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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have the kind of family that many people think shouldn't need extra help from the Government

294 replies

MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 20:12

I would like somebody to tell me how we can reduce our outgoings. We are the kind of family who people seem to think shouldn't need any financial help from the government. there seems to be an attitude that we just need to tighten our belts a bit. So I am really interested in how people think we will manage if out tax credits are cut.

Dh earns just under 25K. I really seriously cannot at the moment due to health problems.

We currently get £80 a week in TC and this helps us keep our head above water. But under the new system it looks like we wont get it any more.

So with DH salary and CB we have a monthly income £1772.00

Mortgage £700
Council tax £83
Car Insurance £58
Gas £60
Elec £80
Maintenance for DSD's £250
Petrol £200
Contents and Buildings ins 67.00
other bits ie TV licence, broad band phone, pet insurance £100
Nappies £20

That would then leave us just £154 each month to clothe and feed 3DC and to feed 2 dsd's.

How are we suppose to manage on that? I'm not saying that we should just be given hand outs but why can't the government do other things to help like keeping petrol cost lower. we just about managing at the moment but we are going to be in shit if these cuts go ahead. We will end up losing our home.

Even worse I suspect there are thousands of families like us out there. The ones trapped in the middle, not earning enough to survive but earning too much to get any help.

OP posts:
Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:07

But you said you don't spend loads of money like I do? Just wondered what it is I 'spend loads of money on'? I buy my clothes from ebay for fecks sake

OP posts:
Icoulddoitbetter · 20/02/2011 21:07

Actually just to rethink the DLA thing. I know it's hard to get (I'm a health prof so have a bit of experience) but from personal experience, my mum gets it and she has mental health rather than physical issues. Do you have a CPN / support worker who you could ask about it? A psychiatrist may not be the the best person, the other health profs involved in your care may know? It's not the kind of health problems you have that are important, it's their impact on your everyday life / functional abilities. Is your condition likely to be long-term? Def worth looking into more Smile

Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:08

our pet insurance is for one young dog. She costs us about £10. Hardly a fortune. Its the kids I need to get rid of.

OP posts:
iskra · 20/02/2011 21:08

mogadoredmemoo, can you ask your doctor to help you with the DLA form? I don't know what the forms ask for, but they could send in a supporting letter or something. A good psychiatrist would do that for you.

Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:10

I will do that iska, my doctors are all fab so I'm sure they'll be happy to help

OP posts:
dickiedavisthunderthighs · 20/02/2011 21:10

My sister suffered from ME for two years and qualified for DLA. It stopped her and her husband from going over the brink financially. I do think you should look into it, it could make a real difference.

darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:10

I've told you to claim ESA! about 10 fing times! and each time you have ignored me!

I've told you what you are overpaying on and what bills you could reduce.

You just dont want to see it.

Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:10

I do have a CPN Icoulddoitbetter, I will ask him about it.

OP posts:
beanlet · 20/02/2011 21:11

I agree with everyone who has said you need to shop around for better deals on your utilities, insurance, etc. Have a look at moneysavingexpert.com which has awesome advice on how to save money on all sorts of things.

If your DH only needs the car to get to work (as opposed to needing it to do his job) he could consider switching to public transport, even if it takes ages.

Finally, your mortgage sounds a bit high, but not as much as it would cost to rent a similar property wherd we live, and mortgage desls at the moment are so unfavourable that it really isn't worth your while thinking about remortgaging. I really feel for you on the DH being too old thing. Despite the fact that I'm at least 30 years off retirement, and they've just abolished the retirement age anyway, most mortgage companies insist on going by DH's age, even though he earns less than me!

FabbyChic · 20/02/2011 21:12

OP I have messaged you.

twinterror · 20/02/2011 21:13

sounds like you have a few options:

-getting the DLA - if you are too ill too work you should be able to get this

-start the process with CSA re your ex

-from what you are saying, it will be a year before your tc are taken away, so you have a year to get the csa and dla working for you and you may be feeling a bit better and well enough to work by then.

