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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 20:58

TheKeatingFive · 15/10/2024 20:54

There's no way I'd cover a weeks food shop with €100. It's €150 at an absolute minimum. And I shop in Lidl mostly.

Yeah I was being generous there 😂

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 15/10/2024 20:54

There's no way I'd cover a weeks food shop with €100. It's €150 at an absolute minimum. And I shop in Lidl mostly.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 20:08

nosmartphone · 15/10/2024 19:18

So £275 a week isn't enough to live on? Is that what you're saying?

Well if food is 100 of that and petrol is about 50…it’s 125 which is isn’t great no.

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 15/10/2024 20:03

nosmartphone · 15/10/2024 19:18

So £275 a week isn't enough to live on? Is that what you're saying?

OP is in ROI. Euros don't go as far.

nosmartphone · 15/10/2024 19:18

So £275 a week isn't enough to live on? Is that what you're saying?

pambeesleyhalpert · 15/10/2024 19:15

I saw a tip that said to rotate Netflix/ Disney which I thought was clever

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 11:11

GhostCicada · 15/10/2024 09:05

I'd just apply and see what happens. I just checked and you can apply online, try it and if you aren't entitled to it you won't get it but all you will have lost is 10mins of you time.

Edited to add do it soon because there is a €400 cost of living payment due in the first week of November as far as I know if you are approved it will be backdated and the extra will be given too.

Edited
Show quote history

@GhostCicada i have just applied☺️ like you say it’s no harm. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 09:46

Dazzlerazzlee · 15/10/2024 09:35

I think you need to break it down more, for example where is water?

We have pots for everything, all the bills ones but then also things like cars, christmas, annual bills (like Prime, annual subscription things). Separate out food, petrol and also spending money. Try and save a little in various pots and then the unexpected costs are more manageable. We have one for garden, one for household, one for fixing stuff. For example we want to do our annual bulb planting/autumn spruce up! Instead of taking say a 60 quid hit from our everyday spends, there's a pot already there with the money in. It can be scaled down, so even if there's no enough to fill all the pots to cover these expenses, there is always something towards them. We use Starling for this. It takes a while to build up the pots but we have found it a huge stress help!

We have no water charges in Ireland. The breaking it down into pots is great though.

OP posts:
Dazzlerazzlee · 15/10/2024 09:35

I think you need to break it down more, for example where is water?

We have pots for everything, all the bills ones but then also things like cars, christmas, annual bills (like Prime, annual subscription things). Separate out food, petrol and also spending money. Try and save a little in various pots and then the unexpected costs are more manageable. We have one for garden, one for household, one for fixing stuff. For example we want to do our annual bulb planting/autumn spruce up! Instead of taking say a 60 quid hit from our everyday spends, there's a pot already there with the money in. It can be scaled down, so even if there's no enough to fill all the pots to cover these expenses, there is always something towards them. We use Starling for this. It takes a while to build up the pots but we have found it a huge stress help!

Member984815 · 15/10/2024 09:26

As above apply and see what they say , as my dm does say "all they can say is no " , there must be something to help you

GhostCicada · 15/10/2024 09:05

Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 08:58

I can look again but on reading it it implied to me that as we have 50:50 custody i couldn’t apply 😕

Show quote history

I'd just apply and see what happens. I just checked and you can apply online, try it and if you aren't entitled to it you won't get it but all you will have lost is 10mins of you time.

Edited to add do it soon because there is a €400 cost of living payment due in the first week of November as far as I know if you are approved it will be backdated and the extra will be given too.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 08:59

Noras · 15/10/2024 08:33

Do you have a spare room for a lodger Monday to Friday? In the UK that can be tax free not sure of the position in Ireland.

If the house was mine I would for sure! 14k tax free here

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 08:58

Noras · 15/10/2024 08:33

Do you have a spare room for a lodger Monday to Friday? In the UK that can be tax free not sure of the position in Ireland.

I rent so I can’t do that as it would be subletting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 08:58

GhostCicada · 15/10/2024 08:46

Are you sure that you can't get working family payment? The rules say You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially. The income limit is around 3350 a month after tax for two children. My rough calculations say that you would get an extra 450 a month and that would go up in January. Definitely look into it.

I can look again but on reading it it implied to me that as we have 50:50 custody i couldn’t apply 😕

OP posts:
GhostCicada · 15/10/2024 08:46

Are you sure that you can't get working family payment? The rules say You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially. The income limit is around 3350 a month after tax for two children. My rough calculations say that you would get an extra 450 a month and that would go up in January. Definitely look into it.

Noras · 15/10/2024 08:33

Do you have a spare room for a lodger Monday to Friday? In the UK that can be tax free not sure of the position in Ireland.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 15/10/2024 08:29

Drinas · 14/10/2024 21:15

I would detail out all your oil, car tax etc. then average hair cuts and shopping as these are also known costs that can be budgeted for each month and see what you’re left with.

@drinas thank you I can definitely try this method and see how it goes get on.

OP posts:
Drinas · 14/10/2024 21:15

I would detail out all your oil, car tax etc. then average hair cuts and shopping as these are also known costs that can be budgeted for each month and see what you’re left with.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 21:09

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 14/10/2024 20:47

Netflix is less if you limit to two screens.
Find someone who has space to let you in their Apple family. I have a friend taking up my 5th spot and we are fully hidden from one another.

That is the cost for two screens. 😩

@RedRobyn2021 my prices are euros and they are the basic packages. The Netflix is for two screens.

OP posts:
MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 14/10/2024 20:47

Netflix is less if you limit to two screens.
Find someone who has space to let you in their Apple family. I have a friend taking up my 5th spot and we are fully hidden from one another.

MattDamon · 14/10/2024 20:41

I wouldn't get rid of your streaming subscriptions going into winter. Can you account share with any other family members? Or do Netflix for a month or two, then swap over and just have Disney for two months.

RedRobyn2021 · 14/10/2024 20:07

Wellingtonspie · 14/10/2024 14:15

Lower the Netflix and Disney as they have cheaper packages.

Yes I thought that!

We have Netflix and Disney but don't pay that

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 19:05

Member984815 · 14/10/2024 18:28

I agree sad as it is the first thing I'd get rid of is the subscription services.

I’m going to get rid of Disney. 🙌

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 18:36

Windsorlady · 14/10/2024 18:08

Why do you pay life insurance at £80. per month ? Is it necessary ? I agree about giving up disney etc and looking for better deals xx

Long story it’s actually a joint policy for me and ex dh but I don’t want to change it until the separation is legally effective.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 18:35

Superworm24 · 14/10/2024 16:00

Does your DCs dad have Netflix? Would he let them log in at your house?

No he doesn’t, he used to use my login 🙄

OP posts:
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