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?

[WomblingThree]

I have to ask. Is this in response to the raft of "oh my god I'm so poor on my 6 figure salary" threads?

[ilovechoc1987]

With tax credits possible, and on 13knyoud be entitled to working tax credit as well.
How on earth did you get a mortgage on 13k a year????

[GlitterGlue]

Oh, check your loo. Sometimes they constantly run a dribble of water into the pan and it all adds up. If you put a swirl of loo cleaner around the top you can see if you have a trickle.

[MusicToMyEars800]

Do you get council tax reduction? It's on top of the 25% discount for being a single adult in a property. Do you use comparison websites for utilities? was about to ask this.

[dinosaursandtea]

This isn't an answer - I wish I had one - but I'm really, really sorry it's so hard. It shouldn't be, no one should have to scrimp, save and go without. I hope things get better for the three of you xxx

[chocolatespiders]

It really doesn't sound like you are getting enough tax credits. Have you ever put the figures into entitled to.com?
It's no wonder your struggling.
I earn 19,000 working 36 hours a week and get £50 a week tax credits for one child. Older dd is 20 so nothing for her.

My rent is 6000 a year which I get no help for but take this away from my wages and it still leaves it significantly higher than yours which makes me think it is not accurate.
Shame they don't take into account outgoings that would help you

[StarryIllusion]

I'm on the same money as you and get Income support. You should get that too.

[CremeEggThief]

14 and 15 year olds are very selfish and single-minded, I'm afraid. My 14 year old DS is very aware of how tight things are for us, but it doesn't stop him from asking for extra money every few months, and moaning about how poor he feels, in comparison to his mates.

I'm glad your older dc is more sensitive to your situation.

[GlitterGlue]

I've had a quick look and it does seem that your eldest may be able to claim esa, assuming they can't work due to illness or disability. Worth looking into?

[Mrscog]

Definitely investigate remortgaging - and in your situation I would have thought that selling would be the worst option. If you remortgage you might save £50-100 per month on your repayments - you're not going to be able to rent somewhere for all 3 of you for less than £500.

Hopefully your elder one can get a job/go back to education in time.

Definitely switch utilities too! Easy saving to make.

Good luck :)

[wobblywonderwoman]

I think you are doing great to own a property on that mortgage

Thinking outside the box, can you rent out a car space.

Have a lodger Mon to Fri and you share with one of the DC.

Iron (though I know you said you are not very well)



Xxxx

[ivykaty44]

I have been there and a quick look at your budget

I got rid of PAYG and got a SIM only for £10 o2 do one per month with lots of talk time - that's £10 saved
Swap to water meter as if just two of you in house you would be paying £15 per month
£40 saved
I got rid of the TV, landline and kept the broadband this saved me £17 for the LL and £12 for the TV. I watch on demand TV but not BBC
£12 saved
So about £62 per month, which is £744 per year saved

If you have a spare room get a lodger, check with tax credits but as long as no tax is paid, so under £7000 per year then you should be ok, but check first as rules often change.

Chase child maintenance, even £10 a week adds up

[notabee]

What "I'm so poor" threads? Not seen but I might need to search!!! Do you recommend?!
I had a decent salary and worked ft once. That's how I got my mortgage. I didn't quite foresee my situation getting this much worse. I've had my mortgage 14 years and have never defaulted a payment in that time. I will call them on Monday, I'll let you know! I honestly thought they'd ask my income and I'd potentially lose the mortgage I have.
I would definitely have over £16k in equity, possibly 4 times that now.
Good idea on checking the loo!
I can't claim income support as I work 16 hours (term time education is an exception with regards to ruling for tax credits).
I get the 25% discount plus £4pw extra discount (council tax benefit).
Whereabouts is the frugal threads please? I think I need a read!!!
So, I now have a plan and I can't thank you enough.

1. call mortgage lender
   
2. check utility switch sites
   
3. claim for pip again but with help (any recommendations of who please?).
   
4. check entitled to, I did check a while ago but not lately.
   
5. feel like I've missed something
   You don't know how relieved I am to have this! Thank you!

[bellabasset]

Three areas to explore to reduce bill:

(a) social tariff for water bills for low income families

(b) council tax benefit for low income which would reduce the payment to the council, it comes under the housing benefit scheme, not sure if you are paying 10 or 12 payments but assuming 10 £1300 is a large sum out of your income

(c) Warm home discount claimed from your energy supplier, annual payment of £140:00 credited to your electricity account. If changing suppliers look at who operates the scheme as not all suppliers do.

[CremeEggThief]

Credit Crunch section of Mumsnet, notabee. Money Matters might be good too.

[Travelledtheworld]

...and that perhaps that 15 year old could get a job......?
Clearing tables ? Pot washing ?

[notabee]

5. look into shared ownership schemes (worth a look - thanks).
   
6. look into esa for dc1, not sure they'd be eligible but nothing ventured and all the rest.
   
7. look at sim only mobile (the £15-£20 is for 2 though, I pay for dc2 as rural school for safety travelling etc)

[ilovechoc1987]

Hi op I just wanted to say, we've been there and it's terrible having to live on such a small budget, so I understand.
I can't offer much help because the only way we got out of it was finding higher paid jobs, but obviously that's out of the question for you right now, but I just wanted to say I think you sound like a wonderfully strong person and I hope you pull through this, I have a feeling you will with all the great advice

[notabee]

We've been trying to get dc2 a job and does occasional baby sitting.
Will push again.
I've not even heard of the water discount and warm home discount!
To think i nearly didn't post. I hate admitting I'm failing at anything.
You have all made my day.

[GlitterGlue]

Benefits and work website is often mentioned as being helpful with claims, but you have to pay a fee to join. A bit of free advice there though. www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

If there is a DIAL branch in your area then they may be able to assist. As can citizens advice.

[notabee]

Thank you, Ilovechoc (& so do I! . That's very kind of you to say.

[Hulder]

Your water bill is high despite the meter.

I would guess you are losing water somewhere, teens are having long showers or you don't have watersaving products like loo flushes and shower heads.

If you google your water company they will have some kind of water saving free kit they will send you - I just had a look at mine (Anglian) and they actually do free home visits to see how you can save water and supply you with free water saving kit.

We have found the most useful thing was the shower timer.

[notabee]

Dial branch? (Trying to work out what that is - sorry!)
Thank you glitter glue, I'll have a look at that.
I'm going to read through again tomorrow as in bound to have missed something. Going to make myself some notes of tips too!
Wobbly - I had to laugh. I am quite wobbly so I don't iron (did I actually admit that out loud?) but thank you!!

[Deux]

In your OP you mentioned getting in to debt. How much debt do you have, apr% etc.

It sounds terribly tough and you sound like you're doing a great job. Selling your house should be the ultimate last resort. Don't do it.

If you can keep that going it will stand you in good stead. You might also be able to extend the term of your mortgage or even have a mortgage ' holiday' for a few months.

[MrsELM21]

I'm not sure you can spend much less, that looks very tight indeed, any chance you could get a different job that pays more??