So recently I have been hearing from all my friends who are struggling, stressed, in financial difficulty and I've been sat wondering how on earth I can help them out in any little way.....
I'm not a financially rich person at all but I do know my ability to save money, craft and make the most of what I have to the point I am happy with my lot, what I own and know the only way I could ever improve on anything is through my own sheer stubbornness, drive and determination.
I have been a keen believer of paying it forward for several years and have helped people, individuals, family etc in my own little ways as and when I can. Even if comes down to putting 40p in my till at work myself because an OAP doesn't quite have enough for that reduced loaf of bread and his milk. I'm happy to do it to help them.
Recently though there are several people in my life who really need help and I have been trying my best to think of ways to help and support them with the notion that they Pay It Forward afterwards but it really is down to their character that I have chosen my two who I think really need it as the others are 'takers' and not 'givers'.
My Best Friend 'R' has been struggling to support her mother, since we left school she has worked a full time job, paid all the bills, ran the household etc and is currently in so much debt that her wages barely cover their living cost and her credit card is almost maxed out despite her working all the over time she can get and she's not the type to slack off. Her mum however has been out of work for 10 years and has had no luck getting another job. I know her and her mum struggle to feed themselves and they do a small £20 shop a week and stretch food out so I'm wondering if I did them a small shop and got it delivered to them and then printed off a load of coupons for things like cereal, cleaning products etc that that would help them a little bit financially.
The second person I want to help is my auntie 'M'. Her husband has just left her with two young children, shes runs a house by herself, has set up her own small cleaning business through her own hard work and dedication but she struggles to make ends meet with the two youngest kids and her eldest daughter has just moved into her first house and is seeking financial help from her. I'm wondering if printing coupons for them both would be a way of helping them both out a bit financially as well as helping my auntie with supplies.
These are my ideas for the two people I intend to pay it forward to. Fingers crossed I can help them both slightly with little things that will make a difference to them.
x
Did the pay it forward work out? The sound like lovely ideas. I always put any coupons I found but that weren't of use on the notice board in the staffroom
ReplyDeleteHi Meab-dot,
DeleteFirstly thank you for reading my blog.
Yes the Pay It Forward did work out. I spent an entire day scouring a coupon site that I use and printing things off. I ended up with 4 small envelopes of relevant coupons - one for my auntie, cousin who was setting up a home, one for my sister who is pregnant and just moved house, and my friend. I also sorted through my childrens wardrobe and passed on any clothes I had to either my auntie for her younger son as mine has just turned 8 and hers is 6, or babygrows etc to my sister from my 2 year old daughter.
As for my friend I sent her coupons and recently won two tickets for a music concert in a competition so I took her on a free night out which we both enjoyed and it got her out for a bit. We also just spent the day slumped on our other best friends sofa (there are 3 of us as best friends)eating junk and watching a movie together - I think just getting her back to not being in work mode has helped her a fair bit but I think I will keep the shopping in mind nearer Christmas when they are struggling. x