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Cost of living

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Original poster

Feel so angry with the cost of living

74 replies

UnicornBoom · 13/04/2023 21:38

Before covid I had 10k in savings. Now it's down to just over 1k. It's seen me through until my son goes to school in September, but I'm so angry it's all gone. Childcare fees have been over 1k a month for the past 3 years. My rent is 950. I live in a freezing cold house. I will never be able to go on holiday if things continue like this (I know that's a luxury but it would be nice to take my son on a 'cheap' holiday somewhere). I go to bed every night worrying about money. I'm entitled to social housing but have over 1000 people on the list in front of me and have been told it will be 10 years until I get somewhere. I'm in my early 30s and feel like this is just fucking up all of my plans. I'm frugal but just don't have enough to live comfortably. I'm constantly in tears, and just worry so much about money. Will this ever get better?

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 14/04/2023 10:36

This doesn't sound right on nursery fees if your son is almost at school age? Are you getting your free hours in on UC??

Goodoccasionallypoor · 14/04/2023 10:43

Are you claiming TFC op?

Goodoccasionallypoor · 14/04/2023 10:44

Goodoccasionallypoor · 14/04/2023 10:43

Are you claiming TFC op?

Sorry, ignore this, I just saw that you're claiming UC.

Are you getting UC childcare support?

Babyroobs · 14/04/2023 10:46

You must have a pretty good income as a lone parent if paying those kinds of childcare costs and rent and only receiving a small amount of UC ? I appreciate the cost of living is ridiculous though, I just don't know how a lot of people are surviving.

usernamealreadytaken · 14/04/2023 10:52

Greenfairydust · 14/04/2023 07:21

usernamealreadytaken · Yesterday 22:07
Depends what your choices are really - what area you live in, what you spend your money on. Hard to judge as we all have different priorities.

But that's nonsensical.

The OP can't ''choose'' to ignore the fact that we have ridiculously high energy bills, a housing crisis everywhere in the country and high transports costs at the moment.

Everyone lis affected.

You can't just ''choose'' not to pay your extortionate gas bill, private rent or your ever increasing council tax....

The point the OP is making is that the cost of living crisis is making life difficult for most of us, no matter how careful people are with their money.

OP can "choose" to live somewhere cheaper, and "choose" what to spend her possibly £30k++ income on. She can "choose" to ensure she's claiming any support available, and she can "choose" to report the deadbeat sperm donor for working cash in hand and not only robbing her and her child of financial support, but also evading tax. She can "choose" to use fewer utilities like the rest of us, and can "choose" to find cheaper childcare. We don't know the area where OP lives, so there may be choices.

usernamealreadytaken · 14/04/2023 10:53

HistoryFanatic · 14/04/2023 07:22

I doubt she would be able to make her childcare or housing cheaper.

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We did both by moving.

NewNovember · 14/04/2023 10:57

This makes no sense if you are getting the 30 hours stretched I know it's not the full 22 hours but still a saving plus only paying 15% of the remainder then why are your childcare costs high?

HistoryFanatic · 14/04/2023 11:14

usernamealreadytaken · 14/04/2023 10:53

We did both by moving.

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Not that easy for some though. We don't know if OP has family that help.

Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 11:23

NewNovember · 14/04/2023 10:57

This makes no sense if you are getting the 30 hours stretched I know it's not the full 22 hours but still a saving plus only paying 15% of the remainder then why are your childcare costs high?

I’m surprised as well. It must work out the ops child care bill is over 2 grand a month,

usernamealreadytaken · 14/04/2023 14:32

HistoryFanatic · 14/04/2023 11:14

Not that easy for some though. We don't know if OP has family that help.

Show quote history

You're right, we don't, but they don't seem to help with childcare or financially, given the original post. We had family who didn't help, and we moved and they still don't help. We ended up moving closer to other family, they don't provide any help (other way round!) but it's nice being closer.

Original poster
UnicornBoom · 14/04/2023 20:19

Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 11:23

I’m surprised as well. It must work out the ops child care bill is over 2 grand a month,

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Full time nursery and this is what it costs with the 30 hours.

OP posts:
NewNovember · 15/04/2023 00:15

UnicornBoom · 14/04/2023 20:19

Full time nursery and this is what it costs with the 30 hours.

