Is anyone else struggling at the moment?

[hugsandpugs]

Feeling so fed up of struggling week to week and trying to stretch money to cover all the things that need to be paid out.

We currently only have husbands income coming in as I’m out of work due to migraines.

On average our monthly income is around £2,200 including child benefit and though it may sound a lot we are currently dipping into the tiny bit of savings we have just to get by!

There is 5 of us - me,hubby and 3 children & the food shopping alone crucifies us! We are lucky that our mortgage cost is fairly low but the rise in everything else is meaning every month is a struggle.

Just want to know I’m not alone 😣

On average our monthly income is around £2,200 including child benefit and though it may sound a lot

I know this is MN and therefore someone will be along soon to tell you that they get by just fine on £12.47 per week so why can't you etc etc, but £26k pa is really not a lot, especially for a family of five.

I'm sorry things are so hard for you OP

Have you tried botox for the migraines OP? I used to end up in hospital with how severe and frequent mine were and since having Botox for them I only get maybe one or two a year

also your UC seems low for a family on a low salary - I’m assuming it’s because your not getting the housing element as you have a mortgage? Is that correct?

Speak to the school about the current financial situation, they may be able to offer free school meals for a bit, which would free that cost up.

Yes I think so, we used to get help with rent before we moved into our own house and only actually bought a his house because DH had inheritance when his mum passed away so he used that to pay just under 3/4 of the house cost

Thank you I will do that. We do get FSM for the other two but for the middle child we don’t, something to do with changes to the local councils policy. I could do him packed lunch but it would probably end up being about the same cost tbh with the amount food is now

They won't let a kid go hungry if they know you're struggling, if they're able to help they will.

Thank you. I’m not here for pity and I know others are worse off. I just feel like such a failure because I’m stuck with these migraines and out of work and can’t provide for my kids. This wasn’t the way I planned my life out to be 😢😭

I just feel embarrassed asking 😢 I’ve literally sold what I can over the last few months on Vinted so I can pay for him to go on a school trip to Paris in July. I am trying my best but it’s just such a struggle

Try Citizens Advice they are really helpful

Don't be embarrassed. These circumstances are beyond your control. You're not choosing health issues that are preventing you earning. And everything costs a fortune these days, everyone is feeling the increases. Some of us happen to have more coming in, or less going out, but we're feeling it.

MN will have you believe otherwise, but the majority of the country is feeling the increases costs and the wages not rising at the same rate. And one, low, income for a big family does not go very far.

Talk to them. They will do what they can. And look at things you could do at home to earn some money (even if it's the free surveys or the mystery shopping stuff) that you can pick up and put down without any major impact other than not earning something for a bit if a migraine hits. Every little helps.

You're not alone. That is a low family income for five and you're not going to feel comfortable until you can increase it. You need to keep on at the GP about the migraines if they are so bad that you can't work. Have you have your ferritin levels checked? I went though a period of frequent migraines and then was started on a course of iron tablets and they have improved so much. I think GPs can underestimate how much migraines affect daily life so you really have to be open with them and be persistent about wanting help for them.

Definitely speak to CA, they should be able to help with a food bank referral or direct you to a local community kitchen which you don’t need a referral for

My migraine stopped when I stopped taking the pill - are you on any hormonal contraception? The coil?

Can't he get a second job plastering?

Have you seen a specialist about your migraines? My son was referred to a neurologist specialising in headaches and was diagnosed with cluster headaches. It sounds as though your migraines are very debilitating so you could try asking for a referral. Hopefully with the right treatment you will be able to get back to work, as well as feeling a lot better

Solidarity. We are also struggling, we have enough to make ends meet with tight budgeting but nothing more than that and we don't have any more fat out of the budget to cut. Just as we get rid of nursery fees our mortgage goes up significantly. I grew up on the breadline and I hoped I could provide more opportunities to my children than what I had.

Am in a similar boat re working hours and disabilities, Dd1 is disabled, which means dh works reduced hours as a tradie given childcare is difficult. We live in the SE but all our family is here and we do rely on their support with Dd1 needs.

Dreading the MOT next month, I have asked my mum to pay for the service cost as my bday present. Felt a bit tragic but needs must.

That's what I was going to suggest - can he work at least a day at the weekends? He might do well with smaller jobs that can be completed in a day and full time qualified plasterers might not want to take on but he can still charge a decent amount for.

Are you entitled to UC if you can't work due to ill health?

UC don’t pay for mortgages they help if you are renting.
Migraines are horrific I’m a sufferer try and get that sorted with your GP they make you feel dreadful.

Omg he's a plasterer?
Can he start doing evenings / weekend jobs? And then you can do his admin? This enable both of you to take a wage and I think this would take off very quickly. You'd need maybe 2-3 months of him only doing 'extra' work on top of the day job before he would be able to go freelance. Especially if he'll travel a bit. (Like 30 miles max so not much!)

First post. Mortgage.

Have you applied also separately for Council Tax Benefit, social tariffs for water, energy & Internet and help with health costs?

Check with CAB for a review / help too. I thought on UC that you would get help with school meal costs?

In today’s climate, one adult working a minimum wage job with another adult and 3 kids to support is always going to be a struggle. can your dh do an evening job? Have you applied for pip?

Sorry you're having a tough time, cost of living has driven prices up quite a bit.

In your position I would go self employed and do surveys, website testing, playing games for cash, product testing, mystery shopping etc, loads of ways to earn money online these days, and you can just pick it up and leave it when you want so could work around your migraines, and/or childcare needs. You wouldn't have to declare the first £1000 to the taxman, but after that its a very simple self assessment at the end of January each year. Because you aren't working another job, you could earn up to £12,570 tax free, although you would have to declare your income to UC.

Another trick is for your food shop, you can buy giftcards through apps like jamdoughnut or cheddar, you could even do it at the checkout, and get instant cashback in the app and withdraw it immediately back into your account..

Everyone I know is struggling at the moment it’s everything, food, bills and petrol and it’s a nightmare.
What about taking in ironing at home OP?
Your hubby could do weekend work?