Would u describe me as poor?

[dingdongmer]

As the title suggests and here's some info. I don't work as looking after toddler and pregnant also. Hubby works. Household income is approx £1600 after tax. £1,340 is rent and bills and we try to save £100 then the rest is weekly money so approx £50 a week Altho I do get weekly child benefit of £20

Would u class this as poor and could u live like that with a family of 3 soon to be 4

We are careful with money and buy own brand stuff like toilet rolls and food etc and toiletries I always get on offer.

Op, what prompted to ask you this question? People have predominantly been polite to you, but answered you, and you seem angered by the rsponses, albeit blaming your mother.

Did you wish people to say you weren't poor? Is there something behind this?

How much is your rent and council tax of that outgoing OP ?

I will calculate UC for you. ! How many children born before 2017 ?

Your bills seem very high - is there anything you can cut there?

Rent is 950
Council tax is £135

Both monthly

No kids before 2017, one in 2018 and one due this year

I'd say it's very low. I assume it's £70 a week after food?

I'm also confused. You asked the question which implies that you think you are poor and get defensive when people have said, yes you are.

No one is gloating and you have had mainly supportive positive comments.

£10 a day is not a lot. Children aren't happy being stuck indoors forever and it inevitably costs money to take them out and about.

It is tight. But babies and toddlers are cheap to run....... Well done you for prioratising saving and being at home for their early years. I'm sure it is a struggle but you're doing a lot better than some.

Its not poor but its tight. Why havent you looked into claiming benefits?

You have no debt and your saving £100. Your a lot richer than a lot of people

I think the crux of it for a lot of people is yes, if we had no other option then we would have to try to live on it as there's no other choice. But for many of us it would be a massive reduction in quality of life and lifestyle. But good for you for making it work –in an ideal world, though, you wouldn't have to.

Thanks, give me ten mins and I'll tell you roughly how much UC.

Op. I put your details into the entitled to calculator and going off your wages and rent you should be getting £245 a week universal credit.

You need to apply online or go into the citizens advice for a benefits check up. You could still live frugally. But have more room to breathe and save even more.

£70 a week isnt a lot but when you have toddlers its doable in that they are happy with a trip to the park, sleep in the afternoon etc. clothes are cheap and hand me downs are more aplenty.

However once they get to school age you have school dinners, school trips, school uniform, school shoes, pe shoes and kit, more parties etc, food costs increase as they eat more ie a toddler will have 1 slice of bread as a sandwich, a child will have 2 slices - instantly doubling your bread consumption - times that by every other food item and your weekly food shop is suddenly a lot more!!
then theres extra curricular activies, swimming/cubs/football etc all bring weekly charges and costs of kit and necessary items.
Days out suddenly cost more as children no longer get in free as toddlers, holidays cost more, etc etc

Even as toddlers theres unexpected costs - car tyre puncture, washing machine breaks, tooth filling needed, passport renewal, your shoes wearing out and needing replacing, child loses thier coat, birthday party, christmas costs, - all things that need to come out of your £70 a week!

its doable and plenty of people have to live nad to mouth but I wouldnt want to live on £70 a week if I didnt have to, its not poor by global standards but I wouldnt think most people in the UK would be able to have a full and fun life with a family of 4 on £70 a week.

You are entitled to approx £229 per week in universal credit. This is based on the information you have given so far.
Rent 950
Net income 1600
Child benefit 20 per week
2 children
2 Adults.
Savings under 3k

It could easily. E 30/40 Quidco difference either way as I don't know the exact area of London you are renting in. The UC rules work housing allowance out on the 'broad market rent' (in other words what the 'average cost for a home is in your area - for the amount of beds you require) so this calculation was done assuming 2 beds as kids can share with an average cost of 2 beds in London being £875. So almost all of your rent will qualify.

If you want to tell me which London Borough I can be more accurate.

UC is very generous to working households who rent. That is a hell of a lot of money to be not claiming when you are entitled. !

Quidco ? I meant quid difference. !

and I took the council tax as £135 a month.

Tight but not poor I would say. I think you are budgeting well. Well done to you both.

Try the thread on here called “10 pounds a day.” Might help bring in extra income

You're on a lowish income yes... I wouldn't have said 'poor' though. Our household income is marginally more than that at the moment whilst I'm on maternity leave iwth no. 2 and is around £1800 when I'm at work. We dont have a lot spare for emergencies but don't feel poor really. However DH will get a reasonable pay rise in May, so I'm not too worried about things.

I think it sounds like you have a great grasp on your finances and are living well within your means. Babies and toddlers are pretty cheap in my experience so far, all of my kids clothes are bought for them as presents or second hand. If its important to you to stay home with them in the early years then why wouldn't you if you can (just about) afford it.

@Blankscreen I'm not sure why you think her DH salary is 'appaulling', it's average for the UK. My DH is in a public sector service role and is on £20k. The pay scale is good so in just a few years he will be on much more, but still £25k is a very average 'normal' salary.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/3782849-so-anyone-up-for-an-earn-10-a-day-2020-thread

As PP's have said, you are entitled to UC as your rent is very high, your income is low and you will have 2 children. Fill the forms out and in 5 weeks time, you'll get the help. It's looking like you may get enough to pay all of your rent. Being about £900 a month better off will be a lot for you all. £70 a week left to include food for soon to be 4 people is not good. We have a family of 3 and spend £75 a week on food so if we were in your shoes, we would be -£5 a month before even thinking of clothes, activities, things for our son and just living basically

That is very tight indeed for four people, OP.

Guys she said 1600 after tax so his income is actually 20% more so your universal credit check probably isn't accurate

No I based the UCK on 1600 NET
About £25000 gross.

But have just re read OP and realise OP is pregnant so one child at present not two... so on same figures .. approx £175 weekly

When I think of "poor", I think of no electric, cabbage soup for dinner, children have holes in their clothes and no shoes on!

People have very different ideas about wealth these days. Your money is tight because of you not working, when you work again it won't be, especially if you can claim some benefits and get help with childcare costs.

I’m impressed by your budgeting, I wouldn’t say poor as your savings would presumably be used for any emergencies and you have no debt!
But, aren’t you glad you started this thread and given the advice you have received about UC. That would make a huge difference, and DC get a lot more expensive as they get older