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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think there’s not much else I can do with this budget.

161 replies

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:01

My main income is approximately 2600
child benefits 280

So that’s 2860

Rent 1400
Life insurance 84 (which I will be reducing in the new year, I just can’t do it yet)
Internet and phone 52 (again contract is up in Feb, though most deals are similar)
Netflix 15
Disney 11
Bins 23
Apple 20
DS football 25
Electricity 120

Total 1750
Leftover 1110
Amount leftover is to cover food, petrol, other clubs for dc every so often (they are not monthly costs) more like termly and their dad pays half of them too.
I have my DC 50:50 custody but it doesn’t make a huge difference to food costs.
Im not saving a lot and would like to be saving more although I’m getting there.

Theres not much I can cut is there? The dc watch both Disney and Netflix, I watch Netflix and I use Apple Music etc A LOT.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Crikeyalmighty · 18/01/2025 09:50

@Itgetsharder great news!!

Member984815 · 18/01/2025 09:18

That's great congratulations 🎊

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 18/01/2025 08:56

Notsuchafattynow · 18/01/2025 08:49

That is brilliant news! Well done.

What a relief!

Just don't let lifestyle creep set in now you've more cash to splash.

@Notsuchafattynow thank you! You’re absolutely right! I need to save save save, my next goal is to buy a house! I’m a woman on a mission! 🤣🙌

OP posts:
Notsuchafattynow · 18/01/2025 08:49

That is brilliant news! Well done.

What a relief!

Just don't let lifestyle creep set in now you've more cash to splash.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 18/01/2025 08:38

Arrrraghhh I have to tell someone because I can’t say out loud in real life yet!! I got a promotion in work!! I’m so so delighted I could cry. My wage will increase a good bit to approximately 3600!! I’m buzzing!

so the new numbers will be!!

In -3600
CB-280
WFP-177 (this is until Oct and after that it will stop I think as I will earn too much then)

Total: 4,057

Rent 1400
Life insurance 84 (which will be reducing very soon)
Internet and phone 52 (which I can change now)
Bins 23
Apple 20
Netflix 15
Disney 11
DS football 25
Electricity 120

Total 1,750
Leftover 2,307

that has doubled my leftover amount, I could cry 😭

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 08/01/2025 12:42

KnittyNell · 08/01/2025 12:29

What about council tax and water bills?

Show quote history

Sorry @KnittyNell i think I stated somewhere after I am in Ireland and we have no council tax or water bills here.

OP posts:
KnittyNell · 08/01/2025 12:29

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:01

My main income is approximately 2600
child benefits 280

So that’s 2860

Rent 1400
Life insurance 84 (which I will be reducing in the new year, I just can’t do it yet)
Internet and phone 52 (again contract is up in Feb, though most deals are similar)
Netflix 15
Disney 11
Bins 23
Apple 20
DS football 25
Electricity 120

Total 1750
Leftover 1110
Amount leftover is to cover food, petrol, other clubs for dc every so often (they are not monthly costs) more like termly and their dad pays half of them too.
I have my DC 50:50 custody but it doesn’t make a huge difference to food costs.
Im not saving a lot and would like to be saving more although I’m getting there.

Theres not much I can cut is there? The dc watch both Disney and Netflix, I watch Netflix and I use Apple Music etc A LOT.

What about council tax and water bills?

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 08/01/2025 12:21

@TheKeatingFive thank you. I’m going to put a good portion into my savings for car stuff or heating oil 🙌

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 08/01/2025 11:58

Brilliant. That's so much progress @Itgetsharder - well done 👏👏👏

Augustus40 · 08/01/2025 11:23

Reduce Netflix to £4.99 pcm. That is what I have done.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 08/01/2025 11:20

Finally got awarded the WFP. €41 a week. 😊 it’ll be such a great help and I will get the backdated €400 November bonus too 🙌 delighted 🤩

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 24/12/2024 10:04

DublinFemale · 23/12/2024 19:32

satelliteireland.ie/saorview-and-free-to-air-hd-combi-tv/

Initial outlay but no monthly bill

That’s a large initial outlay I think I’ll stick with Netflix.

OP posts:
DublinFemale · 23/12/2024 19:32

satelliteireland.ie/saorview-and-free-to-air-hd-combi-tv/

Initial outlay but no monthly bill

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 22/12/2024 11:23

MixedCouple2 · 22/12/2024 11:06

Food prep. Make a food plan each week or a 2 weekley plan and bulk cook and prep and freeze. You only buy what is needed to prepare the meals.

