Fed up of being skint!

Oops Calendargirl - just seen your post on the water meter subject.

OP you say your water cost has doubled. Have you got a water meter?

I had resisted having one fitted (don’t know why really) but ‘bit the bullet’ 6 months ago and my water costs have halved with the meter.

My water company (United Utilities) fitted it free of charge - I think most water companies do this now.

Mt61

Primrose53

Have you spoken to your Diabetes nurse? My friend who has not long retired was a Diabetes Nurse Specialist with decades of experience. She helped and supported her patients very much.

You shouldn’t have to, but could you use a foodbank? I know it’s nearly all tins and packets which may not be ideal for your diabetes diet but there are also Community Fridges which also have fresh items.

I really feel for you so do try and talk to your nurse. Are you claiming Attendance Allowance?

Don’t you have to be at pension age to claim AA? What about PiP?

Yes you do have to be state pension age. I (wrongly) assumed the poster was retired. yes PIP is the one then if she is not of SP age.

Are you on a water meter? That might reduce your water bills.

Supermarkets sometimes have bread for 50p and other food reduced because of use by date. Bread can be frozen.
Neighbours sometimes put out apples at this time of year. Could make crumbles with oats? Porridge oats are cheap and nutritious. Making homemade soup? Leek and potato soup is filling in the winter months.

If at all possible, can your family help out by growing fruit and vegetables in your garden? Rocket seeds are easy to grow….
And homegrown tomatoes are very tasty.

You are one of the Just About Managing that Teresa May cited some years ago.
I seem to be surrounded by people who state confidently that they would happily pay more tax, usually to implement green policies, Climate Change, Stop Oil etc etc, without the slightest concern for those who do not have any spare income, are already economising and are very close to the breadline.'Oh well, Social Services can help.' is their response.

I hope some of the suggestions here are helpful; CAB seem to be the best placed to give you the best advice.

I could cry just reading your post. We are not well off but we get by. Struggle for a day out here snd there. But it must be hard because of your disability.
Food prices are ridiculous and also household bills. The whole country is a mess and I am sorry that I don’t have any answers. I could scream!

Primrose53

Have you spoken to your Diabetes nurse? My friend who has not long retired was a Diabetes Nurse Specialist with decades of experience. She helped and supported her patients very much.

You shouldn’t have to, but could you use a foodbank? I know it’s nearly all tins and packets which may not be ideal for your diabetes diet but there are also Community Fridges which also have fresh items.

I really feel for you so do try and talk to your nurse. Are you claiming Attendance Allowance?

Don’t you have to be at pension age to claim AA? What about PiP?

Are you getting PIP? As well as the extra money it opens the door to other discounts too.

No real suggestions for right now, but hope things get easier. Hopefully you don't have too long to go before you do clear your mortgage.

The immediate options are for your kids to pay a bit more for their keep so to keep pace with your rising costs, sell what you can from around your home, look at your outgoings. However, I suspect you have thought of all those things already!

I feel for you. May I suggest you post on Mumsnet, not sure which forum to choose but there is a huge amount of advice about money and budgets. Please double check you are not paying for items which should be free or on prescription ie continence items (apologies but ..), prescriptions should I think be free for lifelong conditions and I think you can still buy a season ticket for multiples. Are you eligible for a free TV licence?
For going out, lots of places do not charge for a carer, so maybe occasionally a friend could take you to theatre or a show.
Mumsnet users discuss filling out surveys on the “earn £10 pound a day” thread. You write well and perhaps you could do that. It may be wise to ask Mumsnet which is the best heading/forum to post under.
Do you have a social or disability worker who might help?
If you worked before becoming disabled, do you have even a small unclaimed work pension. Google on the UK Gov website to check this out.
Check whether your utility companies offer any discounts due to your disability.
Maybe your youngsters need to up their contributions unless they are clearly saving carefully. I would understand your reluctance about this.
Apologies for answering a question with a lot of questions and I hope someone offers more concrete suggestions.

CariadAgain

Sounds like you have a husband? Certainly able-bodied (I presume?) adult children = has your house got a garden? Wondering about the fact it sounds like there are 3 able-bodied adults that could grow food in it?

