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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:
Member984815 · 14/10/2024 18:28

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

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

Superworm24 · 14/10/2024 16:00

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

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:55

Don’t qualify for HAP either…

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:54

Member984815 · 14/10/2024 15:46

Would you qualify for family income supplement?

Unfortunately not, as I have my dc 50:50 and I earn too much too probably.

OP posts:
Member984815 · 14/10/2024 15:46

Would you qualify for family income supplement?

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:43

yeaitsmeagain · 14/10/2024 15:40

Rent is very high, housing costs ideally should be at most 30% of your income. But guessing there's nothing you can do there.

Absolutely nothing I can do about that right now, I am in the middle of a separation so I won’t be able to buy until that’s settled and with the state of housing In Ireland I was SO lucky to get the house I’m in! 🙏

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 15:43

TheLongRider · 14/10/2024 15:26

I think you need to make an annual budget and break it down month by month. Its very easy to miss large costs ( like heating oil) because they only occur once or twice a year, same with holidays or birthdays.

For example it could look like:

Rent 1400 x 12
Car tax 600 X 1 (October)
Heating oil 500x 2 (October, March)
Electricity 120 X 12
Summer holiday 2,000 X 1 ( June)
Kid's birthdays 150 X 2 (February, November)
Christmas 300 X 1 (December)

You can see that October will always be an expensive month because there will be recurring bills that are due, but March could be cheap and you could save more in that month.

If you could look back on your spending over the last 12 months you would have a better idea of how much you can actually spend/save each month. It will vary from month to month. Relatively small costs like Disney or Netflix are chicken feed in comparison to a heating oil bill.

I also live in ROI and you'll be getting two energy credits this winter and double children's allowance in December.

Double child allowance in November also

KingOfPeace · 14/10/2024 15:42

Have another look at the TV subscriptions, lots have a reduced rate with ads. We grew up with ads and I think it helps prevent binge watching.

Hi early I think you're doing very well to save anything at all.

Extra money -
Surveys
eBay
baby sitting on one of your non-DC evening?

I recommend keeping a meal diary for a couple of weeks then costing the meals and having the cheaper ones more often IF you enjoy them as much.

Have you seen the Boots recycling scheme? It's a faff but you basically get a £5 voucher for recycling your empties.

If you haven't done it before Matched Betting still has several hundred worth of sign up offers, you could do them slowly to build up a pot for Christmas.

yeaitsmeagain · 14/10/2024 15:40

Rent is very high, housing costs ideally should be at most 30% of your income. But guessing there's nothing you can do there.

TheLongRider · 14/10/2024 15:26

I think you need to make an annual budget and break it down month by month. Its very easy to miss large costs ( like heating oil) because they only occur once or twice a year, same with holidays or birthdays.

For example it could look like:

Rent 1400 x 12
Car tax 600 X 1 (October)
Heating oil 500x 2 (October, March)
Electricity 120 X 12
Summer holiday 2,000 X 1 ( June)
Kid's birthdays 150 X 2 (February, November)
Christmas 300 X 1 (December)

You can see that October will always be an expensive month because there will be recurring bills that are due, but March could be cheap and you could save more in that month.

If you could look back on your spending over the last 12 months you would have a better idea of how much you can actually spend/save each month. It will vary from month to month. Relatively small costs like Disney or Netflix are chicken feed in comparison to a heating oil bill.

I also live in ROI and you'll be getting two energy credits this winter and double children's allowance in December.

Nogaxeh · 14/10/2024 15:26

We moved to Ireland from Britain a couple of years ago and the food prices are shockingly high relatively speaking. That's likely the area where you can make the most savings if you are very disciplined with meal planning, batch cooking, using the freezer, baking instead of buying treats, etc.

It can be a lot of work, but it's the biggest variable under your control.

