My income is below the national average and also pro rata as I work 30 hours (compressed) to deal with childcare. I am just at the threshold for UC so don’t get any extra support for being a lone parent but qualify for the childcare element.
My mortgage is 41% of my wage. I’m due to review that in Jan but I’m terrified interest rates will go up.
Another 28% makes up essential bills and utilities.
I have a joint debt in my name at about 17%, though ex pays all of this as part of the debt and making contributions to the additional element of childcare. We have 50/50 care, so if he ever just decided to stop paying I can’t do anything about it.
I’ve had to pay for 3 car repairs, 1 vet bill and a house repair in the past two months which luckily I’ve had savings for, but they are dwindling fast. I’ve just remembered that it’s car season - so MOT, service, tax and insurance all is due next month - usually I pay in one lump sum but I think I’m going to have to break it down into monthly payments to deal with this year. And now my cat has wandered in with a broken tooth. 😬
I’ve already cancelled all my non essential subscriptions bar Netflix. I’ve drastically changed the way I spend. I did make a big spend on Beauty Pie last month to use my allowance before cancelling (and hopefully stock me for 6 months +), but that’s been the only luxury. My birthday is next week and I can’t afford the celebrate. I’m so fed up.
And that’s all obviously before food and household and every ongoing cost that never seems to end.
How do you manage? Do you have tricks? Does it get easier?
There must be a large section of people like me who earn too much to claim personal UC support but too little to live comfortably.