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And with the 85% reduction?

Twiglets1 · 16/04/2023 08:16

UnicornBoom · 13/04/2023 21:38

Before covid I had 10k in savings. Now it's down to just over 1k. It's seen me through until my son goes to school in September, but I'm so angry it's all gone. Childcare fees have been over 1k a month for the past 3 years. My rent is 950. I live in a freezing cold house. I will never be able to go on holiday if things continue like this (I know that's a luxury but it would be nice to take my son on a 'cheap' holiday somewhere). I go to bed every night worrying about money. I'm entitled to social housing but have over 1000 people on the list in front of me and have been told it will be 10 years until I get somewhere. I'm in my early 30s and feel like this is just fucking up all of my plans. I'm frugal but just don't have enough to live comfortably. I'm constantly in tears, and just worry so much about money. Will this ever get better?

Things will get easier financially when your son starts school. Just hang in there ( & check you’re getting absolutely everything you’re entitled to re benefits).

Silentbarking · 16/04/2023 21:33

I feel the same too OP. I’m quite good at being frugal but my adult child has been on a steep learning curve. You have a right to feel angry. Good luck and hope things work out well for you,

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 19:51

usernamealreadytaken · 14/04/2023 10:52

OP can "choose" to live somewhere cheaper, and "choose" what to spend her possibly £30k++ income on. She can "choose" to ensure she's claiming any support available, and she can "choose" to report the deadbeat sperm donor for working cash in hand and not only robbing her and her child of financial support, but also evading tax. She can "choose" to use fewer utilities like the rest of us, and can "choose" to find cheaper childcare. We don't know the area where OP lives, so there may be choices.

Show quote history

You are vile. Hope this snide post makes you feel better about yourself

wherethewaterisdarker · 17/04/2023 19:58

I find these threads so depressing in how many people look to blame / lay responsibility with the individual rather than our shitty state. I think it’s a bit of an issue we have as a nation actually. It might come from a good place (?) but is really just kicking someone when they’re down.

I’m sorry op - my heart goes out to you, it’s completely shit and I hope things ease for you a bit soon.

Newuswr · 17/04/2023 20:00

Having 10k in savings pre-pandemic still puts you in a privileged position. Imagine the people that didn’t and can’t afford the things you take for granted or are in debt etc. you’re not doing badly overall

usernamealreadytaken · 17/04/2023 21:00

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 19:51

You are vile. Hope this snide post makes you feel better about yourself

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It’s hardly snide to suggest somebody does what most of the rest of us already do. Someone with high earnings has choices.

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 21:06

usernamealreadytaken · 17/04/2023 21:00

It’s hardly snide to suggest somebody does what most of the rest of us already do. Someone with high earnings has choices.

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Since when is "£30k++" high earnings, FFS?

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 21:09

Newuswr · 17/04/2023 20:00

Having 10k in savings pre-pandemic still puts you in a privileged position. Imagine the people that didn’t and can’t afford the things you take for granted or are in debt etc. you’re not doing badly overall

Come on ! It's not a race to the bottom. 🙄🤔

Honestly, this is why this country is so shit now. People are happy for things to be crap as long as other people have it crap too.

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 21:09

wherethewaterisdarker · 17/04/2023 19:58

I find these threads so depressing in how many people look to blame / lay responsibility with the individual rather than our shitty state. I think it’s a bit of an issue we have as a nation actually. It might come from a good place (?) but is really just kicking someone when they’re down.

I’m sorry op - my heart goes out to you, it’s completely shit and I hope things ease for you a bit soon.

Exactly

DeflatedAgain · 17/04/2023 21:43

It really depends where you're living OP. Some areas are so expensive now 😔

usernamealreadytaken · 17/04/2023 22:08

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 21:06

Since when is "£30k++" high earnings, FFS?

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When it’s accompanied by the ability to save £10k.

Deathbyfluffy · 17/04/2023 23:18

It’s been mentioned several times - where are you living, and could you move?

PerfectYear321 · 17/04/2023 23:32

usernamealreadytaken · 17/04/2023 22:08

When it’s accompanied by the ability to save £10k.

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Oh right, it's pure jealousy on your part. Got it.