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Original poster

Can you live on £18k a year?

127 replies

peeweechigs · 02/01/2023 14:54

Run a house with two kids? No childcare expenses. Is it possible? Thinking what might happen when separating....

OP posts:
Original poster
peeweechigs · 02/01/2023 22:29

WooMeOut · 02/01/2023 22:14

I live off 18k with 4 kids but I get full rent covered by housing benefit

So everything apart from rent comes out if that? Do you run a car? Fuel would be quite a cost per month, atbout £100

OP posts:
RandomPerson42 · 02/01/2023 22:31

Easy with no housing costs.

HairyKitty · 02/01/2023 22:39

Op if you want to live on that amount (remember to add housing benefit) then you certainly can.
If you are comparing with a current lifestyle of eg 3 streaming subscriptions, magazine subs, health insurance, takeaway etc then you may need to cut some of that out, many people manage without so it would be totally fine.

WooMeOut · 02/01/2023 22:39

peeweechigs · 02/01/2023 22:29

So everything apart from rent comes out if that? Do you run a car? Fuel would be quite a cost per month, atbout £100

Show quote history

I don't drive so zero insurance, fuel etc...

HairyKitty · 02/01/2023 22:41

Sorry, no edit function, add child benefit

toocold54 · 03/01/2023 07:02

I know these threads bring out competitive poverty, but I do think being able to live on £8000 a year with 2 children (who I'm guessing must be younger than OP's where one at least is a teen) must be pretty tough. That's just £667 a month. You grow your own food, don't turn the heating on and walk everywhere?

Rent is the biggest expense.

My income & UC top ups come to less than £18k a year but I’m fortunate that my rent and council tax only come to £500 a month so £6k a year.

I know my rent is very cheap as it’s an old council building, so it is a given that some people will be on a lot less.

Many people also do not own a car because they can’t afford it (I didn’t for years) nor can they afford to put the heating on.

Original poster
peeweechigs · 03/01/2023 07:04

I won't be entitled to any benefits, so I can't account for them at all.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 03/01/2023 07:08

peeweechigs · 03/01/2023 07:04

I won't be entitled to any benefits, so I can't account for them at all.

You'll be entitled to child benefit.

toocold54 · 03/01/2023 07:17

What is your household income now as a couple?

And do you pay rent or mortgage now?

Shesasuperfreak · 03/01/2023 07:19

You have savings, time to use them. Or slowly take them out the bank so it looks like you spent them...

redskydelight · 03/01/2023 07:27

toocold54 · 03/01/2023 07:02

I know these threads bring out competitive poverty, but I do think being able to live on £8000 a year with 2 children (who I'm guessing must be younger than OP's where one at least is a teen) must be pretty tough. That's just £667 a month. You grow your own food, don't turn the heating on and walk everywhere?

Rent is the biggest expense.

My income & UC top ups come to less than £18k a year but I’m fortunate that my rent and council tax only come to £500 a month so £6k a year.

I know my rent is very cheap as it’s an old council building, so it is a given that some people will be on a lot less.

Many people also do not own a car because they can’t afford it (I didn’t for years) nor can they afford to put the heating on.

I realise rent is the biggest expense, but there is still a minimum amount you need for everything else. This particular poster said they could manage on 8K a year (4K less than your 12K after rent). I just wondered how.

I also realise that not everyone has a car, but unless you never go anywhere or everywhere you want to go is within walking distance, you still have transport costs (whether public transport or taxis or even the running costs of a bike) to factor in.

incognitodorrito · 03/01/2023 07:28

If you’d paid off your house / had no rent, yes you could.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2023 07:29

Shesasuperfreak · 03/01/2023 07:19

You have savings, time to use them. Or slowly take them out the bank so it looks like you spent them...

Ah, benefit fraud. What wonderful advice.

incognitodorrito · 03/01/2023 07:30

I had a similar predicament when I first separated and had to apply for universal credit. That brought my annual income upto £21800. I own my house outright and it works.

Original poster
peeweechigs · 03/01/2023 07:50

Shesasuperfreak · 03/01/2023 07:19

You have savings, time to use them. Or slowly take them out the bank so it looks like you spent them...

There's another problem. I don't want to use the savings, but I don't want him to have them! I'm not going to claim benefits, I've repeatedly said that, just child benefit that's all.

OP posts:
shivawn · 03/01/2023 07:57

You'll know better than anyone here whether you can live on it or not. How much do you spend a month currently? What expenses have you? Where can you cut back? Just sit down, write it all out and make a budget.

LondonQueen · 03/01/2023 21:04

You probably could yes if you was frugal. I think you should be able to claim for universal credit at that income level. Do you have rent/mortgage to factor in?

Kerrybemmy · 04/01/2023 00:00

When I had my 2 children living with me, I was also living off £8000 a year. I didn't claim benefits except CB and was staying rent free in a relative's home (they didn't live there). Even taking bills into account I survived, I had no money left after all the essentials were paid for, but I managed. I refused to claim other benefits because I was too proud and ashamed at the time. Unfortunately I developed MS, so I now get ESA and PIP.

Original poster
peeweechigs · 04/01/2023 23:56

It's tricky to work out what I'd need because I don't pay the bills now so I can only estimate what they are. I pay certain household bills like food , fuel, phones, pocket money etc but the things like insurance, gas and electric, water, car insurance, car tax and repairs etc are paid by my stbxh so I don't know concrete figures. I just know I don't want to lessen the savings so need to live on my salary month by month hence only child benefit and not universal credit.

OP posts:
Mumsarockchick · 04/01/2023 23:58

I'm my husbands full-time carer, we live on benefits and have 2 children. It's tight but possible

RoseslnTheHospital · 05/01/2023 00:07

You could probably find out a lot of those online or get quotes to see the ball park. Out of those you listed, gas and electric are going to be the biggest cost. Most energy companies should have information on the typical usage and costs for different size houses with different energy needs. Water rates should be available on the relevant company website, it will depend on whether you have a water meter or not as to what you will get charged.

For home insurance and buildings insurance you can enter your household details into one of the comparison sites and see what the price ranges are. Same for car insurance. I think you can find out the car tax bands on the gov.uk website.

converseandjeans · 05/01/2023 00:10

I think with no mortgage or childcare costs it would be manageable.

Presumably you would get some child benefit?

Would you get maintenance or would you have children 50/50?

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 05/01/2023 00:14

HairyKitty · 02/01/2023 22:39

Op if you want to live on that amount (remember to add housing benefit) then you certainly can.
If you are comparing with a current lifestyle of eg 3 streaming subscriptions, magazine subs, health insurance, takeaway etc then you may need to cut some of that out, many people manage without so it would be totally fine.

If she has no mortgage /rent she won't get HB surely?

Original poster
peeweechigs · 05/01/2023 00:20

Yes I'll try and find out. No housing benefit! Nothing apart from £145 month child benefit. The house is a 4 bed detached which I suppose I could sell and downsize if things got very desperate.

OP posts:
Tabitha888 · 05/01/2023 00:21

I think this is the time to use them savings for this emergency.

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