To be so sick of being broke?

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 2025-08-09T19:12:46+00:00

This is pretty much just a moan really. I'm already doing everything I can to try and improve our situation financially. Although nothing's working atm. 😑 Both DH and I work full-time, on minimum wage. Me 45 hours per week, him between 40-50 depending on the week. And we still can't make ends meet. I'm talking having about £50 left in the bank 2 days after payday because all the bills have come out. Not entitled to any benefits as earn too much for UC (on MW? 😐). Kids are grown up (22 and 18) but still living at home. DD1 is in college and on UC and waiting to see if she's entitled to PIP for her autism. DD2 is starting uni next month and works part-time herself. I'm just so fucking sick of the cost of everything. To the point I'm questioning whether I can afford to buy a £6 pack of Benadryl for my fucking hayfever! 😡 Applying for multiple better-paying jobs every week and getting bloody nowhere! Urgh.

Flatandhappy · 27/01/2026 00:36

Any chance you could renegotiate your debt repayments? I used to work for Citizens Advice and we could often do a lot better than individuals in getting repayments down. I know it’s not ideal but might give you some breathing space.

LucyLoo1972 · 26/01/2026 23:23

HarLace1 · 10/08/2025 09:10

Although it's very personal can you write down every single direct debit etc and pop the picture on here? I did this myself well over a year ago and I was shocked at how the things I was paying for seemed ridiculous to everyone else, one was including £140 to sky every month. I thought that was the norm! I got rid of that and got a fire stick instead and just mostly watch netflix! Things like that do make u question whether you're paying well over the odds!

my husband has the opposite approach to money and we spent on barely anythign and it utterly broke me and made me so stressed I went into psychosis

notatinydancer · 18/08/2025 08:34

Can you get some help restructuring your debts ?

Step Change or another charity ?
Can you negotiate with your suppliers ?
Are they all one 0% ?

EmmaOvary · 17/08/2025 22:26

BreakingBroken · 10/08/2025 16:09

You should live within your means with zero extra until debts are paid. No Amazon No Netflix No Gym No WLD. Nothing zilch for 10-12 months whatever till debts paid THEN reassess.
For most, who are interested in a balanced budget, the sacrifice and resulting peace is worthwhile.
But your defensive tone says it all.
Question without WLD did you equally feel you “deserved” the extra foods you consumed? or are your weight issues and high food cost issues linked to poor cooking skills?

Jesus Christ. You forgot the hair shirt.

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/08/2025 22:12

Weepixie · 17/08/2025 14:54

blondes - the poster is locked into a contract with her supplier till January. She’s taking part in a trial and her cost won’t increase. And quite honestly I don’t think she should be coming off it as she’s investing in her health just like everyone else currently wondering how to rob Peter to pay Paul, of max their cards out to pay for their pens.

And I believe there’s a lot of historical debt being paid off from Covid times that’s making monthly bills much higher.

Edited

True tho if really struggling saving £100 a month …….
I wonder if these cheap deals /trials for pens will go up with the huge price rise in sept

Bedofroses85 · 17/08/2025 15:49

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 14/08/2025 17:38

A higher salary elsewhere? Luv, not everyone is fucking middle class in jobs with massive career progression! He's a bloody milkman! The "promotion" involved tons of extra responsibility, plus a shit ton of extra manual work (on top of what he already does), extra work that would ADD to the unpaid hours he's already doing, AND working an extra day a week supervising. He already works five fucking nights per week, then they want him on a Saturday day time! No it wasn't worth working himself into the fucking ground for. There is no career progression after the supervisor role, that's it!

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I note an obsession with middle class people as they’ve been mentioned several times already by the OP. In my sector, someone applying for a job with people management responsibilities at team leader level would be considered if they can evidence they have had supervisory responsibilities elsewhere. Those are transferable skills useful in many industries. If you think those kind of roles are reserved for privileged people you are very wrong.

Weepixie · 17/08/2025 14:54

blondes - the poster is locked into a contract with her supplier till January. She’s taking part in a trial and her cost won’t increase. And quite honestly I don’t think she should be coming off it as she’s investing in her health just like everyone else currently wondering how to rob Peter to pay Paul, of max their cards out to pay for their pens.

