still)

There's £25 in PayPal and I have £10 nectar points I can use. So £35 towards laptop fund. (I might dip in to this but it makes me feel happy knowing I've made in start in sorting something DS needs)

The next major thing is the council tax. It's literally depressing.
I don't know if I should use this for the payment a day challenge but I don't know if the council will be annoyed at loads of small payments? Any thoughts?