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Original poster

I honestly cannot afford to live

632 replies

Inkdrinker · 06/02/2023 15:24

I work 40 hour weeks, yet I was paid 6 days ago and I'm already completely out of money. My rent is more than half of my pay, council tax is a further 250 pounds, my energy bills are ridiculous despite trying to cut down on using so much.

I have 3 kids to look after. How are people going survive this? This is by no means a ploy to ask others for money, I do not want anyone's money. I just want to know I'm not alone in this situation

OP posts:
beachcitygirl · 07/02/2023 20:53

@squidgybits I literally just went through an adult disability payment (scotland doesn't have pip anymore since august 2022- do you even live in scotland?

Sanitary products are free in chemists, schools,colleges, uni's, on prescription (which is free)
Also
All councils have a list of locations where period products may be picked up free& without referral via pickup my period app or on council website.

beachcitygirl · 07/02/2023 20:53

ShimmeringShirts · 07/02/2023 20:45

@squidgybits you do still need to pay for sanitary products but in schools/college you can get these for free in the toilets (directly from the school/college, not from a shop). Possibly what the PP meant?

@ShimmeringShirts see previous post 😊

Oscarsdaddy · 07/02/2023 20:56

It’s getting worse and worse and my heart goes out to those that are really finding it so hard.

Beggars belief that these energy companies are declaring huge profits on the back of our suffering

My wife took a call from her Dad earlier. He lives alone in a two bedroom house since my MIL died in 2017. He is £400 in credit with his Gas & Electric paying just under £100 per month Direct Debit. Today he gets a letter from his supplier telling him from March they are increasing his DD to over £1,000 per month. How are these cheeky fuckers allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour ? How can a 76 year old man living alone who barely uses his heating as it is be expected to find £1,000 per month so these outright fucking c**ts live lives of luxury ? He’s unable to reach anyone by phone and has no access to online facilities.

This country has fallen to absolute pieces. Just wondering how many more have received such letters, and how many people will be scared shitless by such draconian actions from energy suppliers.

itsbloomincold · 07/02/2023 20:59

SomewhereInTheMIdlands · 07/02/2023 19:46

Very sad situation indeed. It is estimated that the poorest 20% or so in the UK now are poorer than just about every other country in Europe. This is entirely down to the Tories 13 years of austerity and it still isn't enough for them. Also as mentioned, the lack of social housing is at least half of the problem an 40 years of all governments have responsibility for this. I doubt that since WW2 we have had such a callous, greedy, evil, corrupt and uncaring government as bad as this one is, and that includes Thatcher's lot.

And the opposition are so shit - can you outline Labour's plans for us please?

itsbloomincold · 07/02/2023 21:02

Oscarsdaddy · 07/02/2023 20:56

It’s getting worse and worse and my heart goes out to those that are really finding it so hard.

Beggars belief that these energy companies are declaring huge profits on the back of our suffering

My wife took a call from her Dad earlier. He lives alone in a two bedroom house since my MIL died in 2017. He is £400 in credit with his Gas & Electric paying just under £100 per month Direct Debit. Today he gets a letter from his supplier telling him from March they are increasing his DD to over £1,000 per month. How are these cheeky fuckers allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour ? How can a 76 year old man living alone who barely uses his heating as it is be expected to find £1,000 per month so these outright fucking c**ts live lives of luxury ? He’s unable to reach anyone by phone and has no access to online facilities.

This country has fallen to absolute pieces. Just wondering how many more have received such letters, and how many people will be scared shitless by such draconian actions from energy suppliers.

that is just obscene - it's criminal to do that to people

SaturdayGiraffe · 07/02/2023 21:03

Lisabrogden84 · 07/02/2023 19:50

We live in a large house and have only been paying the interest on the mortgage for past 15 years we just been told by our mortgage company we have to pay it off by October or sell and pay it back. So we have to downsize the problem is our 18 year old son has moved his girlfriend and 3 month old baby in and pays £20 a week rent but they buy their own food and our 27 year old moved back in last October on the pretence it was just for a few nights he doesn't really contribute the odd £20. I have told them both now they need to move out as we cant afford a house this size and we also need decorate and make house look nice for viewing, but they are just ignoring my plea’s to keep it tidy they just leave their washing up, washing pile, clothes everywhere my husband was trying get onto their ensuite bathroom to do some repairs but got told no as girlfriend said was inconvenient, we really need get it on the market though or going end up homeless and being made to feel terrible about and they say we just don't want them living with us anymore and making us feel terrible, The 28 year old just doesnt say anything and ignores fact and doesnt exactly tidy up behind himself but is nowhere near as bad as other 2. I just cant seem to get through to them

@Lisabrogden84 This is worth you starting a thread.

