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Use our Cost of Living forum to discuss budgeting and energy saving with other users.

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Use our Cost of Living forum to discuss budgeting and energy saving with other users.

Cost of living

from January I have £62 a month to buy food, extra heating and everything else...

104 replies

Happylander · 30/12/2011 21:18

Due to ex leaving me I have, after all bills apart from extra heating, £62 a month to buy food and anything else I need.

Anyone got any advice on how the hell I am supposed to manage I already shop at LIDL.

OP posts:

Report

Happylander · 30/12/2011 22:42

It is funny but if you met my ex you would have thought he was the nicest guy in the world and that he adored me and our DS. Shame it was all an act. I could never understand why his first wife was so difficult with him but now I am seeing first hand his lies and nasty behaviour I can fully understand why she did what she did. He is like a completely different person.

I will look at the competitions, I already freeze meals etc. Well done for being so lucky suebfg

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 30/12/2011 22:44

No, but rent would be at least partially covered by housing benefit. Though I see the problem with being unable to sell.

Have you done this online benefits checker? I'm not sure at £25k but I would have thought you would get some child tax credit, I thought the cut off was higher than for WTC.

www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Happylander · 30/12/2011 22:45

Oh god I haven't even thought about TV licence. he paid that out of his account. I looked at changing sky etc but need broadband which needs a phone line etc etc so sky was actually the cheapest way.

OP posts:

Happylander · 30/12/2011 22:47

I wouldn't be entitled to housing benefit and moving/selling costs would be more than the equity as we haven't lived here long enough.

OP posts:

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 22:48

What about a lodger or renting out a parking space in front of your house?

suebfg · 30/12/2011 22:49

Yes, there's no skill with most competitions but if you enter enough, you will win - you just can't guarantee what you will win!

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 22:49

I really would phone around about the mortgage, you may get a lower rate which would really help you.

BertieBotts · 30/12/2011 22:50

Possibly not cheapest any more, not if you cancel TV licence, unplug TV aerial etc. You could still use DVDs for 2yo and watch stuff yourself on iplayer etc. As long as you aren't watching as it's being broadcast, you don't need a TV licence.

Big table here of cheapest broadband providers - some don't require a landline, or provide their own at cheaper than BT.

BertieBotts · 30/12/2011 22:52

Look at the broadband offered by your mobile phone provider too, I got O2 broadband very cheap this way. Was £18 including line rental when I was on it.

Also worth phoning Sky and telling them you are thinking about changing providers and can you have a MAC code, they will panic and offer you all sorts of deals to keep you on, it's win-win - if you find something cheaper you have the MAC code to leave, if you don't, you've got a cheaper deal anyway.

ivykaty44 · 30/12/2011 22:53

If the mortgage is in both your names - then you will need his say so to change the type etc...

BertieBotts · 30/12/2011 22:54

Plus, if you're not in debit or on a fixed contract with any utilities, look around now to see if there are any cheaper deals. I should have done this when I was first on my own, instead I let the bills mount up because I couldn't afford to increase the direct debit and now I can't switch. Moneysaving expert again

Happylander · 30/12/2011 22:55

I know and I don't think he would give it at the moment as he isn't happy his name is having to stay on it plus he wants it to look I can not provide for our DS.

OP posts:

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 23:01

Is there any way that you can reduce your hours down to under 20? You'd be entitled to a lot more tax credits if you do this.

Happylander · 30/12/2011 23:04

I am not sure that I would earn more in tax credits than pay..if you get what I mean.

OP posts:

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 23:07

Look on entitledto.com.

BertieBotts · 30/12/2011 23:08

I know there are cutoff points, so it can work out that way, but TBH I don't think I'd risk it either, especially as they keep changing the rules.

stressheaderic · 30/12/2011 23:08

Some excellent advice on this thread. I would second looking into reducing your hours. It would really bump up your tax credits and might help with you feeling depressed.

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 23:09

I've sent you a DM happy. Don't forget the free dental/opticians care with the tax credits.

Happylander · 30/12/2011 23:10

Thank you and I won't. Will look into that tomorrow as brain fried and stressed tonight.

OP posts:

PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 30/12/2011 23:13

It's less then 20k, not 20 hours. Sorry. It will work out OK. If you need some help then shout. I'd also look into claiming DLA for your depression. It's a difficult thing to live with. Life will get better for you though.

DioneTheDiabolist · 30/12/2011 23:15

Your situation is dire but there is help out there. Try to find a charity that distributes food parcels. It will provide some short term relief while you look at what can be done in the longer term. Good luck OP.

RosemaryandThyme · 30/12/2011 23:15

Might be worth looking at your mortgage agreement in detail, some let you have a year off - paying interest only, extending the years etc to keep payments down during times like these.

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TheSecondComing · 30/12/2011 23:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

yellowraincoat · 30/12/2011 23:21

Lentils are cheap and filling. Look up recipes for dhal/lentil soup.

Sainsburys have these meal planners for £20 a week, which I find really useful.

roastparsnipsandbrusselsprouts · 30/12/2011 23:30

Have you got the time and energy to start ebaying? You would get a lot of support on Mumsnet with questions and set up.

You would be amazed by what sells and how much it sells for. It is also quite addictive and a great distraction if you are feeling low. The extra money might help with the random expenses like the dentist etc.

Meal planning helps reduce the cost of the shopping massively.

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