And I believe there’s a lot of historical debt being paid off from Covid times that’s making monthly bills much higher.

childofthe607080s · 17/08/2025 11:20

unless it’s video gaming as WFH you don’t need to top speed - you should get over a gbps for under 30

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/08/2025 09:59

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 15:22

Yes, I spent over 20 years out of work as a SAHM/carer for dd1. We used to get DLA for her, and I was able to claim carer's allowance. DH has always worked, but they've always been low level MW jobs. Every time he's gotten a qualification in something, it's ended up being useless.

DD1 got rejected for PIP when she was 16, as "she looks fine to me", according to the bitch of an assessor. It's taken until now for us to be able to go through the process of reapplying, as after last time, she pretty much had a mental breakdown. She hasn't been recovered for that long.

My job is in admin, I work 45 hours per week but only get paid for 40. The extra 5 hours are for my unpaid breaks, but 9/10 I work through them as our workload is fucking ridiculous. DH is a milkman. Again, he gets paid for around 35 hours per week, but does anything between 40-50.

I know we can complain about workloads etc, but it's a problem in most low-level jobs now. If you can't keep up with the workload, they'll just find someone who will. It's easier to keep your mouth shut, do the work and just keep trying to get another job.

So take home after tax, NI and pension, I get around £1750ish per month, and DH gets £1560 per month. £3310 for everything for 4 adults isn't a lot.

Breakdown of everything;
Rent - £600
Gas/Electric - £450 (paying off debt)
Water - £100 (paying off debt)
Council Tax - £165
Council Tax debt - £230 (paying off bailiffs)
Mobiles - £100 (2 on contract, paying off devices, 2 PAYG)
Car Insurance - £45
Diesel/car maintenance - £100 (DH needs the car to get to work as does permanent nights)
Internet - £65 (need top speed as WFH FT)
Subscriptions/VPN - £66
Gym - £25
Mounjaro - £99
Debt - £112
Groceries (including toiletries etc) - £850 (ish).

I do shop around as much as possible for different deals etc, shop in a mixture of Aldi, Tesco, Lidl and Asda.

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obv your debts are the reason why you are struggling

£450 a month on g&e is a huge amount plus all other debts

when will these be paid off ? As that will help

again using jabs at £100 a month is a lot when on nmw and paying back debts and maybe worth taking a break - tho in the news costs are increasing hugely in sept so you may not be able to afford it then ……

why is dh working 40/50 hrs but being paid for 35?

he needs to get paid for the extra hours or find another night job - and tbh night jobs are usually more then nmw so that’s something to consider

rent is so cheap

i cant rem if you are on uc - it if you are then you can get bt WiFi a lot cheaper under a social tariff which is £22 a month @PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock

ThisOldThang · 14/08/2025 20:07

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 14/08/2025 17:38

A higher salary elsewhere? Luv, not everyone is fucking middle class in jobs with massive career progression! He's a bloody milkman! The "promotion" involved tons of extra responsibility, plus a shit ton of extra manual work (on top of what he already does), extra work that would ADD to the unpaid hours he's already doing, AND working an extra day a week supervising. He already works five fucking nights per week, then they want him on a Saturday day time! No it wasn't worth working himself into the fucking ground for. There is no career progression after the supervisor role, that's it!

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I think people are suggesting your husband could have taken the job, done it for a bit, updated his CV and then applied for other supervisor roles that may have paid more with more sociable hours.

Do the old zig zag to improve his pay and conditions.

Winter2020 · 14/08/2025 18:01

OP is in contract with SheMed fir the next 6 months to pay £99 for her Mounjaro.

Original poster

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 14/08/2025 17:38

Bedofroses85 · 14/08/2025 10:28

This has to be a troll. I can’t believe her husband supposedly struggled with working whilst trying to get qualifications but he rejects an opportunity for promotion that will add to his cv and lead to a higher salary elsewhere. Bad choices all around

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A higher salary elsewhere? Luv, not everyone is fucking middle class in jobs with massive career progression! He's a bloody milkman! The "promotion" involved tons of extra responsibility, plus a shit ton of extra manual work (on top of what he already does), extra work that would ADD to the unpaid hours he's already doing, AND working an extra day a week supervising. He already works five fucking nights per week, then they want him on a Saturday day time! No it wasn't worth working himself into the fucking ground for. There is no career progression after the supervisor role, that's it!

