Aibu to ask how anyone has money left?

[sprinklecupcakes]

How on earth does anyone have any money left at the end of the month. I have totalled up all the bills we need to pay and they total more than the income. I just don't understand?! How can you work full time and still be left with not enough 😭please give me tips on reducing costs and making money last. I have gone to bed crying I cannot live like this. I got paid today and once I pay everything tomorrow I will have £3..😭

Would you find it helpful if you listed out your bills and we could maybe make suggestions on how to reduce things?

It is really tough though. Everything is increasing in price!

Well surely the answer is that you earn more and have more money coming in than you do going out. I realise that it isn't always that easy though.

Have you done a proper budget and cut out everything you can? Do you have a partner or is it just you? Do you (both) work?

I’m sorry that sounds scary and stressful. Like others have said list all your outgoings.

I was in a similar position a while ago. Its really really awful.

In my case, I moved about 30 minutes away from family to get a cheaper area bit was still in that position.

Alot will depend on your outgoings and I comings.

I earn more now, I was lucky, but decided to stay in the same little 3 bed terrace rather than stretch myself again.

If you want to list things, I am sure people may be able to help.

Are you the only working adult in your household?

I hate to be blunt but not everyone gets paid the same.

You really have two options:

• cut costs. If you don't NEED it (food. shelter/warmth. Transport to work. Clothing for you/children) you don't buy it. Look at jack munroe etc for cheap recipes. Cancel any subscriptions etc. If you have debts, look to refinance at lower rates. If you can downsize and share bedrooms/sleep on sofa etc to reduce rent do so.
• increase income. Sell anything you can. Look to earn more - train/upskill, apply for higher paid roles, add a second job, do a bit of local dog babysitting or cleaning. Check you are getting any benefits/cm you might be entitled to.

@sprinklecupcakes

How on earth does anyone have any money left at the end of the month. I have totalled up all the bills we need to pay and they total more than the income. I just don't understand?! How can you work full time and still be left with not enough 😭please give me tips on reducing costs and making money last. I have gone to bed crying I cannot live like this. I got paid today and once I pay everything tomorrow I will have £3..😭

It depends on your age and stage.

We went through a period where we had no money at the end of the month (house move, unexpected expenses, new baby, giving up a salary).

But as time went on, income increased and we learnt how to manage expenditure.

Op I feel it too and it's shit

We both work full
Time and have both taken on a second job a few hours a week each to cover the extras like Xmas and a car repair bill I have in January and it's shite.

We work opposite hours as it is to cover the kids which are luckily teens now but even so we are both shattered.

I've never had to work two jobs to make ends meet and cover treats in my life

We did a quick shop in Aldi earlier so not extravagant in the slightest and we only had four reuseable bags but it was over £100

Our utilities have shot up since April and again this last couple of months Aswell as not getting a full tank of fuel x2 out of our normal budget it's crap.

I have weeks where I just get on with it and it's fine and then I have weeks where I'm just really friggin angry and bitter that two full time earnings aren't going very far.

What a shit state to let a country get into

The cost of living is high I don’t know how many people get by. I guess without knowing your household income and outgoings it’s hard to advise or potential to earn more/spend less it’s hard to advise.

We have spreadsheet and used moneysavingexpert to help reduce costs.

Housing costs tend to be one of the big bills. Transportation can be a big bill, such as paying for a car and it's maintenance & insurance.

Listing out all your expenditure and your income is a great start. You have recognised that there is a problem and you want to resolve it.

List things by priority.

1. Food
2. Housing
3. Utilities (electric, gas, water, sewerage, internet)
4. Transportation

You may find that there are some things you pay which are not essential.

Google: Dave Ramsey Podcast/YouTube: Ramsey Show
American daily podcast which talks about paying off debt using a method called Baby Steps. You don't say that any of these bills are debt related but they might be, so you may find listening/watching the show beneficial.

A lot of people will be in that position this month as they’ve spent a chunk on Christmas , for the new year wrote down all your outgoings and try and drive some costs down

I had this. I was single and living alone on a zero hours contract. I paid everything and had a wee bit of money left for a wee treat.

Got offered a full time position so jumped at the chance for money. I had even less than when I was barely working. Near payday I had to phone in sick because I couldn't afford to get to work.

I only had a mobile contract, sky (WiFi only) outside of my normal bills. I would go on a Sunday and buy a loaf of bread and some cheese spread and that was my meals for the week.

Tell us where your money is going and what you already do to reduce costs?

How much do you earn op ? Any financial help ? Would you like to share your outgoings ? X

We did a quick shop in Aldi earlier so not extravagant in the slightest and we only had four reuseable bags but it was over £100 confused

Its not just where you shop it's what you buy. £100 in sainsburys/waitrose on fruit, veg, tins of pulses, eggs and milk, bread, rice, pasta, and a small amount of the cheapest meat/fish options is less extravagant than £100 in aldi including wine, junk food, treats and loads of meat/fish.

Because a lot of people get paid a shed load of money.

I’m on an slightly below average salary 30k for a bog standard job. My husband gets paid loads for what us in many ways an easier job. Plus perks like travel expenses and free food that all add up.

I took on a second minimum wage job to pay for my own girls weekends away. I barely made £5 an hour. The rich/poor divide is massive.

Op, I’m sorry you’re in this position. You know the answe they earn more or have lower outgoings. Are you claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to?

DD is in primary one and we've been told they are selling canvases and they need to wear santa headbands on Monday for the total of 3.50. I don't have this spare at the moment. So she won't be wearing a headband.

We are now cash rich on paper but in reality we struggle every month.

I got made redundant at 35 weeks pregnant obviously I struggled to get another job so my income is now 0. I could get another job but then how do I afford nursery? I would only be able to get a minimum wage job. My baby is 7 weeks old. We are living off £1370 basic plus trying to top it up with Over time. My partner is not good with money and has debts on credit cards from years ago that he then had to get an IVA to pay. This was completely manageable before having one wage. My bills are following. I could get cheaper rent by down grading the area however I am stuck in this tenancy until may 2022. Again this was easily affordable before this happened.

Rent: 530
Car insurance: £80 (cheapest possible)
Bank loan: £111
Council tax: £116
Water: £25
Gas and electric: £140 (cheapest tariff)
Petrol: £120 (this is for my partner to work)
IVA: £150
Credit cards: £60
BT: £102 (they said they cannot down grade this)
Phone: £75 and £65 (unsure if this can be down graded once already in contract?)
Car tax: £13

This is without food and without milk and nappies. After totalling it up this actually adds up to £1587. We have just been trying to get by with over time but this isn't always available and there wasn't much last month.

What are you outgoings?

I'm sure you don't need us all to answer your question by stating the obvious (though AIBU isn't the best place to post if you are seeking help)

People on here can be very supportive though if you want specific help (either with budgeting or with income), but you would have to share your circumstances for people to be able to do that.

Have you applied for child benefit ? And looked into other benefits?

Have you applied for benefits? As on that income you should be able to get something.

Why can't you cancel the BT?

Just use your (very expensive) mobile data.

I hope people don't think I am just lazing about but i was in a stable job that i worked at for 6 years and had a good enough wage to live comfortably before being made redundant. I don't know how I can improve the situation with a baby in the mix now?