You're supporting 4 adult children and a baby while facing repossession?
Turn the wifi off. Hide the TV remotes and the games consoles. Stop doing any of their chores. They need to know you're serious.

Lisabrogden84 · 07/02/2023 21:11

So sorry i thought it was a thread sorry just realised i posted on yours

theworldhas · 07/02/2023 21:12

@itsbloomincold

And the opposition are so shit - can you outline Labour's plans for us please?

Not tanking living standards and the economy via disastrous policies born of blindly following discredited strands of right wing ideology. Living standards didn’t just unfortunately crumble for huge swathes of the population due to some unavoidable natural occurrences. The Tories actively and quite deliberately enacted their stupid policies since 2010 (or in fact most years since 1979) and today is the result. Next question!

TmFid · 07/02/2023 21:13

wentworthinmate · 07/02/2023 18:23

Can I be another ‘dick’ on here and ask why anybody needs or wants three children? Off topic but I wholeheartedly agree.

Oh go away you absolute, soulless dick!

itsbloomincold · 07/02/2023 21:14

theworldhas · 07/02/2023 21:12

@itsbloomincold

And the opposition are so shit - can you outline Labour's plans for us please?

Not tanking living standards and the economy via disastrous policies born of blindly following discredited strands of right wing ideology. Living standards didn’t just unfortunately crumble for huge swathes of the population due to some unavoidable natural occurrences. The Tories actively and quite deliberately enacted their stupid policies since 2010 (or in fact most years since 1979) and today is the result. Next question!

Can you outline Labour's policy for the future - was the last question

Oscarsdaddy · 07/02/2023 21:19

itsbloomincold · 07/02/2023 21:02

that is just obscene - it's criminal to do that to people

Show quote history

It’s theft, plain and simple. Whilst I appreciate he signed up, like most to a Direct Debit that does not give Energy companies the right to rob people blind by taking whatever money they want without discussion.

Many pensioners will go into blind panic receiving such letters, some may see only one way out.

my wife will deal with this now and OFGEM will be informed. Surely they simply need to look at his history to realise he can’t possibly use £12,000 worth of energy a year when he’s not even using £100 per month !

Pants0nFir3 · 07/02/2023 21:22

This!!! Xx

Babyroobs · 07/02/2023 21:22

Shauny098 · 07/02/2023 19:35

Maybe the wrong thread but I know ppl are knowledgeable on here about money. I’m a lone single parent on benefits and thinking of going to uni full time to do nursing which gives me a 5k grant. Will I still get full benefits along with the uni maintenance loan? My child is 7. It seems quite high to get a £9700 uni loan then a £5000 bursary that all nurses get and then full benefits on top (I currently get £1100 UC). Thankyou

Student maintenance loan is classed as income when you are on UC so it would be deducted pound for pound from your UC after the first £110 a month is disregarded. If people could get UC and student loans no one would ever take out a loan.

RenegadeMasterx · 07/02/2023 21:24

It's time to take to the streets. I hear you all, I feel you all. I cry with you all. This is 21st century Britain, how and why are we all suffering like this. Working us like dogs to realise your 45 hour week wages don't even cover your bills. This can't carry on

Babyroobs · 07/02/2023 21:24

Oscarsdaddy · 07/02/2023 20:56

It’s getting worse and worse and my heart goes out to those that are really finding it so hard.

Beggars belief that these energy companies are declaring huge profits on the back of our suffering

My wife took a call from her Dad earlier. He lives alone in a two bedroom house since my MIL died in 2017. He is £400 in credit with his Gas & Electric paying just under £100 per month Direct Debit. Today he gets a letter from his supplier telling him from March they are increasing his DD to over £1,000 per month. How are these cheeky fuckers allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour ? How can a 76 year old man living alone who barely uses his heating as it is be expected to find £1,000 per month so these outright fucking c**ts live lives of luxury ? He’s unable to reach anyone by phone and has no access to online facilities.

This country has fallen to absolute pieces. Just wondering how many more have received such letters, and how many people will be scared shitless by such draconian actions from energy suppliers.

Well I work for a charity which assists older people with energy costs, benefits etc and have not heard of this happening to anyone else so hopefully just an isolated case.

Ifeelsuchafool · 07/02/2023 21:26

Lifeomars · 07/02/2023 20:22

I am in a Band A two up two down and will be paying £120 a month when it goes up in April, and that is with the single person's 25% discount. I dread to think what Band D is where I live. There is desperate visible poverty where I live and I fear for where we are heading.

