Anybody else really struggling?

[lilliesmummie]

I'm 20 and my partners 22. We have a 19 month old daughter and our own place which we rent. We've never been rolling around in money, but just lately.. We're really struggling. I'm finding it hard to feed us. It's so heartbreaking but we always make sure our daughter can eat. Sometimes I don't and I'm 27 weeks pregnant. I'm so sad right now. Feels like everything's falling apart around me

 

[xforuiholdonx]

I know how it is hun! Not sure if Your US or UKA but there is.help.you can get)!!!

 

[jozylynn896]

I'm sorry your going through that but if your in USA you can get loads of help

 

[thecurlymama]

Hi, I'm Emma.. 16 and 23 weeks along. I still live at home with my family, but my boyfriend and I are planning on moving in together once our little guy is born.

My family has never had much money. Well, we've pretty much always had close to no money. We've been supporting 7 people on about $2,000/month and the rent for our house is $1,500/month. It's really hard, but there are ways to keep everybody eating! I live in washington and here, since I'm pregnant I get WIC which are checks each month that are healthy foods for pregnant women and I get them until my little boy is 5. We also go to the food bank twice a week. If there's a foodbank in your town that might be a way to feel like you have some food in the house for everybody to snack on.

Good luck!

 

[lilliesmummie]

Thank you.
I live in the UK. Me and my partner both work so aren't entitled to anything. It's so hard! I really never though I'd struggle like I am. Feeling useless! X

 

[zilla]

Hello x I'm sorry you're going through this!
Are you in the UK? There are some really good TV programs around at the moment like Miss Moneypenny & Superscrimpers which have really good hints and tips on saving the pennies.

If there is anything that you need to buy, see if you can do it online & do it through Quidco. I did this & got £50 back just from doing my breakdown cover etc with them. Keep an eye on sites like moneysavingexpert.com.

Most supermarkets will give you £10-£15 off your online shop for your first shop with them, so when you need to stock up, go to these and set up an account and then next time, order from a different supermarket and do the same. It all adds up!

What I've found really really helpful is planning meals and menus each week. Eg, if on a Monday you're planning to have spaghetti bolognese, buy a bumper cheap pack of mince and make sure you use the rest on another day that week, and do something else that has mince as a main ingredient, such as homemade lasagne.

Pasta is the cheapest of all meals - you can get a massive bag in the supermarket for a couple of quid! or baked potatoes etc.

I know there are things such as "food banks" around - if you google, you could find one in your local area that might be willing to help you.
You could also mention that you're finding it difficult to buy food to your MW - she might be able to sort something out for you with the local council etc.
I know there was something called a healthy eating grant, but I'm not sure if this is running anymore.? It might be worth looking into.

Have you written out a budget? If you write down all incomings and outgoings you might be able to spot ways where you can pull back and save some pennies!
You could try comparethemarket.com & try and get cheaper quotes for your gas/electricity bills?

Sorry for the massive rant - I've had to pull back loads recently. I hope some of this helps! xxxx

 

[lilliesmummie]

Thanks Zilla!
I seem to be doing a fortnightly shop that costs 120 pound and I still have nothing! Definitely going to plan out meals, good tip thank you.
I'm ashamed to be struggling so much if I'm honest. Will try and mention it the next time I see my midwife. My daughter always eats, but she's not getting veg every day and I feel really bad. I've constantly got people hassling me because I owe money that I just cant pay. I can't do overtime at work because that would mean Childcare costs. Feel stuck! Xx

 

[zilla]

Thanks Zilla!
I seem to be doing a fortnightly shop that costs 120 pound and I still have nothing! Definitely going to plan out meals, good tip thank you.
I'm ashamed to be struggling so much if I'm honest. Will try and mention it the next time I see my midwife. My daughter always eats, but she's not getting veg every day and I feel really bad. I've constantly got people hassling me because I owe money that I just cant pay. I can't do overtime at work because that would mean Childcare costs. Feel stuck! Xx

No worries !
I plan my meals every month, for that month & buy in advance what I can (apart from milk and bread, so just a quick trip to the shop on a sat morning for those) & last month, my monthly shop came to £160, which was including 4 x tubs of SMA, a hugs bottle of fabric softener and a massive tub of washing tablets. We just live on pasta a lot haha!
I know what you mean about the childcare, it's a joke!
our income this year is 1/2 of what it was last year as OH took a pay cut - & because of my maternity pay. I wasn't planning on going back to work once my maternity leave ends, but I'm going to have to now he has this new job as we're really screwed now. Working 40 hours a week will only leave me £50 better off - but I guess it needs to be done
The only thing that will get me through it is knowing that it won't be forever & that I have my LO & OH - although an expensive pair of shoes here and there wouldnt go a miss

 

[lilliesmummie]

Thanks Zilla!
I seem to be doing a fortnightly shop that costs 120 pound and I still have nothing! Definitely going to plan out meals, good tip thank you.
I'm ashamed to be struggling so much if I'm honest. Will try and mention it the next time I see my midwife. My daughter always eats, but she's not getting veg every day and I feel really bad. I've constantly got people hassling me because I owe money that I just cant pay. I can't do overtime at work because that would mean Childcare costs. Feel stuck! Xx

No worries !
I plan my meals every month, for that month & buy in advance what I can (apart from milk and bread, so just a quick trip to the shop on a sat morning for those) & last month, my monthly shop came to £160, which was including 4 x tubs of SMA, a hugs bottle of fabric softener and a massive tub of washing tablets. We just live on pasta a lot haha!
I know what you mean about the childcare, it's a joke!
our income this year is 1/2 of what it was last year as OH took a pay cut - & because of my maternity pay. I wasn't planning on going back to work once my maternity leave ends, but I'm going to have to now he has this new job as we're really screwed now. Working 40 hours a week will only leave me £50 better off - but I guess it needs to be done
The only thing that will get me through it is knowing that it won't be forever & that I have my LO & OH - although an expensive pair of shoes here and there wouldnt go a miss

