To be worried?

[RollonBed]

New to mumsnet, just joined purely because its all i can think about. Love reading other threads though.

Ok, so the cap comes into place tomorrow 384 pound a week. Im a single psrent 2ith 4 children. How on earth an i expected to pay rent out of this and live? I will have to pay £104 pound rent a week! Thats 280 to buy food, petrol, gas, electric, water... yes i pay monthly for these but each week i make sure i set aside 50 pound... its said some 300,000 children will be pushed into poverty and people may loose there home over it. Im so worried i cant eat or sleep!! Should i be worried. aibu to think this is such an unecessary thing gor goverment to do?

U2 but from what I can see the op currently manages and will continue to do so. I'm not seeing what she won't be able to afford any more.

As for my phone. I have bo land no broadband no tv. My phone is my emergency is my internet is my calls. 35 a month isnt really to bad when i dont have anythinf else?

Not saying I'm better, perhaps I've been wiser to think a bit more about the amount of children I have bearing in mind relationships arents always forever, children are, so I'd seriously consider, could it have paid for 4 children just on your business income a lone.

I don't envy your position obviously but it's just such a touchy subject to post & not expect such responses.

Twojumpingbeans i think youve just made me cry. Thank you

U2 thank you.. didnt realise i was allowed ro swear on here. How do i close a thread?

you chose to have 4 kids... perhaps you should have considered how you would finance their upbringing before you had them. You have more income than many who work. i suggest you get a job!

This is how I get by;

I read lots of blogs for tips;

Frugal Queen
Thrifty Lesley (eat for £1 a day)
Mean Queen
Money Mustache

I grow my own vegetables and save all seeds for next year. I plant potato peelings with the sprouts on which grow into free potatoes later in the year. Everyone can grow herbs indoor if no access to a garden.

I buy clothing (except for school stuff) from charity shops, extreme sale items in supermarkets and E-bay. We have Ugg boots and designer gear for next to nothing.

I sew and make my own pillowcases and soft furnishing reusing material.

I use my slow cooker daily for almost everything. Green Tomato Chutney on there at the moment.

We are regulars at the library although if my Dcs want a book they get it. Education is so important.

We don't have Sky or any fancy pants net-flics only basic TV licence.

Our furniture comes from Revive.

I mostly cook from scratch and I do buy good food from a local farm shop. More expensive but healthier imo so worth it. (They always give me a free bone for the dog as well)

I cut my own hair (shocking huh?).

My dcs have loads of art stuff, and sporting interests including dance and riding.

It's possible to have a good lifestyle which doesn't cost a fortune. It's taken me time to get there but now I am frugal I don't think I could be any other way.

One more book I'd recommend is zero waste home by Bea Johnson, Loads of tips in there.

Chin up - Britain had to do it through the War times so ask the older generations how they manage. I've had loads of tips from my neighbours.

Can someone please explain it to me

Op, I think the positives to take from this thread is not to worry. This is doable.

If it's a touchy subject and you can't be supportive to a woman who has fled an abusive relationship and is now scared about money then maybe don't post at all.

She has been through a lot and is asking advice not for stories about how you all support your kids on 3 pence and half a bag of cornflakes and don't ever complain.

Lorna have yoy read the ops posts and also considered that the children have two parents

you chose to have 4 kids... perhaps you should have considered how you would finance their upbringing before you had them. You have more income than many who work. i suggest you get a job!

How much would she be left with after child care?

She was financing their upbringing until her husband beat her up.

There are some horrible people on this thread.
No.... there are people who area slightly aghast that the OP is complaining about benefit cuts (and quoting child poverty figures) which leave her with 'only' 280 a week for food and bills while paying out 35 a month on a phone and a ridiculous amount on a car while others struggle on less when they are working full time.
Leaves a bit of a bad taste really.

OP sorry to hear what you went through at the hands of your ExH.
I hope you are getting real life support for that.

In your situation I would be asking the LEA to put the DC on a waiting list for a place at a closer school, you don't say how far away their school is? If it is a considerable distance and there genuinely is no nearer place for them I thought the council had to provide free transport? There are a couple of kids I know of who travel to school by paid for state taxi as they have to travel so far. Ask them if they provide any similar services.

I really think the crux of the issue is that you are having to pay for a car. £25 a week for insurance is astronomical, assuming you have no motoring convictions I think you should shop around for a better deal....I have a new car and pay only £23 a month.

Op...it does sound like you've had a shit time and I do have sympathy for that. However, you are in receipt of help...you have posted you incomings and outgoings and the incomings are more than the outgoings. So, you have to live on a budget...like many many others.

No, there really are some horrible people on this thread.

OP I don't think anyone is saying you shouldn't have your phone, just that it shouldn't be so expensive. I have a new iphone with unlimited calls, texts and 10gb data for £24 a month so yours does sound rather on the costly side. Is there room to call your provider and see if you can switch the price? Or get a sim-only deal when the contract runs out?

OP, I understand you are worried. Even for a phone with internet, you are paying a lot. You can get much better deals. Are you tied in to a contract? I know you said that you're not near shops but £80 per week at Tesco for one adult and 4 small children is a lot of money. Have a look at what you are buying; is it brands? Covenience foods? You may be able to cut down on prices without going somewhere like Aldi if you don't have a local one. Your car insurance is insane. Are you under 25 or have made lots of claims? Again, you need to shop around.

It's hard but it can be done. You've got some areas where you can save so it's not totally hopeless. Best of luck

Fucking hell, I've not seen such vileness on here in a long time.

OP, please ignore all the nastiness if you can. You've had lots of good advice so I won't repeat what's already been said but one thing... the debts you are paying for your ex. What are they for? Are they in his name? If so, stop paying them immediately. Even if they're in your name, there is help available. Are you on Facebook? There's a fantastically helpful group called "Bailiffs Debt and Bills" who WILL be able to help you.

Keep your chin up, you're doing the best you can.

OP, one of the things you are going to have to get used to as a single parent is the judgement of others. In particular, you should have had a crystal ball and should have known what was going to happen. It is also your fault that you are now sole career of 4 children. If it helps, I am a full teacher and single mum to three. I am frequently - and very openly - criticised by peers for working and having my children in childcare. AKA you can't win so just do whatever works for you.

Not sure what you wanted from this thread OP. Coming on to complain that, after all your bills are paid, the free money the government gives you only leaves you with around £50 per week? My heart bleeds for you.

People whining about 'having' to pay £35 a month for a phone are never going to get any sympathy, and rightly so.

I guess she wanted support and advice.

That will teach her eh

U2 well said with regards to lhilton, what a horrible post. Op isn't psychic how the hell should she know her situation would change so dramatically. And as for the victim blaming that she should have had an "inkling" that her partner was going to beat her?? What the actual fuck? there are actually on words for the ignorance of that sentence.

You're taking the piss! I work 4 long days a week at a skilled trade job which took 3 years to train then qualify to do and am time served for 15 years doing it and earn over £100 a week less!! Ungrateful and grabby is how this comes across I'd love to 'only' be given that much per week...