Show quote history

Sorry, I should have made it clear that I pay over 12 months, not 10, so £2640 pa and live with my 27 year old DD who works full time and shares expenses and so we have no reductions.
I was presuming that OP is a single adult and has 25% discount as she doesn't refer to a current partner but I admit I could be wrong there.
I was under the impression that we lived in an expensive area for CT but, having read other posts, am going to retire now and count my blessings!

beachcitygirl · 07/02/2023 21:29

Oscarsdaddy · 07/02/2023 20:56

It’s getting worse and worse and my heart goes out to those that are really finding it so hard.

Beggars belief that these energy companies are declaring huge profits on the back of our suffering

My wife took a call from her Dad earlier. He lives alone in a two bedroom house since my MIL died in 2017. He is £400 in credit with his Gas & Electric paying just under £100 per month Direct Debit. Today he gets a letter from his supplier telling him from March they are increasing his DD to over £1,000 per month. How are these cheeky fuckers allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour ? How can a 76 year old man living alone who barely uses his heating as it is be expected to find £1,000 per month so these outright fucking c**ts live lives of luxury ? He’s unable to reach anyone by phone and has no access to online facilities.

This country has fallen to absolute pieces. Just wondering how many more have received such letters, and how many people will be scared shitless by such draconian actions from energy suppliers.

Heartbreaking. It's bloody obscene & to think we're a AAA country & yet so many many selfish idiots will vote them in again. 😞 my heart breaks for your fil. How we treat our senior citizens is beyond the pale.

EmptyPlaces · 07/02/2023 21:31

Shauny098 · 07/02/2023 19:35

Maybe the wrong thread but I know ppl are knowledgeable on here about money. I’m a lone single parent on benefits and thinking of going to uni full time to do nursing which gives me a 5k grant. Will I still get full benefits along with the uni maintenance loan? My child is 7. It seems quite high to get a £9700 uni loan then a £5000 bursary that all nurses get and then full benefits on top (I currently get £1100 UC). Thankyou

Not full benefits, no.

DDis gets approx £600 a month docked from UC as the loan is classed as income (the bursary/special support element is not).

Most Unis have their own bursaries/hardship funds too that UC won’t dock money from you for receiving.

EmptyPlaces · 07/02/2023 21:31

@Shauny098 having said that, nursing degree requires shift work; how do you plan to juggle that?

NewNovember · 07/02/2023 21:32

@BarbaraofSeville no you are wrong it wasn't a criticism a friend of mine is called Gaz it made me smile.

Godlovesall26 · 07/02/2023 21:34

BarbaraofSeville · 07/02/2023 12:15

Took a bit of working out, but it looks like @NewNovember is one of those 'helpful' MNetters who can't help pointing out spelling mistakes in obscure ways with ill disguised digs.

Gaz is short for Gareth. Gas is the stuff we use to heat our homes. However, gas for heating is also sold bottled under brand names that often include the word Gaz, so it's an easy mistake to make. But however, you spelled it @Godlovesall26 we all know what you mean.

Show quote history

@BarbaraofSeville Oh thank you I was wondering what I had said offensive but could find nothing on google

Chloe1973 · 07/02/2023 21:35

Single parent of three here, mortgage is £1780 per month,Council tax is £250 band E. I work full time and am struggling massively! Ex husband has been helping financially which has been a blessing but I’m having to cut anything that isn’t essential. You are not alone. I work in the public sector and am working with people who are being evicted daily due to rent arrears! Then there is nowhere affordable for them to rent! Landlord are upping rents and requesting guarantors which most people don’t have. Something has to give! things are completely impossible. Sending you big hugs and best wishes. Hoping that things improve for us all x

NewNovember · 07/02/2023 21:36

tornadoinsideoutfig · 07/02/2023 19:49

Many need to move to an adult size 4/6 at this age as children's clothes keep getting wider as they get longer. A girls 14 in trousers is big on me as an adult woman.

Show quote history

Your post makes no sense a 4/6 woman could wear children's clothes the child doesn't need to wear adult clothes. And yes if a age 14 child is big on you as an adult women you can imagine how big a child would need to be at 11/12 to not fit into age 15/16.

NewNovember · 07/02/2023 21:39

@tornadoinsideoutfig sorry reread and see what you mean it depends wear you shop Asda age 14 huge but age 11/12 in a shop like Primark would fit a child. I have tall skinny children as a result my 18 year old can still wear children's clothes in non supermarket clothes age 13 she is 5 foot six and a size 4-6

Daughtersandbristolian · 07/02/2023 21:41

Dear OP go on the council website and do a discretionary housing payment for your council tax due to low income - it’s worth a go, they usually either have money to waste before April or have ran out - you have nothing to lose and you’ll have to show your outgoings but it’s usually an online application. Also do a benefit check at entitled2 or turn to us as may qualify for UC of so you may get help with mortgage interest SMI - it’s all worth checking - or go to local CAB for a benefit check.