Gosh you've definitely lightened up my mood!
I can't stand the fact I can't afford to put my little girl in Childcare one day a week even though me and OH work!
Definitely would like a shopping trip like that. Yeah, pasta goes with loads! Even
If it does get boring, gotta eat lol!
And don't! I can't remember the last time I bought myself something lovely!!
Looking in at my family, you wouldn't think we were struggling. My girl never goes without, and never dresses horribly. That's one thing ill always do, make sure she never misses out! But god it's hard xx

 

[zilla]

Thanks Zilla!
I seem to be doing a fortnightly shop that costs 120 pound and I still have nothing! Definitely going to plan out meals, good tip thank you.
I'm ashamed to be struggling so much if I'm honest. Will try and mention it the next time I see my midwife. My daughter always eats, but she's not getting veg every day and I feel really bad. I've constantly got people hassling me because I owe money that I just cant pay. I can't do overtime at work because that would mean Childcare costs. Feel stuck! Xx

No worries !
I plan my meals every month, for that month & buy in advance what I can (apart from milk and bread, so just a quick trip to the shop on a sat morning for those) & last month, my monthly shop came to £160, which was including 4 x tubs of SMA, a hugs bottle of fabric softener and a massive tub of washing tablets. We just live on pasta a lot haha!
I know what you mean about the childcare, it's a joke!
our income this year is 1/2 of what it was last year as OH took a pay cut - & because of my maternity pay. I wasn't planning on going back to work once my maternity leave ends, but I'm going to have to now he has this new job as we're really screwed now. Working 40 hours a week will only leave me £50 better off - but I guess it needs to be done
The only thing that will get me through it is knowing that it won't be forever & that I have my LO & OH - although an expensive pair of shoes here and there wouldnt go a miss

Gosh you've definitely lightened up my mood!
I can't stand the fact I can't afford to put my little girl in Childcare one day a week even though me and OH work!
Definitely would like a shopping trip like that. Yeah, pasta goes with loads! Even
If it does get boring, gotta eat lol!
And don't! I can't remember the last time I bought myself something lovely!!
Looking in at my family, you wouldn't think we were struggling. My girl never goes without, and never dresses horribly. That's one thing ill always do, make sure she never misses out! But god it's hard xx

Glad I've helped a bit!
I think sometimes it makes you worse off by working. Which isn't the way it should be really, but it is. There seems to be a crap bit in the middle - which is where we are - where you're earning too much to be able to claim anything, but too skint to be comfortable.
Bless you, you sound like a lovely mummy to her
What has your OH said about the whole thing? I keep trying to tell my OH how bad it is but he doesn't listen, just says "oh, it'll all work out".. hmm!

 

[lilliesmummie]

Thanks Zilla!
I seem to be doing a fortnightly shop that costs 120 pound and I still have nothing! Definitely going to plan out meals, good tip thank you.
I'm ashamed to be struggling so much if I'm honest. Will try and mention it the next time I see my midwife. My daughter always eats, but she's not getting veg every day and I feel really bad. I've constantly got people hassling me because I owe money that I just cant pay. I can't do overtime at work because that would mean Childcare costs. Feel stuck! Xx

No worries !
I plan my meals every month, for that month & buy in advance what I can (apart from milk and bread, so just a quick trip to the shop on a sat morning for those) & last month, my monthly shop came to £160, which was including 4 x tubs of SMA, a hugs bottle of fabric softener and a massive tub of washing tablets. We just live on pasta a lot haha!
I know what you mean about the childcare, it's a joke!
our income this year is 1/2 of what it was last year as OH took a pay cut - & because of my maternity pay. I wasn't planning on going back to work once my maternity leave ends, but I'm going to have to now he has this new job as we're really screwed now. Working 40 hours a week will only leave me £50 better off - but I guess it needs to be done
The only thing that will get me through it is knowing that it won't be forever & that I have my LO & OH - although an expensive pair of shoes here and there wouldnt go a miss

Gosh you've definitely lightened up my mood!
I can't stand the fact I can't afford to put my little girl in Childcare one day a week even though me and OH work!
Definitely would like a shopping trip like that. Yeah, pasta goes with loads! Even
If it does get boring, gotta eat lol!
And don't! I can't remember the last time I bought myself something lovely!!
Looking in at my family, you wouldn't think we were struggling. My girl never goes without, and never dresses horribly. That's one thing ill always do, make sure she never misses out! But god it's hard xx

Glad I've helped a bit!
I think sometimes it makes you worse off by working. Which isn't the way it should be really, but it is. There seems to be a crap bit in the middle - which is where we are - where you're earning too much to be able to claim anything, but too skint to be comfortable.
Bless you, you sound like a lovely mummy to her
What has your OH said about the whole thing? I keep trying to tell my OH how bad it is but he doesn't listen, just says "oh, it'll all work out".. hmm!

My OH Is exactly the same!
Just buries his head in the sand like it will fix itself by magic. He knows we're struggling but I think he feels as useless as me.
I agree 100% - you're definitely best off not working. I like work though, 5 full days with my little girl, then I work weekends. Where as my OH works full time and were still skint! Frustrates me to see people with luxuries when they haven't earned them themselves!
Thanks, I try my best which is only just good enough at the minute. Luckily she's at the age where aslong as she eats and plays then life to her is perfect and hopefully it will be fixed by the time her sister arrives!
Maybe we need to give our OHs a kick up the backside too lol! X