Surviving on bugger all!

[Nikitasol]

Hello,

I'm really finding finances hard to manage since I split with ex last year.

I'm the main carer (dc with ex one night a week and eow), self employed in the arts so never know what I'm earn pcm and crap pay when it is. I also have a health issue requiring an operation in May with an an eight week recovery time.

I've been paying off debts left by ex as well as being very stringent about spending, make do and mend- Charity shops, eBay, clothes swaps etc.

I do get maintenance from ex but I just can't manage on what I bring in and wtc given debts and precarious self employment. Impending operation worrisome too due to not earning anything then.

I'm applying for jobs too and get interviews but not the job (partly due to loss of confidence).

What can I do to bring in more money or reduce outgoings? Outgoings pretty low already but not sure what else I can do to improve this. I sold a couple of things today on a local online board which meant I could buy shopping today.

Any suggestions to change being in this grim poverty trap? It's exhausting!

Are you getting any benefits you might be entitled to? I think there is a website called entitled to where you can check. And it is hard going. I think a new stable job will help but you are already trying l, hope your op goes well.

After your op you can be signed off and should be able to claim sickness benefit until you can work again.

How does it work with tax credits do you average 16h a week and claim that?

Could you get a job even for 5-8h week on mim wage would be enough to do food shop. If your self employed income can vary that much it would give you at least a base line. Or when you get work does it take every hour till it’s finished?

What % are you paying out on debts that’s charities like step change that can give advice on what you should be paying back on your income afn advice how to lower payments or even howto get it written off if it’s unmanagbale long term.

Oh and there are some rules around sickness and self employed so
Not 100% sure of all rules but worth looking into. It’s long term to have no income.

Thanks. I had a look at the website mentioned but am getting everything I'm entitled to.

My credit card Apr is horrific so yes I should contact step change. Although we would struggle without one.

I go to a food bank twice a month and have done since we split but it's a small one so mostly only one bag of shopping.

Thanks all. I don't want to claim ESA when off sick as if I do that my current wtc set up will stop and then I'll have to go on universal credit when I'm back at work.

I broke my leg about ten years ago and applied for ESA then. They took 12 weeks to pay but stopped everything in the meantime so I was living on thin air during that time. Can't go through that again especially with dc.

If you are needing use a food bank and using food money for debts sounds like they will be able to help. Hopefully if your out goings to service the debt are reduced you can save up for rainy days so not need the credit card.

If so much of your money is covering debts that you cant eat, you need to restructure your debt. I’d recommend visiting stepchange.org to look into getting a debt management plan

Do you have two bedrooms? If so, could you share for a while and get a lodger?

I do have a spare room and did have a lodger for six months but they e
moved out due to ex coming round and shouting all the time.

.I plan to do this again at some point but dc behaviour really challenging since split too and would prefer not to introduce new person into (small house) right now. Definitely something for the near future though.

I'll contact step change on Monday. Thanks for the suggestion on that front.😊

Contact your local council. They should have a Local Assistance fund who can provide food vouchers and gas & electric along with white goods & furniture x