You don't need all those services. Stick to one provider netflix or disney or apple.
Find alternatives that are free. We use NewPipe app on our phones we can watch and view videos for free and download onto our devices for free both audio / playlists / videos.
You can listen to Music free on Newpipe while your device is turned off. Same functionality as Youtube but you can't comment on videos - who cares.
We don't pay for any services at all. We have 2 DC and no TV and no media services other then New pipe. So we don't have to pay for TV license etc.

Never heard of newpipe thanks but on looking it up it’s not available on iPhones.

OP posts:
MixedCouple2 · 22/12/2024 11:06

Food prep. Make a food plan each week or a 2 weekley plan and bulk cook and prep and freeze. You only buy what is needed to prepare the meals.

You don't need all those services. Stick to one provider netflix or disney or apple.
Find alternatives that are free. We use NewPipe app on our phones we can watch and view videos for free and download onto our devices for free both audio / playlists / videos.
You can listen to Music free on Newpipe while your device is turned off. Same functionality as Youtube but you can't comment on videos - who cares.
We don't pay for any services at all. We have 2 DC and no TV and no media services other then New pipe. So we don't have to pay for TV license etc.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 22/12/2024 10:57

DublinFemale · 22/12/2024 09:39

You need to get VPN with the box / firestick.

I pay extra for the VPN when I renew the licence. Never had issues in last 3yrs.

Alternatively my mam just got Saorview in, initial outlay but no monthly bill.

From that I would pick one streaming service.

Kids will adjust and move on

Show quote history

Thank you, I’ll look into it again and try someone else and see how I go.

OP posts:
Member984815 · 22/12/2024 10:50

DublinFemale · 22/12/2024 09:39

You need to get VPN with the box / firestick.

I pay extra for the VPN when I renew the licence. Never had issues in last 3yrs.

Alternatively my mam just got Saorview in, initial outlay but no monthly bill.

From that I would pick one streaming service.

Kids will adjust and move on

Show quote history

I thought saorview was on all new tellys , I can't say we watch much on it because it's all Netflix sky and dodgy box for other things we can't get on them. I've had no issues with dodgy box other than I have terrible WiFi working off a sim so I connect to phone and use my data and it's fine then. I'd love to cancel sky but the recording facilities are worth it . I never watch anything live anymore

DublinFemale · 22/12/2024 09:39

Itgetsharder · 22/12/2024 09:21

I got a bit more tax back this month again and with tax credits my pay was over 3k! Bloody delighted! The dodgy box didn’t work out for me though…too many issues so I’m back to Netflix/disney. Might try again another time.

You need to get VPN with the box / firestick.

I pay extra for the VPN when I renew the licence. Never had issues in last 3yrs.

Alternatively my mam just got Saorview in, initial outlay but no monthly bill.

From that I would pick one streaming service.

Kids will adjust and move on

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 22/12/2024 09:21

I got a bit more tax back this month again and with tax credits my pay was over 3k! Bloody delighted! The dodgy box didn’t work out for me though…too many issues so I’m back to Netflix/disney. Might try again another time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 21/11/2024 11:22

Member984815 · 21/11/2024 10:40

Well done 👏

Ah thank you ☺️ I’m going to chuck it in a savings pot 🙌

OP posts:
Member984815 · 21/11/2024 10:40

Well done 👏

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 21/11/2024 09:42

TheKeatingFive · 21/11/2024 09:39

AMAZING news 🎉🎉🎉

@TheKeatingFive I’m so happy, it has really perked me up, I’m sick and run down at the moment and i even have coldsores which I haven’t had in YEARS. Thanks for your support 🥰

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 21/11/2024 09:39

AMAZING news 🎉🎉🎉

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 21/11/2024 09:22

I could cry with joy! My tax credits have kicked in I think so In my pay I got tax back! My net is more than my gross by an extra 1100! 🤣🤣 bloody delighted 🙌

OP posts:
Member984815 · 19/11/2024 09:23

Itgetsharder · 19/11/2024 08:55

I have all my rent tax credits in already, which is great, I put it in last month. I will definitely be putting in my medical expenses…I always put in the difference between my expenses and what the insurance paid for. This year it’s well over €400 and I can put in the health insurance BIK I pay too. I’m really hoping on a rebate!

Show quote history

You sound like you are doing all you can , hopefully things will get easier and I'll light a candle for a big rebate for you.