MONEY ADVISE

[mummylou85]

well for 3 years I have been living at home. I'm single mum to my 3 year old and have finally been offered a 2 bedroomed house by council. I've not seen it yet as maitenance being done too it and they not getting keys in office until friday. but I should get to see it monday.

I am on income support. I get about £60 for that. £50 child tax credit, £20 child benefit. I read on another thread where somebody said they get £117 a week that others said she was underpaid and it should be £180 now i'm confused. if it is it will solve my problems.

anyway how much should I be having?
now moving into my own house I not got a clue on budging. who should I have my gas and electric with? should I go on a scheme or a pay as you go meter. I not got a clue. telly licence. buying furniture? where do I start? I haven't got alot to take so starting from scratch. i'm 23 never lived from home before where do I start. i'm happy I got my house but will I be able to afford bills, food and clothes for my daughter. any tips or advice please x

forgot to say my rent and council tax will be paid. I dont get a penny off my daughters dad either there is no hope with him. I'm hoping to return to work once my daughter is in full time school so this wont be long term for me before anyone thinks i'm lazy. x

i would advise trying to save as mmuch as you can before you move. the first couple of months are going to be tough until you figure out exactly how much you need to budget.

Check out freecycle for furniture. People give away decent stuff all the time. Not sure about the benefits. check out www.entitledto.co.uk

Hi Mummylou

Congratulations on getting your own home!

There is a website called entitled to www.entitledto.co.uk/ where you can enter your details and it will calculate what you can claim.

There will be gas and electric already supplied I presume so you can stick with current suppliers to begin with then shop around for a better deal - sites like moneysupermarket (I think) let you do this. You are probably better having a couple of months bills so that you know how much you use as the deals vary depending on your usage.

Try and do a budget up so that you can see how much you are likely to have to spend. Add up yuor rent, council tax, utilities etc and allow for food.

I live with my 3 year old DS in a two bed house and I spend about £70 per month on gas and electricity, £90 on council tax and try to keep our food to around £35 a week but I don;t always manage - everything is so expensive now!

I buy most of DS's clothes and books in charity shops and sales and rarely buy much for myself, which saves a lot! I also save for DS and have a pension and life insurance plus life insurance on DS's dad.

I'm sure lots of others will be able to advise you too.

Good luck!

It can be very daunting, and would advise contacting your local gingerbread - they were extremely helpful when I moved into my first place with dd aged 18.

You should get housing benefit forms asap, if you havent already. You can also apply for grants and loans to help with basic furniture, though I have no experience with them, others may do.

You may be able to get help from samaritans or similar local charitues to help with basic furniture. Get the word out among family and friends - some may be getting new furniture and looking for a good home for their old stuff. Also freecycle is good. Dont be proud!

As for running your home, just be very careful right from the start. Put extra layer on you and your daughter before putting heating on, turn things off at wall when not using them. Tesco do energy saving lightbulbs 5 for 40 atm. not very bright, but perfect (in my opinion) for bedrooms or lamps when you only need soft lighting.

where in the country are you mummylou?

thank you very much for replies. i've been having computer problems.
I will check out all those sites thank you.
i'm living in wales. i'm in rush at moment my daughter not well and wants me but your advice have helped loads x