I honestly cannot afford to live

[Inkdrinker]

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

Deathbyfluffy
Not really - if things creeping up by around 10% has pushed anyone over the edge then they didn’t leave enough ‘headroom’ for unexpected events.

I might be in the minority, but I always cut my cloth leaving at least 20% room for manoeuvre if possible - including only having one DC

If you really must post this smug nonsense somewhere, try a thread where someone who can just about afford it is considering a third child. Not a thread where people are going to food banks to feed their already alive kids.

BTW, great that your 20% headroom is working for you. Lucky that your husband didn’t die, wiping out over 50% of your household income. That’s what happened to me.

@LeapingCat - deathbyfluffy is a man, presumably on the wind-up. I recognise him from a thread earlier where he was also treating us all to his patronising piffle.

I am in very similar circumstances, intially was enjoying my retirement, now I wake up in the morning and wish I wasn't awake anymore, my finances will not be able to take another 12 months of this. I worked for 45 years, a lot of that time I could not afford to pay into a private pension as was single parent and needed every penny. Have a small NHS pension due to my last decade and a a half working in mental health. All my work seems so pointless now, I am back to where I was decades ago, cold, broke and constantly stressed.

This was the case for my grandmother could you apply for attendance allowance? If you have any type of illness arthritis ect it really does help and you would be entitled to other discounts like council tax

@Seymour5
Yes you are right. No one is having an easy time right now except the tory donors and the corrupt government MPs This country urgently needs change .We need to have working class people in government. Gone are the days of MPs being in the job to help their constituents. Now they are there to help themselves. I am thoroughly disgusted and disillusioned. My best thoughts are with everyone out there struggling. Times are very hard

Why do your kids cost you more? My older two are completely financially independent.

You have to have regular difficulties with personal care to claim Attendance allowance - things like difficulties washing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, climbing the stairs, managing medications. I have helped hundreds to claim this benefit and do agree it's pretty easy to get and can then qualify you for extra pension credits etc in some circumstances, but you do need to show medical evidence of difficulties.

Oh OP, I'm so sorry you're going through this 💐and everyone sharing their experiences here! It's very sobering. Sending you all lots of love.

Are you claiming everything you're entitled to? Try apps like Olio too for free bits and pieces, also check any local places like food banks/kids and baby banks that don't need referrals, we have one in our area where people donate children's clothes and toys etc.

Teenagers are hugely costly, although not as much as paying hundred in childcare costs. I think I've been lucky that 3 of my kids have had well paying part time jobs since aged 16 so can contribute to things like driving lessons, clothes etc themselves. We've never been eligible for any help like from tax credits or Uc for many many years since they were tiny.

@whatsup00
Like you, I once lost a temp fixed term contract job due to going into hospital, but my experience was exactly 10 years ago, when there was a low, or no interest rate. You mentioned you want to gain weight, are you currently underweight and possibly malnourished? I hope things improve for you and everyone on this thread, we are living through the bleakest of times. A pp mentioned if the situation carries on and becomes the expected normal there may well be riots.

I think that obnoxious Nick Ferrari needs to read this thread . Such hard working lovely parents should NOT be struggling like this . I am absolutely livid about it .

No I don't think it was.

@catskittens Why do I need the sympathy vote? I am just explaining my circumstances. I am not a landlord making money out of tenants. I am just saying that people that are able to help their children should not feel guilty just because others are not able to. Isn't that what everyone wants, to help out their children if they are able to?

Agreed. I’ll only be funding my DCs Uni to this level if they’re doing medicine, midwifery, STEM or another subject which has approx 35-40 contact hours per week. Like fuck can someone doing a 6 hour a week History degree not get a part time job as they’re struggling with work load, what bollocks. And if they are, then a degree isn’t for them.

I've just done a basic shop. Only 4 meat items (chicken, mince, ham, sliced chicken). £170 at Tesco. Prices have gone up so much.

Wtf? How??

eh lol the meat should only be approx £20-25 what else are you buying and for how long and how many people?

Lougle Seems a lot, how many for and how long, monthly?

Cupboards have run low. Hungry children.

I don't get paid until next week, youngest son who is 15 and in year 11 needs new school shoes and new trainers. My wages cover my bills and food, I already work on the nurse bank to bring in extra money. We are also just about to be made homeless. Landlord is selling the house.

I'm just so ground down by it all, can't see it getting better any time soon

Not alone. I honestly can’t think how to economise further. Already only buy supermarket basics and have heat off as much as possible. If I didn’t have kids I would have the heating off completely and cancel broadband.

We budget £150 per week, and normally come in less than that. ThT 150 is for 5, includes toiletries, some alcohol etc. Normally a roasting joint, bacon etc for the weekend. Not skimping.

So how did 170 only do a basic shop?

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I myself am managing ok but I know that's luck mainly. I stand shoulder to shoulder with you and want this government out.

@HelloIsItYouImLookingFor
I'm so sorry, I can't imagine what you are going through. Have you tried to contact either Christians against Poverty or Step Change? Not being able to afford basics like bread and milk with 2 kids is frankly terrifying, I hope you find the help you need.

What the hell else are you buying?