Its easy to panic but I think if you focus on the things above you will feel that you are doing something about the issues well in advance.

good luck

darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:13

You spend loads of money on utilities, car, insurances, mortgage, maintenance.

I dont. I cant afford to. Your probelm is that you have to see that you cant afford all these things too.

Live within your means.

I'm not the only one on this thread who's been saying this to you.

darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:15

laweasel- that kind of arrangement is a typical divorce settlement, not unreasonable to ask why it didnt happen (pre-abuse disclosure)

LaWeasel · 20/02/2011 21:16

So darlen - you spend £600pm on food and going out but don't have electricity?!

LaWeasel · 20/02/2011 21:17

But a pointless question when the house is already sold.

The3Bears · 20/02/2011 21:17

I thought thaat it was 25k if you only have one child so I think you should still get tc only read page 1 sorry if someone has already said this

darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:20

I spend £80pcm on combined gas/electric.

greentea72 · 20/02/2011 21:20

Your gas and electric bills are very high I pay much less for detached old house with single glazing. Are you paying a set amount each month DD. are these based on estimated bills? If so you should regularly ring in with your meter readings so they are up to date and you are not overpaying, you can also discuss your monthly payments with them and lower (or raise). You may find you have a large pool of money sitting in their account!!

On a practical front, to use less electricity and gas (without laying out too much money)

  • fit low energy bulbs lamps.
-Do not use a tumble dryer - these use large amounts of electricity, use a clothes horse inside or line dry in summer.( I know this can be a pain - but it really will reduce your bill significantly) -wash clothes at 40 degrees - washing machines use cold water which they heat up electrically, the lower temperature you wash aat the less money spent on heating the wwater. -If you have gas central heating do not use electric heating of any type (e.g. imersion heaters, electric fires etc., generally gas heating costs less than electric -use a microwave or slow cooker instead of the oven. -Turn things off ( old appliances eg Tvs on standby use nearly as much energy as leaving them on), and (try) to teach children to turn things off.

To reduce heating bills.
-get roof lagged (there are free schemes to get this done.likewise cavity wall insulation.(if appropriate for your house)

  • lag your hotwater cylinder and any pipework in the airing cupboard.
-reduce draughts using draft excluder strips etc. -turn thermostat down. -look at your heating control times - check you are not heating an empty house for hours.

Also water are you on a water meter - this generally saves money.

Sorry if some of this seems obvious - but I managed to reduce my electricity bill by 30% just by getting rid of the tumble dryer.

Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:21

I definitely going to shop round for all our utilities and insurance. Darlene we need the car for work and we have to have insurance. It is a legal requirement. We spend nothing on Maintenace.

OP posts:
LaWeasel · 20/02/2011 21:21

Their maintenance is presumably CSA decided? They won't be able to reduce the amount.

honeyandlemon · 20/02/2011 21:22

One bit of I think good news for you is that the personal tax allowance goes up by £1000 per year from 1 April, so that should give you a tax benefit of just over £80 a month.

Not sure if this has already been said, but have you tried Citizens advice? they may be able to offer more help on entitlements with some benefits.

Agree with not panicking.

could your husband lift share - possibly some of the time? would cut down on the petrol bill perhaps.

The3Bears · 20/02/2011 21:24

We pay £113 a month for gas and elec and dont even have it on that much, mabye we should switch then :(

Original poster
MogadoredMemoo · 20/02/2011 21:25

I definitely need to stop using the dryer!

The3bears I sooo hope you are right

OP posts:
darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:27

Child maintenance.

Is there some weird reason why you keep ignoring my point s about claiming ESA (employment support insurance). You seem to be definatly entitled to it.

Problem Fing solved.

darleneconnor · 20/02/2011 21:28

You dont have to have contents insurance.