Missy’s debtfree seperation! Hugs & support needed

redofromstart

Some really useful meal planners on thrifty lesley here: https://www.thriftylesley.com/meal-plans/
The Lentil, chickpea and bacon based one is high protein surely? Don't forget your high protein vegan stuff, it doesn't have to be all expensive meats. I eat a lot of almonds/cashew nuts for the protein and the calories. Can you bulk out with pulses? Aldi red lentils are cheap, and so are the tinned pulses - chickpeas are 33p I think. May be cheaper (and tastier) to make hummus.

Clubcard, they used to do 'double ups' for clothes, etc but haven't seen one for years. Used to use it for school uniform bits when the double up was on. That said, if the critical thing is eating till the benefits are sorted then that £90 would go a long way on food shopping if you planned carefully.

HTH

Honeysucklelou2

I've tended to use my Clubcard vouchers against food shopping and it's face value rather than any doubling up. I do sympathise, I had my tax credits cut for 6 weeks last summer as I changed from a joint claim to single claim and it's a huge worry as to how to pay for everything. Hopefully it will get sorted quickly, though won't hurt to ring and ask them about progress.

missymoo81

Thanks redo! I will look at that thread! Also I forgot about nuts. I have 3 jars of peanut butter so will start adding that to stuff. Does anyone know the cheapest milk to buy. As I have a load of protein powder, but cant stand it with water. Is UHT cheaper? Salad for dinner tonight. Have had to spend £11 in Tesco. I got cat food, milk, coffee, biscuits, sweet potatoes, bread and pita bread.

Thanks honeysuckle.

missymoo81

Ok so I went to Tesco again today, I took the cat food back as have been given other stuff for him. So i spent the £3 on eggs, grapes, sugar and some shower gel, so it cost me an extra £1. Friend wouldnt let me pay for earlier shopping as was on the checkout with theirs. So I got some milk, bran flakes and blueberries. Bless my friend. Everyone is eating porridge for breakfast, having omelette tonight. Will need to get some bread and cat food later in the week, and yet more chicken. Im really struggling filling in the benefits forms and sorting out being self employed. So benefits are going to take ages to come through. The Tesco vouchers im struggling to get hold of too. Am starting to wonder if its registered under exs name and that hes spent the vouchers!! Am going to speak to accountant tomorrow and see how soon I can sort stuff, have emailed her. Then Ill see if I can speak to the benefits people. Well thats my plan!

missymoo81

Sat in tears, just spoke to Tesco, clubcard is registered to Ex not me. So that £90 is gone. F@ck! no idea what Im going to do now.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sorry to hear that Missy . What about a food bank just to tide you over until the benefits get sorted? That's why most people use food banks, because of benefit delays or penalisations. I'm sure there must be soneone who could help you fill in the claim forms too. What about the Citizens Advice Bureau?

WannabeFree

I've sent you a PM Missy

Big hugs

x

beanielou

Please please go to the foodbank.
They are there for situations just like this.
Take care xx

missymoo81

Thank you everyone I really appreciate your kind words of support. Ive still got the foreign notes to change so that will be food for the rest of the week..... Exs maintenance will come through at the weekend, but thats for bills and rent really. I Went through all of the drawers, under the bed and down sofas etc and found £1.30 so spent that on fishfingers so the children had that and some (slightly squidgy!) new potatoes that were in the fridge and some garden peas from the freezer. Im ok at the minute we wont starve just yet... have some jewellery I think I will sell and ILl put some stuff on eBay at the weekend. Still feel very sick about the whole thing! The Tesco points just left me totally flawed but Ive managed to pick myself up.

CapricornLass

Have you also tried looking at the Cooking On A Bootstrap website for ideas? Jack Monro had £10 a week to spend on food for herself and her son, and her recipes are based round that.