To think 2 adults can live on £800 a month not incl rent?

[abacucat]

Just that really. I think this will be perfectly fine to live on and pay bills.

It’s possible but it sounds relentless, OP ❤️

Is it for a lifestyle choice or is it a necessity?

You need to factor in new (practical) shoes, TV on the blink, prescriptions, presents for family / friends on occasion, etc...(obv not if on breadline).

Sorry that health reasons are making life difficult ❤️

hidingfromkids

You have £500 a month? Surely your council tax is close to, or over £100 per month
£50-80 for gas and electric
£30 for water
That leaves you with £300 for 4 weeks food. And that’s with no other bills- insurances taxes, TV and phone costs- it doesn’t seem
Possible

Thanks bbc. We both get free prescriptions at least. And yes I think we need a savings pot for emergencies. Like the car breaking down or the cooker breaking.

We claim working tax credit, and only my husband works, I’m a student. I’m not trying to be hostile, I’m trying to help and offer advice. If you’ve spoken to CAB, or a welfare rights officer and they’ve comefirmed there is £0 you can claim, I don’t see what else you can do. Because it’s not a feasible or sustainable way to live, particularly if things are going to get progressively worse, health-wise.

We dont live on much more than that but the problems come when you need to fix things on the house or car. There is always something needs doing.

Benefits are far more generous when you have kids under 18 living at home. Plenty of people really struggle when their kid leaves education and grows up, but is still living at home, as benefits reduce substantially.

So, in answer to your question, no, they can’t.

Have you thought about non-regular but inevitable outgoings like having to replace the car/fridge/cooker/carpet etc etc etc as and when they reach end of life? It sounds like you're going to have to make this work whether you like it or not so putting an amount away into an emergencies fund needs to be accounted for.

Sorry looks like I xposted.

yourenotcrazy That is because you are a student. If you were not, you have to both be working. The rules changed. Or it may simply be different for new claims. And sorry, I know you are trying to help.

400 quid a month for everything apart from rent? I'm sure I could if I really had to, with a lot of sacrifices, but by no stretch of the imagination could it be called "plenty".

I think I need to focus on building a savings pot. That looks the most sensible plan. Thanks.

Only short term. That's what I have left and we still get £50 a week WTC.

Once all the utility bills are out the way ( no extras like mobile phone or Sky), running costs for a car, and food I have £200.
With that I have to pay clubs, Christmas, repairs, furnish the house buy clothes etc. before getting in the wine.

OP, it sounds like you're in a really tough situation. I don't think there are any magic answers. Hopefully this thread has helped a bit with realistic budgeting, but I just wanted to say I hope things will work out better somehow. Unexpected pay rise for one of you, or something!

Thanks. Life does seem a bit of a slog at the moment.

Also, not wanting to pry, but depending on what the health situation is, there are organisations out there who have specialist financial advisors who can help go through things with you, so at the very least you’re not having to do it on your own., when it must already be a very stressful and difficult time. My MIL had oesophageal cancer and someone from Macmillan came out and went through everything with us. There are other charities out there for other conditions that have similar services xx

no other insurance? if you rent you should get contents cover, it isnt pricey. fire, flood, burglary and you will be screwed.

PIP is for people who can not do basic things like getting dressed or washed.
That’s simply not true

Carers allowance is paid for pip/ dla and attendance allowance.

Surprised that some believe a TV licence to be an essential cost, or any other subscription service. I've not watched TV for three years. I don't miss it. I could manage on £800 p/m after mortgage.

glintandglide

Honest, I appreciate that we live up north so therefore some things are cheaper.

Small house band A council tax - £85
Gas and electric - £70 (have built up overpayment so probably could pay less. I request some back coming up to Christmas)
Water - £36
TV etc - £40
Shopping - approx £250 sometimes less. I spend about £100 in Aldi every two weeks and I'd overestimate about £50 for top up shops throughout the month.
I have a well stocked pantry that I've built up over a few years (pasta, lentils, tins etc) so I'm not the type to have no food the day before I shop I suspect this is how I can do a big shop every two weeks.

I've got that at £481 obviously some months less allowing some months more.

I've combined my house insurance with my rent so not included it. I don't drive so major cost not included there, my partner has a works van only.

We obviously live a rather simple life

I have went through the PIP process and looked at the questions asked. You either need to not be able to do very basic physical things, or have conditions like autism where you need a lot of supervision. You get no points for not being able to do housework or shopping. Only 1 point if you can cook ready meals in the microwave.

Sometimes you have to live on pulses and veg and not go out. If it's for the whole of the rest of your life it's a bit of a bummer, but if the income is likely to improve then it's a temporary problem which will resolve itself.

Where I've written TV etc I actually mean broadband £29 Netflix £6 and my phone bill £5

How much is your rent? This might not be an option, but can you move areas to somewhere where the rent is cheaper?

It sounds doable given your outgoings but not much fun long term

Are you married? If so, if he's going to be stopping work so not having much/any income, but you'll carry on, he could transfer some of his personal allowance to you. Benefits you to the tune of about £240 a year. Not massive amount but every little helps!

www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance