To be so sick of being broke?

[PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock]

This is pretty much just a moan really. I'm already doing everything I can to try and improve our situation financially. Although nothing's working atm. 😑

Both DH and I work full-time, on minimum wage. Me 45 hours per week, him between 40-50 depending on the week. And we still can't make ends meet. I'm talking having about £50 left in the bank 2 days after payday because all the bills have come out.

Not entitled to any benefits as earn too much for UC (on MW? 😐). Kids are grown up (22 and 18) but still living at home. DD1 is in college and on UC and waiting to see if she's entitled to PIP for her autism. DD2 is starting uni next month and works part-time herself.

I'm just so fucking sick of the cost of everything. To the point I'm questioning whether I can afford to buy a £6 pack of Benadryl for my fucking hayfever! 😡

Applying for multiple better-paying jobs every week and getting bloody nowhere! Urgh.

It's really shit at the moment, everything is so expensive. Once your debt repayments stop things will look better, but yeah depressing at the moment. I definitely think you should keep the mounjaro and gym as they are health investments and will benefit you in the long run. Quite honestly I don't see those as a luxury.

I do agree that your food bill is high and if it was me I'd reduced the subs temporarily at least.

The thing I really would do I ask your kids to contribute a small amount. I know you said you didn't want to but the reality is that your eldest on UC has that money to cover things like her food and phone. Even if just a token amount it would help with small unexpected expenses. I mean if you're paying for all their food/toiletries/phone etc what do they spend their money on?

Are you on glue?

I work in a weight loss service NHS can verify this is correct. It's a postcode lottery right now and even then it's very restricted.

Look at it another way. You owe people money. Imagine if someone owed you a load of money but, for example, instead of paying you back as fast as humanly possible, they were paying to watch US TV when there's plenty of free TV around. Would you be happy with that?

You would be much better taking a short term hit, cutting your costs right back and paying your debts off. That way you're being fair to your creditors and releasing yourself from the shackles of debt so you'll have much more to spend on luxuries.

Oh dear oh dear.

It's SO draining feeling tight with no end in sight.

I guess the way to try and look at it to get a bit more satisfaction is that you DO actually have some 'luxuries' in your life (you're allowed them don't worry!). Which is lovely.

The only problem I see with them is they are all fixed monthly commitments, not something you can go up and down on easily. If you were to rearrange some of this, it would increase your flexible money, which you can spend on treats when you have good months, but allows you to cover the essentials when things are tight. I think it's mainly your balance of fixed and variable spend is what's making things feel really rubbish.

US TV programmes are these available free on Youtube or some other platforms ?

People who go away for college & uni have to manage their budgets

Therefore, what budgets are your children managing ?

i think you'll find that anyone who has actually genuinely given me good advice and help I've either hearted their posts said thank you. I've replied twatily to people who are being twats.

I'm wondering if I should name change and start a post complaining that I can't afford my avocado on toast everyday after paying for boarding school fees and ski lessons, what would the responses be like then?

There are the same tablets just a different name

OP, I get it. Things are tight for so many people. I can see why you’re taking the weight loss jabs and the gym membership is hardly excessive.

I’m not going to criticise your spending - I will say focus on the day all your debts are paid off. You will have more money then and be able to breathe a little.

For now, I think you just keep doing your best.

OP, I notice you didn’t answer my question about BMI.

Does that mean you’re not in medical need of losing weight but are taking these private drugs for vanity reasons?

None they live at home. DD1 gets £316 per month. She pays for her own taxi and bus fares. Plus anything extra she wants.

DD2 on her PT wage pays for the same.

Exactly

I don't know what my BMI is since being on Mounjaro. Or what is was before, it WAS over 35 6 months ago.

2 years ago I was 17 stone, I'm now 12 stone 3lbs.

They're adults, they need to contribute to the home they live in, not expect everything for free. Even your disabled DD can pay for her phone bill and contribute towards the internet and Netflix.

Thank you!

Food bill does seem high, although i agree food costs have gone up. We spend approx £600 a month for 4, and all but me need specialist items- 2 coeliac and 1 dairy free, so a small loaf of bread is £3.50, a pack of gf cornflakes £3 etc. Does everyone take packing up for lunch to school/college?

I know it doesn't help now, but when phone contracts end look at cheaper options, and young adults should be contributing to household budget - covering their food, mobiles etc.

It is tough now though, we have what I always thought of as a reasonable income - both work for nhs dh full time and me part time as that's all my disability will allow - but we used to have a bit left over for holidays/saves, but it now all goes on bills

For your daughter, did you get support with completing the PIP form? They aren't easy, and they look for very specific information. I only knew how to do it from a social worker I work with helping me, maybe try to get some help from a local charity?

Be told to stop buying avocado on toast and people will laugh at you for the vat charge on private schools.

You'll get no sympathy.

You're spending £800 a month on debt and £825 on food and toiletries. The food bill is pretty obscene and I'd look to make changes there. What on earth are you all eating for that sum of money.

Ok, I'll give up my £10.99 VPN so I can pay back the 5k council tax debt quicker. Not sure exactly how much quicker, but...?

I feel your pain . It can be overwhelming & gets u down but I got ahead & got out of debt by following Dave Ramsay on YouTube , I worked full time then took another job in the evening. It was exhausting but I knew it wasn’t long term . I did it for 3 years & I was left with no debt & built up savings 2 . I worked in a restaurant in the evening so I was getting fed good food & didn’t have to buy food for myself 2 !

I mean £3.20 for gluten free bread is pretty steep I guess. Does Aldi do gluten free stuff? Not that I've seen. I guess I could just eat gluten and get the shits all the time. Although then I wouldn't be able to work if I can't get off the lav, so would lose my job. Hmmm, not exactly a fool proof plan.

You can have your treat without paying for these overpriced subscription. Just torrent the shows and movies you want to watch. They come without ads and you won't need a VPN anymore.

If you do want a VPN, you could try ProtonVPN or OpenVPN. They are free and reliable providers.

And for those who are aghast that I am advocating for piracy, I have this to say:
If buying isn't owning, piracy is not stealing.

I would also recommend you look at your yearly subscriptions, such as Adobe and Microsoft. These add up as well and are often overlooked since most bills are monthly, but they could really trip you up at the start of the year.

I understand, it’s the only thing that works for my DS. Some things can’t be scrimped on.

It’s awful having no money, so many of my friends say they have no money but are then off on holiday constantly atm. I can’t even afford days out with the children, people say, take them to museums and art galleries but I can’t afford to take them to the nearest city to do that. So life is like Covid, just lots of time at home doing things that are of known cost. Anyway, I didn’t want to steal your post, just say I empathise.

How did you rack up that much debt. Were you just not paying the council tax for months or years?

What the heck is a VPN and why would one need it. Im not that great with technology.