Struggling with Money, Can Someone Cast a Glance?

[isanyoneelsehotandcold]

Pay: £932.00 (After NI, Tax and Union costs)

Council Tax : £60.88
Heating: £50.00
Electricity: £50.00
Internet/ Phone: £15.00
Food: £100.00
Car Insurance: £87.17 (Only passed test a year ago)
Petrol : £90.00
Rent: £400.00

= £853.04

Leftover: £78.96

I feel really frustrated atm. I'm on min. wage and working 37.5 hours a week. I've desperately been searching for another job or one I can do at night on top of my day job but it's just not happening.

I don't have kids and I'm under 25 so I'm not eligible for any kind of benefits. I house share and I just can't see how I can save any more money.

My car takes up a big chunk of money but I need it to get to work as the buses here are almost non-existent. It's a half an hour drive. I try to save what's left over for MOT and any car parts I may need to buy in the future to get the car to pass. Luckily Dbro is a mechanic so I don't need to pay labour but it's still such a struggle.

A few months ago, I was missing 3% of my pay because I was automatically entered into paying into the pension scheme. I just can't afford that at the moment!

What's panicking me is that my landlord has told me this week that he wants to sell the house. This means I'm going to need to find a deposit and agency fees in order to move. I just don't have the money. Does anyone have any advice? Or a magic wand ?

Will you not be due your deposit back from existing landlord? Would moving back with family, or finding someone to share with be an option? How about a move closer to work to let you get rid of car?

If you have to move its a good opportunity to switch to cheaper suppliers...

Whereabouts are you and what size house? Your gas/elec seems a wee bit high to me...there are 3 of us in a 2 bed house and my gas/elec combined is £71 a month.

I will be due back a deposit, but from experience, it takes time to chase it up from them. I will still need to find agency fees.

Will definitely be looking for a place closer to work- hopefully close enough to walk, but if not, with buses!

It's a three bed house and there's three of us. We're on a meter for electric and the heating is gas that comes from a tank as it's a rural area. I think that's what makes it so expensive. Plus my housemates don't seem to think anything of turning the heating on full blast

Your biggest changeable expense seems to be your petrol and car insurance - both of which would go down some if you lived closer to where you work. Is it possible to get somewhere to live that is within walking distance of your work?

ah xpost

Really hard to save money on utilities when your housemates aren't bothered. Any like-minded friends you could share with in the next place?
Car costs seem the easiest place to start - particularly if you can move nearer work.

Could you add a named driver to the car insurance? It can be someone who doesn't live with you.

How about earning more money. I know you said you've been looking for night work. How about selling some stuff on eBay, Avon, etc.

Instead of having to save up agency fees etc for a move, could you move into an existing house share or flat share? You'd still need the deposit but probably not the agency fees.

I agree your gas and electric seem very high. Are those figures just your share, or total for the three of you? Do you split the energy costs with your housemates?

Isn't there a scheme where you can have the deposit lent to you while you wait for yours to be returned?

Blimey your gas is really expensive. We pay £20 a month and we have the heating on a lot.

Also not sure where you live but would it be cheaper to rent somewhere on your own? Obviously the rent will cost more but utilities may of down? We let out OH one bed flat he used to live in before we met for £425pm. If you could find something at the right price it may work.

Will things progress where your working?

sounds like moving house is the best thing for you - should get those bills down. Look hard at prospective rentals regarding heating and insulation.

BTW your deposit should be back in 10 working days at most if there is no dispute.

Try looking on SpareRoom for someone advertising for a lodger, you'll need a deposit, but no agency fees (I use the to find lodgers).

Doesn't earn much. But I do online surveys, I get paid in Amazon vouchers, which I save up & use to buy birthday presents.

£400 a month for a shared house is loads, do you live in London?
If not I would be looking somewhere cheaper.

are you able to move in with any family members to save a bit more? were you good at school and could consider going to university/other training or studying that would lead to better earning potential?

ow much are your union subs? Can you cancel? unless you're particularly litigious then do you need to be a union member?

How

£300 a month for gas and electric is ludicrous. your energy bill should be half this and lower for a well insulated house. living near where you work could be a plan and ditching the car?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/1987219-SPREADSHEETS-for-Debt-Control-Budgeting-Mortgages-etc?

A link to budgeting spreadsheets kindly written by a mnetter.

Do you have anything that you no longer need to sell on your local selling boards, facebook & ebay to supplement your wages?

www.brookstreet.co.uk/

Hava a look on the mumsnet job boards for vacancy ideas or sign up with a temping agency like Brook Street for a second job.

Or if you live in a university town, then check their jobs pages as they advertise for a wide variety of none teaching jobs.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/jobs

Sorry I've nothing if value to add....

The op has clearly stated that that they need to save money! Finding almost 1000 or however much is needed when u have hardly any spare is hard work so I can't see how that's an option at the moment!!