OP posts:

Weepixie · 14/08/2025 17:03

NeuroSpicyCat · 14/08/2025 16:28

Really? You’re suggesting the price increase is rumour and not established fact based on bringing UK prices inline with rest of world? Okaaaay

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Yes. I did because of some very sound information that was posted on the current thread. And I still believe that the increase will be no where like as suggested on the thread based on what the poster said. But instead of questioning me - why don’t you question yourself as to why you couldn’t wait to bring the price increase to the attention of a woman who’s broke and struggling already. It’s almost as if you couldn’t wait to throw water on her and give her something else to be upset about, then hear her say she’d have to give up Mounjaro. I hope you’re proud of yourself.

NeuroSpicyCat · 14/08/2025 16:28

Weepixie · 14/08/2025 15:41

Why would you do this to the Op when the price increase you’ve mentioned is right now nothing but the internet getting its knickers on a wise.

If you go back to that thread and look at posts from the therealgoose you’ll be well informed about this situation

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Really? You’re suggesting the price increase is rumour and not established fact based on bringing UK prices inline with rest of world? Okaaaay

lotsofpatience · 14/08/2025 16:22

Skyrocketing inflation is hitting families real hard. The root cause of this? You guessed it. Brexit.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 14/08/2025 15:41

NeuroSpicyCat · 14/08/2025 15:21

OP, have you heard about the HUGE price hike on Mounjaro next month?!

I just came on to ask this. It's shooting (ha) up in price from September.

Weepixie · 14/08/2025 15:41

NeuroSpicyCat · 14/08/2025 15:21

OP, have you heard about the HUGE price hike on Mounjaro next month?!

Why would you do this to the Op when the price increase you’ve mentioned is right now nothing but the internet getting its knickers on a wise.

If you go back to that thread and look at posts from the therealgoose you’ll be well informed about this situation

NeuroSpicyCat · 14/08/2025 15:21

OP, have you heard about the HUGE price hike on Mounjaro next month?!

Statsquestion1 · 14/08/2025 14:06

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 13:34

We both work, so over the amount.
I'm not complaining. I wouldn't expect a top-up as we're both working.
Not loaded but surviving.
UC has a much higher threshold, I think, if middle professionals are entitled to something.

But what’s your earnings combined if both on min wage? Net earnings that is?

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 13:34

We both work, so over the amount.
I'm not complaining. I wouldn't expect a top-up as we're both working.
Not loaded but surviving.
UC has a much higher threshold, I think, if middle professionals are entitled to something.

Statsquestion1 · 14/08/2025 12:57

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 12:10

No, as a couple, threshold is low.
Plus, with WFP there is no extra payment for an another adult.
It only benefits single parents working part time or couples with a lot of children.
FT single working parents are eligible to claim the bare minium payment.
Two parent's on minium wage would be way over, the maximum earning to qualify is approx 600 a week.

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No WFP you must work 38 hours or MORE per fortnight.
they also based on your net income. so if you earn less than 806 per week after tax and have 2 dc then you’ll be entitled

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 12:10

Statsquestion1 · 14/08/2025 11:48

@EmeraldShamrock000 can you not claim WFP?

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No, as a couple, threshold is low.
Plus, with WFP there is no extra payment for an another adult.
It only benefits single parents working part time or couples with a lot of children.
FT single working parents are eligible to claim the bare minium payment.
Two parent's on minium wage would be way over, the maximum earning to qualify is approx 600 a week.

Statsquestion1 · 14/08/2025 11:48

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 11:27

I am not living in the UK.
Two parents working on minimum wage aren't entitled to top up benefits in Ireland, UC payments doesn't exist. Unless you're single parent and working PT.
I work 30 hours.
No one working past part time receives government top up.
Child benefit, yes, but no top ups.

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@EmeraldShamrock000 can you not claim WFP?

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2025 11:27

ThisOldThang · 14/08/2025 07:42

But, due to school aged children, you'll almost certainly be in receipt of very significant UC payments + child benefit and your household income will be much higher than the OP's.

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I am not living in the UK.
Two parents working on minimum wage aren't entitled to top up benefits in Ireland, UC payments doesn't exist. Unless you're single parent and working PT.
I work 30 hours.
No one working past part time receives government top up.
Child benefit, yes, but no top ups.

Bedofroses85 · 14/08/2025 10:28

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 10/08/2025 16:40

Because the extra hours, stress and responsibilty wasn't worth the extra £15 pw that would just go on income tax.

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This has to be a troll. I can’t believe her husband supposedly struggled with working whilst trying to get qualifications but he rejects an opportunity for promotion that will add to his cv and lead to a higher salary elsewhere. Bad choices all around