Kindness in short supply here OP

Sounds like you have a husband? Certainly able-bodied (I presume?) adult children = has your house got a garden? Wondering about the fact it sounds like there are 3 able-bodied adults that could grow food in it?

I absolutely hear you. I hope you can access some help.This is the way of life for hundrends of thousands of people.
How to make money go further?
All the usual stuff;batch cook, shop carefully, Martin Lewis has some good tips, Vinted for clothes, warm hubs.

petalpete

I totally understand how you are feeling and not having any faith in the leaders of our Country or the future. I am 70 and still having to work and I cannot make ends meet with a huge deficit every month. I hardly go out have no debt or mortgage don't smoke hardly drink yet can't get to grips with it all. I have a small private pension which prevents me receiving any benefits as it just takes me over, sounds like I have spare money but I don't even tho' I get a reduction in single person council tax. I keep on asking friends how do they manage and most say by spending their savings, I haven't bought meat for dinner in ages, I look at the price and put it back.
I see people supposedly with less than me yet out and about and having holidays abroad, I wish I knew how they do it. I had my first holiday this year in 7 years as my daughter treated me for my 70th. Its a worry and I know its pointless doing so. Do visit the food banks as suggested and maybe your children,DH will have to contribute more to help you out of this feeling.

Food prices are soaring! I always buy 5% lean mince for example, 500g is now well over £5 a packet in Aldi and Tesco. Even more at my local butcher.

I am sure you already know but you can pad out most mince recipes with extra veg, beans, pulses etc to make it go further.

I feel so bad for you. Do get in touch with the CAB. No one in this day and age, should be in this situation. There must be some help out there.
Hope things improve, and you manage to get all the benefits you are entitled to.

I totally understand how you are feeling and not having any faith in the leaders of our Country or the future. I am 70 and still having to work and I cannot make ends meet with a huge deficit every month. I hardly go out have no debt or mortgage don't smoke hardly drink yet can't get to grips with it all. I have a small private pension which prevents me receiving any benefits as it just takes me over, sounds like I have spare money but I don't even tho' I get a reduction in single person council tax. I keep on asking friends how do they manage and most say by spending their savings, I haven't bought meat for dinner in ages, I look at the price and put it back.
I see people supposedly with less than me yet out and about and having holidays abroad, I wish I knew how they do it. I had my first holiday this year in 7 years as my daughter treated me for my 70th. Its a worry and I know its pointless doing so. Do visit the food banks as suggested and maybe your children,DH will have to contribute more to help you out of this feeling.

Have you spoken to your Diabetes nurse? My friend who has not long retired was a Diabetes Nurse Specialist with decades of experience. She helped and supported her patients very much.

You shouldn’t have to, but could you use a foodbank? I know it’s nearly all tins and packets which may not be ideal for your diabetes diet but there are also Community Fridges which also have fresh items.

I really feel for you so do try and talk to your nurse. Are you claiming Attendance Allowance?

fancythat

I feel for you.

I presume there is not money that you are entitled to?

Thanks fancythat, I don’t think there is any more help that we’re entitled to.

Being profoundly disabled there are many benefits that you are entitled to.
Once you are on these benefits it opens up other avenues of reduced payments. Example, some tv/ internet providers. Water companies.

Are you making the most of clubs & social groups for the disability you have? It could be a way of going out & socialising without paying much, & they may well have subsidized trips & activities.
I appreciate this might not be what you had in mind for going out & doing things, but it may be better than sitting around at home for fear of going out. Also you can browse the shops, not buying anything that you wouldn't have bought at the supermarket, enjoy nature & (depending on your mobility) go to school fairs, village fetes etc where there's a minimal entrance fee or it's free & you can have a look around without spending much.

I’d have a chat with Citizens Advice to see if you’re entitled to any benefits or discounts. Are there any food banks nearby, they’re there to be used, good luck.

Are you sure you are claiming any disability benefits that you are entitled to?

I feel for you.

I presume there is not money that you are entitled to?