Redundancy

[AgnesNaismith]

My dh was just made redundant this morning. I want to make a plan to reduce our outgoings for the next few months until he hopefully gets a new job!

Looking for ideas on what to do which won’t harm our credit files and thought it might be useful to start a tips thread. Can I still get payment holidays? What are the first steps I need to take?

Write up a budget so you know how much you need to cover essentials. Start cutting non-essential costs.
See if you can work more hours for more pay.
Make sure DH applies for JSA.
See if you can sell anything you don’t want/need on eBay/Gumtree.

Hard to say what else as don’t know your specific situation?

Try & find out the best time for reduced food at your local supermarket(s) also meal plan for the week & stick to it.

Check your electric / gas bills are as cheap as they can be?

As above sell things on ebay / Facebook.

Remember if you take payment holidays it will increase payments after it.

Probably need more information as to whether you were already breadline or having takeaways everyday

@AgnesNaismith pm me if you want. I work in finance and can help you run through it if you like (as irony would have it my husband got made redundant recently too and took a huge pay drop)

Apply for benefits

Check entitled to and see what you should be claiming

Many people leave claiming benefits until they have no funds, don’t make that mistake. Get clued up on where you stand

Can your dh claim JSA which will get his Nino stamp and is not means tested but as long as he was working for 26 weeks before he should get - get advice on this

Are you entitled to council tax benefit? Don’t delay in putting in a claim for this and it’s usually an online form. Get your council tax changed to over 12 months if over 10 now as this will make your payments more manageable

Turning the heating into a timer with set temperature will help decrease bills

Set out 3 store cupboard meals you like and stick up, we like vegan campfire stew but only use one tin of Jack fruit. We like tuna bake made with Campbell’s chicken soup and cheese, then black bean chilli. Having these meals in the cupboards with rice and pasta means we can rustle up a decent few meals at the end of the month. Add in a couple of freezer meals. This also stops popping to the shops...

First you look after the “four walls” so essentially anything that keeps the roof over your head. Then it’s food. Then it’s car, transport and phone (because nowadays it is essential!) . Anything else is after that should be cut out completely if necessary

If you pay your council tax over ten months, see if you can change to twelve.