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?

Did you see what I said about privilege? Maybe you should look into it? Do you know what leaves a bad taste in my mouth? People who have literally no idea how lucky they are, it's just the roll of a dice you know.. I'm astonished how quick you are to judge, you have absolutely no idea about the OPs circumstances, she came here for advice and you started banging on about how she has 'chosen' to have four kids. Chosen?? Are you serious? Should she 'choose' to give them back now then? WTF?

OP - there are lots of organisations out there who can help you to budget and find ways to save. Maybe your local children's centre, CAB, women's aid etc. Where I live we have lots of agencies to support. I'm happy to PM with any ideas that might help. I know how very difficult it can be - sending strength! You aren't alone in this x

Have a look on MoneySavingExpert.com You'll find a lot of ideas there.

Good luck

ps - check out the forums. Some are more pink and fluffy than others but Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style aren't too bad.

£384 a week is £1536 a month. That's more than someone working full time on a £24,000 a year takes home once tax and national insurance comes out.

I do t have 4 kids so I have no idea about food and clothing for 4 but it's not a 'bad' income.

What are the ages of the kids - do you have to buy nappies etc?
Do you cook from scratch?
Do you have teens with mobile phone contracts?

Just trying to see how manageable that income would be with 4 children based on your 'left over' income once rent etc is out.

I dont think the thread has been particulary vile, and maybe those who appear vile just read opening page and then replied. Maybe they didn't read thread to see the drip-fed info?

What is the issue? Can someone spell it out for me? Even with thw expensive phone and car insurance op is left with £50 per week. Thats after her monwy goes down, presume she is currently on more and so has some savings. Ignoring all the benefits bashing and crystal ball gazers, why does the op need cost cutting advice?

I wanted some support and advice and maybe tips from people who are in the same boat as me? I dont want or need sympathy i get enough in the street when ppl see scars across my face. Neither do i nasty tongues. I was simply looking for advice. Mumsnet is aparently only for those working 37 plus hours a week with minimal income and never complain. I know when im not wanted. Thank you so much to all the people who were helpful. I shall be researching when children are asleep

OP, I can understand you are worried.
I do not have any tips but I have a household of 4 and manage on much less money than you.
You will be fine, you will just have to learn to adjust your spending. There is plenty of information online that can help.

stealhpolarbear I'm confused too... sounds like £200 buffer available per month to save for rainy day?

How about quit complaining and be thankful for the money you do get from the government! They are your children and people like you make me furious, I am single, no children, and with the tax I pay goes towards paying for YOUR children. I don't have a car as I can't afford one, maybe you will just have to give up the luxury of having a vehicle & get a monthly travel pass for public transport, or do you expect people like to me to pay for your vehicle too ? How will you manage on £380 a week ? Is this a joke ?!

What is the issue? Can someone spell it out for me? Even with thw expensive phone and car insurance op is left with £50 per week. Thats after her monwy goes down, presume she is currently on more and so has some savings. Ignoring all the benefits bashing and crystal ball gazers, why does the op need cost cutting advice?

I'm just guessing here, but £50 a week is not a lot for a family of 5; clothes, shoes, haircuts, birthdays, Christmas etc. Not even taking into account unexpected additional expenses like something going wrong with the car or the washing machine goes on the blink or similar.

I personally don't think £35 a month for a phone is hugely excessive. Yes, the car insurance is pricy but maybe the OP has points on her licence; maybe the car has a large engine... who knows?

And just to add i would much rather pay tax for the children in this country thwn see them homeless and starve.

People's and that is after the money goes down. But clearly we both are missing something

I think it's doable. But I've been there where your life is turned upside down and the worry will always be there when circumstances change.

I imagine having had such a big change another is added stress.

You've had great advice here re spreadsheets.

I'd recommend batch cooking. A decent slow cooker, make mince, casserole etc and then buy pasta, rice and potato to go with it.
It took me a while to realise a tin of tomatoes and mince and pasta were actually cheaper than a cheap pizza and a bag of chips with a team of beans because of the amount of meals you can get from it rather than the actual price.

I'd advise costing up what you buy now and costing up batch cooking. Use tesco online order site as a guide.

Also all, see your MP. Let him or her know of how much you're going to struggle.

You should be grateful for the fact that you receive so much money for doing nothing for society. In lots of countries, you wouldn't be able to live off the taxpayer like you're doing. Why don't you get a job? You would get help with childcare costs, and would be able to work your way up to something even better, and set a good example for your children. Paying that amount for a phone is ridiculous - I only pay £15 a month for mine, and I work full time. If you can run a car, you aren't poor. For the first 5 years of my working life I couldn't afford one, and lots of working people are in the same boat. I don't mind my tax money being used to keep people fed and warm, but people are going to be resentful that their taxes are paying to give someone a car and expensive mobile phone. Start taking charge of your life.

She will have savings presumably as she currently receives more but yes I take the point.

See her MP??

My car i dont no why the insurance is so high its a 1.2 and its 10 years old. Iv only been driving 2 years maybe thats why? I dont no. Insurance isnt something im in a position to shop around for at the moment because ifni change i will have to pay a deposit

Do nothing for society. As i said i had my own business until my ex went and almost killed ne

I wanted some support and advice and maybe tips from people who are in the same boat as me?

No you didn't. Your AIBU was should cuts to benefits be a necessary thing for the government to do
Either get a fucking job or quite complaining about the 1500+ you get each month. You get more than my friend and he works 45+ hours a week with five kids to support.
This sort of shit really winds me up.

Yes, Flogging, why is it such a weird suggestion that someone affected by government cuts lets her MP know how they gave affected her?

Well this is clearly bollocks.

See her MP, why? To complain that she's not got enough money to finance her choices, four children, expensive phone/car yet doesn't work.

Life is hard at times but it doesn't take a crystal ball that see that four children are expensive and that no job/relationship etc is guaranteed for life.

The cuts have been well published, plenty will have used the time to gain employment etc rather than rant on a website how unfair it is that they will have to budget more.