To ask if £150 disposable income a month means I'm skint

[MissJoeBlogs]

After all bills (including food) are paid for, I have £150 left for myself and 2 kids, this generally goes towards clothing, days out, birthday presents, etc. I'm grateful for what I have and I'm happy, but I have been watching repeats of Rich House/Poor House and the poor house had a similar amount of money left to me. Am I skint?

Mine are now adults, but we did most things for free. We had an annual pass to a child's 'farm' with a play area and cafe, or you could picnic, and at weekends we'd do family walks and again take our own food as a picnic
Annual farm pass: costs
Cafe: costs
Picnic: costs
Aside from the weather- yes you can picnic and walk in the rain (not that I want to)- but after the age of 7 these things are less appealing. Cinema trips can be £20-£50 depending on how many of you and when you go, trampoline park £20, bowling etc...ok no child “needs” these activities but I don’t work or raise my children just to survive. I quite like to enjoy things if I’m lucky enough to be able to.

I'd say if you have 350 a month spare once debt cleared and all rent, utilities etc are paid and you only work part time and are sole earner you must be on a lot of money? So no I wouldn't class you as skint.

Skint to me is when you have to juggle bills and stretch the food to last the month.
With £150 spare each month then you still have enough for small treats and put some by for Christmas and birthdays so I don’t think you are skint at all.

When both DS were little, both me and DH worked, and we could just about afford nursery, but we had a grand total of £2 left at the end of each month (after paying for all essential bills including food).

So by this measure, you're doing pretty well... But I could understand if you'd prefer your budget to be less tight (for holidays and days out, to save for a deposit, etc.)

When both DS were little, both me and DH worked, and we could just about afford nursery, but we had a grand total of £2 left at the end of each month (after paying for all essential bills including food) I’m not being goady but what happened if you needed underwear or a pair of shoes in that time?

Agree with @onlyfoolsnmothers

Free stuff like parks, picnics get pretty dull and samey once your DC get older and the weather is crap. An occasional trip to the cinema, bowling, trampoline park, soft play is hardly extravagant and should be accessible and affordable for all families.

It doesn't seem much leftover to me but if it works for you then it's fine

@Tootletum

I think I need a reality check. I worry about money constantly, and we go on camping holidays in the UK. We have about £4000 left after bills. Yes, a month.

Is this you?

To me, ‘skint’ means being unable to make ends meet and buy basic necessities, no matter how frugal your budgeting.

£150 of disposable income per month is certainly very tight indeed, with very little scope for unexpected expenses, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling it skint.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

When I was in that situation, we pawned something, anything. Then the adults went without.

Although we were very lucky that my sister would give us hand me down clothes to our son.

I suppose it depends. If you don’t feel skint then you’re not, it’s all down to what you’re used to!

I’d blitz through that but you sound more organised than me, my dc are older, we eat out a lot and they do a lot of activities and sports etc that constantly need kits, parking, subs etc. We like to do a day out most weekends when we aren’t locked in, cinema, beach, Nat trust etc sometimes something bigger like Legoland or Folly Farm, they have pocket money to spend on their games, the bits we fritter away here and there probably add up!

I think you're doing great OP. You're resourceful, plan ahead, anticipate future expenditure. Small kids don't need theme parks, meals out, extra-curricular stuff. Nature trails in the park, feeding the ducks and making their own pizzas is plenty wholesome enough. You have a fabulous attitude OP!

Once you've paid off your debt, make sure you save a good chunk of the extra. Maybe aim to save enough for a few days away in the summer. And can I recommend rainbows/beavers once they're old enough. Very cheap and will give them bucketloads of fabulous opportunities and camps.

I’d say it was tight but you do really well. Not much wriggle room for emergencies or savings. But at least you’ll be better off soon. I’ve been in debt and had little left over a single person and I felt skint in comparison to where I’m at now ( nowhere near £4K tho!)

Mumsnet is a strange forum sometimes. I read threads that people have their hair blow dried weekly, think nothing of £200 weekly shopping bills, children in private school or children with many after school activities, expensive hols several times a year or suggestions of spa days to solve an issue. In some pension threads if you aren’t putting £100s into pensions @ 21 you are making bad choices.

Then you think you may be near to being viewed as skint OP and are practically shot down in some replies. Of course it’s not skint you aren’t going to a food bank!

I think it’s subjective if you feel you are living to the best of your means that’s what counts and hopefully not for much longer! Good luck

I think you sound sensible and resourceful. And once you've paid that debt off, you're going to feel like you're rolling in it! You can up your savings and treat yourself now and then - that's a really great feeling when you've got ride of a debt through your own good sense and hard work.

I wish I had that 😂 again though I'm happy with what we have and think you end up appreciating things that little bit more

I would say it's quite a normal amount to have left for discretionary expenses. It relies on being disciplined and putting money aside for annual expenses is a must but skint no

This is going to depend on other posters circumstances. I have been in a position where I would have loved any money spare after bills. And I have been on the other side where I can save over £1k a month.

MondeoFan Kids used not to be given so much. I think whatever the OP gets her kids will be thoroughly appreciated as opposed to the occasional over lavished kid who has hundreds spent and is just looking for the next parcel to rip open.

I think OP is doing grand though not sure why she has debt, maybe haven't RTFT. Sometime next year she'll have more disposable income - I hope some of it amps up her savings and she can put some aside for her kids.

Are you left with £150 per month before or after you’ve put money into a savings account?

I'd say that £150 disposable after food and bills puts you in the "just about managing" category, OP. It's tight, but doable, but a big unexpected expense would make life difficult. I've known families really struggle when the kids' school changes the uniform and it all has to be replaced at once, for example.

You've done amazingly to deal with your debt, and when you've finished your DMP and have another £200 to spare, you'll really notice the difference.

I think you are doing a marvellous job, you should be proud.

I’d say it’s okay at the moment, but is there enough in your savings for unexpected expenses like a new fridge/freezer or washing machine, or car repairs ( if you have one] ?

Do you have good insurances or warranties in place to cover phones/tablets/tv etc?

It’s good that you’ll have more in time, as I found the cost of clothing my child started to increase once she hit 7/8, especially shoes. I now put £30 a month away purely for clothes and shoes for us both. There’s usually enough in that pot to go towards school trips and equipment.
I also put £50 a month away to go towards our annual zoo pass and holiday, this means it’s less of a big lump sum to find when her thr comes around,

I am full of admiration for you. You seem calm and focussed. Single mum, lucky children to have you.

I wish I had that much spare a month. Definitely not skint.

I just can't believe the cost of everything when trying to entertain children

Day at a farm £70.

Cinema (when ooen) £50 plus drinks etc.

Ice creams £3 a scoop so £15.

It's insane. I know you can do free stuff but sometimes it's nice to go and do something as a day out.