That is must be possible to survive on my low income?

[notabee]

My total income is under £13k (work pt, can't work more due to not great health, plus tax credits etc)
I own my house with a mortgage (about £6k a year) and I have dc but no partner.
There must be a way?
I feel I must be missing something.
I spoke to the cab last year and they didn't think there was any other help.
Every month and getting more and more in debt but I really do try and spend the minimum possible.
How do you get by?
Do you think I should get by?
Aibtu?

[SlipperyLizard]

A water meter would save money - our highest bill (4 bed house, 2 x adult showers and bath for the kids every night) was c £50. Now the baths are less frequent it has dropped down to £40, and that is still with lots of washing.

Have you shopped around for gas and electricity? We pay £89 per month, although we keep the house cooler than others like in winter (max 19), so yours seems high.

[OhTheRoses]

The child who isn't working could work.
In the hols, cd you do some babysitting/ironing?

[notabee]

All monthly

[sparechange]

Call a broker and have a chat about your mortgage options

Your current lender won't know about it, and they'll tell you if a remortgage is feasible on your income

Can you liftshare weekly to cut your fuel bill?

[PurpleMinionMummy]

Just seen you work term time. If you're not working 16 hrs every week this might effect your tax credits. You probably don't get working tax credits?

[Chippednailvarnishing]

You need to address the mortgage. Your choice, but if you don't enquire you'll never know.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

notabee if you haven't remortgaged for ages you're likely on the standard variable rate which could be 5.5% or higher.

Speak to your current lender about switching to a new rate. Just ask them if they do a full affordability calculation when you're not changing anything other than the rate - they normally don't.

Our mortgage payments went from £450 to £270 when we did this, like you we'd had some changes of circumstances but our lender (Leeds BS) just asked us to select the rate then sign the dox to say we confirm.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

They did do a credit check btw but considering Noddle says I'm between 'Poor' and 'Very Poor' but I've never missed a payment and don't have any CCJs or whatever they obviously took the long look!

[CrochetBelle]

Is there a good reason one of your children isn't in education or working?

[SecretNortherner]

You might find it cheaper on a water meter. If you have less people in the house than you do rooms apparently it works out cheaper than doing a fixed direct debit. May be worth looking into that, even if it does only shave £20 of a month.
Try and claim for pip again. If it doesn't come through it's tough, but it may help you financially if it does.

[BG2015]

Don't know if you already go over there but the Money Saving Expert website and forums are really helpful and loads of people can give you advice and suggestions.

[CremeEggThief]

Can you spell it out to the 17 year old that s/he is a big part of the reason your whole family does not have enough money? I know that sounds unkind, but unfortunately, it's true. I think s/he has a huge cheek to ask for an allowance in the circumstances. Would there be any option to live with their other parent, if they're not willing to get back into education or training or to get a job? I couldn't afford for my DS to live with me, without child maintenance, child tax credits and child benefit.
I know it's incredibly difficult and you feel you're caught between a rock and a hard place.

[SecretNortherner]

When I say tough I don't mean that as in tough titties. I mean it in a its hard

[notabee]

Honestly, my other child can't. It's very very complicated. Tbh I'm just glad they're alive (as I said, complicated).
I'll check tax credits again but that is definitely what I get. It's nearly review time anyway but I'll check that website.
I'll look at remortgaging, thank you. I do have equity in the house now, which is something.
I wanted stability by owning but maybe that was a mistake. I have amazing, patient neighbours that I really don't want to have to lose. Perhaps I will have to sell up

[ElizabethG81]

How long is left on your mortgage? If it's more than a few years then I'm sorry to say that I think you seriously need to think about selling up and moving to rented accommodation, as the tax credits and child benefit will stop once your youngest leaves education or turns 18.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Karma disagree completely. The best option is to ask current lender what the process is for a rate switch and take it from there.

Any other lender will go through full affordability because she'll be a new customer. There's the possibility her current one won't.

I wouldn't even speak to a broker before you've a) spoken to your current lender; b) had a look at moneysupermarket or something, found a rate and done a quick affordability check with their calculators. You don't have to put in any details other than your incomings and outgoings and it will tell you whether they're likely to be able to lend to you.

[TheBeastInMsRooneysRoom]

This is sort of sideways to the question you're asking, and feel free to shelve it whilst you deal with more pressing issues, but.....

Your children don't need an allowance, they need jobs. I set up a small business at 15 that supported me through school and higher education. When I graduated, I continued and it took me through 3 maternity leaves and eventually became my main income. If my parents had given me an allowance, I'm very very sure I wouldn't have bothered. I know it's hard to say no, and it doesn't even feel like a 'choice' to make when you don't have it, but please speak clearly to them about this. They need to work. You have health issues. You cannot possibly subsidise the 17 yr old over and above housing and food.

Many of my friends at school worked part time to contribute to the household, nevermind spending money. I felt lucky that I got to keep my money!

[TheBeastInMsRooneysRoom]

So sorry - I cross posted with your last update.

[SecretNortherner]

If you sell and your in positive equity you may find you won't be able to claim if you end up with a specific amount in the bank ... I think if you have £16k in savings you can't claim as it's classed as an acceptable amount to live off.
Speak with your bank about the mortgage. Keeping your house may give you more stability later down the line.
If you have debt payments/credit card bills, speak with stepchange. They will help you budget and will speak with the creditors to reduce your payments.

[GlitterGlue]

If eldest is unable to work due to ill health or disability can they claim anything in their own right? Can they get esa or pip?

[CremeEggThief]

If you do sell, what's the situation for social housing like in your area? It would be far better than private renting. I live in a very deprived area in the North East and I got a 3 bedroom house for myself and DS the day after I applied, 2 years ago. There are lots of vacant 2 and 3 bedroom houses where I live that are owned by housing associations.

[RandomMess]

Definitely investigate shared ownership, could you have enough equity to own 50% outright?

[notabee]

It's the 15 yo who wants the allowance, the 17 yo doesn't ask for anything.
There's virtually no contact with the other parent. My choice although not a choice (he was violent).
We have a water meter. My only luxury is having a hot bath and that's mostly to ease pain. I am very careful generally.
I've not switched elec / gas for ages. I'll try that, thank you. I don't know why I haven't tbh.
Some fantastic advice from all, btw, thank you.