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:18

TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 14:59

I don't let myself go anywhere near SuperValu, but if you're strict on the offers I guess that cancels it out

Show quote history

Yeah I know it’s expensive but if I spent €40 I get €10 off and then I have 4 lots of the 3 for 10 offers for the price of 3 🙌

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:17

Listen4etterinthepost · 14/10/2024 15:02

Get rid of Netflix, instant 15 saved per month

You still have Disney & broadband

I’m thinking I’ll get rid of Disney. We don’t have tv channels as such, I feel like there’s more to watch on Netflix.

OP posts:
Dithercats · 14/10/2024 15:08

Blushingm · 14/10/2024 14:17

My internet is £49 and includes Disney's and Netflix and EE tv and nowtv

Who is this with please? 🙂

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 15:06

CheerfulYank · 14/10/2024 14:58

How many kids do you have and how much are you spending on food?

I’m American and it seems like our food is miles more expensive than in the UK 😫 But I do try to cut back just by doing better planning, batch cooking etc. Luckily we’re in Minnesota and all school meals are free (thank you Governor-Hopefully-Soon-VP Walz) but our small spendings on snacks and just grabbing things at the gas station are getting out of hand lately and we need to cut back.

I’m not one to say “no treats ever” because what is life for if you can’t have the occasional fancy coffee 🤣 But personally our “little treats” are getting to be more like “daily occurrences” so I’m going to try to rein that in a bit.

2 dc and I spend on average 100 per week.
no free school meals here, so I buy lunch stuff each week. My dc eat quite healthy stuff too and are not allowed chocolate, crisps etc in school. So I have to buy lots of fruit and veg. Meats and bread rolls too. I make dinner from scratch every evening. The offends time I’ll do an oven based dinner (chicken Kiev’s and fries, pizza etc)

OP posts:
Listen4etterinthepost · 14/10/2024 15:02

Get rid of Netflix, instant 15 saved per month

You still have Disney & broadband

TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 14:59

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:57

Mostly Lidl…but the odd time I get meats from super value (I find them so much better) and I’ll used the offers and vouchers for that.

Show quote history

I don't let myself go anywhere near SuperValu, but if you're strict on the offers I guess that cancels it out

CheerfulYank · 14/10/2024 14:58

How many kids do you have and how much are you spending on food?

I’m American and it seems like our food is miles more expensive than in the UK 😫 But I do try to cut back just by doing better planning, batch cooking etc. Luckily we’re in Minnesota and all school meals are free (thank you Governor-Hopefully-Soon-VP Walz) but our small spendings on snacks and just grabbing things at the gas station are getting out of hand lately and we need to cut back.

I’m not one to say “no treats ever” because what is life for if you can’t have the occasional fancy coffee 🤣 But personally our “little treats” are getting to be more like “daily occurrences” so I’m going to try to rein that in a bit.

TinkerTiger · 14/10/2024 14:58

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:22

Noooo the apple is for me 😂😂 it’s my joy! I love music.

Show quote history

Then just do the music. You don’t need everything else you have lots of other streaming services.

TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 14:58

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:57

I am thanking god for the Nov and Dec double child benefits! It will be a HUGE help!

Yeah that's a nice little boost. Plus there is help for energy bills, but not sure when that's coming

Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:57

I am thanking god for the Nov and Dec double child benefits! It will be a HUGE help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:57

TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 14:54

Though it's a good point - where are you doing your food shop?

Mostly Lidl…but the odd time I get meats from super value (I find them so much better) and I’ll used the offers and vouchers for that.

OP posts:
saltinesandcoffeecups · 14/10/2024 14:56

Itgetsharder · 14/10/2024 14:52

But it’s not just for food and petrol it’s for haircuts, birthdays/christmas, money for clubs, car costs(tax and insurance!), holiday clubs, holidays. There’s always something. I know I just need to hunker down and increase my earnings yes.

Show quote history

You’re on the right track about increasing earnings (yes easier said than done, I know). I would take a closer look at the 1100 misc and really track for a few months. Generally that’s where you are going to find the fat to trim. Once you get that down to more detailed buckets you might be able to plan that spend a little easier.

TheKeatingFive · 14/10/2024 14:54

Though it's a good point - where are you doing your food shop?

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